Em in the City.

My first trip to the Big Bad Apple and I was ready to take it all in. On one of the many trips to Carnegie Deli, or Starbucks, I saw a few bands playing in Times Square, Spiderman made an appearance and let's not forget Cowboy Neal in his whitie-tighties, 10 Gallon hat and Boots! I LOVE NYC!

The first of many things on the agenda was the METS! A major league baseball game is something that every red-blooded American needs to experience. As my first experience I was blown away by how beautiful the field was, how small the players were and how LOUD the fans were!

"You have to have the total Major League experience, ESPECIALLY stadium food " I had been told, so in preparation for this experience I held out on all of the one of a kind dining experiences that NYC has to offer, and anxiously awaited the Mets idea of a meal. Apparently my perception of food is a far cry from what baseball food is...

I loaded it up with all the "used to be veggies" I could find and downed it like a contestant on Fear Factor. Next time I will come prepared.



As we ran from place to place we saw all of the wonderful things in NYC - Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Station, Empire State Building, Wall Street, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Broadway shows, Bryant Park, the mighty Churches and Cathedrals, even the sobering memorial of the Twin Towers. But of all of those wonderful beautiful things, THIS...
Well, it speaks for itself.

CENTRAL PARK - BY FAR MY FAVORITE THING IN NEW YORK CITY!!
I spent a lot of time here every day taking in the beauty, the people and the city scape. Every day I was BLOWN away by all of it.

Payten Conquers

"I want to do a Triathlon Mom."

How can a parent resist such a sweet and ambitious request?

So, after miles of running, pedaling and several emotional breakdowns Payten finds himself at the starting line. Nervous and Unsure, but Determined...

At the sound of the starting horn he dove right in that big 12 ft deep pool, and swam his best.
50 Meters was quite a long way all at once.

As a parent of the participant we were only allowed in the "transition area", so after getting all of his biking gear on he was off like a flash with hardly a "see ya mom".

He pedaled the 1 mile route as fast as ever and returned with the same look of intense concentration. Just in time for the 1/2 mile sprint to the finish.

As he crossed the finish line and spotted all of his supporters he ran over and said "I think I'll do the bigger one next year."

THAT A BOY, PAYTEN!!

Approximately 15 minutes upon returning to the car post-race, the tired Triathlete could only do one thing...

I love you Payten and am astounded every day by your determination and drive and dreams.
You inspire me!

PIONEER DAY

WALLSBURG

24th of July Parade

Payten proclaimed it "The BEST Candy day EVER", and his pocket's agreed!

The parade kept us entertained with bikes, 4 wheelers, lawnmowers horses, and a really loud fire engine.

4 WHEELIN'

View from the top.

We found the most spectacular meadow full of wild flowers...

and dead trees begging to be tipped over, so Sam, Payten and Andy gladly obliged. TIMBER!!



Look out Dirty Harry!

This tree was perfect for bouncing



WHOHOO!

AFTER THE RIDE

I'm absolutely certain we were on the same trail, but, Sam rode with Andy..

I've never seen him so happy!

Payten and I had a very nice scenic ride, we enjoyed the follage and the views.

Somehow we missed the dirt and mud.

A look inside a 6 year old mind

I've heard it said that the workings of the male mind are simple and easy...

This is a salad, compliments of Payten the Chef.

Ingredients: Flower pedals, tree leaves, dirt, chewed up bubblegum, and chocolate cake.

Payten's other recent concoctions have included:

-Buttermint tea

-Pickle and Peanut Butter appetizers

- A coctail of lake water, rootbeer and Mountain Dew.

Bon Appétit!

"LEMONAIDE! GET YOUR FRESH LEMONAIDE!". This was the first of Payten's attempts at earning his own money. When he tired of lemonaide he ventured door to door selling toy's and candy.

He is also learning about growing his fortune - I was more than nervous when I caught him in the office coppying all of his bills on the copy machine.

Sam's 4th Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM NASH!

Sam has been planning his Spongebob Party for 364 Days.

Requested Birthday Breakfast : French Toast with Whipped Cream and Sprinkles.


Party at Boondocks!

READY, SET, GOLF !

Sam took his time sizing up the hole, the ball and perfecting his swing. THEN....

with the patience and precision of a 4 year old Sam resorted to A LOT of screaming, cussing, and eventually throwing the "stupid club" into the bushes. He didn't give up though, he got that ball into the hole using only the club! WAY TO GO HAPPY! (I mean SAM!)

The Roudy Croud!

These Kids (with the exception of Sam), set a world record for speed golfing- Completing both 18 hole courses in under an hour using not only the clubs but feet, legs and hands.

FUN IN THE ARCADE

BUMPER BOAT'S

It just wouldn't be a "Sam" experience if he didn't end up getting a head injury the size of, well, an egg. Nothing that couldn't be fixed with smoothies and nacho's.

Perfect End to the Perfect Day!

I love you Sam!