NYC

Hi there friends!  I am back from the land of NY and wanted to share some photos and stories with ya'll. Stephen and I were able to steal away just the two of us, thanks to gmas and gpas in KS and NE.!  Its always been a place I have wanted to go. Although Stephen has already been several times, he was willing to take me so that I could also have the NY "experience." And boy let me tell ya, it is surely an experience. It was an adventure to say the least.  People live completely differently there. So busy, so fast-paced, so many different people from all over the world all in one place.  As Stephen said, "It is jointly awesome and ridiculous." Every time I stepped out onto the streets it was like sensory overload.  Needless to say, I was ready to get back to my little country oasis and take a break from the big city life. (No offense to any of my NY readers, if I even have any, well I can think of one gal. :>)

So, here I am with Buzz Lightyear on Times Square. This was on our first day.  I sauntered up to him thinking.."Oh, how much Max will love this pic of mommy and Buzz!"  This photo cost me $5 folks.  I had now clue until I had already "posed" and he pointed to the money in his bag thing. I guess I learned my lesson right away. NOthing is free in NYC.

Another view of Times Square. See where the ball drops for New Years?

 

We found Angelo's pizza at the Ed Sullivan Theatre. We went in to eat and this pizza was delicious. Let me tell ya, we had it again our last day. At $17.50 for a small pepperoni(this was enough for the 2 of us) it was one of the best deals on Manhattan!

The Trump International Hotel andTower

I can't even remember where this was at. Somewhere near the Trump tower.  I just had to go pee and there was this giant statue so Stephen posed for a quick photo. :>

We walked to just the edge of Central Park. This was the most trees I saw the whole time.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)  was amazing and inspired me to do more paintings!

Original mid-century designer pieces. In mint condition. Um, Yes, I would like to please take one of these Eames chairs home with me?! Please?

Just Cool

Mid-Century Modern.  Can't you tell I was in such a happy place here?

an original VanGogh. Wow. They also had the original "Starry Night". Wow.

Just one of the many awesome paintings there. This one is by Kandinsky.

This was the view from our hotel room.  We stayed at the Marriott Marquis. Very nice and modern. One of the hotel's features was the only revolving restaurant/lounge at the top of the building. We did this one evening and enjoyed panoramic views of Manhattan whilst sipping cocktails. Very romantic.

After standing in line for only 2 hrs., we were able to get to the top of the Empire State building to take in more breathtaking views of the NYC skyline.  It was cool and breezy way up there and except for all of the people could have also been very romantic.  Like the movies. :) Movies have editing.

The Chrysler building  on the left.

Taking a moment to pose with the builders

Doesn't this diner just scream 50's modern.  Snapped this photo from a taxi cab. Oh, riding in taxis was kinda fun.They really are crazy drivers. Honkin their horns, squeezing & speeding thru spaces you dont think you could ride a bike through. Weeving in and out.It was almost like an amusement park ride.  Weee!

The Freedom tower is center. These next few pics were taken on the Circle Line boat tour of Manhattan. It was a fantastic way to see the whole island and also all of the bouroughs.

Stephen and skyline sitting next to a man who was speaking Italian, I think.

The Statue of Liberty was breathtaking and moving. I felt a sense of pride.

Statue of Liberty, me, Manhattan skyline and the Italian man's daughter.

In this pic you can see the statue of liberty in the center in the distance. Brooklyn bridge and um i forgot which other bridge.

old factory w/ cool vintage sign.

Columbia University students have "claimed" this cliff and often jump off when the circle line boats cruise by. We saw 3 dudes jump, see them down in the East River?



Grand Central Station. Our plan was to hop on the subway down to Wall-Street area and walk around from there. Once we finally figured out how to purchase a metro card and actually get on the subway, we weren't underground for very long.  It was extremely loud, hot, crowded, filthy. We had no place to sit and stood up holding on to the poles for dear life. Needless to say, we got off on the first stop. I was "traumatized" and will probably need therapy. Ha!

This light fixture inside Urban Outfitters was made of old clear glass vases and bowls hung upside down. I want to figure out how to do that and copy..on a smaller scale.

We had to walk into Saks & Company just so I could say I've been into Saks 5th Avenue. I was surrounded by Dior, Gucci, Prada, Armani, Louis Vuitton. It was like that movie "The Devil Wears Prada".  I didn't buy anything though.  I decided instead of a new Prada bag I'd save my money for, I dont know, maybe another vacation!

I love this store. Anthropologie. It is a dream.

Another Times Square view just before dark.

Outside our hotel. I believe people were watching a street performer..

I had just seen my first Broadway show, Chicago. I was a big city girl now. Ha!

Stephen and I's only picture together from the entire trip. This was after the show.

 

Sorry I couldnt edit the piece of trash out of the photo.  Note the trash can just like 2 steps away.  Jeez. Really?
 

 

 And there you have it. Thanks for sticking with me through all of those photos. I hope you enjoyed my tour of NY.  It was a great adventure with my husband that we will cherish forever.

Beach Vacation part one!

Hi friends!  Summer is flying by huh?!  Here it is the first of July and I'm finally getting some vacay photos up from the first of June.  We started off our summer with an entire week in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. It is a town on the Outer Banks islands off the coast of NC. To the N. is Kitty Hawk and to the S. is Nags Head. It was such a beautiful relaxing place. The Wright Brothers memorial was across the way from the 3-story beach front home we were fortunate to stay in.  We shared this home with Stephen's family.  His parents orchestrated the trip and made it all possible..We are so grateful.  We had such an amazing time and I had serious beach withdrawls when we got back to our cornfields. :) There is something for me about seeing the ocean, feeling the sand under my toes, hearing the waves crash, smelling the fresh beach smell; my heart expands, swells and my soul deeply breaths in the beauty and grandour of God's creation.  

My sweet babes. Edward, William, Max and Evelyn.

By the end of the trip, I had to keep her from just running out into the ocean waves on her own. She truly loves the water. My sun princess



Oh I just love love this. She may have eaten a few grains of sand with those goldfish too. Just a little. :)

Building sandcastles or maybe just scooping and digging.

Isn't this sign so retro cool!  It reminded us of our sign for the shop. Of course we had to eat there.

A hang gliding kite sits atop the sand dunes. You can make out a parasailing kite in the distance.

We were walking at the base of the sand dunes here on our way to the hang gliding area. A hurricane dropped several inches of rain at the base. The water was so clean and felt so cool to walk through with the wet sand underneath.

It was truly breathtaking. 

Max & Will going for a kayak ride.  Uncle David "paddles".

Max, shovel, bucket, beach=endless hours of happy and fun

Family prortrait

Gma and Gpa Peters and their grandbabies

Max "posing" ha!

Evelyn's very first time on the beach. Timid day one, ready for lifeguard training by day 7!

These are about half of the photos I wanted to post but I think I was overwhelming blogger. So, I will post the rest in a part 2 edition for ya'll.

Night night

News on Evelyn's checkup

We are back from St. Louis Children's Hospital and although we didn't receive horrible news, it wasn't all perfect news either.  The cardiologist said that Evelyn has a mild aortic insufficiency.  This is a small leak of blood flow that gows back down into the left ventrical of the heart as the aorta is pumping blood out to the body.  In most cases it develops gradually and the heart compensates for it. But it can also become severe that surgery would be required.  The doctor wants to keep a close eye on it & rather than going back a year from now we are going  back in November. He said that overall he was pleased and that it is not a complete surprise to see the AI after having the arterial "switch" operation.

Did I want to hear that everything was perfect?  You bet!  Am I worried? Of course, I'm a mama and she's my baby. I don't want her to hurt.  I want her to be able to do all the things that little girls like to do..run, jump, play, dance..climb trees in her case. :)  But I cling to the hope and strength that God gives trusting in His plan, knowing that He is in control. I ask that you would please continue to keep Evelyn in your prayers.  I believe that God is our healer and that when we go back in November there could be no sign of the AI! 

Prayers for a healthy report

Tomorow we are off to Children's Hospital in St. Louis for Evelyn's annual cardiology checkup.  She will also have an echo & an EKG.  Although I believe everything will be just fine, there is a small nervousness welling up in my tummy..The thought of having to go through another open heart surgery or extended stay in the hospital hurts. And its scary.  I know that God is in control & He has carried us through and done miracles for our family.  Your prayers meant so much 18 mo. ago & would mean so much to us tomorow as well. WIll you please pray for peace of mind for us, a clean bill of health & traveling mercies? 

Our princess is a fighter. 

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.." Isaiah 66:13a

Oh my..I'm a bit ornery..Eeee

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."  Psalm 23:1-3

Fishing, before & after photos

I've mentioned Walnut Point State Park practically situated in our back yard. Stephen loves to take the boys fishing there & Evelyn and I love to walk the trails and play at the park..We all went last Sunday and just enjoyed being out in nature together. 

Okay, now, I'm just gonna go up this ramp, down these stairs and then circle back around again. and again. and again.

Big brother Will helps Max 'release' his bluegill.



Max is becoming quite the angler.  He caught 5 fish this day. I'm so proud.

And here are some before & after photos of just a couple of projects I've been working on.  I've always got several projects lined up but I am trying to share these with you more!

If you are a local reader, all of these items are for sale in my shop. :)

circa 1940's metal kitchen cabinet before

And after.  It was filthy & rusty in areas.  I scrubbed, sanded, & painted it into an awesome looking display piece.

These bentwood "Eames" style chairs came from the Uof I dorms.  They were in rough shape so I decided to paint them..

And after:in a bright cheery red that looks awesome paired with this oval yellow top chrome table. The curves of the chair's arms complement the shape of the table as well.  And, there are still 2 chairs left unpainted for those "leary" over the red paint. 

Evelyn just loves "helping" herself to our corner snack, bread, breakfast cabinet.  We can not keep her out of it. She usually goes for the giant marshmellows for smores fixins'.  She is so fast & sneaky and here she has found mommy's tortilla chips, ran to the couch with them and is sharing them with Max.  It was so funny & cute I couldn't "scold" her and had to get a pic! :)

Blessings

Megan

Hi!

This month has been awesome & flying by just like the rest.. My parents got to come for a week & it was just wonderful to have them around.  I miss them. They spoil me & are a big help with the kids. I wish alot that we lived closer so we could all be more involved in eachother's day to day.  But, that is not the case so we make the most of the time we do get, cherish it & milk it for all we can.  We also got to go to Wisconsin to see my aunt, uncle & grandma.  My aunt is a great host & we could talk for hours about vintage treasures..(Her house is full) She shared some with me.  I am lucky. :)  It was sweet visiting my gma & I believe there were times she knew exactly who I was.

My sweethearts in our neighbor's bluebell patch

The Peters kids getting ready for a campfire.  Evelyn assuring Max's jacket is zipped.

Country Living..old tree trunks, tractors, toads and trees trees trees

My blue eyed girl loves the country

Four generations here folks! Pretty cool. Pictured LtoR: Max, my mother holding Evelyn, my grandmother & me.

Already sneaking into momma's wallet..oh my my my..she thinks she's being sneaky.

This day I praised Jesus because I was blessed with the wonderful opportunity to share my testimony for the first time at my Mops group.  I pray my story will help give women hope, strength & courage, & a deeper desire to walk with their Savior.