A very quick trip to Palmyra NY to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant

A couple of months ago our good friends the Buhl's invited us to meet them in Palmyra to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant. Well, they are such a good time and Cohen has never been to Palmyra so it was totally a win in our book!

We left on Thursday morning (stopping at Animal Adventure Park on the way) and arrived at Palmyra around 3:30pm. We first went to the Sacred Grove and the Smith Family Farm. About three minutes into the Sacred Grove Cohen decided it would be fun to play in all the mud puddles left over by the rain storm that passed through a few hours earlier. While I'm ok with Cohen splashing in mud puddles when we are on our way home and I can throw him in the bath, I wasn't too excited when on our trip and washing machines are not readily available. Well, after I told him not to play in the puddles he did one last jump which resulted in him tripping and face planting into a big puddle.  Please note all the mud on his "digger" shirt. One of the sister missionaries said she didn't even notice because she thought it was part of the shirt :)

We went to the visitor center for a quick look around. I mean quick cause Cohen was going crazy after riding in the car for so long, so we didn't stay long.

We then headed over to the Pageant to make sure we got seats (since the ground was so muddy and wet). Well, we got there VERY early and really had a large selection of seats to choose from. While we waited for our friends to arrive, Cohen and I made the trip to the top of the Hill Cumorah. We also spent some time talking to the cast members. Cohen LOVED it because so many people came up and wanted to talk to him and he in turn chatted their ears off. He also spent some quality time kicking a ball around with anyone who would join him. He convinced this poor woman into playing with him for a sold 20 minutes!

We really enjoyed the pageant and liked being so close to the stage. Last time we went we sat in the very back, which is totally ok, but we couldn't believe how much of the details that we missed. They use so much water/mist to help them tell the story and we really got the full effects being so close (we were third row center). Cohen was not that excited about the pageant to tell you the truth. It was late and he was tired. His favorite parts were when Nephi built the boat and Abinadi.

4th of July in NYC!

Happy Birthday America!

We totally enjoyed our first 4th of July in NYC! We spent the morning in the park celebrating with some families from our church. The family that hosted did an AMAZING job. There was food, a bike parade, popsicles, water guns, and water balloons! Cohen had the time of his life running around with friends and eating candy and all things sweet!

We then headed home for a nap and to run some errands. We went out for some dinner and then hunkered down at home and watched the fireworks going off in the distance. I couldn't believe how many fireworks we could see. The were itty bitty, but hey...we could still see them and from the comfort of our own home! That said, I think we are going to try and find a small town in upstate New York to enjoy a more small town celebration.

Back to the High Line for Rachel and Jilyn's Senior Pictures!

I really miss my YW in New Jersey! I'm so glad that Jilyn and Rachel come up to visit me on occasion and fill me in on the latest happenings in the good old Eatontown 2nd ward. I was called into Young Women's when these two were newly minted Beehives. I can't believe they will both be graduating next month.  Last month, they trekked into the city (ridiculously early...at my request) and met me at the High Line park to take some senior pictures. I love these two girls. They are such wonderful young women I can't wait to see what amazing adventures life will bring them.

Southern Tea Party Baby Shower for Ashley

In October I had the pleasure to throw my good Friend, Ashley, a baby shower. I worked with three of her other friends (Kristin, Meg, and Liz) and I think it turned out well! We had a Southern Tea party themed baby shower. Kristin did the amazing flowers, and Liz and Meg made some amazing food! We were a good team! Ashley had her baby a few weeks ago. I'm just so happy for her!

Disney World: Day 5 - Disney's Hollywood Studios

We spent our last day at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The special treat was my friend Elizabeth and her two daughters met us there! I was so excited to see Elizabeth and spend some quality time with her girls. It was a short day for us. Of course it was hot, but it was our last day before we left for our cruise, so we had packing and laundry to do.

Cohen and Kari went to visit Donald and Daisy and then we watch the March of the First Order.  It was really cool. The stormtroopers march in and have an "inspection of the guard." The sound of their boots on the pavement and the Star Wars music in the background created an amazing atmospher.

We then went to Toy Story Mania and visited with Buzz and Woody. It was a short but good day!

Pumpkin picking with the Veras

It's after Thanksgiving and I'm still talking about October...oh, well. I'm a little behind. I didn't take any Thanksgiving Day pictures, so I thought I would share some picture from our pumpkin picking outing with the Veras.

We went to Battleview Orchards and went on a hayride! I was a little nervous about Cohen on the hayride, but he totally had a good time. He really wasn't into the pumpkins and took off into the orchards. Jeff just followed him and let him explore. Luckily he came back, but I had to force him into the pumpkin patch so I could get pictures.

It was fun hanging out with the Veras and eating apple cider donuts! I'm totally addicted to pastries!

Birthday Dinner with the Klarins

So, like I said before, we didn't do a birthday party for Cohen this year. Instead we invited the Klarin's over for dinner and had cake. It was so much fun! Cohen always enjoys when the Klarin kids come over to play and Jeff and I love the parents, so it's really a win win for everyone! Jeff made an amazing dinner and Beth brought a delicious ice cream cake that we put some trains on. Totally a great night!

I HEART FALL and I HEART Pumpkin Picking with Ashley

Fall is STILL my FAVORITE season! I especially love Fall on the East Coast! The leaves are absolutely beautiful and I love the nice little chill in the air!

In 2009 (When I lived in NY), Karen, Ashley, Jen, and I took a little fall trip up to Connecticut to pick pumpkins. We had so much fun, that we did it again in 2011 (It's my fault we didn't go in 2010....I was doing the whole getting married thing). Even though Karen and Jen moved away, Ashley and I decided to keep up the tradition and went in 2012 and 2014, but to New Jersey instead of Connecticut  (Once again it was my fault we didn't go in 2013....I was like 8 months pregnant and didn't feel like it).

Well, once again Ashley and I got together and traveled back to Connecticut for our little Fall/pumpkin tradition.

We did what we alway do.....1) Get pumpkins, 2) Buy WAY too many pastries, 3) Eat said pastries in the car, 4) Go to Target and wander around for hours and then fill the car to capacity (we actually didn't do as bad as we have in the past) and 5) Get something to eat! It's totally the perfect trip! Can't wait for next year!

Gingerbread train and village with Mom and Angela

Whenever I visit my family in Washington we always get together with my moms friend Angela. Usually we go to see the Zoo Christmas lights, but this year we got together to make gingerbread houses and a train. It was so much fun watching Angela work! She's just so creative.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all have had an amazing Thanksgiving! We sure did!

Jeff, Cohen, and I went up to NYC to have dinner with Eric, Ashley, and Ashley's family. True to form, Ashley had a lovely table set and the food was amazing! Cohen really enjoyed his first Thanksgiving Dinner (since he was too young to enjoy it last year). He downed the stuffing like he had never eaten food before in his life!

I'm so thankful for the wonderful family and friends in my life. I'm truly blessed.

Fall is my FAVORITE season!

I just love Fall....the leaves, the weather, the food! I can't think of a better season! When I think of fall I think of pumpkin treats, pumpkin steamers from Starbucks, and donuts! I still haven't gotten my steamer, but I've done everything else!

Even though Cohen is too young to remember, I thought it would be important to introduce him into a favorite fall tradition of mine. Meeting up with Ashley for pumpkin picking! We started this tradition in 2009 with Karen and Jen. We drove up to Connecticut to go pumpkin picking and to buy an assortment of backed goods, and then we would always go to TARGET! Cause that's what city girls do. Ashley and I kept up the tradition when Karen and Jen left New York (the traders) and I was so glad Ashley was willing to share our little fall activity with Cohen! Of course we brought Eric and Jeff along with us :)

Last Saturday we went to A Casola Farms and Delicious Orchards. The farm in Connecticut was better (Something to remember for next year), but we had a good time.

Cohen got his first pumpkin! Eric picked it out for him! I'm a strong believer that kids should only get pumpkins they can carry themselves. Yes, I'm going to be that lame mom. I think we found a pumpkin that's perfect for Cohen.

Ashley and I then dropped the boys off at home and headed to Target. Seriously, you can't mess with tradition.

New Jersey's BEST Apple Cider Donuts?...A Casola Farms

A. Casola Farms is the last Central Jersey farm I will be visiting/reviewing (with the exception of Delicious Orchards of course!). I liked it there. They had a lot of activities and I bet teenagers would really like it. They have a bunch of haunted activities (hay ride, maze, etc). Jeff thought this place was a little "white trash." I really didn't think that until he said something. I'm not sure if they have a market there traditionally, but what they had there wasn't that impressive. The apple cider they sell is from PA, not NJ! I just think that's wrong. Also, the place was PACKED and they only have two cashiers for buying tickets and any merchandise. A little ridiculous for such a big place.

A. Casola Farm's Apple Cider Donuts: $4.99 for six of the sugar donuts.

• They don't sell the sugar donuts in plastic bags since they are concerned with it melting and getting sticky (I totally respect that), so you have to buy them individually at the counter.
• These donuts really remind me of the Johnson's Corner Farm donuts. They smell amazing, but that smell doesn't translate well into taste. I will say that one of my taste testers did say they like the taste. Said it tasted just like apple cider.
• The texture was not good....at all! They were very chewy and dense.

First tailgate party and football game for Cohen

I love football! High school and college is my favorite and I'm so excited to take Cohen to some games this fall. We took Cohen to a Rutgers game a couple of weekends ago for his first game! Apparently the only way to kick off a game is with a tailgate party, so we joined some friends in parking lot before game for one, which was a first for the whole family. It was ridiculously hot, but we had a great time! I hope it's the first of many for us.

A Trip to the Zoo

Kari, Cohen, and I met up with my good friend Elizabeth and her adorable daughter, Capri, for a day at the Oregon Zoo. I grew up going to this Zoo and it holds a special place in my heart. I'm so thrilled I got to take Cohen.

Cohen's Baby Blessing

Several months ago Jeff told me that he didn't want to have Cohen's baby blessing at the chapel, but preferred doing a small get-together at our house with family. I had never heard of baby blessings being at home, but when I talked to people at church (including the Stake President) I found out that it's totally ok and is more common than I thought.

So, we invited our family (and Bishop) to our house last Saturday for Cohen's Blessing and brunch! It was lovely and a memorable event. Cohen slept through the whole thing and was a total trooper as we passed him around so everyone could hold him.

Jeff and I are so happy to have Cohen in our lives! We are truly blessed.

Young Women Celebration of Excellence

Yet another late post.

In December the Young Women had their Celebration of Excellence (I think it's technically Young Women in Excellence, but we called it Celebration of Excellence)

We had a little lunch and program after Church in honor of the Young Women. The girls served their families lunch (soup and salad) and then presented the value experiences they worked on during the year. The girls did such a great job! I just love them.

Hello 2013!

Happy New Year! I can't believe 2012 is over! It was a great year, but I'm secretly hoping that 2013 will be even better!

Jeff and I threw a little New Years party at our house this year. Jeff has been telling me for some time that he wanted to start throwing New Years Eve parties like his family used to. They would invite the whole ward over and the house would be packed with people and food :) Since the house is not in the same state of Jeff's youth, we decided to keep the party small for our test run :) It was fun actually having a party to go to on New Years!

Thanksgiving is over?!

I just can't believe how fast this year is going. Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas season is in full swing. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas season, but I just can't believe how fast this year has gone. Sigh. Oh, well. It's been a good year and I'm sure next year will be just as wonderful.

We had Thanksgiving Dinner at our house this year! Jeff cooked a lovely dinner. I helped a little, but let's face it, Jeff cooked most of it. I was on dish and table setting duty. It's not a noble job, but someone has to do it. The Buhl's joined us for our first Thanksgiving at home and I'm sure glad they did. They are such a great time!

Well, I know I'm late with this, but HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I hope you all had a smashing good time yesterday!

What to do the weekend before the storm of the century? Part 2

Did I go back home and start preparing the house for the storm (after my lovely hike with the Buhls)?

NO way!

I jumped in the car and picked up Ashley for our annual pumpkin picking outing. Usually we have the lovely Karen and Jen with us, but they left us for Texas and Utah. Why did they leave us? I have no idea...Ashley and I are a good time! 

Well, Ashley and I decided we would still go and enjoy our annual fall outing.

We went to DePiero's Farm in Montvale, New Jersey. Honestly, I didn't like it as much as the charming little place we visit in Connecticut in years past, but it was still fun trying the treats from the bakery and walking around with Ashley checking out the animals and festivities.

Of course we had to do a Target run after...It's tradition! It was totally packed due to the upcoming storm, but it didn't seem to phase us!

We then went out to PF Changs for dinner. It was a great night with Ashley!

Then did I go home and prepare the house? No. It wasn't until I was sitting in church the next day with Jeff that I leaned over and said, "Maybe we should go home and move in all our lawn furniture." Jeff said, "Oh, yeah...that might be a good idea."