New Decade

So yesterday was a day of mourning...passing into the new decade. Just kidding...we had a great day...despite turning 30!! I woke up to several signs put around the house welcoming me into the "30 Club" (as Jeff calls it)!

Notice the subtext behind the "big" birthday that was added to this sign... :-)

After a relaxing morning and great lunch that Jeff's Mom prepared, we went to the train station to head into New York City. This is a shot that Jeff got from the train station, looking across the river to see West Point...pretty cool.

We arrived in Grand Central Station...wow...was that ever incredible! It was huge and so nice! Lots of stores, restaurants and a market that all kinds of unique foods...but it was crazy busy...we had to almost literally shove our way through the crowd to get to the other end!

Another pic...of Jeff's Mom and Jeff...in Grand Central Station

We walked around downtown a bit...see the Empire State building in the background.

We then ended up in Rockefeller Center to see the huge Christmas tree and ice skating rink. It was unbelievably crowded, but the lights and decorations were absolutely beautiful!

The NBC building is right off Rockefeller Center and you can go to the top of it to get an incredible view of the city. It was amazing. The Empire State building was even lit up for Christmas...red, green and white.

This was a view from the other side...this pic gives no justice to how incredible the view was...the moon was huge and orange...wow.

Then we went to eat my birthday dinner at a really good restaurant that looked right out at the ice skating rink in Rockefeller Center...great food, view and atmosphere!!

And the birthday cake was a cheesecake...nummm!!

This was the view of the trees lit up outside Rockefeller Center after we came out after dinner...amazing. I can't comprehend how they could get so many lights on a tree!!!

The "fam" :-)

Such a special birthday...definitely made me forget about my joining the 30 Club!! I'm a day behind...Christmas pics tomorrow...

First Couple Days in New York

The first night after we got here, we went down to this outdoor outlet mall to look around. It was beautifully decorated.

Jeff with his Mom and sister, Jamie

Yesterday afternoon, Army (where Jeff's Dad coaches), had a game against Dartmouth at home so we all got to go see them play.

Jamie, Jeff's Mom, and other sister, Jessica

Jeff's Dad in the beige jacket on the right...in action :-)

Yeah!!! They pulled out a great win!!

Whew

We did arrive in New York last night...safely...however, it was an adventure.

The Plan

Leave Denver at 8:15, stop in Charlotte, NC for a couple hours and then fly to White Plains, NY at around 5pm...with our bags.

What Actually Happened

Left Denver at 8:15 and arrived ontime in Charlotte, NC. So far, so good.

Looked at the monitor and saw that our flight was already delayed a half hour...not great, but ok. We stopped to get some lunch.

Finished lunch and looked at the monitor...flight to White Plains was cancelled. Awesome.

Went to the gate and they re-routed us through Philadelphia and from Philadelphia to White Plains...to arrive in White Plains at 10pm. Problem was that Jeff's sister got into another NY airport a ways away from White Plains at 11:30 so it didn't make sense to get into White Plains so late...would result in lots of late night driving for his Mom.

So...we sat in the Customer Service line and we asked if we could get into Newburgh, NY instead of White Plains. They said there was a direct flight from Charlotte to Newburgh, NY arriving at 5:30. That'll work great.

Problem was it wouldn't process so she had to get someone else to help. Oh wait...that direct flight she was getting us on was getting us into Newburn, NC...minor difference...that's not going to quite work.

After re-booking yet again, we got scheduled to get into Newburgh, NY at 10ish last night. Not as planned, but should work ok.

So we went to Philadelphia, then to Newburgh (via prop plane...wow...), got off the plane, went down to baggage....no bags...we had 4 since we're going straight from here to Phoenix. Perfect.

Filed a claim for our bags (and we weren't even offered an "essentials kit"...for those of you Brian Regan fans!! :-) ) and were told they would get to Jeff's parent's address by this morning.

After picking up Jamie, Jeff's sister after midnight (her flight was late of course), we came back here, borrowed some clothes to wear to bed and a toothbrush (it was new!) and crashed.

Fortunately, our bags did arrive this morning around 10 so now we're set to go...just another Christmas traveling adventure...every year it's something!!

We figured out when we're sitting in Philly that we would now have been in 7 cities over this little Christmas break...not exactly the plan, but it works...we're here. :-) And excited to be here...looking forward to Christmas with the family here!! Pics to come later!

Favorite time of year

My favorite time of year is Christmas time. I just love it. But each year I get SO excited when the season starts...which somehow in my mind is when Starbucks puts out their red cups. :-) I LOVE the red cups!! My sister-in-law, Emily, knows that I feel this way so today I got a birthday gift in the mail.........

...my own red cup that I can pull out any time of the year and feel like it's my favorite time of the year!!! :-) Thanks, Emily (and Johnny)!!! :-)

Colorado Deer

Ok...so in Colorado, especially where my parents live, it's not an uncommon thing to see deer walking around. In fact, it's more uncommon to not see a deer when you drive up to their house. However, these guys just made me laugh today. I go outside every day and absolutely freeze and am just trying to get from the warm car to the warm house or visa-versa. However, despite the cold, snow on the ground and wind this morning, these deer were perfectly content just laying in the grass...relaxing in the 20 degree weather! These deer are definitely not made for Phoenix!! :-)

Natalie's Shower

Sunday was my sister, Natalie's, baby shower...for us to celebrate the hopefully soon (at least in Natalie's mind!) arrival of her little girl. We had a desert tea...delicious and girly...perfect...

This was the edible cake (which was delicious...chocolate mouse cake!!)....

...and this was the beautiful non-edible cake. How incredible is this! It's made of all kinds of different baby "needs"...150+ diapers, electrical outlet covers, blankets, bibs, etc., etc...

Natalie and Shari (one of the ladies who helped throw the shower and graciously hosted all the women at her home). Love the profile shot of Natalie's belly... :-)

Sisters...

And 3, soon to be 4, generations of women...

Beautiful Snow

I sure do miss the warm weather, but we had a snow here in Colorado a couple days ago that was just beautiful...frosted the trees and looked like what you would envision a "Winter Wonderland" to look like...

Another reason that Phoenix is home...

So a few days ago I was sharing with my dear friend Rachel that we weren't going to put up Christmas decorations this year. As sad as I was to not put them up, it just didn't make sense to go through all the "hassle" of putting them up, only to enjoy them for a week, and then not be back until after Christmas...only to then have to take them down again. I love Christmas so much so it was hard to do that, but it just made sense.

Yesterday, I went to pick Rachel up for coffee and she comes out with this...

...with lights and everything!!! She said she had been thinking about that and didn't want me to go without any Christmas decorations this year. It is a little tree, but it meant so much...and to know with many things going on in her life right now, she still thought of me. What a blessing and it truly has brought some fun Christmas "cheer" into the house. This is why I love Phoenix so much. These friends here are one in a million. We have been so blessed...so blessed.

Back in Phoenix!

We made it back to Phoenix tonight...it's so great to be home together!! We went to see Dave and Krista and the boys tonight...unsure of what Chase's reaction would be to Jeff since he's been gone for almost 2 months. It was so precious.....he knew it was him right away and kept smiling and hugging him and saying "Platt!" Talk about warming your heart...we sure do love this family! Chase even agreed to stop playing trains for a minute to take a quick picture...

Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving...with the Blasdels...as it should be!! How fun to have both families together again this year!! It's just not Thanksgiving without being with the Blasdels (oh...and french silk pie...which as usual, was inhaled!!)! Johnny and Emily...we missed you guys and wished you were there with us!!!!

Mom made a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner...and Grandma made delicious pies to top it off! This was the table before we stuffed ourselves... :-)

This was Jeff's second helping...look at how full that plate is!! As Cornel says...these American holidays are all about eating... :-)

The two youngest Blasdels gave us some great entertainment...here's Carson...

...and Kennedy...both so precious!!





Cornel and Natalie.....and soon to be a little girl.....bets have been taken on the date...but who will win??

And of course...we just had to play Taboo...it's tradition...and we all still love each other after it (and even like each other too!!)

Weekend in the Gym

The Huskies had 3 games back to back this weekend...Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, they only got 1 of 3 this time, but all were pretty exciting and close games...with the win being by 4 in OT!!

From right to left, the coaches are: the head coach, Bob Cavera and assistants Marc Holum, Jeff and Dirk Young.

Birthday Dinner!

Last night we had the family in town over for dinner (we missed you Johnny and Emily and Platts!!)...nice steak and twice baked potato dinner for Jeff's big day!

Jeff with his much younger wife...well...at least until December...

Delicious french silk pie was the birthday "cake" this year...which I was thrilled with...but I promise, he chose it! :-) However, we did make sure there was enough for my breakfast this morning...numm.... :-)

Natalie and G&G

Dad and me

Jeff's Birthday

We had a beautiful day in Colorado for Jeff's birthday today so this afternoon, Mom, Dad, Jeff and I went on a hike in Manitou Springs. We had a good time and had some beautiful views!

The mountain behind this is what's called "The Incline" which Jeff and Cornel have hiked a couple times...it's virtually straight up the mountain...I can't imagine!! We went on a little easier hike...although for me, it was anything but easy...man, am I out of shape!!

Beautiful views of Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs in the distance, including Garden of the Gods. Jeff loved the brook that went through Manitou...it literally went right through some people's front yards.

Halloween

I was in Phoenix for Halloween and so I went to see two of my favorite Disney characters...Piglet and Tigger! :-) I had a ball getting to spend Halloween with Dave and Krista and the boys!

Chase LOVES pumkins...so these ones being lit up with candles was almost too much to handle...doesn't get much more exciting than that in an almost 2 year old's mind! So cute! :-)

How precious!

Last night I got to meet the new addition to our small group family...Asher William...Jeremy and Rachel's beautiful new baby boy! He is just as precious as can be...you can see pics at http://www.asherolimb.com/blog/.

New Mall

Pics so that Jeff can see the new mall right by our house...pretty cool, huh! It's even much cooler in person...can't wait until you can see it when you come back home!!

And for Mom...look what one of the stores is... :-) (Oh...and there's a Black and White store for both of us!! :-) )