Flat Tyler came to visit NYC

Our sweet nephew sent us Flat Tyler. We had a great time showing him around the city.

New York Stock Exchange

Federal Hall

Central Park Zoo

The Plaza Hotel

The Mall in Central Park

Bethesda Fountain

Time Square

Cherry Blossom Festival - D.C.

We were able to go down to D.C. a awhile ago for the Cherry Blossom Festival and were able to stay with our good friend Cortne. While there we were able to meet up with almost all of our friends from the MBA program who took jobs in D.C. We had such a great time hanging out and enjoying the beautiful weather!

making clay fossils

the boat she made

Elle and Mathew making a paper hat

Smithsonian

the lovely Cortne

A baby...named 'Poopy'

This is Elle. She is our sweet little girl...We don't just use goggles for pool time play.....

 we also use them to get around the house.

This sweet girl, also wants to name this next baby...'Poopy'

Big news is....we are having a baby! Baby #2 is due the first week of September. My sweet little girl wants to call him/her 'Poopy'....that is totally normal, right?

Daddy & Elle Date to the Bronx Zoo

Elle and Daddy date

Bronx Zoo

We are trying to be better about taking Elle on dates. Since we bought a Zoo membership, which gets us into the Central Park Zoo, the Bronx Zoo, Prospect Zoo and the NY Aquarium we spend a lot of time there. Mathew and Elle went to the Bronx Zoo for the first time. The Zoo is surprisingly huge! Mathew and Elle had a GREAT time and Elle loved all of the animals.

 Elle loved these little monkeys and hasn't stopped talking about them. 

 

 on the bug carousel 

  first time around was on a caterpillar

 second time, a blue bug

 at the 3D/4D Dora and Diego Movie

 Daddy and Elle

Mommy & Elle Date to American Girl Doll Cafe and the CP Zoo

Mommy and Elle Date

American Girl Doll Cafe and Central Park Zoo

I took Elle on a Mommy/Daughter date to meet up with one of my favorite people from Utah (Emily W. and girls). We went to the American Girl Doll Cafe on 5th Ave. It was absolutely darling! If you don't bring/take an AG doll with you, they take you to an area to pick out a doll and bring the doll and highchair over to you so that your doll can sit with you while you have lunch. The even bring over a darling little cup and saucer for the doll. Elle was in heaven and loved every second of it. Surprisingly the food was very good (I had the quiche). 

 

 Elle's meal - mass quantity for a 3 year old! 

 taking care of the baby (notice my quiche in the bottom - HUGE!) 

 the dessert - a flower pot with chocolate pudding and a little flower stuck inside, a heart shape piece of cake and a flower shaped cookie. 

 at the Central Park Zoo - Katelyn, Elle and Hailey

Em, gorgeous new baby Christian and me

**all pictures taken with the ipod touch, so not the best quality.

Happy 3rd Birthday Elle!

It is hard to believe that my sweet little girl is 3! Yesterday was her birthday and Mathew had the day off. He woke up and made her favorite breakfast, pancakes (which he added pink food coloring to). Then we took Elle to the Crayola Factory in Easton, PA. It was a long drive, but we had a great time. Elle was fascinated by all of the different stations she could color, draw, sculpt and paint.

Afterwards Elle wanted McDonald's, so we stopped by on our way back to the city and got her a happy meal. We found great parking (which is a huge blessing in the city!) unloaded the car from a Costco trip and then started skyping family so Elle could open birthday presents. After presents Elle picked what she wanted for dinner: strawberries and cheerios (LOVE IT!). After that we played with some toys, then made icing to decorate her cake with. We sang Happy Birthday several times, so she could blow out the candles and then went to bed. It was an exhausting day, but we had such a great time with our little girl!

Crayola Factory

Like Father, like daughter. Both are busy with their clay magic.

Trying to get a souvenir penny.

Opening her train set from Mom and Dad.

Opening her present from Daddy.

Daddy got Elle a baseball and bat so we don't have to use a water bottle and ball.

Very excited about her Cinderella dress and shoes from Pappy and GK!

Elle said, "My glass slipper fits!"

I asked Mathew to wrap presents. He did a great job wrapping ;) We have a wedding bag, a baby gift bag, 2 birthday bags and an anthropology bag.

Busy cooking.

This princess decided she did NOT like clip on earrings. 

Busy mixing.

A SMILE! Albeit it fake, it is a smile!

Sneaking some icing.

Elle's special blue birthday cake with pink candles.

Daddy and Elle's special 'I'm not going to smile' face.

Grandma gave Elle these darling pots and pans. We don't have space for a play kitchen, so we made one for Elle to cook on.

Elle loves to:
Go to the Museum
Play at the park
Ride her scooter around they city
Play with her friends
Help in the kitchen

She is:
Strong-willed
Happy
Thoughtful
Loyal
Funny

We are so thankful for such a beautiful and fun little girl. She makes us laugh and keeps us on our toes. When she thinks I am upset with her, she looks at me with her sweet face and says, "Mom, you make me happy." I love that she recognizes when I am frustrated and tries to lighten my mood. She is overjoyed when Mathew comes home early and has extra time to play with her. He is frequently found wearing her princess cape, playing the role of Prince Charming and she is dressed up as a princess. There is no end to her imagination, which can occupy hours of her day. I love this little girl and so glad that she is mine.