Phantom of the Opera

We could've seen Phantom of the Opera in New York while we were there, but we went in Houston with my family just days after we got back. It is such an amazing show and Tyler had never seen it before. I love the soundtrack and remember listening to it over and over when it first came out.

New York City!

For my birthday this year, my Mom offered to watch the boys while Tyler and I went to New York. This was my very first time and Tyler hadn't been since he was 14 so it was basically a first for the both of us exploring the city together. We left on a Thursday night and got back late Tuesday night. I'm best at writing travelogues, so here it goes:

Day 1 - crazy shuttle ride from Newark to NY, Times Square, the Naked Cowboy, Lottery for Wicked (didn't win), Double Decker Bus Tour or Downtown, TKTS Booth, Top of the Rockefeller Center to see Empire State Building at Sunset

Day 2 - First Subway trip, Tyler got on and I hesitated and had to wait to catch the next one, Session at the Manhattan Temple, saw Mary Poppins on Broadway, tried to win tickets again for Wicked, Shake Shack, shopping

Day 3 - Bus Tour to Uptown, Central Park, ate at the Hot Dog Vendors, Museum of Natural History, ate dinner at Collin and Jen Bennion's (Tyler's Cousin who lives in Manhattan), got rained on as we were coming home

Day 4 - Walked from 23rd to 53rd in 30 minutes to get Student Rush tickets and found out that Shrek, Wicked and Chicago don't perform on Mondays, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, ate at Grimaldi's Pizza, shopped at China town, took the night Bus Tour that was so much fun and a nice break from walking all day long

Day 5 - Took the Amtrak to New Haven Connecticut, met up with our good friends Chris and Sarah Elwell, went to a lighthouse and beach, toured the Yale Campus and Art Museum, flew home.

Thank you Mom for watching Connor and Cody and for letting do this memorable trip!!

50th Birthday Bash!

Yes my Mom just turned 50 and I decided to throw her a party. With Disco lights and decorations,, lava lamps as the center pieces, pictures of my Mom from the 70's, groovy music and good food, we had a blast dancing and celebrating my Mom's birthday.

Cancun

After only a 2 hour flight from Houston, we land in Cancun - humidity and all. We decided to take our boys and Tyler's Mom Heather came with us too. We stayed in a beautiful Marriott property right on the beach with an oceanview. Is the water really that turquoise? It was amazing!! Here is what we did:

• Ventured to the local Wal Mart to pick up breakfast/juice/snacks. Ate yummy tacos in their food court. They were like $1.25 for 3 tacos al pastor.


• Enjoyed the beach, sun, sand and good drinks at our hotel


• Visited Tulum and Chichen Itza - ancient Mayan Ruins


• Connor held a giant iguana


• Tried to keep Heather away from the locals selling Mayan masks
  
• Took a boat to Isla Mujeres where we rode golf carts around the island


• Went to church - yes it was all in Spanish. Good thing we had 3 Spanish speakers in our family that translated the meeting


• Tyler and my brother Spencer body-surfed a ton (at night the waves were huge)


• Jumped and swam into Ik Kil - a Cenote (underwater cavern) This was my favorite part of the trip.
  

Overall the trip was a blast and I could go there again in a heart beat. I love the sun :)

That's SOUR!

Yes, Cody did want to eat the Lemon. The funny thing is that he kept trying it even though he knew it was sour. He's a cute boy and becoming lots of fun. In the morning he asks me "Can we watch a show?" Well it's more like "jius jius jius a show?" - baby language. Connor loves watching cartoons, so I guess Cody does too.

Mission Fund

Tyler found a dollar bill in Connor's shirt pocket today and asked "Where did you get that?" Connor replyed "From Grandma, she said it's for my mission." At least someone is thinking that far ahead - thanks Grandma.

A week to celebrate

I wrote this on Sunday night, but couldn't post it b/c my new camera wasn't uploading the pictures.

I was born on May 6 and my Mom was able to take me home from the hospital on Mother's Day. I remember her telling me how neat that was because I came just in time for that special day. My birthday celebration started on Tuesday night as Tyler surprised me with dinner at Amadeo's and a small party with family and friends afterwards with an amazing cake. On Wednesday, my Mom treated me to shopping, lunch and a pedicure while my brother Spencer watched my boys for 6 hours. Thursday night was girls night at Roma's and I received several gift cards to use at Charming Charlie's:)

Tyler went to Las Vegas for the weekend to be with his mother and Paige's baby blessing (our niece). Tyler always makes the Mother's Day Dinner - even for my mom, so I guess he'll have to make it next Sunday. My brother Trevin (who is on a mission) called, and it was fun to talk with him. He comes home October 6, I can't believe he only has 5 months left. It will be great to see him again!

Just like brother

I have learned that the second child picks up on things really quick. Connor loves to play baseball in our backyard and frequently hits balls over the fence. It didn't take Cody long to figure out how to put the ball on the tee and swing the bat. I hope the video clip works!

Good Times!

Here is what we have been up to lately:

Astros Game with Brady and Jennifer. Connor loved it, Cody was a wiggle worm as usual.

San Antonio Riverwalk and Sea World. We drove to Sea World early one Friday morning, went to several shows, saw tons of animals, Connor rode his first Shamu Roller Coaster Ride, ate at Rudy's BBQ for dinner, rode the Riverwalk Boat Tour the next morning and drove home.

The boys in their matching shirts they wore to church for Easter Sunday.

Me chaparoning my sister and brother to the Britney Spears concert. Maybe I shouldn't admit that I went to that :0)

Two Dates in One Weekend

That's right, Tyler and I went on two dates this past weekend! The first was to the Shell Houston Open on Friday afternoon. We both got sunburned as it was a beautiful day and enjoyed walking, talking and seeing the famous golfers. I think we both would've rather been playing golf than watching it, but it was great. On Saturday night, we went to eat at a fancy Italian place Downtown followed by the wonderful play 'Les Miserables'. It was such a fun weekend as well as enriching as we watched General Conference too.

I went to the beach with the boys this past week and even though it was windy and cool, we had a lot of fun playing in the sand, flying a kite and eating our picnic lunch.

In March we went to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo with the Boys. The animals were of course their favorite part. Connor rode on a pony and with his cowboy hat up in the air he would say "Yee Haw, Partner" really loud - it was priceless.