Summer Vacation-NYC Part 1

I love NYC. There is no other city like it in the world. Having worked in the theatre profession my whole life I have had the chance to visit and stay in this wonderful city many times. I recently took 3 of my students in February. Well, the dotters have heard us (the hubby and I) talk about this magical place for many years. They finally demanded that they experience this urban wonderland. So Mom and Dad saved their pennies all year (because this is no bargain city) and we planned a trip back east. First stop: NYC

My top favorite moments with the dotters in NYC:

1. Arriving at night and seeing the dotter's faces take in Times Square in all it's lighted glory.
2. Dotter #1 telling us that we should give money to HOBOS (that is what she calls homeless people) but only if they SING.
3. Counting how many times they say "What is that smell?"
4. A really profound and reflective time at the World Trade Center area. I think the reality of what happened had meaning for them.
5. Taking them to their first Cirque de Soleil show at the world famous RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL and Dotter #1 whispering to me at one point, "That is really creepy."
6. Riding the subway and the dotter's always wanting to stand and hold onto a bar, even if there were 20 empty seats.
7. The fun shopping....they couldn't get enough.
8. On the last day the dotters after walking so much saying "Can we take a cab?" everywhere we went.
9. Dotter #1 trying to hail a cab and Dad yelling to her "If you hail a cab, you will pay for it."
10. Dylan's Candy Bar---you gotta see it to believe it!

THE DOTTERS TAKE MANHATTAN

A great view of Manhattan.

Visiting the Mad Hatter in Central Park.

Central Park

Dotter #3 enjoying the water in Central Park

A highlight in NYC, the greatest candy store in the world. I think Dotter #3 is unhappy because she wanted to buy the whole store.

We saw the new Cirque show, ZARKANA at Radio City Music Hall.

Rididng the Times Square Toys R Us Ferris Wheel.

Introducing Dotter #1 to the best bakery ever. Magnolia Bakery. She is eating their amazing bannana pudding.

We're BAAAAACK........

The dotter's trying on some hats at one of the many antique stores I dragged them to.

We are back. The dotters and I had a lovely time. We have so much to tell you. Please forgive the next few posts, they will be dedicated to the fun, and inspiring time we had together as a family.

I am busy working on projects for Fleaology and SPARK. ( A really cool event you should check out.)

Also, do any of you ever feel that you need a vacation after your vacation?

That is so ME right now.

I've missed looking at all your blogs and hope to catch up with you.

Baptism Day

Our sweet Brooklyn right before her baptism.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, our middle dotter Miss Brooklyn turned 8. We had that really fun Mad Hatter tea party for her birthday, because 8 is a special birthday in our family. When you turn 8 you have the opportunity to be baptized in our church. This is an exciting time for her and she was thrilled to find out that she and her best friend could be baptized on the same day. Lot's of family and friends attended and we had a lovely lunch after. Between Brooklyn and her best friend Maybrie we had family from Idaho, Arizona, Utah and Kentucky.

The Dessert table.....you know me I like to make it look pretty. White was the theme.

Brooklyn with her best friend Maybrie. (Maybire's dad is Matt Montague who was a BYU basketball star 10 years ago, still holds the most assist record. He is also our bishop.)

Is it possible for me to have a party without cupcakes? I think not!

 

It was a wonderful day. We had a family reunion that evening as well with all our cousins, aunts and uncles. It was great to see everyone. Family is so important and definitely a priority in our life.

Tomorrow we are off on our NYC adventure. The dotter's are so excited they can hardly stand it.

My "Treasures"

I've been thinking a lot lately about "treasures". Why is it that I love everything vintage, old, shabby, peeling...you get the idea. Where did this love of vintage come from? I have loved this style for as long as I remember being conscience of having a "style".

My parents don't really love the vintage way, so where does it come from? My parents always bought new furniture, I don't remember going to thrift stores as a child, so why does the idea of spending a day at flea markets, consignment shops and thrift stores make my heart go all fluttery? Where does this come from?


I'd love to hear your thoughts about this............

Had a great Fleaology on Saturday. Thanks to all my friends and customers who came and visited and found their own treasures.

I have restocked my booth at Treasures Antique Mall in Springville. (Utah that is.) What??? Are you a vintage loving Utahan (is that what we are?) and have never been there?

You need to go. They have over 70 dealers in two warehouses and lots of great TREASURES! I am not only a vendor, but an avid shopper there. Come visit.

We leave in about 10 days for our big NYC trip. It will be the dotter's first trip to the Big Apple. We are getting excited (and broke! as we buy all the tickets.....) we also get to visit Grandpa Reed and Grandma Karen in Virginia and can't wait to see them!

Hope your summer is going SWELL.

My little booth at Treasures.

Brought in a few birthday hats. Don't you just love it on a wedding dress?

xoxoJennifer

Mad Hatter Tea Party

So my lovely little middle dotter turned 8 this month. In our family that is a very special birthday. In our church children get baptized when they turn 8 and that important event will take place at the end of the month.

I wanted to have a special party for this special birthday. I have been wanting to do a Mad Hatter Tea Party for some time and she decided that the tea party was for her. I probably worked on it for about 3 months, making sure I got on the components. The fun part for me is trying to find just what I need on a pretty limited budget. I got most of the decorations at thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales and a few antique dealer friends.

I had so much fun doing this party for my sweet little dotter. Happy Birthday honey!

Okay, here is the disclaimer: Tons of pictures below, I  just loved them all. I owe the wonderful photography to the lovely Sarah Pennepacker. She is great photographer and helped me capture this fun party.