New York + New Jersey = Family Adventure

After being in St. Louis for three weeks we headed out on the 16 hour drive to New Jersey to go see Stephen, Afton, Brooksie, and the newest edition to the family Baby Zoey. It was a long drive and Cohen wasn't the biggest fan of the car but we had some good time watching Baby Einsteins and The Incredible's.

Here are some highlights from the vacation:

Baby Zoey's blessing, she is so beautiful and I am so glad I was able to come and share this special day with her.
A trip to the Big Apple, Stephen had a company party at Dave and Busters so we watched the kids in the city and went to Toy's R US. They had a giant ferris wheel in the center of the store, it was amazing! After we ended up going to Stephens company party and getting amazing food and playing lots of fun games. David and Busters is so much fun!
We to the beach but since there was a hurricane we couldn't go in the water, don't worry we brought out own pool. We had lots of fun but it was quite windy....
Where Stephen and Afton live there is this great bakery that we stumbled upon and went inside. Ever since I have watched "Cake Boss" on TLC I have wanted a lobster tail and here my dream was fulfilled. The thing was huge and delicious.... I shared.
We went to a playgroup to the fire station, which was really neat to hear about all the firetrucks and everyone but Mom, Zoey, and I got to take a ride on the firetruck.
We went to the library, it was good to get out of the house and just relax in the library. I love this picture. Brooksie is so cute!

My favorite part of the trip besides hanging with the family was going to New York and exploring the city. We got to see so many things and here are a couple.
The Temple.... hidden away in the craziness of New York but the most amazing building you will see in the city!
We went to the New York Natural History Museum and saw some amazing things, here is a life sized whale..... SO HUGE!
I don't know what this guys name is because I am not a huge "Night at the Museum" fan but we had to search for a good 20 minutes to find him. Worth the search? Oh yeah!
We went to CHINA TOWN.... my favorite place in the whole world..... why? Because the fabulous purses that you find. Mom and I showing our great finds!
We had some good time.... I love this picture because we are all happy to be together even after a really long day in the city
We ate at an amazing Italian restaurant in Little Italy.
We rode the subway, thank goodness too because New York is a lot of walking!
Saw Ground Zero where they are drastically changing everything, it will be amazing to see when it will be completed.
Went to battery park and saw this globe that was between the Twin Towers, it is amazing how it looked this good after what happened.
Of course went to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Here is the beautiful lady now...
I love the fun times we have as a family and am so blessed that we are able to see so many wonderful things. Thanks everyone for making this vacation amazing!

Pedophile or my Brother?

Stephen had a full beard when we met up in Nauvoo and one night he decided to shave it but not before showing off a sweet stash and looking like a true pedophile in this picture. Ansley reminded me that I didn't have these in my Nauvoo blog so I decided to add them now... they make me giggle!
Another picture of the pedophile....
Before with the full beard!

Cohen's Birthday

I am so happy I got to be in St. Louis for Cohen's first birthday! On Sunday, the day before his birthday, we had a birthday party with all TJ's family. Ansley, TJ, and I went all out on the decorations and spent all the beginning of that week preparing. The party was amazing, we grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, ate cake, opened presents, and visited. Above is Cohen in an outfit Mema gave Cohen.
Opening Presents!
The cake after Cohen ate it.... my beautiful work destroyed but worth it for Cohen
After the cake... I will cry if I want to, cry if I want to...
He loved it!
Lick those fingers clean.
My parents and I got Cohen a Cozy Coupe for his birthday and he absolutely loves it.... not so much riding in it just getting in and out of it. As long as he loves it I can't complain how he plays with it.
Enjoying his birthday dinner.

Now for the decorations.... if I do say so myself it looked amazing and Cohen is one lucky one year old, having a party look this awesome!
The front door Admissions sign, section 8 because he was born in August which is the 8th month, and yes we made that awesome sign.
Our concession sign.... also amazingly made by the trio... and our beautiful tissue paper pom poms
The food set up and the decorations on the tables.... Ansley hard at work in the kitchen finishing the last minute details.
Happy 1st Birthday in the baseball theme, of course!
Decked out high chair for the coolest one year old little boy I know!
Last of all.... the most amazing part of Cohen's birthday was the cake. After two boxes of fun-fetti cake, one box of red velvet, 6 large cans of whipped icing, and 17 hours later we had this beautiful cake. Designed by the thee of us, TJ did the dirt, bases, and base lines, Ansley did the amazing grass, and I did the ball and the writing.
Close up on the ball.... sooooo cute!
I am so proud of this cake.... I had another picture! Okay it didn't take us 17 hours but a good portion of Saturday was devoted to this cake! Happy Birthday Cohen, you are well worth all of it!

My time in St. Louie

One of my first days in St. Louis we had spaghetti and meatballs...
"On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese, I lost my poor meat ball when somebody sneezed."
Any who it was the cutest thing because it was Cohen's first time eating spaghetti and he loved it!

Shoving as much in his mouth as fast as his little hands could.

Also he is such a big boy and drinking out of a sippie, I can't believe a year has gone by since little cohey bohey was born.

Make sure you lick your little finger clean.

We also did a photo shoot with Cohen for his birthday invite, here are some of the pictures that I took.

Typical Cohen face.... "I didn't do anything...."

Such a cute little poser...

It looks like he is smashed up against the fence but he really isn't.... it makes me laugh so hard.

My wonderful cheesecake from Omaha Steaks... thanks Hodge Family

Don't worry I shared.... I did eat two pieces though. Come on it is my cheesecake!

For Cohen's birthday my parents and I got him a Crazy Coupe or a Cozy Coupe... whatever it is called. TJ and I put it together and I decided to get in and take it for a ride. It was a tight squeeze and I kinda got stuck but it is all in good fun.

Help me out!