NY expertise needed

I'm ready to head to the "Big Apple!"

The flights are booked.

Our tickets are in my hands! Broadway baby.

My new swimsuit is purchased for Bermuda.

We're ready for some water like this again, and relaxation on a boat like that!

Our trip is in less than 4 weeks. We will pick some excursions in Bermuda but I don't know what to do in NYC. I can't wait to go and have wanted to forever. I for sure wanted WICKED and we are doing that...but now what? Who has been before? What do you recommend? One of my BFF's lives there and we are staying with her...she has given us some great advice. I would love to hear anyone else's input that has been before. We have 2.5 days in NYC and 8 days on the cruise.

These are some sights I would like to see:

Ellis Island- heard this is boring??

Times Square- heard this is a must

Regis and Kelly!

Central Park

Museum of Natural History

Rockerfeller Center??

Ground Zero

I would LOVE to hear what anyone has to say, input or advice. I want to make the most of NYC. THANK YOU!

My winner!!!

David is the real deal! He is an absolute doll. He has already won in my book. I can't wait every week for him to sing because I know he will do FABULOUS. He is SO cute, humble, amazing.... My only fear is that Hollywood will screw up him! I HOPE NOT.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpVuogzmWhg&eurl=http://www.google.com/reader/view/ Here is his song from this week. PURE.

The best things come from UTAH! lol.

To Daddy

*must be read in a raspy pirate accented voice:

Argh mateys, we miss our pirate Captain Kirk!! These here pirates want to tell ya we LOVE you scurvy bilge rat and thank ye for working so hard for us buccaneers. We're holding down the fort and we hope you're having a good 'ol swashbucket of a time on your high sailin' work trip and that ye are safe. Arghhh. We know it must be tough and excruciating work that you're doing as your previous trips attest to...

-watched the play WICKED in LA, and passed by Angela from "The Office"

-got sun burnt while playing a hard game of golf in Savannah

-ate at the finest restaurants while schmoozing your clients in San Diego

-bought new tennis shoes so you could play racquetball with your boss in Colorado

-slept in hotels without one worry of making your bed

-oh, and some meetings jumbled in there

-MISSED YOUR FAMILY

Get your aft pointed in the right direction and come home soon. Don't hang the jib - (to pout or frown) too long! Aye captain we love ye and know ye are missin' us! We are tough pirates, and we be okay. Just plunder some treasure and all will be well! Dead men tell no tales what we be doin', but me and the lad be just FINE!!!!!

Yo-ho-ho! Shiver me timbers. We love!

A must see...

This video clip is so dang cute and funny. You have to watch it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM

LOVE his accent.

It's almost as funny as this one!!

http://leviandfaith.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-post-about-faith-lot-huh-but-levi.html

Holly, I still laugh my head off when I watch Faith eat those pea's. It's the best video ever!

Kids are just too dang cute and funny. They are always there for a good laugh.

Case in point.

Lady-bugged

This is me right now...a lady that is bugged!!!

Here's the story. I just got Tanner into a Musikgarten class. I've been looking for something like this or a kindermusic class for awhile, and was thrilled when I finally found an available class here in town!

I signed Tanner up and payed for his classes. He attends every Monday at noon for 45 minutes. It's an interactive class where they sing, dance, learn songs, play, talk about music...it's great!

They want the parents to stay with the kids, WHICH IS ONE ISSUE, and one of the kids is, THE OTHER ISSUE.

Tanner doesn't participate as well because I am there. He doesn't focus on the teacher because he wants to sit by me and just acts rowdy because I am there. It is annoying. I wish I could leave. I am teaching him to be better and I think he is improving, so I guess we will continue to work on that and I'll just have to stay in the class.

The other problem is another boy in the class. They are all 3 years old. It's going to be hectic...that is a given. I know the class is for the kids to have fun and learn. A big, open, fun dance studio with mirrors on every wall only invites them to act like wild animals and see what kind of grotesque faces they can blow on the mirrors...but I also want my child to learn to respect his teacher and be appropriate while in his class.

This other kid does not do that. He growled like a lion or dog, or some strange animal the whole time today. It just wound Tanner up and made him not want to concentrate either. The mom just sat there the whole time too and let him run wild. She wouldn't tell him to stop!

I don't know if the mom thought:

*he is just having fun

*the teacher can discipline him

*I'm not in control so I don't need to discipline him...

I really don't know what her thoughts were but it was driving me crazy! Her kid was disruptive to the entire class and the teacher. I could tell the teacher was annoyed too, but then she brushed it off saying he was having fun. She did ask him to stop once though!

Anyways...what should I do? Say something to the mom? Say something to the teacher? Ignore it? I HATE being confrontational and don't really want to. Do I just need to take a chill pill?

However, if this kid is going to continue to disrupt the class and only aggravate my son to act naughty, I don't want to be there or pay for a non-productive class!!!!

What would you do in this situation?

Up for discussion

Jessica had Paula's new video linked on a post and I had previously seen it played on American Idol, and so I thought: Let's talk about Paula. Do you LIKE her? Check this out and watch the new Paula Abdul video. (thanks for the link Jessica!) Yes, No, Maybe So?? Is she trying to hard? Do you think it's a great song? What is your opinion on Paula? I want to hear what you think.

I personally think Paula is an interesting person. She is so amiable that she doesn't want to offend anyone, and I respect that. She is very sensitive and tries to build people up. Sometimes it's a little overboard, but she is generally a kind person. Sometimes she's a little shakey and loopy which I don't know what that's about (or maybe I do?) But I do like her new song. It will be interesting to see if this really is her COMEBACK!

She has really cute hair at times too!

Anywho...I LOVED Paula when I was younger. I remember singing "Rush Rush" in the car with my grandma and she was so offended. HA! Funny times. So, watch the video and do tell, DO YOU LIKE? What do you REALLY think about Paula and/or the video!!??

IUI, TGIF, and GB

Today was a great day.

Landon and I headed 1 1/2 hrs away to see our infertility specialist for another (3rd) attempt at IUI...in layman terms "we are dysfunctional and can't get pregnant so we have to intervene with medical procedures to help our chances in having a baby!"

(pix from previous post on our first attempt)

The event gives Landon and I some alone time for uninterrupted conversation during the drive to the hospital and have a day out together! We have to wait 1 1/2 hrs for them to prep "the boys" so we get to have lunch at our now ritual TGI Fridays!

YUMMY.

When the procedure was over we drove back home and I stopped at Target and got this, this and this...

$100 $50 $25

I LOVE Target and the Global Bazaar section is awesome. All of these pieces were 75% off. SCORE BABY. What a way to top off my night.

Seriously, what gets better than trying to create a baby without making a mess, eating out and a FABULOUS sale? Top that!!!

Here are my new family members in action...(there is a cool figurine I couldn't find a picture of to post from Target that I also got, sitting on my wall book shelf)

LIFE IS GOOD!

Aftermath

Yesterday was a fun snow day...like I posted before I'm having a LOVE fest with Tanner.

We had a great day. Our neighbor spent the day with us as well. Jake is in kindergarten and when school got cancelled his parents had no where for him to go. SO, to our house was the answer. Tanner loves to play with Jake and it was nice to have someone else entertaining Tanner besides me, for once. (one child isn't always that easy!)

They had a fun day destroying my house, playing in the snow, watching ScoobyDoo Pirates Ahoy, eating spaghetti, making a mess with the moonsand and being BOYS.

The mess was worth the fun.

Snow day = love

It snowed an inch so school was cancelled (they don't snowplow here)...thus Tanner's preschool was cancelled this morning. BUT, it's okay because these past few days I have just been LOVIN' being with my little Tanner. I always do, of course, but as you all know SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS when it comes to being a mom.

Tanner has been so fun, sweet, happy, cute, and cuddly lately. I love him to pieces so I am soaking it all in.

I decided to share my love with all of YOU. If some of you are having a HARD mommy day...you can borrow some of my love for your kids. I've been there done that, so take my love and hopefully you'll make it through the day and enjoy your kids more TOMORROW :)

Last night as I was going to bed I was thinking of an analogy about this thought (I know I'm not the only one that has preconceived posts arranged! ha ha)

Our mommy love is like water. Sometimes water changes form, into ice or steam...but it is still the same substance, it started as water and can return to the form of water again. Our mommy love is the same way...always pure and constant, but sometimes might change form into depression, exhaustion or frustration with our never ending duties, BUT is always a constant love even if it LOOKS different at times. It will always return to a never ending love.

Being a mom is the hardest, funnest, toughest, longest, happiest, scariest, best job of all.

Through the good, the bad, and the ugly. LOVE is FOREVER.

LOVE this show

Okay...I am TOTALLY copying this whole post from cute Ashley http://ashleyhollis.typepad.com/joy/ She posted exactly what I wanted to say...so I am copying!!!!!!!!! THANKS for saving me time Ashley. The fabulous quote "great minds think alike!" I hope you don't mind! I did add a few personal comments though :) My American Idol Favorites... Anyone else out there a big American Idol fan? I LOVE that show. There are some really talented people this season which makes it even better. Here are a few of my favorites that I'll be rooting for and watching: Michael Johns:

Did you hear him sing Bohemian Rhapsody at the Hollywood audition? AMAZING...go listen to it here. (I used to hate that song, until now!)

Brooke White: And No I don't just like her because she's a mormon chick. She has super cute personality and has an amazing voice. The judges say they like her innocence!

A few others to watch out for:

Syesha-she is sooooo cute!

David-he is adorable!! and from UTAH! LOVE him. Carly-cool voice. Who are you rooting for?

It shall return!!!!

The whole writers strike has just been a joke (if you ask me). Greedy suckers. BUT ... If you haven't heard, "The Office" is returning on April 10th.

I'm so happy.

Changes again.

We moved to Missouri almost ONE YEAR ago. I can't believe it has been a year already. The first couple of months were horrible and I didn't know what I had gotten myself into. I was all alone, in a new environment, didn't know a soul, became a full-time stay at home mom (stopped working as an RN), left all my family and friends, felt like a widow because Landon was working AWFUL crazy hours getting their new facility/program up and running from the ground...I was dealing with a TON of crazy emotions, combined with our battle of infertility which weighs on us daily...I thought I was going to BURST. My life had been completely turned upside down, so I thought. I wasn't happy and life was HARD. We had just left Utah and left behind some VERY difficult times we had endured. I was ready for a break and I thought our trials were done for awhile and life would be more bright...but they were still dark. It didn't help when Landon was immediately called to be Elders Quorum President and didn't know a soul! That was a little overwhelming for him. Then last month I was called to be YW President which has been a little overwhelming for me as well! I am really excited though, and am looking forward to getting to know my awesome YW better. The youth these days are amazing!!!!!!

We've hurdled every challenge that has come our way, BIG and small, and we won't stop now.

Things are getting better as we've made friends, started to serve in our callings, and work has calmed down a bit. I have not completely immersed myself into my life here yet, but I'm trying. Needless to say, the future is bright. Landon was given a new calling today and is now the 1st counselor in the bishopric. He came home after his morning meeting, emotionless and white as a ghost as he told me about the changes!!!!! I just gave him a hug and told him CONGRATULATIONS. He was so shocked, but it didn't shock me ONE BIT. I wouldn't have been surprised if they had called him to bishop! Landon is such an amazing person. I married WAY ABOVE myself! Because of his stalwart personality, he has forced me to grow up, learn to sacrifice, how to serve, and be a better person. All you women know when your husband gets a calling it affects us just as much! So now, once again, I have to raise my personal bar and step up to the plate. I need to give him all the support I can, and in that there are sacrifices we both have to make. Landon is already overwhelmed with his professional responsibities and now has a whole new plate of duties to fill in our ward. He will be a great asset to the ward and to our new bishop. I selfishly thought about the blessings we will receive from this as we serve and do as the Lord wants us to. I know our family will be blessed for the sacrifices and service we render.

I told Landon to stop being such a competent, fabulous, righteous person and he wouldn't have such big responsibilities!!!!!! He can pull it off though and I have complete faith in him and the man he is. I'm so grateful to have such a wonderful husband who doesn't shirk his duties, serves with his whole heart, is honest, loving, and obeys the Lord. I'm excited to see what the future holds. The Lord pays good and keeps His word. Those that dedicate their lives to His Gospel will be rewarded and I know that with my whole heart and have seen it in my life! Life is about learning, being stretched and molded into the people the Lord knows we can be! It's so easy to not aspire to what we CAN be, just sit back and have a smooth ride. BUT, when we do try, as bumpy as the ride may be, it is much more worth it!

Bypass time

What kind of inside activities are you doing with your kids to keep them entertained during this yucky COLD winter?

Moon sand is pretty fun. I like the feeling of it. Tanner likes building castles and bridges...

I loved Melissa's idea of toothpicks and marshmallows!! Creative idea :)

http://planetgiles.blogspot.com/2008/02/marshmallow-toothpick-creations.html

I also like some of these idea's to be artsy/crafty with your kids: from Design mom.

http://www.designmom.com/2008/01/ask-design-mom-tips-for-being.html

Let's share more idea's...if you got 'em, let's hear it!

Because, for the most part, this is what Tanner wants to do all day.

Watch Peter Pan!

We switched it up from the big screen downstairs to the portable player upstairs!

We are home!

We are now home from Florida...depressing to go from 73 degrees to 11.

However, we had GOOD weather, GOOD company, GOOD entertainment...a GREAT time had by all.

Thanks Amber and Carson for such a great time. They were fabulous hosts and we had a blast spending time with them. Baby Grayson is purely precious!

I had so much fun!! Love you guys...

PALM TREES and the Park!!!!

Amber and I got cute jackets from American Eagle!

Dinner and ice cream with friends.

Cute Lindsay!

Landon's best friend growing up...Danny.

CUTE CUTE baby!

Adventure Landing:

looking at the alligators, fun rides, go carts, mini golf, batting cages...

Tanner found his best friend at this awesome gift shop full of PIRATES. He was in heaven. Too bad that little statue was $350.00. It sure was cute though!

Savanna Georgia: ferry boat ride