Fun in New York City!

Stephanie, and I went on a mother/daughter trip to NYC last weekend! It was so fun! It was short trip...we got there about 5:00 on Friday and came home late afternoon on Monday...so we had 2-1/2 days there. But we were able to see alot and do some fun shopping. First night we stayed on the Jersey side across from Manhattan. We got some great skyline shots of Manhattan. The next two nights we stayed in Manhattan in the theater district/Times Square area so that after the theater, we wouldn't have to trek back over to Jersey on a subway or by taxi late at night. Taxi's from Manhattan to Jersey cost around $70.00 to $80.00 one way and I don't think it would be wise to ride the subway at midnight. It was fun, our hotel was a block away from the theater where we saw "Wicked". Fantastic show...the girl who played Galinda was the same one who had played in the traveling show here in Omaha last year. We were also only several blocks from Times Square and went there after the play. It is so crazy there with tons of people but it was fun. We also were able to go up in the Empire State Building, ride a ferry to the Statue of Liberty Island, Ellis Island and see the World Trade Center site. We bought passes for the Hop on/Hop off tour buses which was great because you can get off at the areas you want and then hop back on another passing bus. It lets you see areas that riding the subway wouldn't let you see. We shopped at two H&M's, rode Macy's old wooden elevators, and even went in to FAo Schwarz Toy Store. I loved being able to have fun with my daughter and we had a wonderful time!

At the top of the Empire State Building

Looking down from the Empire State Building

In front of the Gershwin Theater after Wicked

We dressed up for the theater and then changed to go to Times Square (pics below)

Pictures from the Statue of Liberty Trip (below)

Happy Birthday, Jason!

"A son is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future." -Author unknown.

Thirty-four years ago, I looked upon the face of a beautiful little baby boy, my first son and first child. As a new mother, I cherished each moment and each new day with this little guy! What fun and wonderful memories we have of those growing years. Jason is now a father experiencing the joy of having a son and daughters of his own. He is a wonderful father and husband! It has been such a blessing to watch him grow all the years and to see the great man he has become!

We Love You, Son!

Hope you have a Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Eric!

Happy 25th, Eric! Wow, just yesterday he was this little kid throwing eggs from the fridge because he thought they were balls. I couldn't keep him out of them. The little guy who loved following his big brothers and sister and would ride his hot wheel with such speed to try to keep up with them. Now here he is a quarter of a century old (that is Eric's phrase for 25!) and having just graduated from college. What a great son! We are blessed to have such a sincere, loving and giving son! It has been fun to watch him become a great husband and father!

Happy "25" Eric

We Love you!

The Mom's in my life!

To all the Mom's in my life, I want you to know that I love and appreciate you for the examples you have been to me. I know that I can't give a tribute to everyone but here are a few...

My Mom - Being left with 8 children when my father passed away, her hands were always busy making sure that we had the basics we needed to provided a warm home for us. The one thing that I remember is her baking bread and cinnamon rolls, making sure there were cookies always in the cookie jar, making pieced quilts to give away, and taking extra jars of jam and loafs of bread to the neighbors. She was always very giving even though we didn't have much. Her hands were always busy! I don't remember her complaining much which I'm sure that there were many a day she wanted to just sit down and quit. She showed me how to get through the tough times and to have the courage to keep going. She is an"Elect" daughter of God. One whom I love very dearly!

Nina (Rick's mom) - Without her I would not have the wonderful husband and companion I have. I wish I could have met her. From what I know about her, Nina was a very warm and loving mother, who gave her love and a home to her stepbrothers and stepsisters when her stepmother and her father passed away a year within each other. She and Everett took them into their home and heart. Several of them were teens at the time. I think about the courage and strength that she must have had to do this. Everett and her were then blessed with five of their own children. She raised some great children, Rick being the oldest. I know that she instilled in her children an attitude of kindness because each of them have carried that into their adult lives.

Stephanie - my beautiful daughter! I have come to learn much about motherhood by watching my daughter with her children. She is such a caring, loving and giving mother. I have been so blessed by her in my life. I love the mother-daughter relationship we have. She is truely one of my best friends! She has been so appreciative to me and overlooks all my mistakes...or the mistakes I made while she and her brothers were growing up. But has always been one to lighten my life and make me smile. She gave me such a beautiful present for mother's day that she made. What happiness she has brought to me. I love you, Stephanie, and the mother you are!

Lacey, Katie and Joy - my wonderful daughter-in-laws. Their mothers did a great job in raising such beautiful women. They are the light of my son's lives and the mother of my grandchildren. I so love watching each of them with the love and warmth they give their children (my little grandchildren) and seeing the love that comes to their faces as they watch them grow. Each one is an example to me in so many different ways of things that I need to be working on in my life. I love each of you! Thank you for being such great moms!

My sisters-Faye, Sharon, and Margie - They each are special women. I love the fact that they have always had a great interest in my children and now my grandchildren. Whenever we visited Idaho as the kids were growing up, they took an great interest in them and then when our children went to college in Idaho and Utah, they were there to help and support them in what ways they could. I love the fact that Margie has always been there for my kids and now she enjoys the grandkids. Stephanie's boys love "Grandma Margie".