{Out of this World 1st Birthday}

Mason's 1st Birthday was out of this world ... 

In fact we headed to Outer Space for his Birthday. 

 Shortly after returning from DC and visiting the Aero Space Museum we knew Mason needed an outer space party. And so that is what he got.  I can't believe we are already celebrating his first Birthday. How fast 1 year goes by in a child's life. What is the secret to slow it all down? I think in our modern day life we cram so much stuff in our children's life; such as soccer practices, swimming, piano, activity after activity after activity. I remember growing up SLOW. Sure I remember my fond memories of wonderful events to the Zoo, Red Rocks, Museums, Hiking and other things, but I remember being in my own world as a child too. Where I just thought and thought and thought and thought and I would lay on the trampoline and look as the clouds formed into different shapes and thought some more.


I need to slow down and look in the sky more and watch the clouds with my kids and allow them to have SLOW MOMENTS rather then me cramming their day with crafts and activities and chores. Not like those things are bad they are wonderful but moderation in everything is a key to a happy life.


So that is my spill and thoughts of what I had when my Boy turned 1. to savor and slow down and remember the laundry can sit on dresser another day so I can just play with my little ones because I already feel like I am already losing them to the future.

Here's what we did. Everyone was involved planning preparing and shopping for his Birthday. 

Jon Made Dinner. I love his mini hot dogs and space balls and craters.

STacking donuts is the easiest cake EVER. I LOVE IT. Jon made the wings on the bottom.

Poor Mason woke up on his Birthday with PINK EYE! So sad but he was so tough. He just looks like he is crying in every shot though : (

Glow Stick for later

Oh No . . . . I guess bath time needs to come sooner then later. What a sticky mess.

Alix helped with all the decorations, but this one she did all on her own. I love it. She loved this party so much she says she ones one too.

My friend Bridi gave Mason all of his close for the next year or two. She dressed he boy so well and I'm so glad Mason will be Styling for at least 2 more years. Included was this costume. Couldn't have been more perfect timing.

I have said this before and I will say it again. Mason is so so HAPPY. I LOVE HIM.

Grandpa gave him this Dump truck that he plays with everyday!

Happy Birthday Mason!

Days I wonder what in the world I did or didn't do to deserve raising you as my son. I am so honored to raise you up. As a one year old you have already brought so much happiness not only to your family but to all our friends here in NY and to strangers. If the only reason you were here was to make others happy and forget about their worries for a moment then I think that is one great life to live.

Thank you for filling over my cup of JOY!

{Soccer Season Began in April}

The girls decided to skip out on Gymnastics and try soccer for a season. This was Alix's second season ever and Addison's first season ever.

We joined Oceanside soccer because the games were not held on Sundays and it was cheap. The only draw back was some days in traffic it took us 25 minutes to get there. On a good day it still took us 15 minutes. It's right next to the ocean, however from the field you can't see the ocean with the trees but knowing it's right there it was fun times.

Addison loved her practices and wasn't always excited for the games cause she says. "Everyone watches her." but what can  you say when the first game of the season and the first play Addison decided to run the ball down to the goal and score a goal!

I call this shot her serious face!

I will post more pictures of Alix later but here are a few of her first game.

{D.U.M.B.O.}

Okay you got me. I pretty much LOVE LIVING IN NY.

 2 years ago I would say I loved the new adventure but there was such a big culture shock I didn't feel like home. I must admit sitting and reflecting on NY. I love it. I will be happy to live here for another 3 more years and more if I have to. Yes Yes we want to leave once training is done, but if we are offered a fellowship here we just might take it. 

As for my families concern (cause that's the only people who read this blog). I will say we will return someday but we are not sure when that will be but hope it will be sooner then latter but for sure not for another 3 years.

Jon is finishing up his 2nd year in his Surgical Residency. Next year we are excited to be able to see him more with new responsibilities he should be home more. Talking to other recently finished Surgical Residents. They all have said the second year is the hardest for Surgery that is. We are so happy to say it's almost done.YAY! But I can't really get that excited until I see it and feel the loads lift off my shoulder. I will say I couldn't of down this with the help of my Heavenly Father. I owe everything to him and boost nothing of myself. I am who I am because of Him. These last two years have been very hard but I feel it has been such a blessing in my life. 

The talk Mountains to Climb by Pres. Henry B Eyring is amazing and I have drawn much strength. He says "If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing."

I am grateful for angels that the Lord as sent me. I have found my most cherished friendships being

a woman who is a non-member

a woman in her 40's

a woman in her {well we will just say} 50+ 

a woman who's husband is not a member

I am grateful for these four woman in my life, 

Anyway I am confident weather or not the next three years will be easy or hard I know it will be a blessing in my life. and I am going to"Enjoy the Journey"

now are you ready for these next pictures? 

I am so excited to show you them . . .

WELCOME TO 

D.U.M.B.O.

Down Under the Manhattan Bridge OverPass

We walked by some great stores. We loved this PaperDoll store called Dumbella. So darling!

I wish we made more time to take pictures with my kids near hear. Oh well we will definitely be back!

Check out this picture. I thought I was SO COOL finding the Empire State Bldg under the Manhattan Bridge to find out while we walking the Brooklyn Bridge artist were selling this same shot. Anyway I think mine turned out way cooler then theirs.

We look pretty Looney walking down these streets at times, well maybe all the time : )

This is the reason why I wanted to go here. To see the Carousal in the Glass Box- AWESOME!

What a beautiful Day!

Here is the New Freedom Tour going up inplace of the Twin Towers. We have a friend who is an engineer there and he would take a picture of almost ever level. It was fun to see what he sees everyday.

Also Below is the Brooklyn Bridge

Here we are looking at the Manhattan Bridge. In the far distance is the Queensboro Bridge. That's the bridge we take when we drive in the city. It is also called the SpiderMan Bridge.

This building was awesome looking.

The kids playing on the rocks. I don't think they were aloud too but how could I stop them it's so natural to them.

Here is the reason why we went. I loved taking pictures this day. 

Mason is laughing not crying. He couldn't get over how fun the slide was.

This was one of my favorite pictures I took.

Next we had to hit up one of the biggest tourist and local spots in Brooklyn. That is Gramaldis. Holy Cow I am the biggest PIZZA SNOB and I think I SERIOUSLY FOUND MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PIZZA HERE.

Thin Crust, perfectly cooked.

AMAZING!

We ate upstairs in the old restored building. Well not entirely restored : ) That's the big joke with Jon and I.

Here is were they make all the pizza

Oh my gosh  . . . so so yummy!

Mason is generally a fan of whatever I enjoy. :)

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is one of my favorite things to do. 

Here is where you find Jon 24 hours a day 7 days a week. 

{Well that's what is feels like}

I will post more pictures of Jon. When he's on Lunch Break he will send me pictures around town and freak it looks like he's on Vacation. What a nice break for him, but I'm still so jealous especially when I get a text from him of his lunch and him sitting next to the bridge on one of the piers over looking Brooklyn. I always smile at him and say . . "Did you ever think that you would be working in The Big City?" The answer is always "Nope" So wild.

All of Jon's Attendings and Residents are from Cornell.

LET'S JUST SAY AWESOME!

Here we are off the bridge. So Beautiful. I love it.

We enjoyed some street performers too. They were very entertaining.

Back on the Brooklyn Bridge we found these. I think they were only $2.50. I think they have to be the cheapest thing I have ever bought in the city. Some Latino mom and dad were making them. I wanted to say you really need to be charging at least $5.00. But I thought they would go for more too. Anyway for that deal we bought two!

YES!

Walking back to the car.

Jon being the gentlemen he always is told us to play here and he would get the car. The car wasn't that far but I think we just wanted us to continue taking in the lovely scenery.

So RELAXING!

ANYWAY I HOPE THESE PICTURES WILL WANT YOU TO DUMBO and also SEE ME!. 

I would love to show anyone around. 

I LOVED IT SO MUCH HERE AND WE ARE 100% SURE WE WILL BE BACK!