Sunday, March 17, 2013

Our NYC Adventure


Two of Anthony's brothers decided to take their wives on to NYC for a few days over Spud Harvest. Anthony talked me into and then talked my wonderful mom into babysitting for us so that we could have an amazing trip! We decided to leave three days earlier then Anthony's brothers so that we could enjoy more of the sites! We stayed for seven days instead of their four! It was amazing!


I'm a pretty nervous flyer! I couldn't sleep the night before because worrying about making the flight on time! We caught the shuttle at 3:00 and were very surprised when we arrived in the SLC airport 2 hours early! Gave me plenty of time to get nervous! As you can probably tell in the photo! 

I finally relaxed half way through the flight and took time to snap a few photos with my new I-Phone!

We landed in NYC Saturday night and after not eating all day and getting little sleep I was super motion sick! I crashed hard when we got to the hotel! The next morning we woke finally refreshed and ready to go! This is us standing on the subway platform waiting to catch our first ever subway! We were planning on attending church in the ward that meets in the bottom of Manhattan Temple. We underestimated how long it would take us to find our way and missed sacrament meeting. Oh well!

We headed over to Central Park after church! 
It was amazing! It was our favorite part of our whole trip! We walked around for two hours and only saw a fourth of the park!




One of the street entertainers



The next morning we decided to spend the day at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island!
We got to Battery Park just in time to stand in line for two hours!! Just to get to the ferry! It was worth it though!

Looking at the NYC Skyline




Anthony tried out the panoramic view on my phone's camera



View from the ferry

After the Statue and Ellis Island (where I had my first ever NYC pretzel by the way!), we jumped on the subway and headed up towards 5th Ave. We walked around the financial district and saw the famous Market Bull. 


We went inside here but hurried out after a few minutes! I totally felt out of place in this opulent building in my tennis shoes and jeans!

The next day we spent killing time at the Empire State Building! 



While on top of the building, it started to rain and then started snowing!! It was surreal! 

Anthony in front of the Apple Store!

The rest of the day was rainy and over cast and we had our first experience of talking down a street vendor when we bought an extra umbrella!

St. Thomas Catherdal, where we hanged out to get out of the rain for a little bit.
We accidental found ourselves in Times Square. It was amazing! Loved it!


The next day, after meeting up with Anthony's brothers and wives, we headed to the Museum of Natural  History and then here! It was awesome! 

We wondered around Times Square some more...


The M&M store! 



Us all together!


Our last stop for the night was at Grand Central Station, where I got the most amazing cheesecake!

The next day, Anthony's brothers headed to the Statue and we enjoyed sleeping in and decided to go back to the Park!


It was misting...hence the umbrellas!


The Reservoir


I had to get a hot dog! 
It was all about the food for me if you couldn't tell! I even got to ride in a taxi, though it wasn't a yellow one...sigh...




Our final stop on our trip! 
This show is AMAZING and we fully enjoyed it!



Flying home was so much better and I was hardly stressed or nervous! 
Our kids surprised us with this awesome surprise! 


What an adventure! 
Thank you, Anthony for talking me into this adventure!













Friday, March 08, 2013

Field Day

This is the first Field Day that my kids have actually participated in! They held it in September since the weather is often very iffy in Spring here! Peter had his in the morning so we packed up and went down to watch him participate in the events!
This giant twister game was awesome! He totally rocked it!

Then it was time for tug-of-war! 
The girls won the first round! 

They then had it been the kids against the parents and teachers! We (the parents) lost royally!
 Those kids are super tough!

Then it was time to play with a giant tent thing! 
(don't you love my terminology!)


Andrew's time was in the afternoon! We got there just as they were playing a soccer game of some sort! 

They then ran some relays!


Overall it was awesome and my kids had a lot of fun!

Spud Day Parade


Anthony told one of my sisters-in-law that there are two events in September that you can't miss no matter what! Big Monson traditions...
The State Fair and the Spud Day Parade! 
We went to the fair this year but I left my camera in the van and so sorry about no photos! It was fun and a fun experience that I love sharing with my kids. 

The morning of the 'big" parade! Every year right before the harvest of the potatoes begins, they have a parade and activities in the park to celebrate the harvest! Our kids love the parade and I don't mind it either since its short (about 20 minutes) and I don't worry about them getting trampled when running out to get the candy the floats throw. 

Peter showing off one of his finds!

The whole crew!

Grandma Monson explaining to Matthew the best technique for collecting candy!


My Dad got this horn forever ago! Its loud and annoying and perfect for parades! (He also loves to use it at girls camp to get the girls up and moving... wasn't so popular there!)

Each of the kids took a turn but no one can blow it like Grandpa! He used it to gain the attention of the float riders so that we could get more candy! 



Aunt Rachal taught us all the right way to cheer to get the most candy as well! Demonstrating her wave and two thumbs up! 
 
Matthew trying out her technique!

The other great thing about the parade is the seeing all the cool way that they bring the ideas of potatoes to their floats!

Miss Russet


Always a crowd favorite! 
The Go Carts!!
They haven't been around for years but they made a re-appearance this year!

 






Some of the floats and trucks were just a little two noisy for some!

Peter showing off his spoils! 

Andrews bucket!
We had enough candy to fill TWO gallon baggies that I gave out at Halloween and still have a large bowl full to eat for ourselves! 


Look at his smile! 
Perfect contentment!