Ringing in the New Years...

We were lucky enough to spend a few days in the city, between Christmas and New Years, with Mitch's sister Danielle and her family!  They drove up from Virginia to explore the city and we had a blast.  We went non-stop and the kids were great sports.  We hit Central Park, Rockefeller, Times Square, Bryant Park, Madison Square, and even made it down to Chelsea Market and the Highline.  We loved spending a bit of the holidays with family, and are so glad it worked out!

Remi all bundled up / Skating in Bryant Park with Jackson

Mitch's parents knew we were going to be in the city after the holidays, so they sent each grand-kid a Toys-R-Us gift card so they could pick something out at the big Times Square store.  It was fun to see what each kid chose, and how each picked something totally different!  

More skating at Bryant Park...and some falling.

You can't do New York City during the holidays without a carriage ride around Central Park! We were lucky enough to have Jayden ride with us.

We may have hit up Waffles & Dinges more than once!  It was just too good, and with their pop-up location just around the corner at Bryant Park, we decided to make it breakfast.  We may have indulged at Dylan's Candy Store and the Donut Plant too. Shhh!

Our weekend ended too soon, but we were happy to have at least a little Brown Family time!

Happy New Year!

iDecember...

It's April, and finally spring, and I'm just finishing up blogging about Chrsitmas!  Eeek!  Better late than never.  Here is our Month of December through my iPhone.  

Visiting Santa at the Old James Store / Mitch blowing out the candles on his "Take 5" birthday cake. 

Dieter and Remi during their normal crazy shenanigans / Dieter with his best bud Ossie

Dieter and me at his Nativity program at preschool.

Me, being fixed up by Mitch with anti-nausea meds after a bout with the flu / Drive-thru light show

Westminster Gardens / Finnley's class Christmas party

All dressed up for Mitch's work party / Our little family on Christmas Eve

The Sorber's leading our Christmas carols / Our funny and dysfunctional nativity

Finnley on Christmas Morning / Singing her heart out on her new microphone

Dieter in his new gator / Remi taking a little break on mom's lap

Mitch's gift from the DeHarts, a halter for his horse / Our tree before the storm

It was a great month!  More pictures to come....

'Twas the Day before Thanksgiving...

MItch was on call this Thanksgiving, lame, so instead of going into the city for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, we decided to go in the night before for the balloon inflation.  It was cooooold and rainy which was a bummer, but also awesome because not very many people came for the inflation!  Way to look on the bright side, right!?  We walked around the shops for a bit, hit up FAO Schwartz, and grabbed some hot chocolate, then headed over to the Natural HIstory Museum where they blow up the balloons. 

It was coooold, and poor Remi didn't have enough layers on.  She was pretty miserable and her poor face was frozen.  We walked the three blocks of balloons kind of quickly, but stopped for pictures in front of our favorites (Sonic, Toothless, Papa Smurf, Spiderman, just to name a few!).  Get ready for a bunch of pictures of us standing in front of blown up balloons!

We finished off the night with some 'Brother Jimmy's BBQ' and let me tell you, we scarfed it down.  We were all so hungry and cornbread has never tasted better!  We loved our pre-thanksgiving night in the city, and hope to someday see the parade as well.

Happy Halloween...

I have to say, this Halloween was so much better than last year's.  Boy, am I glad there was no hurricane rolling through our area this year.  Another big bonus...my parents decided to fly out and spend Halloween with us.  It was such a treat!  We haven't been with family on Halloween for 5 years, so it was fun to share it with my mom and dad.  Plus, it isn't really halloween without my mom's yummy chili and a carb-loaded bread bowl.  The. Best. Mmm.

This year Finnley decided to dress up as an Indian Squaw (thanks to my sister Amy for the great costume), Remi was a Toucan, and Dieter had a few costume changes, which included an Army guy, a SWAT Team guy, and a Police Officer.  

We had a little amateur photo shoot in the historical graveyard near our home, on the way to our ward's trunk-or-treat.  I wouldn't want to be stuck in there after dark…creee-py!

We loved having my parents come and visit!  

We also took a fun road trip up to Newport, Rhode Island…that's coming up next. 

God Bless America...

 

We had a great Fourth of July.  It was full of friends, fun and food - just like the Fourth should be!  We started our day early with the Port Jefferson Firemen's Parade.  It was Patriotic and made me proud to be an American.  We watched as dozens of new and vintage Fire Trucks, Engines, and Firemen paraded down Main Street. Our kids waved their flags and collected their candy throughout the hour-long event.  It was definitely the highlight of their day.

 

 

 

 

 

After the parade, we hit up Chandler Square for the best ice cream ever!  No joke. The oreo and snicker's flavors are super chunky and yummy. Mmmmm.

 

After a delicious BBQ with friends, and way too much food, it was off to play a game of baseball with church friends and to catch some fireworks over the Long Island Sound.  We crawled into our beds, agreeing that it had been one successful holiday!  Nothing says the Fourth like parades, ice cream, bbq's, baseball and fireworks.  The perfect day.  Happy Fourth Everyone!

Easter...

Easter Saturday, we enjoyed our Ward's Easter Egg hunt.  The missionaries put it on, and did a great job.  Our kids walked away with lots of loot and had fun playing games, winning raffle prizes and eating all the yummy food.

 

Sunday we had some friends and the Elders come over for the traditional Ham and cheesy potatoes.  I ate way too much, but actually felt like I finally made a "Janner" meal, so I couldn't stop.  It was delicious.  The Easter bunny was fun and generous to our three little ones, and the day was perfect.  Happy Easter everyone (only a month late).