I spent my birthday away from my boys on a work trip and to help make up for it, Cole surprised me with a plan to spend a late birthday weekend in the Big Apple. He was there the week prior for work so I was able to join him on the tale end of his trip. Yeah!

For any of you on Instagram, some of these photos will be repeats, but here we go!

After taking the red eye flight out, I spent a few hours resting in Cole's hotel and then hit the financial district for some quick shopping. My mission was to nab half priced Broadway tickets at the seaside TKTS booth. 100 percent success! No line and tickets for my most desired show!

Traveling essentials for the red eye flight out

Mary Poppins (amazing!) and a late night dinner at the Times Square Shake Shack.

Amazing display in a little print shop I visited in the financial district.

On Saturday, we were ready to hit up Central Park and some shopping like it was nobody's business. But what is shopping without some essential carbs and calories?

Stuffed pillows/wall display. I was in awe.

We sampled the vanilla bean with strawberry filling, coconut cream and the famous raspberry.  So yummy but wished we had opted for the oatmeal instead of the raspberry.

New York offered us gloomy skies but the perfect fall temperatures for a spin through the park.

Then on to SOHO for a busy day of shopping and of course, more food. 

Brazilian Corn...hmmm. I could eat these weekly I am sure!

Bam!

Every statement necklace a girl could ask for. 

On Sunday we took a few hours to visit the 9/11 memorial site. The grounds are beautiful and the area is reverent with people reflecting on everything that happened there. 

Survivor Tree: Love this Story!

The memorials where the towers formerly stood.

Freedom Tower

After having our tickets checked at 4 different checkpoints.

Such a wonderful way to end the weekend!

Over the Hill and Sliding Down

We celebrated my dad's 60th birthday this weekend with lots of family time in Ogden.

The weekend got off to a great start when our favorite out-of-town family arrived from Arizona. Despite several close calls, the arrival of the Depew family for the weekend was a complete and total surprise to the old man. Since this was my first time meeting Stratton, their visit felt extra special.


Nothing says, "Party!" like a Friday-night trip to Fat Cats for a night-o-bowling.

Sisters=Best Buddies

Because our bowling skills are lacking, we also enjoy

Foot poses

Head banging

Chair Spinning

Backwards Bowling

Too Cool for Skool Poses

Charm School Demonstrations

Tail Feathering it when necessary

Love them

really love him

Really, really love him

Saturday was busy with golfing for the boys, lunch dates for the girls and lots of prep work for our yummy lobster and steak dinner.

Feeling undocumented?

Following the yummy dinner, came the Bukey Family Variety Show (aka Everyone Makes Up a Song/Poem/Insert Talent, dedicated to my dad)

Come Thou Fount (Dad's Favorite Hymn)

Original Song to Oh Blah Dee Song

Mom's Amazing Randy-themed Jeopardy Game (complete with tribunes from childhood, army, midlife friends and extended family)

Not pictured but appreciated: Maura and Alyssa's Original Poem and Nicole's touching list of 60 Reasons She is Glad my Dad was Born.


One harmonized version of "Happy Birthday" later and we were ready to tie the bow on this Birthday weekend.

Love you, Dad. And Happy Birthday!!!!

Happy Birthday Coleman

We celebrated Cole's birthday last weekend with a family party in Farmington. My sister, Nicole, was generous enough to let us invade her house for cake and ice cream. Alyssa and I worked very hard on Cole's birthday cake. A little something we like to call Chocolate Brownie Cake Surprise. We made a bottom layer of brownie, followed by two layers of chocolate cake. Once the layers were in place, we used green frosting to make our own version of the a golf green complete with a "golf" ball made of cake as well. Cole was properly impressed and I was grateful to have a chance to honor my favorite guy. I know I am biased but I honestly know I am married to the most wonderful man in the world. What would I do without him?