Mary Poppins

My fabulous friend Christeena Riggs called me the other day and asked if I wanted to go see Mary Poppins on Broadway with her. She had a few extra tickets on the 5th row center stage and then took us backstage to meet some of the cast.

obligatory Mary Poppins sign picture.

On set with Christy

Famous people wall - famous people that come to the show sign these walls.

On stage looking at the audience

the group that went with Mary Poppins

Christy and I with Mrs. Brill (Valerie Boyle).

On stage with the living room set behind me.

With Mary Poppins (Laura Michelle Kelly)

Mary Poppins Umbrella

and a HUGE thanks to Erin for watching Elle so I could go!

Halloween in NYC

Have I told you recently how much I LOVE living in NYC? I know I have only been here a few months and I have not experienced the harsh winters that are soon to arrive, but I still love it. I love walking everywhere we go. I love that Elle can walk one mile before she is tired and wants to sit in her stroller. I love all of the free activities going on in the city every week. I love the ward we are attending (which meets in the same building as the Temple) and all of the people in it. I love living half a block from Central Park and three blocks from Trader Joe's...basically I am so happy living in the city.

Today we went to the Central Park Pumpkin Patch. We waited in a short line and in return each were able to take home a pumpkin...for FREE! There was face painting and a marionette puppet show, guys on stilts and games.


The building in the background is down the half a block from where we live.

On the hunt for the perfect pumpkin

thinking...

Lining up her pumpkin choices.

And now for the costume :) starting with the prep.





 and HELLO jazzercise Elle



 Where she got the poses, I have NO idea.

some friends...

(my friend made her twins these pigeon costumes! they were so darling!)

my other friend made her daughter this peacock costume!

and games... she wasn't really interested in trying to eat the donut without holding it.

Happy Halloween!

GO FIGHT WIN!

Today at Parker's football game Elle became best friends with the little cheerleaders :)

**thanks britt for the super sweet action video!

First day of Littles Preschool

Elle had her first day of Preschool today and SHE LOVES IT! To accommodate the insane prices of preschool a few of us created a preschool co-op where we rotate houses to teach the preschool. There are 5 children and they are all within 4 months of each other, which is really nice.

By the front door (the obligatory first day of school picture)

 The backpack was a little too heavy for Elle.

In the backpack, which also rotates homes, contains all of the preschool supplies.

 **Marne (another mom in the group) made our FANTASTIC tri-board that will rotate homes and I made the seat mats, which will also rotate homes (in order to keep our preschool uniformed). This is used for 'circle time' where the lesson, etc is taught for the day! I will tell you more about it as things move along and we figure out what is working and what isn't. So far I think it is WONDERFUL! And I couldn't be happier.

Elle says...Girlfriends

We came home from the park this morning and Elle said a prayer for her lunch and it went something like this:

"...thanks for the park, and my girlfriends at the park today.." 

I love that her little friends are her 'girlfriends'

Elle says....Costco

Elle is becoming more vocal these days and the other day while we were moving the car Elle said....

Elle: Mom, buckle up right now, let's go.

Me: Okay, where are we going?

Elle: Costco.

Me: Okay, what do we need at Costco?

Elle: Um...chicken....and....Diet Coke! And if you are good, you can have a hot dog!

Apparently the only time we use the car is to go to Costco. If Elle is good after we get done, she gets a hot dog.

she's a dancing queen

Today Elle had her first dance class and I am happy to report that she LOVED it! Below are a few pictures from class.

worth making this picture larger to check out my sassy little girl

such a great listener...why doesn't she do this at home?

I have videos too and will hopefully post them soon so check back!

thanks em for the sweet leotard! it works perfectly!

for fun

so maybe i went a little overboard, but isn't this funny?

central park and bubbles = one happy girl

Atticus and Elle

Today we met Atticus on a walk home from the library. Elle fell in love with him!

Atticus and Elle

BYU MBA Graduation 2010

FINISHED! Mathew graduated from BYU on Friday with his MBA. He has accepted a full time offer with American Express in NYC and we will be moving out to Manhattan at the end of June. These past two years in Provo have been such an incredible experience for both of us. Mathew has made some of the best friends he will ever make and I have as well. As Mathew has traveled and been consumed with school work, projects and presentations my friends have become more like my sisters. When we started the program Elle was 5 months old...now she is an energetic, chatty, independent 2 year old. We are really going to miss this place and our friends!

Also, this graduation was extra special because Janet (Mathew's mom) and Amelia (Mathew's sister) flew out here to be a part of it. It was so wonderful to see them and spend time with them. Thank you so much for coming out here to be a part of it, it means so much to both of us!

Mathew getting ready for graduation

Ponca City Graduation Party at Canyon View Park 

Janet and the Foy's

Marriott School Reception

Mathew, Chris and Christian

Mathew and Christian - had a hard time figuring out the hoods

Mathew, Kyle and Christian

Christian, Ken, Chris, David and Mathew

Mathew and Christian

Christian, Mathew and Rich

Christian, Ryan A., Mathew and Ryan W.

Ryan W. and Mathew

Ryan A. and Mathew

Ryan W., Mathew and Ken

neighbors - Adam, Brandon and Mathew

Joe and Mathew

the group of wives trying to take a group picture (above)

Mathew, Carlo and Mike

Ryan, Mike, Moroni, Christian, Rich, Mathew and Carlo

Me, Lacy and Emily C.

Graduation!

Tim and Mathew

Amelia, Janet and Elle

Mathew and Curtis

Mathew and Kyle

Elle waiting for Mathew's name to be called

Rich and Mathew

Mathew and Elle

the great escape

Mathew and Elle (my favorite picture)

Elle is so proud of her daddy

Mathew and Janet (Mathew's mom)

Elle, Mathew and Janet

my sweet family

Amelia (Mathew's sister) and Mathew

Amelia, Mathew and Janet (it was soo nice to have y'all at the graduation!)

Elle was so excited to see Mathew (please note his robe looks like he has bat wings)

Me and Christie

Mathew, Me, Christie and Cody (neighbors)

Elle and Bryson

The Tanner Building - where Mathew basically lived the last two years

my favorite Aussie - Esther and me

Mathew and David

Happy Graduation Day Mathew, I love you and am SO proud of you and everything you have accomplished!