New York continued...

Some more photos from our fabulous trip!

Gold plated Trump Tower... tacky just like The Donald!

RIP Steve Jobs - Apple Store in NYC. This photo was appropriately taken with my iPhone.

Beautiful view from Central Park.

Another neat view from Central Park. Many of those buildings in the background are home to celebrities.

We had some of the most delicious food in NYC. We ate dinner at the oldest and most famous steakhouse in the city, Peter Lugers, and at a little authentic Italian restaurant in Little Italy. For lunch one day we ate at the Carnegie Deli.

Carnegie Deli was a meat extravaganza!

We love the David Letterman show and we even strolled through the lobby of the Ed Sullivan Theatre and it was COLD. Dave always jokes about how chilly it is in that theatre and he wasn't kidding!

And of course, we had to look for the Hello Deli! I was surprised to see Rupert Jee at the register. I waved to him and he waved back and then we went in to grab a water. Such a down to earth, nice guy!

One of the highlights of our trip was seeing a Broadway production. We saw Spiderman at Foxwoods Theatre. What a cool performance!!

SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off the Dark

We had great seats in the front row of the loge, right by one of the landing pads for Spiderman. We even got shot with one of his webs. So fun!

Chinatown was, well... interesting to say the least. An experience in itself!

New York City Getaway

Ben gave me an amazing birthday gift... a kid-free trip to New York City! We haven't traveled alone since I was pregnant with Claire over five years ago. We did a ton of traveling before we had our girls so it was fun to hop on a plane with my favorite person and head to the greatest city in the world!!

We stayed in an amazing hotel in Times Square! FUN!!

Quintessential NYC! A dog walker in Central Park!

Strawberry Fields in Central Park

We got see a taping of The Today Show. Hoda was interviewing Kim Kardashian and the Harlem Globe Trotters. So neat!

Grand Central Terminal

That's the Empire State Building behind us!

Ben picking up a quick lunch for us at a NYC hot dog vendor!

Brooklyn Bridge

The Financial District in Manhattan. We took a ferry ride on the East and Hudson Rivers. So sad to see this skyline without the Twin Towers, but still beautiful.

The ferry ride took us right by Ellis Island to get an amazing view of Lady Liberty. She is stunning! Lots more pics to come! Such a great trip with PERFECT fall weather!

The Tooth Fairy STRIKES again!

She doesn't look thrilled in this picture, but she was pretty much ecstatic when her FOURTH tooth came out on Saturday! She'd been working on that tooth for several days and it literally looked like it was hanging on by a thread. I was glad to see it come out because it was kinda making me nauseous seeing her top tooth blowing in the wind. Still can't believe my baby has lost all four of her front teeth!

My Furry Blessings!

So... if you know me, you know that I love animals and seem to attract animals in need. I've always been a magnet for strays. I can remember as a child and a teenager bringing home all sorts of animals. It seemed the obvious choice for me and Ben to rescue our dogs and I love that we were able to rescue two retired racing greyhounds. They have been such a HUGE part of our family!

When I found Chloe (Willow the Stray) and my neighbors adopted her, I felt like that was my blessing for helping animals all my life. I know it sounds crazy, but the fact that Chloe now lives two doors down and we get to see her everyday, is such a reward for me. I am so thankful I stopped in a bad section of town to save this sweet little dog. We really have loved getting to know our neighbors better and enjoy having their dogs over to play. Belle & Chloe have brought the puppy out in Sophie... so fun to see her play and run with them and of course, Claire and Anna think our neighbor dogs are the best. They remember the day we picked Chloe up off the streets very well and we talk about it often. I hope that I am raising future animals protectors!

The threesome!

My reward dog, Chloe!

Sweet Belle

(She was also a stray my neighbor Matt found!)

The Sophster

The girls LOVE playing out back with the dogs!

We call Claire the "Dog Whisperer". She is so good with dogs. They really listen to her and obey her commands. Maybe a future dog trainer?!?!

Promotion Sunday

Anna was promoted to the 3 year old Sunday School class at church! I feel like I was just dropping her off at the nursery...

She was so excited and loved taking her special Bible with her!

LIFE'S LITTLE INSTRUCTIONS

I saw this on a poster while I was sitting in my doctor's office today. So simple, yet so profound. Too good not to share...

LIFE'S LITTLE INSTRUCTIONS

• Sing in the shower.

• Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

• Watch a sunrise at least once a year.

• Leave the toilet seat in the down position.

• Never refuse homemade brownies.

• Strive for excellence, not perfection.

• Plant a tree on your birthday.

• Learn 3 clean jokes.

• Return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank full.

• Compliment 3 people every day.

• Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

• Leave everything a little better than you found it.

• Keep it simple.

• Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.

• Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

• Floss your teeth.

• Ask for a raise when you think you've earned it.

• Overtip breakfast waitresses.

• Be forgiving of yourself and others.

• Say, "Thank you" a lot.

• Say, "Please" a lot.

• Avoid negative people.

• Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards.

• Wear polished shoes.

• Remember other people's birthdays.

• Commit yourself to constant improvement.

• Carry jumper cables in your trunk.

• Have a firm handshake.

• Send lots of Valentine cards.

• Sign them, "Someone who thinks you're terrific."

• Look people in the eye.

• Be the first to say hello.

• Use the good silver.

• Return all things you borrow.

• Make new friends, but cherish the old ones.

• Keep a few secrets.

• Sing in a choir.

• Plant flowers every spring.

• Have a dog.

• Always accept an outstretched hand.

• Stop blaming others.

• Take responsibility for every area of your life.

• Wave at kids on school buses.

• Be there when people need you.

• Feed a stranger's expired parking meter.

• Don't expect life to be fair.

• Never underestimate the power of love.

• Respect all living creatures.

• Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation.

• Don't be afraid to say, "I made a mistake."

• Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know."

• Compliment even small improvements.

• Keep your promises no matter what.

• Marry for love.

• Rekindle old friendships.

• Count your blessings.

• Call your mother/grandmother.

by H. Jackson Brown Jr.

84th Birthday

My Grandma McDowell recently turned 84 years young! She is a true blessing in my life and the lives of my girls. I can't imagine my life without her. I am so thankful for her love and support. We truly enjoy our time with her!

Happy 84th Birthday, Grandma! Here's to many more!

Cubbies

The girls started Cubbies last week! This will be Claire's 3rd year of Cubbies (since we decided to wait to send her to Kindergarten) and Anna's 1st year of Cubbies. Anna was so very excited... she's been waiting a long time to be an official Cubby!

Anna doesn't have her vest yet so Claire let her hold her bag!

Sunflower Field

I took the girls to a sunflower field to get pictures with their sunflower fairy costumes I got them for trick-or-treat. The sunflowers were looking a little sad, but the pics still turned out cute!

Under His Wings

A friend had a link for this posted on Facebook. Just what I needed today and maybe you need this reassurance as well. And, of course as an animal lover, this picture touched my heart.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:8b

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:7

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,for in you my soul takes refuge;in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,

till the storms of destruction pass by. Psalm 57:1

Let me dwell in your tent forever!

Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah Psalm 61:4

He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge;

His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. Psalm 91:4

Jesus’ desire: …How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,

and you would not! Matthew 23:37b

1st Day of Pre-Kindergarten

Claire started her first day of pre-kindergarten last week at Kirkmont Preschool. She is very excited about going to school! She'll be going 4 days a week this year so it'll be quite a change from her 2 day a week preschool last year, but she seems ready. We're anticipating a great year!

She couldn't wait to get to school!

September 6, 2011

She is in the same class with her cousin Caroline! Two cuties!

Our big girl!

Cat in the Hat is the theme of her classroom. Mrs. Holbrook and Mr. Murray are her teachers.

Claire with Mrs. Holbrook. Mrs. Murray is sitting in the background.

Lord, give Claire a great year. Help her to be a positive leader in her classroom that we know she can be. Protect her and help her learn. Amen.