So, I don't have the internet at home anymore...it was sucking too much time out of my days so I axed it... Anyway, I only get on the internet now at work. And seeing as how my pictures are all on my home computer, I haven't posted anything in a couple of months because pictureless posts are sooo boring.
But, this is all about the journaling isn't it? So, here's my quick update.
Since the last post, we've had a fantastic camping trip at Fairview with my fam...check out Lisa's blog for some great pics (I'm cheating, I know). I froze my tush off every night but survived the second night by shacking up in the back of Chris and Lisa's toyhauler and keeping Josh and Kristen's neoprene bottle full of boiling hot water at my feet. THANK YOU! I don't do well in 40 degree weather. The kids stayed toasty and the older boys even stayed in their own tent the first night...alone! (They won't sleep in the basement without 30 lights on and the dog guarding their rooms but they'll sleep on a bear infested mountain with nothing but the stars to light the night...go figure!) Anyway, it was a blast and we need to do it more...such an inexpensive vacation.
We had a rockin' 24th of July celebration shortly after the camping trip. We small town inhabitants know how to kick it on Pioneer Day, I tell ya. All four kids got to ride on various floats amongst giant tractors, llamas and 14 different city, county and rodeo princesses. #4 has never had more fun than the day she got to toss candy (illegally) off the hospital float. She was in heaven. #3 also rode the hospital float with a high powered water gun in hand that didn't get anyone but me wet. #1 and 2 got to ride their All-Star baseball floats with all their friends and also enjoyed themselves. The only one who wasn't involved was Hubby...he was stuck at the end taking all the pictures that I can no longer post. Bummer.
The next day all of us except #4 flew to Boston with Hubby's parents and sister, Brooke for a Boston/NYC baseball trip. (Yes, the whole point of the trip was baseball.) We spent four days in Boston, saw all there was to see and hit Manny Ramirez's last game as a RedSox. Hubby and the boys were even lucky enough to get a home run ball during batting practice when it ricocheted off of #3's leg and hubby recovered it. Good job, honey! We did the Freedom Trail and got to see Paul Revere's house, Boston Commons, a couple of very cool cemetaries with the likes of Ben Franklin, John Adams and Mr. Revere himself's gravestones and even stopped by Cheers! Then we took a train to New York and spent 3 days cramming in everything we could, including a game at Yankee Stadium (the final season). And as luck would have it, we got another ball! A foul ball came soaring all the way up to our nose bleed seats and the beer man caught it with one hand (other hand securing the beer tray on his head). After his little dance was shown on ESPN, he turned and handed the ball to #1. Highlight of the trip. We also managed to hit the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Times Square at night, the Hello Deli (where we met Rupert AND Biff from Dave Letterman), the Manhattan Temple, and Ground Zero. At Ground Zero we were able to meet John, one of the first responders on 9/11. He was actually in the WTC when it came down and got out untouched, though he lost 6 of his men. It was the highlight of my trip. We got a picture with him and tried to impress on the boys that they had met a REAL hero...they were very excited. It was a great trip and #4 did well with Grandpa and Grandma, although I really missed her.
The night we flew home I was able to catch my cousin's wedding reception and see some of my favorite people for the first time in YEARS - loved seeing you all! To top it off I had a night cap with Cam and Kent. I wish we lived closer...a couple of hours every year just doesn't cut the mustard!
School started a couple of weeks after we got home and life is calming down again. #1 started fifth grade and he's feeling really important being the king of the elementary. (Middle school next year...holy cow!) #2 is loving 3rd grade because his best friend and long time crush are both in his class (two separate people, btw) and life doesn't get much better. The 3rd graders all take a camping trip overnight and that's coming in a couple of weeks...he's so excited. (Me, too...nothing like camping with 100 8 year olds!)
Anyway, I know it's boring without the pics...I will post soon with all the exciting photos for those of you who care!
And congrats to Hubby for the big win last night! We had our first football game of the season and won 28-10! Go Rams!
A highlight of any McAllister family vacation is always bronzed weenies
Sitting in front of the fountain at Central Park.
The Manhattan Temple
Grandma with Biff from Letterman. I'll give you three guesses on who was more excited for this picture...
Checking out the weird "Central Park Bugs" with their new CSI Magnifying Glass
Checking out the super cool "New York City Sewer System" with same magnifying glass
Hubby with Rupert
Grandpa getting his groove on in Times Square (wish it wasn't blurry!)
All of us in Times Square at night. #2's by far the coolest in the crew
The boys busting up the Brooklyn Bridge
This is #3's cool new trick that he discovered on the New York City Subway. He would inhale through his nose as hard as he could until his nostrils stuck to his face. For some reason, having the little buck teeth protruding helps with suction. Everyone on our subway train was laughing until they cried.
Three little monkeys in front of the Statue of Liberty. No, #3 doesn't need to use the bathroom.
#3 running "routes" on the Statue of Liberty lawn.
Granpa and Gramma with the boys
On the ferry to S of L
This is the inside of the Ladder 10 Fire Station across from the World Trade Center site. Notice the six plaques on the wall. Those are the six men from this engine that died when the WTC came down on 9/11.
This is John, our new hero. He was in the WTC when it came down and got out untouched. He was so gracious to tell us about his experience that day. (And couldn't he play himself in a movie??)
#1 with the foul ball that the beer guy handed him at Yankee Stadium
Hubby and Grandpa before the Yankee Game. And no, we are NOT Yankee fans. Grandpa was sure that if we all showed up in NYC with Boston hats on we'd be mugged and left for dead in a dark subway corner so they all bought $5 Yankee hats on a street corner the minute we hit the city.
All of us outside the future Yankee Stadium
The stadium that is no more. I'm so glad we got to take our baseball fanatic family to see this baseball shrine before it came down!
