Bright Lights, Big City, BIG 2nd Birthday

We decided to get a head start on celebrating Finn's 2nd birthday by taking him to New York City. If you know Finn, then you know he LOVES lights, and what better place to see lots of lights than in New York, especially at Christmas. We knew it would be crazy, hectic, fun, and cold, but we did not expect a snow storm (more on that later). We had a great weekend and even got to see some of our old friends from Mark's Wharton days. It was so much fun seeing the city through Finn's eyes. His favorite thing to do was to look out our hotel window onto Times Square down below and watch the jumbo screens. Which he did for what seemed like hours. It didn't hurt that the M&M store was right across the street and he got to watch "M&M TV.)

Mickey likes the lights too

We crammed a lot into our weekend: 2 visits (day and night) to Rockefeller Plaza to see the big tree and lights, FAO Schwarz (which was extremely overwhelming, even for the adults), Disney Store, Toys R Us to ride the big Ferris Wheel, a carriage ride through Central Park, visit to the M&M store, Plaza Hotel, a walk-by of Radio City Music Hall, and of course, lots of time spent watching the lights in Times Square--majority of our time spent doing this! Here are some photos from our trip.

Some Wharton friends: Ali, Claudia, Geoff, Finn, Lin, Mark and Jacqueline

Finn loved meeting Jacquie and especially playing with her toys. She was such a good sport to put up with all of his craziness right before her bedtime.

Trip #1 to see the big tree. We had to go back at night to get the full effect. Finn kept saying, "look at all the lights." Even he was impressed.

Ta-Da

Posing with the Toy Soldier at FAO Schwarz. Surprisingly, this was Finn's least favorite spot. I would have to agree--we are talking CRAZY MADHOUSE. And lots of meltdowns and temper tantrums. We had to leave before we (Mark and I) had one of our own.

A brisk ride through Central Park. The highlight being that the horse pooped in front of him. Finn thought it was hilarious . . . and told everyone we passed.

Even George got to go along

Posing in front of the Plaza Hotel, along with night-night

Our experience at Toys R Us was much better than at FAO--mainly because we got there at about 9:30 am, and who besides parents of toddlers go to a toy store that early? We got to ride the 3-story ferris wheel. How fitting that we were in this car.

A very happy boy in the M&M store

Times Square

BIG LIGHTS!

A Walk Down Memory Lane

While in South Carolina, I headed over to Charleston for a brief rendezvous with Kriya. Thanks to the help of husbands and grandparents, we were able to make a (short) weekend out of it, with nary a toddler in sight. Long dinners at our favorite Charleston restaurants (no chicken nuggets were served), catching up with old friends, shopping, sight-seeing, and uninterrupted conversations--we almost didn't know what to do with ourselves.

The main reason we were there was to help our former boss at MUSC celebrate her retirement. I love Charleston and it will always hold a special place in my heart--I had the coolest job ever, met wonderful lifelong friends, oh, and I also met my hubby there too! Coincidentally, my boss Robin Hardin was the one who introduced Mark and I. We had a great time reminiscing about our working days at MUSC and celebrating all of Robin H's accomplishments. I wish her the best of luck in her new "career"--having fun!

Me, Robin Hardin (guest of honor), Kriya

All the fun is going to Kriya's head--She's grown about a foot.

That's more like it! Me, Kriya, Alicia (who is still holding down the fort at MUSC)

Clearly we are now stay-at-home moms and have no idea how to

behave in a professional environment. Actually, we are just goofing around in our old office.

Holidays in Sumter

Last weekend, we headed down south to Sumter to visit Mimi and Bop and the rest of the Lyles' family. This was a dual-purpose trip, I was headed to Charleston to a retirement party for my old boss at MUSC and Finn was spending some quality time with his Mimi and Bop. After a hellacious trip down (which included 1 cancelled flight, two delayed flights, 1 pilot no-show, and 2 separate trips to the airport, ALL IN ONE DAY) we were just happy we made it, along with our suitcase.

Let me just say that I love grandparents. My grandparents and especially Finn's grandparents. Because they love him the same way that Mark and I love him, unconditionally. Which goes a LONG way. It is just so comforting knowing that he is with people who love him . . . which makes it so much easier for Mark and I to go away. Because we don't worry about him at all. Finn is so lucky to have 4 grandparents who love him so much, even when he throws a hissy fit at Saks or refuses to eat a perfectly good grilled cheese sandwich that he asked for. So thank you, for loving Finn and taking such good care of him.

Finn spent the weekend cheering Mary Daniel on at her basketball game, seeing the lights at Swan Lake (which he declared "good-looking"), playing on the playground at McDonald's, making candy necklaces with Mimi, playing trucks with his cousins, whew, and that was just the first two days. He had a great time and we loved seeing everyone. Although Finn did miss his daddy, who was working in DC.

Oh, and a birthday shout-out to my sister who turned 22 today. Wow, what an old lady. Support hose and mom-jeans aren't far behind! I will post a separate entry about my trip to Charleston. Although all we did was eat and talk . . . which just happen to be two of my favorite things to do.

Finn and Luke

Everybody say "cheese"

Finn opens his birthday present from Luke and Mary Daniel--his favorite, Hess Trucks

Finn and Mary Dingle

Finn was hoping all of these presents were for him

Two of Finn's favorite people, Mimi and Bop

Riding on the Santa Express, minus Santa since he is one scary dude

I wanted just one picture of Finn with Mimi and Bop, but Finn was not in a picture taking mood, so Foster stood in for him

White House Party Crasher

I have been trying for two weeks to get a picture for our Christmas card. And I am not having any luck which may mean you won't be getting a card from us.

Here are a couple from our most recent shoot. Yes, he is in front of the White House. We were going to go inside the west wing and take them, but we lost our invitation!

PS

I don't think I ever sent out our new address. So in case you want to send us bags of money or a choo-choo (a REAL one), then here is our address. On second thought, we don't have room for a train, so we'll settle for a Christmas card instead.

806 New Hampshire Ave, NW

Washington, DC 20037

Thanksgiving

On our way to Mexico, we stopped off in Atlanta for two very important things: spending Thanksgiving with my family and dropping Finn off with his Big and Baa. Because the Alabama/Auburn game was on a Friday this year (and this is the SEC after all) we weren't able to have Thanksgiving with the Youngs/Stones like we usually do and we really missed seeing them this year. But, we did have a wonderful and yummy Thanksgiving lunch at a beautiful place in Anniston, AL with my parents and sister. The restaurant was beautifully decorated for Christmas and it also had a chocolate fountain, which Finn fell madly in love with. We finished off the day with naps, roasting marshmallows by the fire and playing with puppy dogs. We were in town for less than 36 hours, but loved every minute of it.

Big and Finn practice playing guitar

Buffet dining is definitely the way to go with a picky toddler

As you can see from Finn's many trial and error plates--he liked dessert the best

Baa and Finn

Finn picked up the whole "cheese" thing from his buddy Wade

and now says it before pictures

The Griswold's

Picking up sticks, pinecones and whatever else he can find

Some things never change---Lily+tennis ball

Roasting marshmallows by the fire

Finn like to roast them but not eat the ones he roasted.

He preferred cold ones straight from the bag

Giving the dogs some love