Christmas in New York!

We arrived safely in NY without any delays on the 20th! David and I were grateful to grandma Cuesta for watching Ethan while we spent a couple of days going into Manhattan. On our way to the train station we walked through several neighborhoods. I was surprised to see how much Christmas spirit there was! SO many lights! So gawdy, it was wonderful :) My old neighborhood hasn't changed too much, but I admit that it becomes more and more Spanish-speaking!

We spent an evening having dinner with his sister, Donna, and her husband Greg. We had a fantastic meal at Knickerbocker's on University (near NYU). I had the braised short rib and David had the duck. These portions were big enough to split! It's always nice visiting with Donna and Greg and hearing about what's new on the horizon for them.

We got the chance to meet up with my old highschool friends, Maria (left) and Nina (center). These two sisters have remained some of my "bestest" friends throughout the years, even though we are physically separated by distance (Vegas, NY and IL). We also spent a few hours at the Museum of Natural History to see the Mythical Creatures exhibit, and the origami Christmas tree. Here is David standing next to the tree...all the ornaments were hand folded.

Onto our next destination...NEW JERSEY!

Christmas at Home

Before leaving town, David, Ethan and I had our own little Christmas celebration. After having dinner at a nearby Chinese restaurant, we came home, sat by the tree and opened up gifts. Ethan had a slew of things to open from the Snyder and Phillips families in Texas, which was so much fun. And of course, David and I exchanged our gifts to each other. He got a pair of indoor soccer shoes and a new Columbia jacket for the cold weather. He got me a hefty gift certificate to my favorite day spa in town (I can't wait for my massage and facial in a few days!). Ethan got some great outfits from his Aunt Gayle and Uncle Randy, and a gift certificate from Grandma and Grandpa Snyder.

Well, it's off to NY tomorow!

Dashing through the snow

This past weekend we got quite a good snowfall! Saturday morning we had a couple of inches on the ground, so we decided to take Ethan sledding for the first time. We had a few good runs, and I think Ethan enjoyed it, as did we! The video clip below has Ethan going down the hill with Daddy, then Mommy. Then on the ride home we listened to some Christmas music which got him in quite the festive, dancing mood :) We had a lovely morning!

Posse Christmas 2007

A few days ago I drove up to Chicago to visit my girlfriends. They were my "posse" back when I was young and single, ha ha ha! We were all in the same bible study small group at my old church, and these became my closest friends that I had had in a long time since I had moved to Chicago.

We had about one year together before I got engaged and moved two hours away, but we've all managed to stay in touch. Several of them are married now and have moved away, but I'm grateful that we make it a point to get together several times a year. There have been lots of weddings, baby showers, birthday celebrations and such. But this gathering was very special because ALL eight of us managed to make it!

We had dinner and LOTS of time to talk, which is what girlfriends do best. Thanks, Heather, for opening up your home and allowing all of us to get together! I love you girls...

An early Christmas gift

Several weeks ago Grandma Cuesta sent Ethan a few pieces of persimmon since they are in season (and she loves them). Ethan liked them well enough, so she decided to send us a few more pieces to tide him over till we see them next. Ok, she sent us more than a few pieces, she sent us a boxload! Ethan was eager to see what was inside this package.

Thanks, Grandma!

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Last week, Ethan's friend, Rachel, turned two! She and her parents invited all of us to Chuck E Cheese's for games and pizza. It was our first time to go there and both Ethan and I had a lot of fun! Here is the gang...


And the celebrant with her mommy...



The pizza was surprisingly yummy :) We'll definitely come back!

Thanksgiving Adventures

An update that is long overdue!

The Snyder family headed to Dallas, TX to visit the extended Snyder family. Getting there was the hard part due to flight delays and cancelations, but once we got there (the very next day), we had a fantastic time! Our first day we had 80 degree weather! But soon the weather did plummet down to a comfortable winter like weather. Here we are toughing the cold at the zoo, posing with the ol' time carriage...

This Thanksgiving we had deep fried turkey over at David's sister's house. If you've never had it, I HIGHLY recommend it! Here's a video that David took of the turkey, the feast and family.

Next on the docket, we've got a video of Ethan taken on that day. You can see what all that "schooltime" has taught him. I think I need to continue working on those letters and numbers with Ethan!



Finally, the highlight of the day...David, his brother-in-law Randy, his sons Nathan and Steven, Nathan's friend John, and Randy's new son-in-law Elijah (aka "Lige") played a game of football after dinner. I went out with the video cam and got this footage. David put it all together in this "highlights" video. Enjoy!