Visiting the Big Apple

On Wednesday Kyle, Mara, Kristin, Natalie, and myself drove up to New York City to spend the entire day. Kristin and Natalie had only been in "The City" once before, which was earlier this year. I took some pictures of their trip, and they can been seen here: http://gallery.mac.com/ljluttrell#100026

For Kyle and Mara, this was the first time to see the city.

It took us about 1:45 to get from our house to Manhattan, and 30 minutes to drive from the exit of the Lincoln Tunnel to our parking garage near the Empire State Building. For those that have never driven in NYC, you should add it to your "must do in your lifetime" list, as I can assure you, it is definitely an experience you will NEVER forget.

Once we got our car parked (which involves handing over your car keys to an attendant who's main goal is to squeeze as many cars into an underground garage as possible. I don't think that they could have fit anymore cars in the lot, it was unbelievable!), it was time to get bundled up for the winter weather.

One of my customers gave us what looks like a sleeping bag for your stroller as a "welcome to the Northeast" gift. At the time he gave it to us, we still had our A/C on full blast in Houston, never imagining the day we would actually use it. Well, that day was yesterday, and it turned out to be one of the most useful gifts we have ever received. Here is a picture of Natalie in it (I was jealous of our little burrito a few times yesterday).

We ate at a little restaurant in the basement of Macy's, and then went up to the 8th floor to see Santa Land (yes, Macy's has over 8 floors). I was secretly hoping that we would find Will Farell at the North Pole, but he wasn't there (for those that are challenged in the pop culture arena, this was a joke about Elf, a movie staring Will Farell, who worked at the Christmas display at Macy's, and...never mind, watch the movie).

Here are a few pictures I took at Santa Land:

The next stop on our trip was to the Empire State Building. For those that have never been to NYC, the Empire State Building is a few blocks down from Macy's on 34th Street (you know, Miracle on 34th Street?...I know, I am torturing those that have no pop culture knowledge, but if you don't know what Miracle on 34th Street is, you need to stop reading this blog right now, and google "how to get a life" or go to Barnes and Noble and buy "Earth, Yes, You Life on It for Dummies").

You pay about $16 to take 3 separate elevators to get to the top of the building. Between the 3 elevator rides, you walk through rope guided lines similar to a theme park. Strategically placed along the way are souvenir shops trying to sell you anything that has the word "New York" or "Empire State Building" on it. What they don't tell you is that you can buy the same thing on the street outside for 3 times less.

We finally got to the top, just in time for Natalie's good behavior and patience to run out. So we took turns taking care of her inside the gift shop at the top (go figure, another one). We got some really cool pictures of the city. To see all the pictures we took at the top, as well as the rest of the pictures from the trip, check out this link: http://gallery.mac.com/ljluttrell#100059

The next stop on our trip was Rockefeller Center, home of New York City Christmas Tree, NBC Studios, and the ice skating rink that you always see on TV. Here is a picture of the tree:

As we started walking away from the tree, we saw an area adjacent to the tree, full of millions of pennies. Come to find out, it is actually 100 million pennies, and for those of you that are a little slow with math, that is one million dollars!! (I really hope that no one who is reading this both lacks math skills and pop culture, because I would really feel bad). I asked one of the attendants what the pennies were for, and she explained that the kids of NYC have been collecting pennies through their school for the past month, and that they raised 1 million dollars, which will be redistributed back to their schools after Christmas. The kids at the various schools will then decide which charity they would like to donate their portion to. I thought it was a neat display of giving this Holiday season, and truly shows you how something as little as a penny, can add up to something significant when it is all put together. As a side note, it was very tempting for Natalie to try and play in the sea of pennies.

Next on our trip was the world famous toy store, FAO Schwartz. I don't think that I need to explain, but Natalie had a blast! The keyboard that Tom Hanks (a.k.a. Josh Baskin / David Moscow) played on in "Big" is still setup on the second floor, and they let kids play on it, and they even put on a show every hour or so. Here is Natalie playing the piano:

Once we got done at FAO Schwartz, it was time to start heading back to the car. While we were looking at toys, it started to rain outside. It was that perfect temperature that was too high for snow, but just cold enough to see your breath and be cold and wet. Trying to keep Natalie dry and in the stroller, we tried to catch a cab, along with half of New York. I don't think that I have ever seen so many cabs with their "off duty" light lit up. We needed to catch a cab or take the subway because our car was parked over 20 blocks away. I have been to NY numerous times, but I am not a subway expert, and it was during rush hour, and Natalie was in the stroller...so it wasn't the best time to learn. We weren't able to get a cab, so we started walking back in the rain. Halfway back to our garage we found a place to eat, and it was the perfect place....a fresh soup and coffee restaurant. We had our fill, and then finished the trek back to the car.

The last thing that we did was drive through Time Square (sorry, no pictures, I was driving), and it was a zoo on the streets. I think that I was the only non cab on the road as we dissected the city on Broadway. We drove all the way down to the financial district (area of ground zero), and got into the Holland Tunnel and under the Hudson river, which puts you back into New Jersey.

I drove home to the sound of dueling snoring...or maybe it was the three snorers....actually they made a quartet, so I am going to go with The Barbershop Snorers. In any case, everyone was exhausted!!

I hope you enjoyed my long, LONG, citation of the day. I enjoyed living it, and reliving it while writing this.

Landon

Got Cocoa??

While sporting her Cocoa Pajamas, Natalie insisted on getting cocoa tonight. Actually, it went down like this...

Kristin: Natalie, do you want cocoa tonight?

Natalie: (dead stare at Kristin).

(everyone goes back to watching tv, Natalie exits left).

Natalie: (standing alone in the kitchen, and starts speaking quietly) cocoa? Cocoa? COcoa? COCoa? COCOa? COCOA? COO-COOA??

Kristin: Okay Natalie, dad will make you some cocoa.

Natalie: (runs around the corner to come and get me. She grabs my by the finger and leads me into the kitchen to make some cocoa).

We proceeded to make cocoa together in the kitchen, and while we were making it, Natalie kept saying "cocoa, me? Me, cocoa?" I explained to her that we were almost done, and she would have her own cup. What she didn't know was that I was making her cocoa with half the mix and half cold water to cut the temperature, but she didn't care, she wanted "cocoa, me."

After drinking half of a full coffee cup of cocoa, and spilling some of it on the carpet, I took the above picture. It reminds me of the "got milk" ads that you see on tv and in magazines. You can download a higher resolution by clicking on the picture.

Kyle and Mara are visiting us from Iowa this week, and Mara let Natatlie wear her scarf. Natalie walked around the house with it on until it fell off while she was ripping ornaments off the Christmas tree.




When Natalie got tired of me taking all the pictures, she found a Nikon add in a magazine and did her best impression of the paparazzi.





That is all for now. Be sure to check back in the next few days. I will be adding pictures of NYC and Philly and we do our touristic duties with Kyle and Mara.

Landon

Natalie and Lipstick

Well, I guess I got a glimpse into what it is going to be like raising a girl today. Natalie has recently started becoming very interested in playing with Kristin's makeup. From blush, to lipstick, to creams, to all that other stuff women put on their faces (sorry ladies, I just don't keep up with the 'terminology').

A few weeks ago while Al, Terri, and Mimi were visiting, we gave Natalie a set of play makeup. She played with it for several days before losing all of the pieces throughout the house. I am sure that we will find them one day, but Natalie would have outgrown the 'play with makeup' stage by then.

So today, Natalie found one of Kristin's lipsticks, and immediately started trying to put it on her lips. We had to quickly grab it to remove the actual makeup because she really did get it on her lips.

When we gave her the lipstick back, she was simply overjoyed! So much so, that we had to get the moment on tape. Enjoy the show!

Landon

Natalie meets Semper Fi

Last night the whole family went to the mall to do some last minute Christmas shopping, which you could argue was not the best decision if you want to be an efficient shopper (the goal and desire of every male on the planet). So, you can see that I cashed in my chips before even leaving the house...this trip was for the females in the family. My one hope was to go to Home Depot, which is right next to the mall, but that ambition quickly faded with the sight of a packed mall. Oh well, I guess I will save the trip to Home Depot for another day.

Anyways, while we were at the mall, the local Marine Corp recruits had the regions mascot, Semper Fi, on hand for petting and taking pictures. Natalie is getting more and more curious and excited when she gets around dogs and she is getting very good at saying "puppy, puppy, Puppy, PupPy, PUPPY, PUPPY!!!" when she sees a dog nearby.

So, here is to you, GG-Ma and GG-Dad, Natalie with Semper Fi. Although she doesn't fully understand who the Marine Corp is or what Semper Fi means (always loyal), rest assured she will know someday. We told her that we were taking a picture to send to GG, and she gladly stood with the dog.

I was amazed at how calm the dog was. I came to the conclusion that they probably medicated the thing before into the mall. After we took the picture, the Marine that takes care of Semper Fi gave him a biscuit, and it took him a few seconds to figure out what he was smelling.

Got to run...getting ready for church.

Landon

View from my office

I finally have my office setup, although I still need to unpack a few book and file boxes. These are not a priority right now, so they may stay in the boxes for a few more weeks until I can get time to organize them.

I wanted to post a few pictures of the view from my office. The scenery is so different than Houston that I strategically positioned my computer so that I have the trees and creek in the background of my workspace.

The area is very popular with the local birds, and both our neighbors have feeders. If I ever get bored with selling plastic (which rairly happens :) ), I can entertain myself with the creative and hungry squirls trying to outsmart the bird feeders, or just watch the numerous species of birds that land on the trees and feeders. I am sure that I will be able to tell you what kind of birds they are in a few months, after I get tired of not knowing and start researching online. But right now, I am content with just watching the colorful birds fly by and get a bite to eat.

I also have enjoyed watching the weather change from the comfort of my office. I got to see the rest of the leaves fall from the trees, and now I get to see snow blanket the landscape. It is such a different environment than Houston, and I enjoy the newness and beauty of the area. I look forward to working hard in my office, and watch all the weather God brings our way.

Now that I have done my tribute to Mother Earth and I have punched my Al-Gore-Tree-Hugging-Hippie-Global-Warming-Card for today, I will get back to my normal day of unpacking and chasing Natalie around.

Landon

Natalie dancing while Jason plays the piano

On Friday night, we had our good friends Jason & Janna over for dinner and to hang out, which was one of our favorite things to do when we both lived in Houston. We are so happy to be able to spend time with them again, especially considering that Janna is 6 months pregnant, and we will be able to be around during this special time in their lives.

For those that do not know this, Natalie LOVES music. She loves listening to it, playing it on her little toys, singing at the top of her lungs, and dancing to it. For some reason she really likes dancing to the bluegrass station on tv. Kristin says it is because I am from Kentucky originally...maybe so. I know that I don't mind listening to bluegrass while she dances, double the fun for me!

Last night when Jason & Janna (& baby Nathan) were over, Jason started playing the piano at my request because he can actually play well (which is more than what I can say for Kristin and me, unfortunately). Natalie instantly grabbed her magic wand and started "shaking her boodie." Jason played as many Christmas songs and kid songs that he could think of. Janna, Kristin, and I sang to the melody and Natalie entertained all of us with her dance moves. Jason also played some classical pieces and a few rock tunes, which Natalie enjoyed.

When Jason had played all that he could think of, he got up and sat back down in the living room. Natalie looked at Jason and said "noo, noo" in a "I don't like what just happened" kind of voice. She walked over to Jason, grabbed his index finger and middle finger in her little hand, and started leading him across the living room. Jason played along, not knowing for sure where she was leading him. Sure enough, it was straight back to the piano for Jason. Right when they got to the piano, she took off running for her spot in the middle of the floor for dancing. It was quite funny to watch the whole thing transpire. Jason graciously abliged and played a few more songs for Natalie.

After that it was "night, night" for Natalie, which she never likes. I will leave you with a picture of Natalie dancing in the middle of the floor.

Landon

Gift from Texas

Natalie recently got her first Nativity Scene from our friend Amy in Houston. We think Natalie misses Texas, as she has been walking around the saying 'Texas, Texas' for the past few days. Thanks Amy, she loves it!!