NYC

Andrew had a meeting this past Friday, in NYC, and I joined him for the trip!!

We flew out Thursday afternoon and stayed at a hotel in the financial district that night. My sister came to meet us on Friday morning and we walked Andrew down to his company's NY office . Bren and I took the subway back to her neighborhood. We dropped off our luggage at the apartment and hung out for a bit, having lunch and then heading out to shop and see what we could see.

I got to see just what it was like to be in the city during a thunderstorm ( puddles everywhere!). It poured and poured for an hour or two. We had umbrellas, but I didn't have handy-dandy rain boots like the locals, so I got a little wet. But it was fun anyways. We made our way between the subway and shops,stopping for a snack at City Bakery. I can now say I have had a City Bakery hot chocolate. Wow! It was a doozie- my sister had told me it was like a melted chocolate bar and she wasn't kidding. It just about knocked me out.

We walked some more, ran into some of her friends and then met up with Andrew outside the Time Life building. We stopped to see the ice skaters at Rockefeller Center and then headed back to Bren's apt via the subway during the rush hour so Andrew could get out of his suit and get casual.Then it was off to SoHo for dinner at Lucky Strike ( their fries are GREAT!) and window shopping.

Andrew waits for us to meet him

On Saturday, Andrew joined Brennan for her run in Central Park, around the reservoir. I tagged along and sat in the park reading and people/dog watching. It's very entertaining. We went back and made breakfast. Andrew grabbed a power nap - he was beat from keeping up with Brennan and the cold weather didn't help either.

Later, we made our way downtown again to Ground Zero and watched the heavy machinery push and pull things around. The whole area is a construction site. It is still an eerie and emotional feeling being there, but they are moving on with plans for the future.

This picture is taken below ground level, through the fences, of the construction site at the former WTC location.

We took a break in City Park and then headed across the Brooklyn Bridge ( to the middle and back). Bren took us to the new KS store on 5th Avenue( they now have 2 in the city). This was Andrew's first time to see one in person. We then headed to Kenneth Cole, to see an old friend from Texas, who helped Andrew add some needed shoes and a cool reversible belt to his wardrobe. Then we took a break from the cold and wind by catching a movie ( The Bucket List). It was a great afternoon.

Amy and Brennan in City Park

On the Brooklyn Bridge

On the Brooklyn Bridge, with Manhattan Bridge behind us

Dinner was back in Brennan's neighborhood at one of those fun little places everyone gets to eat at when they visit her. It's one of my favorite parts of the trip!! Nina's is an Argentinian Pizza joint. And like most little restaurants in the city, has about 2 tables ( well- really it has about 7 or 8, I think, depending on your party size.) We had to wait for a bit outside, but it was worth it.

My sister's friend, Michael, joined us. We had a great time catching up and learning more about the economics behind the high-end retail fashion world. We enjoyed some fabulous pizza, pasta and their delicious marinated eggplant!!!

Michael and Brennan at Nina's

Sunday was a quiet,relaxing day hanging out, then getting a cab to the airport and getting on our separate planes.I came back to Dallas and Andrew went on to Chicago. Thanks a million to our family and friends who entertained the kids while we were gone.They had a great wknd and the girls are still talking about the fun things they did like going to the park, making pancakes and eating lots of pizza.

First Foods

Most parents proudly take pictures of the special food firsts such as first cereal, first vegetable, first meat, first sip from a cup, etc. Well, around here we have those pictures, BUT , what we really get excited about is the first other foods. Like first Oreo, first Cheeto and the girls' favorite...first "Cheez-a- burga!!" Yes I know I'm a dietitian. How dare I promote these sorts of foods. Well, hey, I'm one of those RDs who lives (and teaches) the mantra " Everything in moderation."

Knox does get plenty of fruits, veggies and whole grains, but the girls love to share their special treats with him. ( And he loves to share with Gus!)

Oh and yes, he has already had his first bites of ice cream. And that is one silly face he makes when that cold sensation hits his mouth-- we just haven't captured it on film yet!! We will be sure to share it when we do.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone. We have started the year off with a bang, we've all been sick. Shelby and Knox have their first (double) ear infections! And Knox is getting at least 2 new teeth.Otherwise we are doing fine...

Christmas was a blessed time for us. The kids had great fun wrapping, giving, receiving , and unwrapping presents. The favorites seem to be a stamp set/coloring book, the Playskool Busy Ball Popper, a jillion baby dolls in all different sizes, puffy vests, candy, colorful new clothes and warm pajamas. We were able to share lots of meals and fun times with family and friends.

A Gift from Aunt Brennan....a puffy vest!

The kids also have 2 new little friends, that they have heard about and seen pictures of, but have not been able to meet yet. Our friends Daniel, Theresa and Hannah, welcomed little Cooper on December 3rd ( ~ 8wks early). He spent nearly 5 wks in the local NICU, but was able to come home this wknd. Praise God! Then our friends Justin and Holly welcomed baby Eli just in time for Christmas on December 21st. He's a cutie! When the kids get healthy again, we will take them to visit their new friends.

Andrew and I got to have a 24hr overnight getaway to Houston for his company party the wknd before Christmas. Thank you to Nana & Papa, Granny Trish and Grandaddy , Aunt BB and Uncle Kemp for entertaining the kids for us. We were very blessed to also squeeze in a quick visit with our very dear friends John and Joy, who came to meet us at the hotel for drinks. We have been friends since Joy and I met in Arizona 7+ years ago during our RD internship.

He has also been working on an old BMW R65 , to which he has attached a side car. He took it for it's first spin...with a passenger ( JERZY!!), this past weekend while we had some great weather. Shelby wasn't sure about it....but Jerzy was ready to go. She had been riding her trike, so she already had her helmet on. We strapped her in and she enjoyed a few tours around the neighborhood with her daddy.

We hope everyone is having a happy and safe 2008 so far. We are looking forward to an exciting and blessed year. I resolve to update this site more regularly. Take care and Happy New Year!

Reason for the Season

We're gearing up for the next few days of fun and family time, celebrating the Holiday with our loved ones. This time of year we try to get together with as many old ( & new) friends and family. We're actually managing to do a pretty good job of that this year a little bit a time...but if we don't see you, please know we are thinking of you and wish you a very merry Christmas with your loved ones. We've loved all the Christmas cards, letters and pictures that you've shared- thank you!

On my favorite Christian radio station they play comments from listeners occasionally throughout the Christmas music, reminding us of what the season is really about.
One woman says something that really sticks with me and has served to alleviate much of the holiday-related stress and anxiety.... Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. It's not about the shopping, it's not about the presents, it's not even about the Christmas trees. So I'm sharing that with you...I hope that little reminder can help make this time of year a little merrier for you and your loved ones. Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

Busy Busy

I know everyone is busy this time of year. But that's my excuse for not posting anything lately.

We are doing fine. Girls finished preschool today until after the new year. They are both very chatty and inquisitive. They are excited about Christmas time.They love the lights and ornaments and music. They are addicted to watching Polar Express over and over again.
Or as they call it "choo-choo train show". It's very educational.... we've learned about hot chocolate, reindeer, bells,the North Pole and how to say "ALL ABOARD!!!" and "MERRY CHRISTMAS!!" very loudly.

We did make a trip to visit Santa at the mall earlier this month. It wasn't bad...but Shelby tried to escape and Jerzy just sat on his lap and cried. Knox sat patiently as he always does.

Knox will be 11-months on Christmas Eve. WOW! He's still a happy guy, even though he's had a yucky cough and runny nose lately. He's not walking yet, not even attempting it. He knows he can get anywhere and everywhere in two seconds by doing his commando crawl.

Andrew is almost done with work travel for the year and is looking forward to being home with the kids quite a bit during the holidays, while I pick up extra days at work.

We are gearing up for a busy Christmas week with family and friend get-togethers. It is a crazy and hectic time, but we love it! Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying all the joys of this holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving

It has been a busy November for us. We all caught our share of the crud going around, but are all well now. Andrew has traveled to Omaha, Houston, Chicago,Tulsa so far.

We as a family have just returned from our road trip to Kentucky ( with a stop to visit friends in Tulsa) for Thanksgiving with Andrew's brother and family. We had wonderful time but are glad to be home. I will update later with pictures and comments on our various happenings this month.

We are very thankful for our safe travels, as well as for family and friends who mean so much to us.

We are saddened though by the passing of my Aunt Nancy this evening. Her children and her siblings ( my Dad and other 3 sisters) and other extended family were with her through the week in her last moments. I was not able to see her, and I regret that. However, I am looking forward to being with the rest of the Lowery extended family in the next few days. I will always have fond memories of times spent with her. And a very important part of my girls' everyday lives came from Nancy...she knitted the blanket that each of them sleeps with and uses as a comforting item at home and away. For that thoughtful gift she made them each when they were born, I will be forever grateful.

Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving.

Halloween

We had a fun Halloween. The girls had a costume parade at their preschool in the morning. In the evening we went "trick or treating." We took the kids to see a few friends and family in the neighborhood. Shelby dressed as Princess Jasmine from Disney's Aladdin movie. Jerzy was a super-cute bumblebee. She loved her costume. Knox was a pumpkin.

They got lots of candy and snacks. Andew and I have had to be the bad guys of course in limiting the candy. Shelby has decided that because Reese's Cups are Daddy's favorite, they are also her favorite too. But she calls them "cupcakes." Jerzy will try anything and will eat whatever Shelby doesn't like. Knox has enjoyed his snack mix of puffs and cheerios from Nana.

Here are the kids at Nana's house. She managed to snap the best pics of them in their costumes.