NYC Day Two

We started the morning with a MUCH needed big Starbucks and then ATTACKED the boxes. The big project and accomplishment for the day was getting the kitchen organized and all the dishes put away and setting up the furniture. It pretty much took all day...but along with the job of setting up house we also have two babies to take care of. We tag team keeping them occupied...Angel has been curious trying to explore all the boxes and of course finds everything she is not supposed to touch. She loves the buttons on the TV and equipment and has found her favorite....the volume button!! Luckily Megs had recorded many shows of Little Einsteins so that can keep her attention for awhile. Aunt Caitlin took her for a stroll around the city and found juice to buy and Angel loved pushing the buttons on the elevator and making faces on the reflective doors. There is a nice garden that is part of the complex and Caitlin took Angel there, she loved the water fountains. Caitlin also made a really long tunnel for Angel out of all the empty boxes!! Both of the girls took good naps which allowed for us to get a lot done during that time. Megs was cracking us up because everytime I would unpack a box and go to put things somewhere, I would ask where she wanted things to go or how she liked it. The main answers we got (with a very glazed expression) was "Sure, looks good" or "Wherever you think". Chuck it up to being overwhelmed and three months pregnant!! Hopefully she won't hate everywhere we put things when we leave. We had yummy NYC subs for lunch. In this complex where Megs and Chris live there is a trash chute a few doors down. Caitlin was taking lots of trash to put down it and was apparently fascinated by the sound it made traveling all the way to the bottom. She decided she would hold the flap open with her hand...that was until someone above our floor threw their trash in and BAM and OUCH, poor Caitlin's hand got smacked with a load of trash!! A friend of ours, Renata, is in NYC right now and joined us for dinner (yummy Italian)...it was good to see her and catch up with her since she recently got married. Uncle Chris and Caitlin took Angel to the garden again after dinner and she decided to follow a little boy's example and get in the water....so she came back with wet shoes and socks, but very happy!! It is quite stuffy and warm as the AC units in the apartment are not working well or broken, except for the master bedroom which is now the baby nap room, so we had several fans running. Aunt Caitlin had shown Angel how to make noises in the fan and Angel amused us all with her fan screaming noises. We laughed so hard!! After such a busy, hot and long day you think the kids would have crashed for the night....but tonight was a really bad night. Both of them just wanted mama and I was playing tag team with getting one to bed and then the other...over and over. When they were both asleep, Caitlin and I chat a bit, take a deep breath and say "hurry, get as much sleep as you can!" Let's just say we had several bed buddies throughout the night....

NYC Day 1

Wednesday we started our adventure....getting up very early we were headed to the airport and luckily missed the rush hour traffic. Jason was not fond of saying goodbye to "his girls" but knew we had a mission to go do...go to NYC and help my sister Megs and her hubby set up house!! After getting through the security check which is crazy with two little ones...Caitlin and I were ready for the flight. Angel was very excited about the airplane and sitting in her own seat, although she did not like the fact that she had to be strapped in and couldn't get up and explore. She was very fascinated with the fact that the Airplane book Marmee had gotten her was exactly what she was experiencing on the flight. Once we were in the air, it was less than one hour before both the girls crashed for almost 3 hours!! And of course we just happened to be sitting on the only aisle of seats where the TV screens on our seats were stuck and were not working....especially when they were offering the movies for FREE and with the girls sleeping we could have enjoyed them!! Oh well.....The flight went really fast and we were impressed with Jet Blue. So when we arrived at JFK my sister and her hubby had gotten a car service for us. Well, Caitlin and I felt like royalty walking off the flight and the first thing we saw was a man holding a sign that said "Erin Hartsell". Caitlin laughed because when I saw him I waved and then he shook my hand and starting taking charge. He got a luggage cart and got our bags for us....then proceeded to take us out and keep a parking space free for the driver to come get us curb side. When the Lincoln Town car drove up to load us we got some very peculiar (I say jealous) looks about how we were getting such treatment...it was so nice with the kids and all the luggage...THANK YOU MEGS AND CHRIS. It was an easy drive to their new apartment (except when our driver insisted we try this new type of gum, and kept offering it and Caitlin finally took a piece but didn't feel she could try it in case it was poisoned.). We were so happy to see Megs and look at her new place. It is VERY nice, feels like a hotel walking in and going up to the 27th floor!! Of course as you can see from the pics in the slide show, the apartment itself needs A LOT of unpacking, organizing and setting up!! Hopefully the pics of it when we leave will show much improvement. We ordered some Teriyaki for dinner (NY food is always so yummy) and when Chris got home from work visited and then went to bed....um, well Caitlin and I tried to go to bed but the girls not being sure where they were and in unfamiliar sleeping arrangements had a tough night...just giving Caitlin a good dose of what motherhood is all about!! Overall, a very successful and exciting day!!

City Girls

I know, I know, I know .... I have yet to share any of our fun (um, tiring-hot-exciting) trip here in NYC. But between being surrounded by boxes (either unpacked or broken down in big piles), furniture that keeps floating around the apartment because we haven't quite figured out where we like it, fans everywhere because did I mention it is HOT and the only AC that isn't really broken is the master bedroom which we now use as the baby nap room, and well then there are the two little ones that keep wondering why we don't have all the time to give them our constant attention and why we just can't clean up all the messes. But so far we have had no mental break downs or moving anxiety attacks...I guess when you have yours sisters together it is just so nice to be sharing these moments and making memories that it makes the whole experience much more bearable. In between all the unpacking, setting up and organizing...we are trying to take breaks and at least explore the city a little and let Angel run around and play. Angel loves just walking the streets and staring at all the people zooming by. It is funny to watch her, as Caitlin says, "she looks so little on the streets of NYC." Now if we can just get the little ones (especially Angel) to sleep at night...although last night the trick was putting her in her own room like at home and she did much better...just tough when her schedule and surroundings are so different. Babes are truly creatures of routine and schedules. So while I have had a quick minute to let our loyal readers know we survived the flight and are busy helping to transform this apartment into the Sturhahns new home I will hopefully find some time here soon to post the pics that yes, I have been taking and I know my dear husband (whom I and the girls miss so much...this is the longest I have ever been away from him!) wants to see. So.....come back later and check it out!!!

Two neat sites

THIS SITE is a neat idea a friend of mine and her husband are doing. Thought I would link it here in case anyone would like to help them with raising their funds....it goes to support the Ronald McDonald House, which is a wonderful place that helps so many families and holds a special place in Christina's heart. I am inspired by how they have turned a fun vacation for them into such a giving and fruitful experience as well...way to go guys!! And Christina...don't fall asleep on the bike again!
THIS SITE is a sad, moving, inspiring and amazing site as well. I went to youth group and was friends with Patrick's brother back in high school. Continue to pray for healing and faith and resources for this family.

I LOVE these pics

(Megs...that is the Hanna outfit you got Emma)

Go MARINERS

(yes we know they are the worst team this year, but gotta have team spirit..right? and don't you love those ruffle bums?)

Summer Days

We are very lucky to live near a fun park...so today we took advantage of the HOT weather (yes 84 is hot for us) and went to the park. Emma had her first slide ride and it is amazing to see Angel playing in the park this summer as opposed to last. Here are some pics from today, and I included the video of Angel sliding last summer and one from tonight. While she still can wave and blow kisses to the camera, this year she is much more independent, must do everything by HERSELF, and wanted to show the camera "again and again" how she could slide. Can't wait to see what next summer slide rides are like!

Spaghetti = Messy

FUNNY

Read THIS, so funny!!

Happy 7 Month Birthday!

Amazing to think how much you have changed in the past seven months. You have almost gained 2 pounds in the past month, a big growth spurt!! You have grown so long and love to bounce!! You smile all the time, especially at your big sister who makes you laugh. You are drooling a lot and we are waiting for that first tooth to pop in. You take a wonderful 2-3 hour nap, now if we can only get you to SLEEP at night!! You are not really thrilled about the REAL food yet and would rather nurse all day. You are starting to babble and just letting your personality show more and more each day!! We love you so much sweet girl!!

Movie

We watched Bella the other night...a truly beautiful movie about life, love, family, friendship and faith. How one decision can change a life and path forever. A little slow at times and hard to follow for me in the beginning, but for a low cost production film, I thought it definetly is worth a see and how refreshing to have some positive movies out there to watch!! Go check it out!

Tim Russert

Great article...CHECK IT OUT.

31 Years Ago...

...my wonderful parents were celebrating the start of their married life......and now have 4 daughters, 3 grandkids and a loving happy marriage. Mom and Dad we love you and looking forward to the next 31 years!

Good Morning

The little ones have settled into a routine of laying in my bed together and watching Little Einsteins while I get ready for the day...Angel is so funny because she always has to hold Emma's hand while she snuggles.

Fathers Day Wrap Up

Well the dads had a good Fathers Day...even got to watch some of the golf championship and the basketball game. The weather was beautiful so we enjoyed (especially Angel) time playing outside. We enjoyed just time together and a yummy dinner mom made. Jason once again has told me that THIS cheesecake is his favorite...just with all the only favorites! Even though I had a crust problem, this Mocha Cheesecake was very yummy. Click on pic if you would like recipe. We are also looking forward to very clean cars, garages etc with Jason's new powerful Shop Vac he got and lots of camping trips with his new tent that we can now all fit in!! And we look for lots of yummy barbecues from dad's new grill. Hope all the dads out there had a great day...and Megs the slide show with ALL the pics from the day is for you silly!