Lansfords Take NYC

So here's how it happens. My sister in law gets awarded a fancy Gracie award for Best Sports Anchor of the year, her school decides to fly her to NYC to receive the award in person and the rest of us Lansford ladies get lucky enough to tag along for an extended girls weekend. Recipe for perfection I say!

We took on the Big Apple for five days so instead of boring you with the details of our daily schedule, the highlights by category are below.

That being said, nothing pictured below will top exploring the outskirts of Times Square four nights in a row to hunt down the Jamaican men selling questionable purses, watches and sunglasses! No pictures cause we clearly didn't want to get caught or impaled.  

Touristy Spots

9/11 Memorial

Brooklyn Bridge against cityscape

"Dog Protection" in the subway

Cityscape on Ferry Ride to Lady Liberty

Taylor enjoying the Pirate ship

Last night hurrah at Newsies

Bike Ride in Central Park

Group Shot in front of Ellington Circle

Singlehandly the most overwhelmingly shopping experience of my life. That is a lot of store...

Tasty Bites
Usually while in New York, I love to shop. Given my growing bump, that was a no-go this time around. I made up for it by researching yummy bites and iconic food spots for us instead. Pretty much every stop was a huge success.

Sunday brunch at Sarahbeths

Getting excited for our "Fat and Fluffy" french toast and pancakes.

My Lemon Ricotta pancakes and as you can see from my bacon, their "sides" are quite generous.

Sampling Hersheys products in Time Square

Quick trip to Harlem for some chickin and waffles

Sylvia's handsqueezed lemonade

Yum!

Shake Shack (of course)

Dragon Fruit on Canal Street while bartering for questionable merchandise.

Juniors Chicken Parm

Juniors Devil's Food Cheesecake

Visiting Buddy's

Black and White cookie, brownie, lobster tail, cannoli, red velvet cupcake- All so good!

We planned to enjoy these after an easy dinner of Grey Papaya hotdogs but the NYC heat got to them for sure.

No muss, no fuss. Just yummy thin crust pizza at Grimaldis in Brooklyn.

Thing One and ...

The Lansford family has a little bit extra to celebrate this holiday season...Cole and I are so happy to share that our family is expecting baby number two on December 1, 2013.

Every baby is a blessing but we feel extra grateful that our Heavenly Father will be sending another sweet spirit to be a part of our family and home.

We have no idea what the transition from one to two will be like but are thrilled for the opportunity and adventure.

Thank you to my sweet and talented sister, Blush Expressions, for helping us share our exciting news!

Everything and Nothing

As a new mom, it sure wouldn't hurt to have someone give you a preview of how STINKIN FUN your child would be at three years old. Not that I wasn't thrilled with my infant beautiful bundle of joy at the time, but man these kids get so cute and oh, so fun!

Work is ramping up so a day off or an afternoon activity is just what I need - all the time. Last week we spent the morning at the zoo and hit up Dad for a quick lunch now that his office has been moved to the University area. Crew loves the elephants, giraffes and the carousal. He was also strangely interested in the snakes this time...man, that is a smelly little building. 

 

We hit up the Farmers Market this weekend, forgetting that at this point in the season, there is pretty much no produce. That being said we found plenty to munch on, Crew met a million "puppies, and completely wore himself out with the playground. I wore myself out dragging a giant wagon in and out of the back seat of a Mazda 6. Still, totally worth it. 

Utah experienced some serious heat this weekend and we chose to escape it in Grandma Janice's A/C'd home and kiddy pool. Excellent choice.

And some outdoor cooking on Sunday night while enjoying the cool shade of our yard.Yum!

In the Springs

We had a wonderful time blowing off yard projects this weekend and taking some time to visit Ashley and Jarad in Colorado Springs.

It had been way too long since seeing their little family and we had a blast catching up, chasing the kids, and soaking up nothing but 85-degree weather. Crew feel in absolute love with their three little dogs (two being puppy-sat) and was such a good playmate to their one-year-old daughter, Addison. And no accidents on two nine-hour car rides? Lets just say I was one proud mama.

We kicked off the weekend with golf for the boys and then a Colorado Springs Skysox game that evening. They underwhelmed us with their scoring through all nine innings and then pulled out an amazing win in extra innings. Which we enjoyed from the parking lot, having lost all faith in them at that point. Isn't that how it always goes? :)

Crew was thrilled with his ice cream and continued to use that cap/bowl for any snack for the remainder of the trip.

Our Group: Crew, Maura, Jarad, Ashley, Addison, Lori and Reese

Sunday consisted of a giant waffle breakfast, afternoon church and a delicious outdoor dinner. Ashley and I pampered ourselves Monday morning with pedicures. After naps for all we were off to the Heritage Days street fair, dinner at Rudy's BBQ, finishing up the evening with old school arcade games in Manitou Springs.

With the Indian artifacts in the "Peter Pan" Teepee

The Lansford spread. Mmmmm, good!

Enjoying our Josh and John's ice cream. We loved the strawberry and dutch chocolate!

So...Colorado!

We had such a fun time and are thankful to the Reddekopps for such a fun weekend! After a long drive, it was nice to see home in sight!

"We're Off to AZ"

Well, truth be told we already did and are home safe and sound. 

Crew and I visited my sister Alyssa and family for a week this month. She had a beautiful little boy in April and I have been inchin' to hop on a plane and hold Baby Rigdon. 

We divided our time between a half dozen stellar parks and green spaces, her community pool and a few shopping hot spots. We also had the opportunity to spend a few evenings with Uncle Ben and Aunt Madison who are also in Phoenix for medical school right now. 

The week was so relaxed and chill; just what the Dr. ordered. Even better is that both families will be back in Utah in about a month to see us again. 

See below for picture overload!


We're off to Arizona! from Maura Lansford on Vimeo.

Riding the Park Trolley

I can't believe how big he is getting

Crew and I pretending we were riding the Dinosaur from Toy Story

Relaxing and watching Scout or Peter Pan.

Alyssa and the man of the hour, Ridgon

All cleaned up for church

Crew loved to "check in" on the baby every so often

Feeding the Ducks turned into feeding himself

 

Love this girl!

Nordstrom Clearance Store...um yes please!

Crew was enamored by the cactus and was quick to remind me that they will "pitch our fingers!"

Nearly daily workouts with my favorite gym buddy!