A New York Minute

Katie and I were talking one night about how fun a girls trip to New York would be. However we made the mistake of telling our husbands and they wanted in on the fun and hijacked our weekend. They quite cleverly planned our trip around a BYU basketball tournament. Thankfully we love them, so it didn't make the weekend too painful.

 

New York Fashion at it's finest.

The boys won front row seats to the BYU game, and we bought front row seats for Mama Mia (but it's hardly a competition), where we made good friends with the percussionist. He has performed at Mama Mia for the past 9 years, and before that he did Cats for 10 years. He didn't appreciate my "ah memories" joke.

After Mama Mia, Katie and I decided frozen hot chocolate was a must. We decided to walk there after the police woman assured us it was only 15 minutes away. Her 15 minutes took us 45, but we loved every minute. Sight seeing at night is twice the fun.

 One thing I love about Katie is that absolutely nothing is boring when we are together. Including standing in line in the freezing cold for dessert. We became the self appointed photographers of Serendiptiy and took photos for everyone. I seriously lost count of how many photos we took

 

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After being seated we found out there was a per person minimum (so cheeky) we decided french toast paired quite nicely with frozen hot chocolate.

 

Tour Guide Critchfield was amazing (and perhaps a little thanks also goes to Google Maps)

Magnolia Bakery for a second breakfast. Yes please!

The World Tade Center Memorial was an experience not to be missed.

Cougars for life.

One of my goals was to go ice skating at 30 Rock, but after finding out it was $50 before ice skate rentals, I decided I would rather a new pair of shoes.

Being a tourist is hard work.

Our friendship level hit a new high with the Critchfields that weekend as we decided to share a hotel room to save money. This had it's perks. For example, when Katie and I didn't get home till 2am Friday night, the boys couldn't get super mad at us (strength in numbers.) As for the downfalls, I can't think of one....

Slow and Steady...



...Wins the 5K Halloween Race. Although if I am perfectly honest, in this case the hare was nice enough to let the tortoise come in first.



Jail break. Pretty fantastic.

 

 The number one reason I love my job is because of the Halloween fancy dress contest. The number two reason is because I win it!


Effie Trinket, Katniss Everdeen and President Snow.

 

The Big 3-Oh!

Kevin turned 30 in October and I surprised him with a 3-day Cruise to the Bahamas. He literally had no idea until we drove until the parking lot. I wish I could have filmed his reaction. Kevin adapts very well to situations, perhaps a little too well. His response was: "Are we going on a cruise? ... Cool."
If it were me I would have been freaking out, amid screams and jumps of joy it would been like: "You planned this without consulting me", "how much did this cost!", "where are we going", "what did you pack for me", "when are we coming home" - but I got none of that! Boys are so weird.

We were eating within 15mins of being on board. Kevin was in heaven.

I loved my sea sick bands - even if I looked like I was going to play tennis the whole trip.

 

Due to the constant wind, taking a good pictures of the boat was pretty much impossible. I also don't recommend wearing a skirt.

Rock wall on the top deck of the ship.

Kevin with his prizes after winning the logo quiz (wasn't sure if I should be proud or worried about how he knew so many.)

Formal night. Best part - I'm still wearing my sea sick bands, I just made sure they weren't in the photo. I wasn't about to take the things off for anythings!



Scooting around Nassau.

This use to be one giant rock, but the slaves carved a tunnel and stairs as an escape route. Steve McQueen probably could have taken a lesson or two from these guys.

The water was amazing! I don't understand how our beach has gross water and this beach, one-short-boat-ride-away has stunning crystal clear water.

Our favourite stop was at Coco-Cay, Royal Caribbeans' private island. We snorkeled out to an old airplane to check out the fish. The best part of the private island was not being hassled by the locals, and the chefs from the boat BBQing right there on the island.

A water spout is an intense columnar vortex that occurs over a body of water. Anyone who watches the Discovery Channel knows this (i.e. Kevin.)

 

This cruise the perfect way of kicking of Kevin's new decade of life. Happy 30th Kevin!!!

Home Sweet Home

I got to go home in September, where I was appropriately spoilt by my parents. Since I don't get to go home very often, each time I go my mother out does herself in making it special.



I had been home for no more than an hour when my parents had me out on a bike ride. It was exhausting but I literally had no jet-lag the next day.



Bobbingsworth Church

Fresh raspberries from the garden - yes please!



After my bike ride I was rewarded with a delicious lemon drizzle cake - celebrities fawn over my mum's lemon drizzle cake (that isn't a lie - an English TV actor truly loves my mum's baking.)



After a weekend of some quality one-on-one time, Dani and Wells showed up, where Wells quickly became the center of attention (and for good reason!)



Families that work out together get to pig out together. Mum and dad's trainer Laura ran us through a gruelling work out.



Wells' first train ride!



The London Masonic temple - the masons seriously intrigue me.



Eclaires in Leicester Square.



I don't really enjoy an apple once the skin is all gone - so Wells and I made an excellent apple eating team.



Dad helped make us fabulously British by taking us to Jack Wills.



Breakfast for dinner is my favourite - Kevin doesn't believe in it, so I can only do it when he isn't around.

Oh Wells.



Wells and I loved story time. His favourite was Wheels on the Bus and Tickle Tickle Peter (voices are a must!)



Wells loved Marco's Cheesecake!! His version of sharing dessert is him eating the whole thing. He would grab my hand when I tried to take a bite and pull my fork towards him.



Conquers!!



Wells and I wanted to do everything together. I did my make-up while he watched sesame street. Fiest 1,2,3,4 was our favourite. Youtube it!



I got to meet up with Danny and his girlfriend. He took me to a restaurant 42 flights up that had a 360 degree view of London. It was beautiful up there.



Dad took us to see Matilda. Intermission Haagen Dazs is always a must.



I know my mum loves me because she made my completely from scratch birthday cake (even though it was September!) This may possibly be the best cake in the whole world. I've always been very protective of my cake and who gets a slice (I can't give it to someone who won't truly appreciate it.) Considering that this time, I was willing to share it with everyone really shows how I've matured over the years.



We took Wells to feed the ducks. He only thought is was fair if he got fed to. A piece from them, a piece for him.



Smelliest part of England!



Dad took me for another bike ride in the English countryside. It's going to take a lot more spin classes and some energy bars before I can keep up with that man. He's a beast on a bike!



We cycled passed so many cute cottages. My favourite were the ones with thatched roofs. I like to think the people who live inside like to live life on the edge. Why else would you choose to have a house with a flammable roof?

Dorthy was right, there really is no place like home.