Here's a new post for all 5 of you that actually read my blog :)

Highlights from our trip:

#1 - We ate a TON of pizza. This is a picture from Grimaldi's in Brooklyn. We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge to get there (good thing, because we somehow needed to create a calorie deficit for all the pizza we were about to consume--2 ENTIRE pizzas between 3 people!) Seriously, have you ever seen Jeff look so happy. The other guy in the picture is our good friend Mike who lived in NY for 3 years while going to law school. He showed us all around and took us to the best places to eat.


Walking across the bridge
Highlight #2

We visited the American Museum of Natural History. It was amazing. We were there for 3 hours and didn't see all of it.



Highlight #3

Here we are eating pizza again at Lombardi's.
Other highlights of the trip that we have no pictures of because we are TERRIBLE at taking pictures:

#4 - Eating at Bobby Flay's restaurant, Mesa Grill. Honestly, it was the best meal I think I have ever eaten.

#5 - Jeff trying to convince my to get into a black, unmarked town car instead of a taxi. Me absolutely, flat-out refusing. And Jeff finally having to say to the driver "I guess she wants a yellow one."

#6 - Shopping down Canal street and finding the perfect purse and pair of jeans

#7 - Waking up on the last day to find firetrucks surrounding our hotel. Apparently it was on fire.

#8 - Sitting behind an older lady in our shuttle van and watching her vomit over and over into a manila envelope.

#9 - Getting stuck in the Lincoln Tunnel for 90 minutes and missing our flight home.

#10 - Getting super drugged up on Ativan (so I won't sob and have panic attacks on the flight) and sleeping for 16 hours our first day there.

#11 - Arriving home safe and seeing our kids.

DISNEYLAND 2010

We surprised our kids with a trip to Disneyland. They were beyond excited. We've gone to Disneyland at least once a year for the past 9 years and Jeff and I decided that this trip was the best one yet! We spent 6 full days in the parks. We went from open to close everyday and our 3 older kids walked the entire day with no rest (I was particularly amazed at Lucy who is only 5 and never complained). Sammy absolutely loved it! He slept great at night and enjoyed walking around and riding the rides.

The weather was fantastic. It only rained one evening, but that didn't stop my kids. They were all the more excited because the lines were non-existent. In fact, the park wasn't at all busy the whole week. We walked onto almost every ride. I think the longest wait was only 10 minutes.

After 9 years, I finally was convinced to ride the California Screamin' roller coaster. I sat with Josh and screamed myself hoarse. At one point on the ride I was half crying and half laughing. Jake didn't want to sit by me. He said he would be too embarrassed by all the screaming. I don't blame him. They were both very proud of me, though, and are still talking about it.

Christmas 2009, Get Comfortable, This is a Long One

This is what Sam was doing when I first put up the Christmas tree. He loved the lights. The first thing we had to do EVERY morning was turn on all the Christmas lights. Sam would run from room to room and make us plug in the lights then he would gasp and point and act surprised for EVERY light, EVERY morning. I will miss that when we put all the Christmas stuff away.
Lucy and I are now in our 2nd year of the Nutcracker tradition

The annual gingerbread competition at Nana's house. Josh and Jake made a Yankees house in honor of the Yankees winning their 27th World Series that year. They won the "Best Overall" award.

Lucy and I did a double-decker princess castle. We won "Best Design".
Josh's house was a bombed out WWII building. He won "Most Creative".
Here we are at the Droubay Family Christmas Party. Josh got Moon Shoes from Grandma and Grandpa Droubay.
So did Jakers.
Lucy got a Princess and the Frog art set.
School Christmas program. Lucy is on the top row. She was soooo excited for her first Elementary school program.
Josh and his good friend Brayden.
Jake in all of his embarrassment. He hates performing. He was nervous and sick all morning and almost didn't make it to school. He refused to do any of the actions because they were "too embarrassing".
Here is Sammy sitting patiently waiting for the program to start. Such a good boy!
Lucy couldn't believe that Santa brought her another American Girl doll. Mommy told her she would probably have to wait until her birthday.
Opening presents at Nana's house on Christmas morning. Nana made the granddaughters aprons to wear when they come over to help with Sunday dinner.
Jake and Josh both got a remote controlled helicopter and a DS game.

Lucy got Littlest Pet Shop toys.
Sam got a Mater truck to ride on. It was by FAR his favorite gift!
Christmas morning.



Here is our first attempt at the Nativity with all the Holland grandkids. With 6 kids under the age of 2, you can imagine how it went. We barely got the costumes on the kids (tantrums and all--they WERE going to wear those costumes!), and that was about it.
Ethan and Ben as angels.
Jake was Joseph
Jack as a shepherd. He was not happy.
My little shepherd--not too happy either. This head thing only lasted as long as it took to click this picture.

Robbie

This is my adorable cousin Rob Adams. I've called him Robbie my whole life. He passed away last night at 10:14 p.m. after several medical complications. Robbie has been in a wheelchair for the last 8 1/2 years. He is an amazing person--so funny, loving, sweet, kind. He was very close to his family. His parents and siblings did so much for him these last few years. They are unbelievable strong people. Robbie adored his nieces and nephew. Robbie and I were good friends growing up as kids. He is closest in age to me. I remember staying up and talking late at night whenever we slept over at our cabin.
Isn't is wonderful to have the knowledge of the Gospel and the Plan of Salvation? He is with loved ones that have gone before us. I am sure it was a wonderful reunion between him and Nana. He is free from pain and the constraints of his mortal body. The best part is that we WILL see him again. Families are eternal. The greatest gift given to us by our Savior is eternal life. I love you, Robbie!

Fall Pictures by Stacey

Here is another attempt at getting some professional pictures of the kids. Sam is at the age that makes this near impossible. That being said, Stacey did an amazing job and I LOVE how they all turned out. Now I just have to decide which one to put on the Christmas card.





I love this one of my boys. They are all so handsome.
For a reward for being good an cooperating, Stacey and Chris brought silly string for the boys to play with afterwards.