I know that two days in a row would be insane but here we go! I wanted to just touch on the great trip we took to New York City, even though Kristian did not go. He stayed in Boston with my mom and we took Reed, Rachel, Kayla, CC, Granddad, Mark and me. I have been saying for years that when we visit my parents again that we had to go to NYC. It was a three hour drive door to door. My mom was going to come and Mark was going to stay home but she accidentally dropped a crazy heavy TV stand right on her big toe! Ouch!!! Walking was out of the question and really all we did was walk and walk and walk. It was so amazing! We left and Christmas day around 4 pm. We immediately walked to Time Square. The kids were so amazed and were pointing out all the different sights they had seen in movies. I loved it! We had a great dinner at Roxy's diner, then we were off to the Empire State Building! We were told that there was a 3 hour wait, but we must have timed it perfectly because we only waited 10 minutes! The sky was clear and we could see everything from miles around. My dad was loving it and the kids could not believe how high up they were! Even Mark got a little sick to his stomach. It was the only night while we were there that the weather was clear. It could not have been better. We had so much fun admiring the windows at Bloomingdale's and all the different Christmas decorations that were everywhere. It was so much fun and that was only the first four hours! The next day we

headed to the Statue of Liberty. Not many kids in their school classes have been there and they were so excited to go. Security was tight but we made it, and I was so thankful we did not have any babies with us! Kristian and Grace would have been a mess, not to mention the cold!! It was freezing! The last time I was at the Statue of Liberty Reed was 10 months old and we have a great picture of the sky line with the twin towers in it. Not this time. But it was still great. I never realized how big those buildings were until they were not there anymore.

Our visit was short and we were back on the fairy. We watched some great street dancers, and headed up to Ground Zero. It was a bit of a hike but we made it. I was a little bumbed because there was just a big whole and a ton of construction. It did not make much sense to the kids and that is what I was sad about. I really wanted them to appreciated where they were and the devastation that occurred there. So much was lost. So many lives were changed. I hope they will be able to visit again when they

are older and hopefully then the experience will have more meaning.

We continued to walk and walk and

walk, all the way to Rockefeller Center. Dad had bought amazing tickets to the Rockets Christmas

Show at Radio City Music Hall. It was such a treat. I was not sure what the show would be like, and I was so

impressed and entertained! I loved it and the girls were in heaven!

Reed unfortunately fell asleep! It was so much fun to be there with my dad and to have my kids making such great memories with him to. He is the best! We then walked back to the hotel and everyone fell asleep very quickly. We were hammered!

But don't stop yet! We still had one more day, and we were going to make the most out of it! We woke up and packed up, but kept our luggage at the hotel, and off we went. I really wanted to take the kids to Dylan's Candy Bar, but we were not sure if we should walk or take the sub. So were started walking. Needless to say we were a bit confused and we ended up at Grand Central Station. No problem. It was a great detour. So we headed in the right direction, the problem was that it was so far away! But we were enjoying the sights, not to mention the amazing churches we stopped at. My

dad always knows how to make every vacation a learning experience. He took the kids aside and taught them small bites of knowledge here and there. It was so great. I hope they remember how much fun he is to be with. Well we finally made it to Dylan's and boy was it a treat. Three stories of candy! We were there for almost 2 hours, and it was so much fun. The kids got souvenirs for their friends, and after the milkshakes we were off to FAO Shwarts. It was not too far up, especially since we had already walked so far! The kids loved the toy store, and again it was a short visit. Our last stop was The Museum of NaturalHistory. Ever since the movie Night at the Museum came out the kids wanted to go there. It was great to go and very interesting. The main problem was that we had just about walked CC to death and she cried through the whole museum, because you see, we were still walking! She was hammered and all of us were feeling exhausted! We were so happy to take the sub back to our Hotel and head home. I was just hoping we stayed awake for the 3 hour drive home. Wow! What a trip! It was everything I could have

hopped for and the kids were better than I had expected. I hope we can return sooner than later!

Okay! I know it has been way to long since I have posted, but better late than never. The laundry is going, the kids are in bed, even Mark since he has been working 60-80 hour weeks this summer! It has been a long summer. I am uploading pictures to the Costco website, and I guess I have a little time to catch up. Wow! Where do I start?

We spent the Christmas holidays in Boston! We had not been there for five years and it was so wonderful to be with my family. We had a blast. Kristian was in love

with my mom. It is more like an obsession. He would order her around all morning and when she had to get some work around the house done or help with my brother Reed, it was a full melt down. He was not ready for her to leave Santa's Sleigh! You know she was one of the reindeer, and how would they possibly get along without her! He also loved to put her in the dungeon!

She had to sit exactly where he wanted and if anyone messed up his plans, then we all payed the consequences! Every night

Grandma would take Kristian to bed. She would sing him songs and stay until he had fallen asleep. She tried to sneak out, but if he was not completely asleep he would call out for her as if the house was on fire! Routine, routine, routine! When we got home I know he missed her so much. I said, "do miss grandma putting you to bed?" He would then request that we return to Boston on the airplane! He is the best. I love to watch how his mind works.

I was so happy that he was not scared of my brother Reed. We were

just together five months earlier and I was hoping his memory would serve him well! He loved to be on his lap and get rides! I am sure it made Reed happy too. Reed is always so willing to do everything for his nieces and nephews. He loves to spoil them and do fun things for them and this trip was no exception. Kristian was so noisy, and Reed was such a trooper. I am sure he was so tired of Miss Spider's Sunny Patch! It was the only thing that would keep Kristian quiet at times. Reed is used to a pretty quiet environment, but we sure mixed that up a bit! I was very happy that Kristian did not tug on Reed's vent, and all the cords that are attached to his wheelchair! A brief explanation was all he needed and he was very good the whole trip! Reed was so understanding and happy to see everyone having a good time.

Christmas morning was a blast! Reed was so kind (and I should say Grandma and Granddad) to get up in his chair early so that the little kids did not have to wait until noon to open presents. They all had so much fun. Kristian was so excited I thought he would burst! He kept saying' "Oh Wow!" and "No Way!". It was the best. He got a peter pan costume, a dump truck, a red sox outfit (from Uncle Reed), and lots more! It was a fun day for everyone, but I think

the high light is when we surprised my dad with a bonsai tree! It was from all of his kids and he was not expecting it at all! I love Christmas morning! I love giving to those I love. I think the best is that I do not have greedy kids! They know it takes a lot of money to have a big family and they never ask why they did not get this or that. I hope it helps us focus and the true meaning of the season, and help them remember that it is better to give than receive.