A Christmas Trip To NY

We went to the city again.  Kayla wanted to see the sights and you know me - where Don goes, I follow.  So we all head out in the early morning.  Don worked half day so he dropped me and Kayla off at a mall.  I looked at a few shops and then found a nice couch to sit and read.  Kayla found lots more shops.  We got back together in the afternoon.  Don had made a serious decision.  He would drive into the city.  

(Insert ominous organ music here...)

Very daring man I married...

Here are some of the sights we saw on the way:

World's Fair ruins...

Skyline of the city

Once we got into the city (which was really crazy!  The cars were so close together!  It was like the lines in the road and lights and signs were more of suggestions rather then rules. But Don handled it very well.  Like a pro!) we went for some pizza.  We all got "a slice."

Kayla enjoyed hers...

Don's still pondering why he drove into the city...

On the way out Kayla made a friend.  Of course it cost her $1.00...

Then we went to a show.  West Side Story!  

Isn't it great in A mer E ca!  :D

After the show we spent some time in Time Square.  (The crowded theatre was LESS crowded then it was outside!) 

Don took this picture.  I call it "Where's Elizabeth...?"  I'm down there somewhere, I promise!

Now where's Kayla...?  Okay, so she might be easier to find.  I'm there too.  If you look to the right side of Kayla, the top of her ear and go out maybe a 1/8 inch you'll see a brown coat with blond / brown hair and white sneakers.  That's me!  

(Now, if you want, go back to the first picture.  I'm basically in the same spot... Who knew blogs could be so engaging...?)


Kayla took this one of Don and me.    

Then we went out to Virgil's.  It was a great barbeque restaurant with a really cool place mat! 

Then we were off to see the tree.

On the way we found some decorations.  Everything is bigger in NY...  :D

A few views of the tree...

Two pictures of me and Don.  I like this one better.

Don likes this one...

You can vote for your favorite at the end of the blog... 

Don took a picture of the crowd so I would always remember...  ( he said I couldn't take it because I would only get chests... always with the short jokes...)

A more peaceful sight then the crazy crowds...

Afterwards we made our way back to the car and Don drove home.  

All the while I was singing: 

Boy boy, 

Crazy boy,

Keep Coool boy...

and occasionally I would snap my fingers.  :D

(Got to love West Side Story...)

Cowboy Claus

Got this picture from my brother Joseph.  I hear Cowboy Claus flies over Texas and other states were Dallas Cowboy fans reside...

Snow Storm

Sunday the snow started to fall.  Sunday afternoon the wind started to blow.  Sunday night and Monday morning the wind was crazy!  We woke up to the alarm at 6 am and Don called his work to find out they were closed for the morning.  They asked him to call back around 11 am.  When he called back they said not to come in for the day.  YAY!  Another day at home with my sweet husband!  Between the calls both moms called worried about how we were fairing.  We're all good - nice and warm inside, and yet there was the snow outside that needed to be dealt with.
Good thing Paul was here.  With his Star Valley, Wyoming snow shoveling skills we knew we'd be okay.  I asked Don if I could help but he made some comment about my height....  All I can say is it's good to be short!

Since I wasn't shoveling, I thought I'd document the whole experience:

Here's Don.  You can imagine what he's thinking...

Here's Paul.  The snow plow has come through the parking lot and pushed the snow up against the back of the cars.  Here they are trying to get the out.

Don's trying it now...

But it's not enough.

Here they are discussing strategies...

More shoveling...

And more shoveling...

Yay! They moved the car! 

Here they are congratulating themselves on a job well done!

But they're not done yet... must get the rest of the snow out so they can get the car back in the spot.

Here they are discussing how nice it would be to live in Florida...

All I can say is it certainly pays to be short.  :D

Mastic Beach with Kayla

Recently Kayla came out and visited.  Don wanted her to get the full Island experience so we took her to our favorite beach.

Here is father and daughter.  Ah, so happy together...

A close up of Kayla...

And a closer up of Don...

Honestly, I only put this one in to see if Don really reads my blogs or not.  If it's still on in a few days, we'll know the answer... :D

Here's some more action shots:

I love my sweet husband's smile.  His whole being lights up!

Don and Kayla wrestling.  Love a good wrestle...

And to end, the deer were back.  I loved the mug shot profile.
Turn to the right...

Now to the left...

And, unlike most New York attractions,  the deer did not charge me any "doe" for taking the pictures.   

Get it...? :D

The Texas Stirland's

Well, HOWDY Y'ALL!
I recently had the opportunity to fly down to Texas (met mother at the Dallas airport) to see Spencer, Shreann, Oliver, and Lily.  Shreann was due on the 6th of December, but just like a Stirland the baby wanted to come when it was good and ready which unfortunately was NOT while I was down there.

Here's a few things we did.

Oliver had a birthday on the 4th.  We celebrated by going over to Oliver's school to eat lunch with him.

After Spencer came home from work we all went to Chucky Cheese!
Although I'm not sure if we went more for Oliver...

Or Spencer....

Or maybe both...

Or maybe it was for Lily...

Who, by the way, learned how to drive...

 But I really think it was more for Grandma - who has always wanted to play car racing game....

But more importantly, everyone who came had good times.

One day we went to Spencer's work.

There he is:  Dr. Spencer Wm Stirland!

Here is his office space...

...but one picture, drawn by Ollie himself, deserves a close up.  I really like the beard, but more importantly the hair drawn very carefully on the sides of the head.  Ollie is very attentive to details.  :D

I think I had the most fun with the simple moments at home.

 (That smile deserves a closer look)

Got to love the Stirland smiles!

Lily learned a lot.

Grandma tried to teach her the importance of game boy...

Lily tried her best to understand....

While papa gave Ollie a whisker rub.

Spencer and Shreann went on a well deserved night on the town.

While we were in Texas, grandma and Ollie played Santa!  Oliver tied yarn to a stuffed animal and then tied the other end to a toy car.  He then packed up a pillow case with toys and went around the house giving them to Lily and me.  Grandma loved the game!  :D
Here's a play by play:
That's grandma helping the stuffed animal (doubling for reindeer)

Here comes Santa Ollie...

With gifts for Lily and Aunt Lizzie!

And finally, to end the post, here's the 3 headed monster from Texas.

Spencer and Shreann, I really enjoyed my time there with you all.  Thanks for letting me come.

PS:  Since then, Shreann did have the baby.  A little 6 lb 11 oz baby girl.  She was born Monday,  December 13, 2010 at 8:41 pm, and they named her Claire Elizabeth Stirland.