We're Back

Josh and I are back from a long weekend in New York City. About a week ago, a vendor that Josh uses invited him up for what is called in the finance world a "due dilegence" meeting. He'd have to "work" for 2 days, but we decided that I would tag along and we'd stay through the weekend and make a mini-vacation out of it.

On Monday of last week, I started having second thoughts about our trip. First, I'd not left Bear for more than 2 nights - we'd be gone for 4 nights. Then, on Monday afternoon, we found out Bear had a double ear infection - poor baby! To make matters worse, Lily and I both came down with a stomach bug on Tuesday. My sweet mother-in-law insisted we go and she'd take good care of my sick babies - so off we went.

We spent Wednesday in Newark, NJ for the first part of Josh's meeting. They had a cocktail hour and then took us into Manhattan for dinner at a Chinese restaraunt, Ollie's Noodle House. It was different, but good, and it was fun meeting some other people in Josh's line of work from around the East Coast.

I slept in on Thursday morning while Josh has meetings and then at lunch we were taken back to Manhattan where we'd stay for the rest of our trip. While Josh attended a few more sessions in the vendor's building in the Garment District of NYC, I went to lunch with a few of the other wives whose husbands' were on the trip. We were having lunch in a trendy little bistro when in walks Tim Gunn, designer from several shows on Bravo. I was a bit shocked to see him eating lunch next to us - and I was too nervous that he'd hate what I was wearing to say anything to him! I explored around Times Square the rest of the afternoon and then we were treated to another fabulous dinner by the REIT company we were there with.

Josh and I before Dinner in Times Square

Friday morning, Josh and I got up early and went to the Today Show. We stood in line before the show started with our poster for the kids in tow. It was fun to see Meredith, Matt, and Al and we even got on tv for a bit. (Josh is quite embarrased about my 10 seconds on tv - ask him all about it). We spent the rest of the day relaxing, sightseeing, and shopping a bit. Friday night, we had reservations for dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria and went a bit early to see a finance show that tapes in the hotel bar there. We had a great dinner, which doesn't happen often with 2 little ones and then headed back to Broadway to see the Lion King. If you haven't seen it already, I'd highly recommend it. We loved the show and had a great time.

Josh and I before the Today Show

Me and our poster for the kids

It was an early morning for my sweet hubbie!

Josh and I at the Lion King

On Saturday, we had fun exploring shops on the Upper East Side and then settled in to the ESPN Zone to watch the Alabama/LSU game. I would have really thought we would be the only Alabama fans in the place, but there were at least 4 other tables full of Crimson Tide fans! After a great win we went Christmas shopping for the little ones in the huge ToysRUs in Times Square and headed back to our hotel.

Josh and I watching the game

We had a great time in New York, but definitely missed Lily and Bear. It seems like all of our conversations some how ended up talking about them and how much fun it would be to bring them to New York when they get a bit older. They were so excited to see us on Sunday afternoon, but I know they also had a great time getting spoiled by the grandparents!

Trick or Treat

We had a fun-filled Halloween on Friday. Lily was a cheerleader and Bear was a football player. I was a bit of a slacker mom and didn't go all out for cute costumes this year. Now that I am seeing everyone's cute baby costumes, I'm wishing I had planned ahead a bit more...maybe next year!

On Friday afternoon, after the kids got into their costumes, we went back to "Nanny's House" (their babysitter) and trick-or-treated with the other kids. Nanny gave them fun treats and candy and it was fun to see everyone's costumes.

We then headed back home to get Josh and went to the church for our annual "Trunk-or-Treat". Lily had lots of fun trick-or-treating to the different cars set up and she gots tons of candy. There was also a petting zoo, games, and inflatable bouncy houses set up. Bear was a trooper and loved the people watching. The costumes seemed to make him a bit nervous at first, but he still did great!

After "Trunk-or-Treat", we headed back home. While Josh grilled hot dogs and fixed dinner, I took Lily and Bear to a few neighbors' homes trick-or-treating. Lily looked like such a big girl walking up to the houses and reaching for the doorbell. Once the door would open, she'd dart inside...she didn't quite get the concept yet! She didn't want to go home and wanted to eat her candy as we went!

As we ate dinner, we answered our own doorbell - Lily would dart to the door and decide what candy to give each kid. She was not happy if they picked their own candy or if we gave candy out before she made it to the door.

Halloween was lots of fun - we're still rationing out her candy to avoid the sugar rush and know she'll have a great time next year showing little brother how to trick-or-treat!

Tag, You're It...

My friend Katie "tagged" me in her blog and now I am supposed to post 7 things about myself you might not know or realize...here you go:

1. Katie mentioned this one - but I've always been scared of clowns...I saw a snippet of a horror movie about clowns as a child and it was all over from there. But I will give candy to any clown trick or treaters who show up at my house tonight.

2. My childhood dream was to be an Olympic gymnast. I took lessons for years, despite the fact that each year I got taller and taller. There's not much hope in a 5'5" mediocre gymanst making it to the Olympics. I'm now living vicariously through Lily and her gymnastics classes, though I think she'll be too tall also!

3. My dream job would be to own a fun girly shop - selling stationary, mongrammed items, and baby items. I had this idea 5 years ago, but didn't think I could do it. Now there's a great store like this in Cartersville, so I guess I'll stick with my HR job for now!

4. I love to bake...the season from Thanksgiving to Christmas is my absolute favorite. Lily is already starting to enjoy helping me cook in the kitchen, so I'm sure our holiday baking will be tons of fun this year.

5. I'm not creative with crafts, etc...but wish I was. If I had time, I'd love to take up sewing, knitting, and/or scrapbooking.

6. I have 2 "double first" cousins. My mom's sister and my dad's brother met at my parents wedding...and later married. So their daughters are my cousins on both sides of our family.

7. I am a horrible singer...but I love to try. Josh is a good singer - if you ask, he'll tell you he was "All-State" in high school, but I was never blessed with this talent. I love to try to sing though. I just pity those who sit near us in church or who hear me singing away in my car.

There you go...now I'm tagging:
1. Diana
2. Jenn S.
3. Casey
4. Merritt
5. Jennifer

Roll Tide

It was a close game, but still a win! Roll Tide!

Pumpkin Pickin'

Last weekend, we went with Joey and Jessica to the Pumpkin Festival at Pettit Creek Farms. We took pictures in the pumpkin patch, visited the petting zoo, and let Lily play in the inflatable playground area. It was a fun way to spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. I really do love this time of the year!

Bubba, is this one okay?Fried Oreos...yum!!

10 Months

Our little man is 10 months old...actually he's close now to 10 1/2 months, but I'm behind on blogging. It's hard to believe how fast time is flying by. He's now weighing a little over 22 pounds and is 30 inches long. He cut his first tooth this week and is starting to eat some table foods. He loves Goldfish and Cheerios...he gets so excited when he sees the box/bag come out of the pantry. He's pulling up and standing a bit on his own. I know it won't be long before he's walking. He loves "playing ball" and loves to throw things. We call him "Demolition Baby" when he starts playing hard. He's got a very good disposition, smiles at everyone, but he's definitely still a momma's boy!

Here's Bear at about a month old -

Here's Lily at 10 months -

Catching Up

It's been a busy week and I haven't had a time to sit and post. My parents were here last weekend to visit. They got in town Friday night and baby-sat for us while Josh and I went to the Cartersville football game. On Saturday morning, Josh went to Tuscaloosa for the Alabama/Kentucky game. While he was at the game, Mom, Dad and I took the kids to Calhoun to shop for such much needed fall clothes. We found some great things - Bear has his fall wardrobe and Lily just needs a few more things.

Lily at the Outlet Malls

The boys waiting patiently on us to finish shopping.

On Sunday, when Mom and Dad were getting ready to leave, Lily decided she wanted to go with them. After a bit of discussion, we decided to let her go to Columbia for the week. I didn't know how she'd fare being away from home and from her Mommy and Daddy for that long, but she did great. They've visited my grandparents, had play-dates with my cousin's daughter, and spent the afternoon at the SC State Fair. Lily has had a great time, but we'll sure be glad to have her home tomorrow.