New York, New York

Well, I can't believe it's been three weeks since the big trip to NYC. We had a FABULOUS time and were in for a HUGE surprise when we landed.

The drive to DIA was extremely nerve-wracking due to a good snowstorm that left the highway a parking lot. Mom was sitting in the front seat and seemed really nervous. So nervous she couldn't talk and was so worried we'd miss our flight. Well...the real reason for her concern was that she and Aunt Kay worked up quite the plan to surprise Bec and I. Aunt Kay flew into JFK 2-hours earlier than us and waited for us down at baggage claim. Imagine our surprise when Bec and I saw Aunt Kay patiently waiting for us to get our luggage. It was so fun to have the two sets of sisters together. My mom and Aunt Kay are so fun to be around, they had us laughing the whole trip. It's hard to say what the highlight was but I'd say it was seeing the Rockettes and our last dinner at La Bonne Soup!

Me, Mom, Aunt Kay & Bec

Times Square

Saks Fifth Avenue Dancing Snowflakes

Bloomingdales

Macy's Herald Square

Lord & Taylor

Top of the Empire State Building

Lunch at Thalia

I don't know if I'll ever be able to thank my mom for this Christmas gift. No words will describe how much I'll cherish these memories. I also know that we'll have to go to NYC again since we didn't see everything on our wish list. The fact that Aunt Kay was able to join us really put it over the top. Thank you Mom, it was better than I could imagined. Love you!

Weekend recap

We're back after a quick trip to Atchison and St. Joe to visit family last weekend. It also was Oktoberfest in Atchison where we spent Saturday with J selling her quilts. I have to say my favorite part of the trip was surprising Mim on Friday morning; we were able to take her to the doctor appointment and to the grocery store. I know we won't get many chances to spend time like that with Mim so I snapped up as many photos as she'd let me.

-I loved this milk display so much I had to snap a photo-

We also took Robert to lunch on Friday and then for a round of putt-putt where I ended up owing Jeremy $4.75 from our little wager of a quarter a stroke. Jeremy is such a sweet great-grandson and son, these probably don't do him justice.

Saturday started out cold and windy, thank goodness Bec loaned me her coat, Jeremy used a quilt since he didn't take a coat. The quilts were gorgeous as usual with her booth on the Mall, just down from Nell Hills. Jeremy was a great salesman and manned the booth most of the day. I took a brief hiatus to get all sorts of lovelies from Nell Hills.

Sunday Jeremy and I both took a break from the family and did something we both loved for a few hours. He golfed at a course in St. Joe while J and I went to Nell Hills in Briarcliff. I told you I love that place and am so glad we made it to both locations. While they both might be NH, there is a difference in lovelies at each location. More lovelies came back with both of us and now I have more loot waiting for transport. Good thing we had one car to load our goods in, they wouldn't have lasted on the plane. Jessica introduced me to Mary Carol and she was very gracious. Jeremy and I made it back to Atchison for a final family BBQ with the Ross clan and had a great time visiting with all of them. I really enjoyed visiting with Frank and Irma to learn more about their time in Germany when they met. (On a big side note, Jeremy and I are trying to make our way to Germany to meet Irma's sister and nephew. It would be a great trip.) A quick stop at the ice cream shop and we were on our way back to St. Joe to see Mim one more time. A very quick trip but we were able to visit with lots of family. Very priceless!

5 Things

I stumbled across this at The Lil Bee and thought it would be fun to answer 5 Things You Want to Do in This Lifetime. I like that this can be grandiose or utilitarian but all things I want to check off my list.

1 - Retire with the mortgage paid off. (Not a fun one but very critical if we want to retire at 52.)

2 - Spend a month on the cost of Scotland, this will include lots of golf and adventure. (I think we need to visit first, but that's a minor detail.)

3-Golf in a couples tournament with Jeremy. (I think we'll get this one checked off next year!)

4 - Be published in a magazine. (I know this seems funny but I love magazines and it would be thrilling!)

5 - Watch the Duke/UNC game in Durham.

5 Things - Bucket List - Fun List. (Jeremy's things all related to golf and travel, shocking I know.)

Its almost Nolan's birthday!

Hello 31!

Goodbye 30!

Thanks for all of the well-wishes! I had a wonderful birthday, starting with dinner last night at the Chart House and finishing just now with a cupcake made by Mom. Nolan only has one birthday until his, he can't wait for Aunt Becca's birthday because then its his birthday! Time flies so it will be here soon!

The Open Championship

Jeremy and I started watching the British Open from the comforts of our bedroom at 4:30 this morning. I love that we can watch the links course at Turnberry for four days straight. We need to get serious with planning our golf trip across the pond - it is gorgeous!

Here's hoping that Geoff Ogilivy, Ian Poulter, Justin Leonard and Andres Romero play well. The family version of the FedEx Cup, the IPS Cup, is on the line.

Ferry Building - Farmer's Market

Here are my favorite photos from our time at the Farmer's Market - AMAZING!