New York & Boston

Somehow my trip to New York just seems like a blur. I flew in to Albany because someone I know booked my ticket to NY for November and not October. So, we had to scramble and find a way for me to get there. I flew to Albany, arrived late at night, shuttled to a hotel, then took a 5:10am train to New York City. Can I just say, that the city hasn't changed at all in 5 years. It is exactly as we left it.As soon as I got there, I went to breakfast at one of my favorite little cafés, Europan. It was awesome. And I've never had watermelon on my waffles before but it was surprisingly good.
I went to Ellis Island for the first time. It was really interesting to see the place, and hear the stories and history that went along with it. It made me grateful that I didn't have to pass through there to get to America.
After lunch and shopping I went to the most amazing exhibit I think I've ever seen. It was Discovery's Titanic exhibit. Oh man, I guess I'm speechless upon recollection. Here is the reconstructed staircase which they would let you take your picture on, but you had to of course buy their photographers picture to do so. Also they had reconstructed staterooms for first and third class - as well as artifacts brought up from the ocean floor. It was strange seeing people's written letters, suitcases, shoes, and clothes - especially those belonging to people who died so tragically during that doomed voyage. It made it feel almost even more tragic.Here is the one and only picture of me. I got this new plaid coat - I am in LOVE! Then I encountered my second great love Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Seriously, Blueberry lemonade is something to dream about. I'm hoping I can recreate it for our Thanksgiving smorgasbord.
After one day in New York City, I was ready to move on, and I caught a train up to Boston to see John and his sister Sherri 's family. Sherri was sweet enough to not only host me, but to also play tour guide. We started out in Boston Commons and then went along The Freedom Trail. Here was this super old cemetery holding, Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Ben Franklins parents among others. I love history, and the east coast is just loaded with it. I was in heaven yet again.
Here is my nephew Henry, whom I've officially named, Hankie Doodle.The next morning, Sherri took me out to Plimoth Plantation. It was so cool to be in an area where people are completely in character of the pilgrims, but also to see the way the pilgrims lived. I don't think I'd have liked it. The dirt floors in the houses were enough to deter any pilgrimish fantasy I may have been prone to create.
Also showcased there, was another great love of mine - carpentry!Um, Yeah, this chair was made by handas were these decorative carvings.I really think Massachusetts looks exactly like I always thought it would. That said, I can't think of a better setting for the Salem Witch Trials... and I saw all these places during the day. Instantly images of swamp monsters in the dark filled my head. Anyway, its awesome. Here are Sherri, Henry, and baby Amelia checking out some sheep (that actually had long tails - weird)Then we went to the Mayflower II. Yet again, I am reminded just how lucky I am to not have to travel in the ways the poor people of the past did. Here's the crow's nest
And here is the ship.Then it was time to go meet John at Harvard. Why on earth, every time you mention the school, do people assume this phoney Brahmin accent and say it Havud? The whole time I was there I never once heard ANYONE say it like that, much to my disappointment. Here is the view from John's window. I loved to sit here in the morning and watch the rowing teams doing their practices. You can also see Harvard's team boathouse on the other side of the river in this picture.Harvard has without a doubt the most beautiful campus I have ever seen, regardless of the fact that its fall and the trees are breathtaking.
And here is where I spent the rest of my vacation, perfectly cozy, and lacking all desire to go anywhere else. I sat in John's room, alone, watching Ghost Hunters for two days straight. And before I get any flack from anyone, envision yourself being completely alone with no responsibilities, no kids, no husband, and able to do whatever you want, and for the first time in years, feel completely relaxed. If you still have input after that glorious vision, then you are welcome to leave your comments or suggestions.
Now I'm home, and finally back with my boys, and life is wonderful. The trip was awesome, I had a great time, but I'm happy to be back.

Look into my eyes

My mom was kind enough to dig up these old photobooth strips.

My mom and I both agreed, Triton has one Major Similarity to his mom.

Can you see it? Actually, it really freaks me out sometimes when I look at him and he pulls a look using my same eyes. I guess having kids can do that to you sometimes.

Life of a Mother

If anything, the life of a mother is anything but dull. Yes, there are moments where it may be routine, or monotonous might be a better word. But yet, everyday I am always surprised by the unexpected.

Sometimes one just wants to be held, and only the mama will do. Rare moments like these I feel that I could bask in forever. There is nothing sweeter than snuggling with your babies, especially when they snuggle back.

Other times I feel like I can't possibly go on supervising the constant chaos without taking a little nap first...this was most definitely one of those moments.

This is me pretending to be aware enough to be watching my boys jump off the couch and avoid disaster.

But Bronze -look at that little demon face, while the big brother watches and laughs- is always eager to remind me that chaos will not be ignored due to my exhaustion - greedily taking the opportunity to not so gently yank my hair out, roots and all. Ah yes, motherhood can be tedious, but it will catch you off guard - and frequently too.

Farewell...for now

Our last night in Monticello with my grandma was spent making chocolate chip zucchini cake and banana bread.Its always amazing to me how the certain smells can instantly take you back to your childhood. Now, I am reliving my childhood with a child of my own.And I can't think of a better way to share these memories and moments with him than back in grandma's kitchen eating cake batter.

My little ruffian

There is just something about Bronze, that I can't quite put my finger on. He is abnormally agile, active, and athletic. These attributes among many others, cause Bronze to be hurt - a lot. The most recent of his injuries is this.His right eye is black, I have no idea how he did this, he didn't have it when he woke up and an hour later there it was with no whining or crying. Secondly, is his swollen fat lip, which is gouged from the outside all the way in to his first set of molars. Poor Bronze. Its been suggested that we should buy him a helmet and set of protective pads since this is probably only the beginning of this guys injuries.

Dirt & Roots

The boys have been loving their time in Southeastern Utah. More specifically, they have loved getting dirty.And, eating the apples off my grandmas trees. I must say that Red Delicious apples taste no where even close to what the original heirloom variety does (which of course is one of my grandma's trees) it makes me, and Bronze, wonder why they ever changed it.We went out to the farm to post a sign

While Craig, my brother, welded away

Triton and I meandered,Ate pizza,Looked for Lizards,And finally got my boots dirty.

Bronze slept in the car,and was rudely awoken by his mother so he could join us in our push through the trees.During this excursion, Triton decided that those dang chipmunks are pretty dang scary. Craig had to carry him, so the "squirrels" wouldn't bite him... not that they even tried. It looks like Triton is well on his way to developing quite the imagination.I decided packing Bronze on my shoulders was much easier than carrying him. Though he isn't afraid of the chipmunks too, he doesn't walk very soundly - the thought of him falling into a wild patch of cactus was all the incentive I needed to carry him the whole way (I'd guess two miles)

You can kind of see the remnants of the old Pony Express station at our place. I'd love to go out there with a metal detector one day and see what I could possibly come up with.

This is what Triton looked like half way through our tree push. I wonder if how dirty a boy is, is a good indicator of how much fun he's having? Dirt was everywhere, even blown in his eye by the wind. My personal favorite is the fact his eyelashies are dusted with dirt.

Triton also likes to give himself tattoos on the forehead - while, of course, wearing safety glasses to make sure he doesn't slip and get himself in the eye.

And he likes it when his Mama is a little goofy

AH, this picture gives me the most perfect idea for a Halloween costume, Gene Simmons from Kiss...now i need to figure out where I can get 12 inch platform knee boots...Bronze, on the other hand, is not beguiled by his mother's craziness, and is happy to destroy his great-grandma's chair by pushing the chair back out.I was so excited to watch the special between Sunday General Conference sessions featuring the story of The Hole in the Rock trail. My ancestors were on that trek. More importantly, I was so proud to see my grandma talking about it, and about the Bluff Fort she's been working so hard to restore for most of my life.

It was awesome to go back and see what she's been able to do. Obviously, these pictures do not do it justice.This is my several great-grandpa's house who came with the pioneers in the Martin Handcart Company, and then on through the Hole in the Rock Trail to settle Bluff. Its always humbling to see what people went through for the sake of offering something better to their posterity. I am honored by their sacrifices.

Next door to the fort is a giant Black and Tan Coonhound that I have to admit, I am completely smitten with; all the more so, for its constant bawling. Triton and Bronze shared my love, and spent most of their time admiring the magnificent animal. Truth be told, I always wanted a black and tan coonhound, specificially when I was a Sophomore in high school. Perhaps this dog may have just reignited my desire for this creature. Poor, poor John is all I can offer him for the upcoming begging sessions he''ll have to endure.After the dog, that adorable thing, the boys loved playing in the old (original) Barton cabin.And then, it was time to go back to grandma's house in Monticello.