Am I smarter than a 6 year old???

One more funny detail from our long plane ride home...I think since Alli slept in the cab she was wide awake on our flight! At one point I looked out the window and saw a bunch of lights. To which I said " Oh, Alli I wonder where we are flying over now?" My quick whitted daughter reply with much dismay that I didn't know "The United States of America, Mommy!" I couldn't help but laugh...didn't dare tell her I was thinking what city!

Day 3 Blue skies in NYC!

Despite our late morning the day before...we set our alarm and were ready to go! We started packing our bags and then headed back to the American Girl store for some Christmas suprises! After another stop for breakfast at Cafe Metro we went to the Top of the Rock. It was the 1st day that we could see blue sky! Perfect for viewing all of New York City. We were able to see the Statue of Liberty and of course the Empire State Building. The kids really enjoyed playing with the binoculars too! Since it rained so much of the time I felt like we at least got to see the city this way! We stopped back by the tree at Rockafeller Center and met up with Sally and her new husband Ron...yes Andy's sister was in NY at the same time! We checked out of our hotel and took a stroll down to Bryant Park. There was a Holiday Market that was full of fun and unique items. I bought a necklace and Caden got an R2D2 made out of motorcycle parts! Since our plane left before their train...we said goodbye to the Treichler family at the market. We made our way to Ruby Foo's for some yummy Dim Sum! Before getting our luggage we walked into the Hershey store and the M&M store. It was time for us to get in a cab and head to the airport...Alli fell asleep! We made it to the airport with plenty of time. Grabed some soup for dinner and boarded our plane. Only to be told the plane was having difficulties and we would need to essentially "reboot" it to try and fix the problem. Well 45 min later and we all got off the plane...wait in the crowded terminal...board another plane and then wait 1hour and 45 minutes on the plane in line waiting to take off! All is well and we made it home by midnight! Hope you enjoyed this litte recap!

Day 2- NYC

Well you have got to love room darkening shades! We were supose to be ready to leave at 10am...hard to do when you wake up at 9:50! Yes the kids too! I guess day 1 caught up with us! After a quick breakfast at McDonalds we walked down Time Square to Toys R Us. We began with a ride on the indoor ferris wheel! Alli was so excited we were in the M&M car! Other than the ferris wheel it was just a big Toy R Us...but with rain lingering outside...it was a perfect morning spent shopping. Alli made a new bracelet and Caden & Noah made a special Robot. The Robot Galaxy was a boys version of Build-A-Bear combined with Webkinz. They will be able to play online with their Robots...Max & Rex! We then had lunch at Bubba Gumps Restaurant. It was delicious! We also took some time to Rock out at the MTV store. Our day slipped away quickly and it was time to stop by the hotel to change before the Radio City Christmas Spectacular! The show was amazing! What a blessing to see a show that incorporated both Santa and the most important part of Christmas...the birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Complete with live Camels and the entire audience singing Joy to the World! After a quick trip to the Nintendo Store...we had dinner at the Ellen's Stardust Diner. The wait staff entertains the customers with singing! Rockin Around the Christmas tree was a hit with our table...then back to Doubletree for a good nights sleep!

Visiting the Big Apple- Day 1

Many of you know our friends and next door neighbors the Treichlers. As mentioned in some of my previous posts, last March Rachel was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. I am happy to report with much joy that Rachel is now Cancer free! In celebration they asked our family to join them in New York City. Since they were driving up to Ryan's parents and taking the train...our trip to NYC began with an early morning flight. We caught a cab and headed straight for the hotel, fortunately our room was ready at 9am so we were able to check-in. Of course it was fitting that we had rooms next door to each other! It was so cool...we enjoyed warm chocolate chip cookies and looked out our window and the Coke sign in time square! It didn't take long and Alli was ready to hit the American Girl Store...YaYa & Granddaddy gave her a doll for her birthday this year. Getting to select her at the store was amazing. She selected Kit and two dogs...Grace & Coconut. We met up with the Treichlers and headed to lunch...Cafe' Metro! Rachel's favorite...it was yummy! After lunch we took a cab up to Central Park and walked around. The kids loved running in the rain. It started to pour so we made our way to FAO. This place was magical! We had a "Big" moment on the piano & stopped in for dinner at a local diner. After walking by the big tree at Rockefeller Center it was time for gifts...Early Christmas gifts for the kids...Pink Princess pajamas for Emma, Matching Mario pajamas for Caden & Noah and some American girl pjs for Alli & Kit! What a 1st day!

One Doggone Good Santa Visit

We took the kids and the dogs to the mall to visit Santa! George was dressed in his Santa suit too! Like any girl, I think Bailey was just excited to go to the mall!

good smellin' fun

the kids and I spent the first day of track out playing with homemade peppermint playdough! Alli enjoyed making a snowman and Caden made a surfer! Thanks for the idea Hlo!

Alli's 6

It is hard to believe that December 1st Alli turned 6! Where is my little baby? Not here! I hope you enjoy this quick stroll down memory lane! She is growing up so fast! I am so proud of the girl that she has become. She is doing so well in school, her teacher says she is a joy to teach! She loves to play with her friends and does pretty well being the only girl her age in our neighborhood. It really is fun to watch her and Caden together. They are the best of friends. They are always looking out for one another. We hadn't planned a party for her birthday since we were going to NYC. YaYa & Granddaddy gave her an American Girl Doll and we were going to get to buy it in the store! But even though that made since to mom it didn't to her. So for her birthday we took 5 little girls to get their nails done by Ms. Cindy and then headed over to McDonalds to meet up with 6 boys for a little party! They all had so much fun...and of course we had to have a theme...this year...Hello Kitty! Here is your challenge blog readers...can you name what the theme from Alli's birthdays each year 1-5? Don't let the photos confuse you...