NYC Trip - Day 1 & 2: Travel to Newark, Pizza, IBM, Time Square

Tony and I got the kids all off to school before packing up the van and heading to the airport.  We parked in long term parking and then got on the shuttle to go to the airport.  

We were able to go through security quickly and got to our gate without any trouble.  We then had an old friend (Amy) of Julie's come up to us and chat for a while.  Her and her son are also on the same flight as we are going to Newark where they live.  That was a fun to see her.

We wanted to get a sandwich to eat on our flight, but we couldn't find a sandwich place in the B terminal.  So, we decided to hurry and walk back to the A terminal to get our sandwich.  It was taking longer than expected, so I took Tony's luggage with mine and went back to our terminal.  I figured he could walk back faster without his luggage.  Once he got to our gate, we were able to board without problems.

It was a good flight.  The seats were small, but we had good shows to watch and a yummy sandwich that kept us full.

We flew into Newark, NJ.  We checked our bags at the gate, so we had to wait for them.  After we got them, Tony checked to see how long it would take to use public transportation to get to our hotel in New York.  He also looked up how much it would be to use a Lyft at it wasn't too bad, so that is what we did.  I am so glad that we did that.  We were able to see the sites of New Jersey and New York, and it was so much easier and more comfortable.

After we got to the hotel in the Financial District, we checked into our room with fresh baked cookies, snacks, and bottles of water.  Our room was kind of small but clean with plenty of places to unpack and put our stuff.  

We then decided to go get some water for our room and some dinner.  Tony found us a grocery store and then we decided to get some New York pizza.  It was good pizza and the perfect way to end our first night in New York City.

The next morning, we got up and got ready for the day.  Tony found us a yummy looking bagel place to eat for breakfast.  We walked there and waiting in line for our food.  We figured it was a good sign that they had a line of people.  We were right because the food was very good.  It was colder than I thought it was going to be, so we walked back to the hotel for our jackets and just ended up eating there.  

We than left to navigate the subway to get us to Teagan's work at IBM.  Tony became a master of subways this past summer, so we had no problems getting to IBM.  The building is right by Madison Square Park, where the first Shake Shack was started.  

Teagan came down and checked us into the building.  We had to show our ID's and get permission to go in.  She showed us where they work and do different productions.  We met some of her co-workers and then chatted on the roof of the building where you can see the Empire State Building.  

After our tour we met up with some of her co-workers for lunch.  We walked through the park and had lunch at an Italian restaurant.  Her friends and co-workers were very nice, and it was fun eating and chatting with all of them.  

After lunch they went back to work, while Tony and I stopped at a gelada place.  It was okay.  After we went to the Harry Potter New York store.  They had lots of fun Harry Potter stuff, and we found some good stuff for Megan for Christmas.

We then got back on the subway and walked around Time Square.  It was fun to have Tony see everything and he looked forward to seeing it at night.  After we walked around there for a while, we went back to our hotel for a little break and to freshen up for dinner.

We were going to meet Sam and Teagan for dinner at a perogies place, but we realized that Julie, Boyd, and Kimball were going to be coming to the hotel in time for them to join us.  Julie wanted to go to a restaurant closer to our hotel, so we went to Teagan's second choice that was within walking distance to the hotel.  

We met up with Julie's family after they checked in and then we all walked to the restaurant.  We were able to get a table for all of us without any problems and then Sam and Teagan met us there.  The food was American, and it was actually pretty good.  

After dinner we went back to the hotel where we met up with Kevin and Betsy.  We all then got on the subway and went to check out Time Square at nighttime.

It was a lot busier at night and a lot brighter with all the huge screens shinning.  It was fun to experience it with my siblings, and we all had a good time checking out the square, the people, and some stores.

After we had seen enough, we went back to the subway and took it back to the hotel.  It was a good day of site seeing and spending time with family.

Fall Music Recital

The kids had their musical recital.  They each sang two songs, and they all did very good.  They all sang out loud and didn't seem nervous at all.  

Both grandparents were able to come and support them in their recital.  We were all very proud of them and the work that they put into their music. 

Josh's Sweet 16!

Our Josh is officially 16 years old.   We got him a fancy new smart watch and a new wallet for his birthday.  He told me he doesn't really like cake, so I made him a chocolate mousse pie instead.  He really liked it and that made me happy.

We also celebrated at Grandma's house the next Sunday and sang to him. 

Margie and Lloyd then took us all out to dinner at the Olive Garden to celebrate Josh and Allie's birthdays.  They both got full of their dinner, so they both took their free desserts home to enjoy later.  I think that Josh had a good birthday and seems to be very happy be 16 years old.

Elder Steenblik in Paraguay

Tyler made it to Paraguay.  They left the Mexico MTC very early on Wednesday morning.  

They got all checked in and he was able to message me to let me know he was at the airport and about to load the plane for his next flight to Panama.

Once he got to Panama he messaged me again.  He was able to get some food there and then loaded his last flight to Paraguay.  These were both long flights and he didn't get into Paraguay until after midnight their time.

He was able to call us when he got to the mission home at 1:30 am on Thursday morning in Paraguay (luckily it was only 10:30 pm our time).  He said everything went well and they were all going to stay there that night and then get their trainers later that morning.  

We then didn't hear from him again until his p-day which in on Monday.  He was able to facetime us through Facebook Messenger in the church that they attend.  They are the only Elders in their ward.  He said that he really likes his trainer.  His first area is in the city of Asunsion.  He says the language is hard, but the people are good.  He is happy, loving the food (especially empanadas), and enjoying Paraguay.  

Elder Steenblik's Time at the Mexico MTC

Elder Steenblik loved his time in the Mexico MTC.  He loved his district and all of his teachers.

He struggled with some of the Elders in his house because they were immature and liked to goof off, play pranks, and make inappropriate jokes.  Tyler was hoping that they missionaries would take things a little more seriously, like he was.

It made for a good conversation about giving other people grace and realizing that not everyone is at the same level his is at.  

He said his district was great.  I think all but two Elders all were going to his mission in Paraguay.  

He said the food was okay, some was better than others.  He didn't have too many tummy troubles (I think just one day he had some diarrhea) and got a small cold one time.

He loved going to the Mexico City temple every week.  It took about an hour and a half by bus to get to the temple, so he would use that time to write his emails, which were all long and very detailed.

He had his p-days on Thursday, and we loved talking to him and hearing about his week.  Many times, he would sit outside by a palm tree to talk to us and that was always fun.  It was nice to get a small look at what the MTC looked like.  

One night Tyler and his companion were able to facetime us to share a lesson with us about the restoration of the gospel.  It was so much fun to hear them teach and get to "spend time" with him a little bit more than just on p-day.

Tyler was able to play the piano multiple times for different devotionals and meetings.  He played solos, and with groups of singers.  His companion recorded them, so we were able to hear him play.  I am so glad that he has found so much joy in that talent.

It was so nice to hear all his stories and see his growth while being in the MTC.  He has such an amazing spirit about him and such a love for missionary work.

Random August Happenings

Jenna Rupp's daughter, Emma is at the MTC with Tyler.  They flew in the same day and have been able to see each other a lot and even play pickleball together.  Jenna and I wore the same shirt to our community council meeting at Granger and took a pic to send our missionaries.

Josh was able to go to the temple with some kids from our ward.  Megan had a game that day, so she wasn't able to go with them.  They both love going to the temple.

Averee game Megan some of her old clothes.  Megan wore her dress and jean jacket to church on Sunday, and she looked super cute.  She said the sleeves looked like old lady sleeves, but I thought they were cute (guess I am an old lady).  Actually, it looks like a dress Aunt Julie would wear, and she always looks cute.

Family Cabin Day

Since Allie was feeling a better, we decided to go up to the cabin to join Julie's family up there.  Kevin and Sherri's family also came up.  

We enjoyed hanging out and chatting with each other, eating good food, the cousins all played Among Us and went on four-wheeler rides.  Sherri brough up a bunch of flowers and sold them to people on the mountain.  Sherri and Julie made them into bouquets and then Kevin and I took them to the people who came to buy them.  She sold three bougets.  That was fun. 

We wanted to get home in time to watch the BYU game, so we helped clean up the cabin and then headed home.  We picked up some pizza before we got home and then watch BYU kick some major butt.  It was a great day with family and a great way to end the day with a BYU win!

Sick Allie

Poor Allie came home from school on Thursday not feeling very well.  She said her throat hurt and she didn't feel good.  I gave her some pain meds, and she said it helped a little bit.  The next morning, she woke up not feeling good at all.  I gave her some cold meds and then she rested the whole day.  She took two naps at different times of the day.  I think that must have really helped her because she felt better then next day, just had a little cough and has been feeling better and better each day, thankfully. 

Allie's 11th Birthday

Our sweet Allie girl turned 11 on the 28th.  She has been talking about her birthday and how excited she was for it for a while now.  

Grandma Margie bought doughnuts for Brennen and Allie's birthday, and we sang to both of them at her house on the Sunday before Allie's birthday and the Sunday after Brennen's.

I asked Allie what she wanted for her birthday dinner, and she choose Lasagna.  She also chose to do ice cream Sundays for her birthday dessert.  We invited both sets of Grandparents to join us for ice cream and presents.

Allie had a hard time deciding what she wanted for her birthday.  She had already gotten an Alice in Wonderland Loung Fly backpack from Disneyland as part of her birthday, but she also picked out some small princess dolls and we got her a journaling set as well. 

My mom got her some slippers and a lounge set and Papa G gave her an envelope with birthday money and a stick of gum (just like his mom used to do for us).

Allie asked Grandma Margie to put her birthday money towards her Disneyland money so she could have lots of options next time we go to Disneyland.

Allie even got a special video call from Elder Steenblik in Mexico.  He had to make it quick, but it was nice that he was able to wish her a happy day.  Allie said it was a good birthday, and she was very thankful for her special day.