The Homecoming

Ken flew back from Connecticut on a Tuesday, Julius and I flew back on Wednesday, then we headed back to the Salt Lake airport on Thursday to pick up Ken's brother David who was returning from the Atlanta Georgia Mission! Yah! We were so excited to see him and especially for Julius to meet finally meet Uncle David. Sadly, we were all late. We took two cars and neither car got there before David. He had to borrow someone's cell to call and ask where we were then he was waiting for us in baggage claim. Oops! Oh well...Ken said the same thing happened to him when he got home from his mission.

David, Justin (Emily's fiance), Lydia and Ken

Lydia, Ken, David

Rodney, David, Grace and Adri

David and his mom

David and Adri

Ken picked out the balloons.

Julius warmed right up to David.

Julius, soon to be Uncle Justin (who Julius adores) and Jada

Watching General Conference...Julius grabbed his blanket and paci and climbed on the couch right between two of his favorite people. So cute.

At the park

Uncle Ken and Nora

Nora is so sweet but it takes her a while to warm up to most people. She would barely let me look at her when we first got to Connecticut. She finally warmed up to me about a week into the trip when I absolutely had to watch the kids for a bit because Amanda was tied up. She was VERY upset for a while then finally decided Aunt Kat wasn't so bad. But of course Nora liked Ken immediately...most kids do...it was pretty cute.

One more time...

Back to the city again...this time we to Lombardi's for lunch, Chinatown, Little Italy and Soho. Another nice day...perfect weather and happy children! Amazing.

Lombardi's

Shannon and Daniel

We stopped at a playground to let the kids stretch their legs.

Amanda wanted to try Rice to Riches.

Amanda and Nora and Julius and Dad in Chinatown somewhere.

Nice view of the Empire State Building and the Ojuka's in Little Italy.

Like I said before...I'm a sucker for a good grocery store. But this shouldn't even be called a grocery store...it's more like heaven. Amanda and I first went to Dean & Deluca back in high school when we took a trip to NYC with our dad. We were in love. They have such nice things and yummy things. On that trip we bought a sour cream apple pie...the whole pie. Delicious. We ate it on the drive back to North Carolina. This time we just looked around and wished we could buy all of the different kinds of cheese then bought a few black and white cookies. Clearly the guys and the babies were not as excited as we were.

Then the day was over...good bye New York.

My Dream Home

Ken and I love looking at homes, where ever we are. The Parade of Homes is always fun. But I always have a hard time finding houses I like in Utah. There are definitely some beautiful homes but I just don't see much I can picture myself living in. Then I got to Connecticut and realized why. I'm from the east coast and have very east coast taste but I've been in Utah so long I think I forgot what that is. There were so many homes I loved in Connecticut...big ones and small ones...all really expensive. But I just love the style and the scenery. And I love older homes, interesting, unique...which is about all there is in Connecticut. I love big wrap around porches with rocking chairs. Anyway, now I remember what I like.

One of my favorites.

Greenwich Beach

We took Ken back to Greenwich Beach when he came out...because it's beautiful. It was a little warmer than the first time we came which was nice. As soon as Julius saw the water he ran straight for it...so we all put our feet in. It was FREEZING!

I just thought this was such a cute picture of Nora.

Julius and Nora

Julius and Nora are just 4 days apart. Aside from Julius going crazy for a few days and hitting Nora every time he saw her...they got along great. Nora is very motherly and always brought him his blanket and his pacifier when he was sad, she always wanted to give him kisses and hugs even when Julius pushed her away. He is such a boy.

Here are some cute pictures of the two of them.

Julius and Daniel

So Julius just adores his cousin Daniel...unfortunately for Daniel sometimes. He wants to do everything he does just like he does it. Most of the time it was fine but it made it frustrating for Daniel sometimes. But how do you explain to a one year old that sometimes Daniel likes his space and doesn't necessarily want you sitting on top of him? You can't.

NYC

Times Square

When Ken was in town we headed back into the city a couple of times to do some site-seeing. We spent the first day checking out Times Square, Rockefeller Plaza, 5th Avenue, etc...mid-town. We kept it pretty low key with the kids...didn't try to do too much. Everything was good...kids were happy, weather was beautiful, no stress. Successful day in New York I'd say.

The New York Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

New York looking stuff

Times Square

Julius in the city

Daniel, Nora and Amanda

Times Square

We hit up Toys R Us and FAO Schwartz for the kids...and the kid in us.

Uncle Ken and Daniel

Rockefeller Plaza

The Rock

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Pops Burgers for lunch...really good.

Julius and Mom outside Central Park

Daniel in Central Park

Central Park