Friday, February 3, 2012

NY, NY

It was time for a girls trip - I haven't had one of those in quite a while (well in 2.5 years to be exact)!!! Lately I've felt like my position as a toddler mommmy leaves little to no room for "me time"...manicures, happy hours, vacations, etc.

However, I was finally mentally ready to take a trip and leave Colin in the capable and loving hands of dad. So my sister, mom, grandmother and I hit the streets of New York to see and do everything we could pack into a three day trip.

That's right, three days to spend with three generations of women in my family! How rare is that? And let it be known that having my grandmother (who will turn 90 this year) on the busy streets of Manhattan did NOT slow us down one bit. In fact, I had to keep up with HER most of the time.

One night in particular we found ourselves at McDonalds in Times Square at 1 am. I was starting to feel the fatigue set in...my back, legs and shoulders ached after walking ALL day from lower to upper Manhattan. After finishing our cheeseburgers, my grandmother said, "Well, what shall we do next?" This comment immediately gave us all a renewed sense of energy. At least enough energy to catch a cab to get back to the hotel. :)

Top of "The Rock"

Drinks at The Plaza Hotel


Trump Tower where The Apprentice is filmed

Catching a NY Taxi (and living through the death-defying experience)

Carriage ride through Central Park



Learning the subway system

Wicked WAS amazing!!!


The Apple Store

FAO Schwarz to get Colin a NY souvenir (no I did not buy the $250K piano)




The front steps of The MET

The Saks ON 5th Avenue, yes the one with an entire floor filled with designer shoes!


Times Square (at 1 am)


Rockefeller Plaza in front of the ice skating rink

Beautiful and Powerful 9.11 Memorial

Dylan's Candy Shop

Mom's First Cosmopolitan - Cheers!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Houston Zoo

Our wild adventure at the Houston Zoo with cousin Charlotte...










Sunday, January 8, 2012

Christmas 2011

Here is a video of Colin discovering his presents from Santa...


And Colin opening his stocking...


One of Colin's favorite gifts - a ramp for his cars!


Another one of Colin's favorite gifts - an ab roller (just like the one he always steals from Grand Beebs.) Later Christmas morning, Colin challenged Beebs to an ab roller race.

Cousin Charlotte taking a break from unwrapping her presents.

Daddy wearing Colin's Spider Man mask.

Cousin Charlotte wearing Colin's Spider Man mask.

Colin's reaction to everyone wearing his Spider Man mask.


Uncles Trey and Tracy trying to put together the new plasma scooter...toy installation is NEVER easy! (And these guys remodel homes in their spare time.)

Colin's face saying, "Is it ready yet? What's taking SO long?"

Mommy and Colin sharing a Christmas cookie.


Look at these adorable place cards from Peden Christmas lunch.

Uncle Will and Colin.

Monday, December 19, 2011

My Favorite Things

Who out there is missing the Oprah's Favorite Things Episode this Christmas? Maybe reading this post will help fill the void this year (impossible, I know.)

I'd like to bring all you Oprah fans...Jolyn's Favorite Things 2011! This is a list of things I LOVE and some that I LOVE to wish for - it's kinda like a virtual letter to Santa.

I wish I could give all my loyal blog readers one of each of the following...

1. Tervis Insulated Cups
This will be your favorite beverage glass (especially if you get the Longhorn design.)
2. Cashmere Scarf
The only thing better than getting this scarf would be a class on how to tie it.

3. ipad
idie for the ipad. ilove it.

4. Wine Saver Vaccuum
I'm notorious for opening a bottle of wine and pouring only one glass. Wasteful? Very. Do you have a toddler? And a husband who works late? Please don't judge. With this handy gadget, you can have a glass of wine on Wednesday night, one on Thursday AND one on Friday too (if you don't cheat and have 2 or 3 on Thursday.)

5. Tory Burch Flip Flops
Has Tory Burch made anything that is not fabulous? Answer: NO. Even her flip flops are fantastic.

6. Kai Fragrance Gift Set
I hope Santa has a tuck load of these gift sets in his sleigh because amazon.com is sold out of them right now.

7. Jonathan Adler iphone Case
Yes please! If you've ever grabbed someone's phone because it looked EXACTLY like yours then you need one of these too!

8. Michael Buble Christmas Album
You'll actually look forward to wrapping those Christmas presents if you add Michael to your holiday playlist. If you have TONS to wrap, press repeat.

9. Frye Boots
Do you know that show called Hoarders? I could hoard Frye boots.

10. Babyliss Hair Dryer
I'm cheating on my Chi with my Babyliss. The best way to start a day is with a good blow dry, no?