NYC

Mabry and I had a rare opportunity. We had a whole day without our children! It was so much fun to spend time with her and hang out. We had a fun day in New York. We saw the Statue of Liberty. We bought some bright sweatshirts because we were freezing. We walked through China town and helped a little old lady who fell down but was afraid of us (we think it was a cultural thing). We walked the Brooklyn Bridge. We walked through time square and the throngs of people. And we ate at some yummy curry inspired restaurant. We had a GREAT time.
I love you Mabs!

The Hunt is On

Happy Easter! I love to celebrate and have fun. So with Easter, an egg hunt is fun and exciting. However, it is important to Jim and I to teach our kids why we have Easter. Our family, and me in particular, am so grateful for my Savior. His infinite sacrifice has had it's healing affects in my life. I am so grateful for an older brother who loves me enough to give me the opportunity to repent and become more like him. Easter morning, what a beautiful day, what a beautiful reason to celebrate.Everyone is ready to head out the door.
Cute Kiley wearing her three day old clothes (it is spring break).

Valerie participating and having fun, even though she could easily poo-poo the whole event.

Sophie was our guest of honor. How we loved getting to know her better.

Bella says cha-ching to a chocolate bunny.

Nic is finding the impossible to find eggs hidden by Mabry. She was tough on these kids!

Lilly saying Ba, Ba to every egg. She also knew there was candy inside. Arielle was having fun. She just sometimes gives weird smiles.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Happy Birthday Valerie!

My oldest baby is 15 years old and over 6 feet tall! I couldn't be more blessed to have such a spectacular daughter. I love my Val!!She let Lilly help her open gifts.
This was her cake of choice. We had hard shell Caramel and Recess for toppings.

Her wish will come true!

Hershey Park

We had an AWESOME day at Hershy Park. We were all set to go when Valerie got a call from a friend to do some sewing. She preferred that over our mini vacation. So we let her stay and invited our good friend Bethany. It was a two hour drive and the line to get in was about 30 minutes long, but once we got in we had a lot of fun. The weather was perfect. The kids were perfect. The Hershey tour was delightful. And at the end of the night the park was practically empty and we rode ride after ride. It was a GREAT day.We had to ride the Ferris Wheel - a classic.
This was one of the two rides Lilly was able to go on.

Everyone from Bella to Mabry rode this ride. And everyone kept their stomachs afterward. Here you can see Bethany and Arielle on the first row (not sitting by each other for some reason) and then Mabry, Bella and Sophie in the second row. Nic and Kiley were on the other end of the boat.

Here is a before picture of us as we went to ride Fahrenheit.

Here is the beginning of Fahrenheit.

Here we are after the ride. A little dazed, but very satisfied.

Here is Sophie, Arielle, Bella and Mabry in line for a roller coaster.

This is them on the roller coaster. Sophie LOVED it. Bella thought it was super great, until she learned she went upside down, then she started to think about it. Arielle said she is done with roller coasters.

We did the classic Horse Carousel.

This was the Music Express.

It was Bella's favorite. She rode it 10 times.

This was Lilly when we got into the park at 11 am.

This is Lilly when we left the park at 9 pm. She was a trooper.

Philly

I pulled Bella and Arielle out of school Thursday and we all went to Center City to see the sites! Of course we tried the Philly Cheesesteaks.
We saw the Liberty Bell.

Took a carriage ride. While our guide gave us tons of historical information, the girls just waved to everyone like they were princesses and Mabry and I had fun watching the people on the street respond.

Skinny, cute Mabry with the girls in front of Independence Hall.

We finished off the day with a taste of Benjamin Franklin ice cream. Who cares about all those inventions, ice cream is definitely where it is at.

My Sister Visits and We Have so Much Fun - 1st The Food

We weren't diligent in taking pictures, and missed some of the yummy stuff, but we did cover the two favorite food groups.....fried and sugary. Homemade French Fries - Crinkle Cut for style.
Full of oil and covered in season salt.

Strawberry Cream Cheese pastry Bread - A Mabry Specialty. SOOOOOO delicious.

Easter Dinner -Twice Baked Potatoes, Lillified.

Easter Dinner outside - BEAUTIFUL weather.

The Kitchen is Done

I forgot to take "before" pictures prior to beginning the up do. But the general "before look" is still visible in the pictures below. The cabinets were golden oak colored with white laminate doors and golden oak, chunky drawer pulls.The windows below use to have white (tastefully aged to a dull grey) and light blue country curtains. They were the kind with a valance on top and the half way up longer ones. Pretty much covering the whole windows. The glowing light up top was one of those simple, flat to the ceiling, 2 for $20 Homedepot lights. A bit dark and blah looking for an eating area.
Just another view of the cabinets. And I guess the junk I keep in them.
Below is the stove. Well worn, but still plugging along.
A close up of the cabinet combination that I really, and I mean really, did not enjoy .

And now, in no particular order...........

This is the dining area. We painted the walls, added some artwork, changed the windows so they can be completely opened and we can enjoy the bay window. We also added a chandelier so there is a LOT more light (and beauty).

Here you can see the light a bit better. And most of all you can see the cabinets are all white. I don't profess to have done a spectacular job. But having them all white makes me a lot happier. Notice, too, a new dishwasher - it is so clean I just stare at the inside sometimes. Also, above the sink I added a word quote. No scripture or anything........

However, food is mentioned plenty of times in the scriptures. And it does say to love one another. I love to love by giving food.
I couldn't get rid of all my junk, as you can see below. But it is organized. If you sent us a picture Christmas card, then you are most likely hanging on our cabinets. We like to make sure everyone knows we have friends. :) Also, great memories come to mind when we see the people we love. Do you see that fancy art work near the ceiling? That is a one of a kind set. I know that, because I decided to try my hand. I don't know if I love it, but it was fun. I do like it however, so until I find something I LOVE, there it is. I know it is not too bad because Lilly looked up the other day and said nana, nana.

Oh!! and lest I forget. That empty counter top, it use to hold the old microwave (which is sitting on my porch for a freecycle pick up at this very moment) and my pile of recyclables. Now the kids have to stuff them in buckets under the counter and the microwave is........

over the stove! A beautiful thing. I love my shiny new cooking equipment. We are slowly becoming acquainted as I figure out the perfect time for baking cakes and cookies.

And there it is! I am so much happier, I know that materialism shouldn't do that to a person, but alas it is true. Getting rid of the Golden Oak color contrasting on the white was like taking an anti-depression pill for me. Call me materialistic, it doesn't matter. This is my office and food is my love. So find a time to come on over and I'll cook you up something delicious and delightful.