December 31, 2010

Today we wandered the stores in search of Heather's big Christmas present - a sewing machine! We finally found one we could all agree on - the Bernina 210. It's like a rocket ship with all those buttons on the front. But somehow she was able to make it work and with a bit of help from Mom, she made a whole dress for Caroline! And it's reversible! Can't wait to see Little Miss in her new dress!

December 30, 2010

And a good time was had by all....

Nothing says family fun like watching someone else put together the 578 piece Lego Jackson received for Christmas.

September 18, 2010

The hottest overnight train ride ever!! Ok so I didn't take this particular picture, but I did take loads of other ones this day. We caught the overnight train to Xi'an, about a 10 hour journey on the hottest train ever. The train was split with mostly tourists from Europe and Chinese. Our particular six bunk section was two other Americans from Boston and two travelers from the Netherlands. I think you're forced to make conversation and friends in such tight quarters.

After the really hot night we spent a really hot day in Xi'an. Gary, our tour guide, and our driver "Mr. Rich" drove us to the walls for quick bike ride, out to the terra cotta warriors, the Banpo museum, then back to the Big Wild Goose pagoda, and finally the Muslim quarter.

Most people travel to Xi'an only to see the warriors, I think there is loads more to see. I could easily go back and take in some of the temples in the surrounding area!

March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Scott with a brining assist from Neil prepared a traditional Irish feast for us! We enjoyed green beer, corned beef and cabbage! Delicious after a full day of touring - FDR memorial, Terra cotta warriors and the museum of Natural History.

March 4, 2010

The first birthday post of the year! Jane turns an unmentionable number this year and I couldn't let the day go by without celebrating her special gifts.

She clearly loves my "fur children" even the less smart one who occasionally eats poop (I'm talking about you Ginger).
She's a little crazy, but we've grown to like this out of her!She is ridiculously appreciative of all gifts. It's just as much fun to watch her unwrap gifts as it is to watch the kids unwrap gifts - mainly because she is still a kid at heart!
She lets me harangue her about all aspects of her life. Like going to the gym - of course I'm glad that one has paid off by keeping her within five pounds of her weight when she got married (way to go Jane!)
Jane cooking. Is there really anything else I have to say about this? Who hasn't gotten the Jane recipe where the key ingredient isn't mentioned until you are well into the cooking process? Oh yeah. You do need whip cream to make that egg nog pie.
These pictures just make me smile. I hope they make you smile too because that's just another one of Jane's specialties.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Totally unrelated to all things birthday is my undying love for the Zappos. I ordered these shoes on Wednesday night at 11:15pm. And here they are on my doorstep at 5pm on Thursday. Free shipping. I might never buy shoes anywhere else.