Rachel and Gwen's Excellent New York Adventure!

FINALLY, THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR... (all 5 of you!)



WOW! What an amazing trip! I have returned to a messy, crazy house, but with a lower level of stress and sameness. Horray. My kids (and hubby) all survived and made it to all of the two pages of commitments I wrote up for my absence. So here are a few photos of my adventure. Gwen and I definitely were on the "Off-The-Beaten-Path NYC Tour" so if you're looking for amazing pictures of the Statue of Liberty or Times Square you're gonna have to go google it, my friend. And if the events don't seem like they'd be all that much fun just remember... it was MY trip. :-)

The first day Gwen took my on a "Project Runway Tour." Her hotel, the WONDERFUL Residence Inn Marriott Times Square, was in the fashion district and only about a block from where the show takes place. The first pic is of the building where the designing happens. Around the corner are the condos the contestants live in and the second picture is of me in Mood, the amazing fabric store they get their supplies at. Three floors of fabric, ribbons, buttons, lace, leather, upholstery, etc. Everything a girl needs to create the next runway sensation! No, I didn't quickly sew a ballgown. I had things to do....

We ate the BEST PIZZA EVER at Lombardi's in Little Italy. It's been in operation since late 1800's and received the first pizzaria food licence in 1905. The pizza tastebuds on my tongue are now so spoiled that when I try to order Papa John's pizza for my family the tastebuds revolted and tied up up tongue so I couldn't speak....well, not really, but it felt like it. It was really good pizza. Really.

What you can't see in the above pictures is that the heavens above NYC opened up and dumped huge amounts of rain on us for most of the day. Huge amounts. Our shoes and pant legs up to our knees were soaked from walking around in it. At one point we got caught on the island in the middle of a busy NY street and taxis were racing by spraying water on us at every angle. On purpose, we are fairly sure of. IT WAS AWESOME! True New York Moment.

We went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art that night and had the place pretty much to ourselves. We wandered aimlessly and enjoyed the massive amount of stuff there. Very cool. We came home from the met and got out at Grand Central Station, where we got a bowl of Matzo bowl soup at Junior's Diner in the basement of the Station. Coooooool.

Saturday we saw some sunshine as we traveled to the lower east side to visit the Tenement Museum. It was an actual tenement building to immigrants built in 1860. It housed over 10000 families before it was boarded up during the depression. The same family owned the building and it stayed boarded up until 1980 when the family sold it to NYC. The building hadn't been changed or walked into in 50 years. They have redone a few apartments and you choose one of 5 tours. We chose the tour that shows the apartments of 2 jewish tailor families who came over from eastern Russia, my people. It was amazing. It gave me chills to hear their stories and see how they lived, because my ancestors did the same things...if not in the same area. Awesome.

While we were down there we also ate at Katz' Deli, where "When Harry Met Sally" was filmed, but more importantly "The Oldest Deli in America." We discovered on this trip that New Yorkers frequently describe their businesses as "the most ______ of ______." Either that or "The King of _________." Personally, I don't care because it was a delicious HUGE sandwich at Katz' and the chocolate covered canoli I ate from "The King of Canoli's" was scrumptious. We also found "Economy Candy" in the Lower East Side. It was filled with everything candy. Stuff you still didn't think they made anymore. Very cool.

Our first celebrity sighting came after we saw "Guys and Dolls" Saturday evening. Lauren Graham, from "Gilmore Girls" played Adalaide and Oliver Platt, from movies(? I can't think of any right now. Google him.) played Nathan Detroit. It was so good! They were both fantastic and all the leads came out after the play to sign autographs. Myself, I am a confirmed celebrity stalker, but Gwen, not so much. She thought it crazy to wait for them to show, but I'm telling you that after she felt that superstar rush from meeting and talking with them she willingly ran with me down the side street to chase down the Dahli Lama's limosine the next day... We didn't really see the DAHLI all that well, but we did say "HELLO" to him.....wait for it.....wait for it. THERE it is!

We also went the a mega bookstore, The Strand ("The Oldest Bookstore In New York") that day. It was a very busy day. What a fabulous place. New books, old books, rare books. Wall-to-wall and 3 stories tall. It's floor's were original and I worried I'd break through on some places, but what a cool place to die....

Okay, here's the photo I teased you all with. On Sunday (I know! I'm a heathen! But I was a heathen with only a few days in NYC...sorry.) we bought tickets in the morning for "Mamma Mia" for a matinee. While we waited, we walked (in the rain again) down to the fancy 5th ave shops: Tiffany's; Bergdorf Goodman; Armani; etc. It's also where the big FAO Swartz Toy Store is. This is where they filmed the scene in the Tom Hanks movie, "Big." They have the piano there and let you come play it. An employee is there to watch over things. I took my shoes off and walked on, sharing it with a couple kids and another adult. I started hopping out "Heart and Soul" like in the movie and the employee came over and did the top hand. The piano cleared out and we had it to ourselves. It was awesome. Wow, the cool things I get to do.

We saw "Mamma Mia' that afternoon after a quick lunch in the basement at 30 Rock, NBC headquarters. You sit at a table that looks over the icerink with the big gold lounging guy statue. I'm sure he has a name but I don't know it so "big gold lounging guy" will have to do. "Mamma Mia" was good, but not as good at "Guys and Dolls." Guess I like the classics. We headed late afternoon to go to Gwen's house in Monroe, New York, about 30 miles north of Manhattan. It's in the Hudson River Valley and it is a beautiful part of the country. It was fun to see Gwen's family. Dagny and Tessa are growin' up on us, I tell ya.

The next day we got kids off to school and headed out to West Point Military Academy, which is about 30 minute drive from their house. It was very interesting and completely picturesqe. Beautiful countryside. You can see why the pilgrims were all over setting up shop there 400 years ago.

Gwen, Dagny and myself hit the huge outlet mall by their house in Monroe that evening. A great shopping experience was had by all.


On Tuesday my flight didn't leave til 6pm so we managed to pack in a full day. Joel, Gwen and I headed out for Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, yes, THAT Sleepy Hollow. We toured a huge gothic type castle in Tarrytown. It was built by a "live the american dream" guy in the late 1880's and eventually bought by Jay Gould, a robber baron of the early 20th Century. It was amazing. It had been in the Gould family and used as a residence til the 1970's when it was willed to the National Preservation Trust. It was overhauled to give tours and has been a showplace ever since. Really amazing. Most of the stuff is all smoke and mirrors in the house, however. You think it's stone bricks inside, but it's concrete painted to look like brick. You think it's marble floors, but it's hardwood painted and treated to look like marble. The tour guide said it wasn't done to save money. It was done as an artist conversation piece-a kinda "Think that's marble...it's NOT! Ha, fooled you." Whatever billows their sail, I suppose. It was cool, though.


We stopped at Sleepy Hollow Cemetary and the Old Dutch Church on the way back to Monroe. What a neat cemetery! Some of the headstones were from the 1600's. It's all hodgepodge burying, however. So there's modern graves (there's still room available, they advertised) alongside graves from typhoid victims of 1840. Awesome. I took a picture of me running on the famous Headless Horseman Bridge for fun. When I had the film developed I was astonished at what was there!!!!


We made it back to get the girls and then they drove me out to the Newburgh airport. It's by Orange County Choppers, yes, that one on the TLC show. We went to their new store and you could watch the bikes being built. They make two of every bike and keep one at the store so we looked at those. I thought about buying a custom bike for the kids, but I was only willing to spend $25,000 for a custom bike and they were asking $30,000. Oh well, maybe next trip.





I got to the airport with plenty of time to spare. Especially since I was one of about 10 people there. The same lady who check in my bag, took my ticket and boarded the flight. I was fully expecting to hear her voice over the loudspeaker..."Hello, this is the captain speaking." My bag, which weighed about 25 pounds going there had almost doubled to 47.5 lbs, just making the 50 lb weight limit. Whew.... I was EXHAUSTED. I had the whole row (all two seats) on the short flight to Philadelphia, where I again had the whole row (three seats now) on the cross-country flight home. I arrived home at midnight, 3 am NYC time. I had been awake for 20 hours straight. But totally worth it. It was a FANTASTIC TRIP! I had a blast and I'm already planning my next one. I'm not sure if I'll be able to convince Troy to let me go again, but I'll sneak out if I have too!
Thank you, Gwen, for an UNBELIEVABLE adventure. You have a great hotel and an adorable family...even you, Joel. :-) Thanks for your hospitality and good-time, girlfriend fun! I've told others about my trip and now have a small group of "Next time you go I'm coming with You" Ladies. Maybe Gwen and I could start a Tour Company? Hmmmmm. I'll let you know when to start booking your trips.


Stay tuned for the big recap of My Big 40 Blowout Bash. It was SOOOOOOOO cool! Thanks to Jackie and Gwen and Laree for sending/telling stories of me throughout the years. BIG thanks for NOT sending certain stories....

CAIO!

Okay, kids! Just to whet your appetite...here's a picture from my big ol' trip to New York City! I promise to blog more but life is still at a heightened level of chaos. When school is out life will return to normal levels of chaos and I shall tell you my trip stories then. Thanks for your patience!

START SPREADIN' THE NEWS!

I log this entry in my blog on the eve of the eve of my BIG trip to New York City to see my good friend and fellow soon to be 40-year-old pal, Gwen Gibson Lytle. We were best friends in high school and she's the only one I have kept in consistent contact with since those glory days. She is now the general manager of the Marriott Residence Inn Times Square in Manhattan and it is there I will meet her Thursday night for 5 Amazing, shopping-filled, late-night fun, big city days. I have been way too busy the past few months and totally need the escape. I will fill you all in when I return!

CAIO, babes!

Somebody bake me a cake with a file in it!

Sorry about the wait on a new blog. Time seems to be extremely valuable these days and with the economy the way it is and all I'm trying to do my part.

I did, however, want to let you all know that if Maricopa County Jail does not have blogspot.com you may not get to hear much from me...unless I can get my kid to miss more school. You see, I got a letter from Chandler Public Schools the other day addressed to "The Parents of Emma Willes." I opened it up and discovered that due to the fact my daughter, Emma, had missed 10 days of school last semester I was in violation of some revised statute or something and that the elementary school had dutifully turned my name into the school district truant officer. Yes... I know...I didn't seem to be a big ol' rulebreaker, but appearently I am! Principal Londer, AKA Attendance Nazi, further stated that this could result in a citation to appear in court and "prosecution may result." I'm going to quote now, because my fear-filled mind is currently trying to figure out how to smuggle my Coke Zero into jail, "If there is a conviction, it is a Class 3 misdemeanor with potential consequences of payment of court fees, community service hours, attending mandatory counseling, fines AND/OR A JAIL SENTANCE!" (Caps and exclamation mark added for complete shock factor.) The letter then closed with the advice to contact the attendance office so that we can "rectify this matter." Wow. Can you imagine? Me going to jail? I was at first fearful and confused. I'm not big on baloney and please, horizontal black and white stripes. That's so 2 seasons ago...but then I started to think, "Hey, jail might not be so bad! Three square meals a day that I don't have to cook! Lots of time to watch tv, read, possibly work out at the gym! The opportunity to talk to adults on a regular basis AND mandatory lights out at a decent hour!" I began to get hopeful as I raced into the school's office for my sentance. But alas, the nice attendance lady, who happens to be my friend and enjoyed my enthusiasm, said that I shouldn't worry about the letter. The good Commandant Londer had sent them out in a fit of disgruntledness due to poor attendance and I was one of the lucky ones to get the nasty-gram. I was so disappointed. So let-down. My dreams of an all-expenses paid, relaxing vacation were dashed upon the rocks of reality. Heavy sigh.... And so I must find ways to keep my daughter home. Unfortunately, she currently enjoys going to school and seems to have the health and strength of a sherpa on Mount Everest so it looks like I'll be able to blog again soon. What made it even tougher is that my sister-in-law, Tana, also got a nasty gram just last week and we both so looked forward to hanging out together.....

The Ballad of Zachy The Kid

A long time ago in the Wild Wild West

Lived an outlaw named Zachy the Kid.

He was wanted by the law for awful crimes

He claimed he never really did.

Now the sheriff in town was strong and brave.

Sheriff Boogie was the man's name.

And keeping his town clear of outlaws

Like Zachy the Kid was his game.

But one day Zachy the Kid stormed into town

And spotted the spiffy hat Boogie had.

He grabbed it right off of the sheriff

And Boogie's day suddenly went very bad.

But Sheriff Boogie quickly got to work

Throwing Zach into jail just like that.

But Zachy the Kid wasn't too upset.

Because, after all, he kept the hat.

Check this out...Mesa Arizona Temple in Legos!

THE AMAZING LEGO TEMPLE!

Okay, so the stake presidency decided in February of 2008 to have a big ol' Stake Temple Day and really hype it up. It was to take place in November and the stake president requested that each auxillary come up with an idea on how to promote it. The first idea I had was not going to work as it involved attaching things to the ceiling and walls of the primary room, which, apparently, the church building people frown upon...who knew. So, my 2nd counselor brought up the idea that she had used where each kid built a temple out of sugar cubes. I loved the idea, but thought that (1) that's gonna be A LOT of sugar cubes and (2) it needed to be GINORMOUS in scale. So I asked my brother, Nate, who goes by LegoNater in some circles, to create a Mesa Temple out of Legos. He honed it over a couple of months and finally we had it! He built it using the Lego Creator program on Lego.com. Once you're done with your model you can upload it to the website and order the kit, complete with instructions and an official Lego box with a picture of the finished project on it. COOOOOOOOL. We ordered one for each ward. Through some divine intervention the Lego people messed up the order (lost it, then found it) and let us have 2 full orders for the price of one. This proved fortuitous because we divided wards and added one ward and needed a second temple kit for two others due to primary size. Whew. Yes, Heavenly Father does take care of things even when you don't know they need to be taken care of.

So once we got the temples I wrote a sharing time called "Building our Testimonies of The Temple." (Clever, eh?) The lesson went over the blessings we receive by attending the temple and asked the kids to name additional blessings. These blessing were then written on the inside of each lego brick or placed on paper and put in the center of the temple which was hollow. Then the kids put the temple together brick by brick while listing the blessings. Then the kids were told to ask their parents to take them to the temple visitors' center on Stake Temple Day. I got to see a couple of the sharing times and the primary presidencies did amazing jobs and made the sharing time way better.

Each ward only got the bricks for the temple, window and door stickers (created on my little ol' computer with PrintMaster and printed out on address labels for easy attachment) and a 10"square green baseplate. The primary presidency then were instructed to decorate the temple however they wanted and then present it to the bishop and have him put it in his office. The stake president asked if we could bump up the schedule for this a week so that the bishop could then show the congregation during sacrament meeting the Sunday before the Stake Temple Day. It was so cool. I put together one using an extra set for the stake president's office. No reason for him to be left out. Here are the pictures. I found the bride and groom, camera man and plants on ebay and at the Lego store in Chandler. I cut the palm fronds out of fun foam. The other temples were great too. Each one different and cool. It was a truly inspired thing and the kids totally loved it.


I send a shout out to by brother, Nate, for his dedication and lego skills. He was just as enthusiastic as I was. And now we may be branching out. In fact, we've been asked, "Where do I get one of those?" so many times that we are seriously looking into creating a couple kits and hawking them on ebay. We think a series of other temples and Book of Mormon events are total possibilities. Lego Liahona anyone?

Kids' Fall Portraits 2008

Each year we take the kids over to Target Portrait Studios for the annual patience testing torture session also known as family photos. This year, however, I decided I was done with that scene. I had seen some photos at people's house done professionally and looked through some online and figured I could do it myself. It looked like it was "eclectic and professional" if the photo was off-centered and slightly blurry. Since I've been taking photos like that my whole life I thought I'd try to do it on purpose. I took the kids out one afternoon after church and played around. I took WAY more than I actually could use, but I'm calling that "portrait profiling" rather than "whoops, why didn't the flash work?" Sounds better, eh? Here are some of the shots. I've only got one each of the kids all photo shopped (b&w, soft focus, cropped etc.) Enjoy my cute, adorable kids. The next step is a family photo, but's it gonna have to wait. Even though we weren't at Target, the annual patience testing torture session happened again...in our backyard. The pictures are cooler, however, so....worth it.

Zachreson Troy Willes, 2

Claire Elyse Willes, 5

Emma Kay Willes, 7

Katherine Ann Willes, 10