New York

Konrad and I enjoyed a wonderful week in New York. Konrad had to go for work and I decided to tag-a-long. It was so much fun. So relaxing, so rejuvenating, so almost-perfect (would have been perfect except for how cold it was!)

This is the view from our hotel. We stayed right next to Time Square - about 2 blocks east and 3 blocks south. We were within walking distance to everything - Time Square, Central Park, shopping, food, the Manhattan Temple, etc.. I'm not sure how many miles I walked while I was there - but let's just say it was a lot!

Everyday was so laid back (at least for me - Konrad had to work Mon-Thurs). I'd get up late, go down to the free breakfast, workout, go back to my room and get ready for the day. Then I could decide if I wanted to go shopping/people watching/site seeing or if I just wanted to hang out in the room and read/watch HGTV. I did some of both options. I read 3 1/2 books and watched plenty of room-makeovers. I also did plenty of shopping and wandering the streets of New York.

Once Konrad got home we would figure out where to eat and what we were going to do that evening....here are some of the things we did:

Monday we walked up to Central Park. Very beautiful. I really want to see it all green, or even better all fall colored. Guess I have to go back!

Here is the ice rink - I really don't think people were able to do any "real" ice skating with so many people on the ice.

There is a little lake behind Konrad that was mostly frozen - gorgeous with all the buildings behind it.

Monday night we saw Chicago. We were able to get "rush" tickets for this one, so it was pretty cheap. Konrad wasn't super impressed, he didn't like the style of music (more cabaret). I wasn't impressed with the fact that they really didn't have any type of "set" on stage. The orchestra was actually on the stage - taking up most of it, leaving little room for the actual acting. I also wasn't a huge fan of the costumes (or the lack there of), but love the story line. It cracks me up!

Tuesday night we saw Mary Poppins. It was wonderful. We both decided this was our favorite of all the shows we saw. We hope it comes to Seattle so we can take the girls. We nearly missed the show b/c Konrad's trip back to the hotel took longer than expected. We literally ran down Broadway for 10 blocks - we were only 5-10 minutes late, luckily they still let us in!

Wednesday we walked around Time Square (again) and took a few pictures.

Then we bought tickets to see Stomp. This show was "off Broadway" so we had to take the subway there. Subways are pretty cool - it would neat to have that as an option - all though, taking children on one would TERRIFY me. Stomp was in a smaller theater and was pretty good. It's amazing what those 8 musicians could do and how hard they had to work. Talk about a workout!

Thursday night we saw The Miracle Worker (story about Helen Keller). Helen was played by the actress who played Kit Kittridge an American Girl (Abigail something) and her mom was played by Dr. Cameron from House (sorry - I don't know their real names). It was fun to actually watch people we had seen on TV/Movies - made it seem extra special. This show was in a "theater in the round" - the stage is literally in the center of the audience, every seat in the house is a good seat. It was a great story and made me want to read more about her amazing life. (imagine that the black space in back of us is an advertisement for the show - we forgot to go back and get another one during the day....oops!)

Friday morning we went here:

If you couldn't tell from the above picture, maybe this one will help:

The Manhattan Temple is pretty cool. Right in the middle of the city. No beautiful grounds - no flowers, fountains, or trees. Never the less - it is just as special, just as beautiful. I am really grateful we took the opportunity to attend the temple on our trip!

After the temple we did some site seeing. We checked out the Statue of Liberty (from very far away - no ferry for us).

After sight seeing and shopping (NY has a great store called Century 21 - similar to TJ Max/Ross/Marshalls - but on steroids) we headed back to the hotel. Here I am checking my google reader - I ignored it all week, and was a little overwhelmed with the amount of unread items in there! I gave up quickly. :)

After checking the computer we tried our luck one more time. I spent about 30 or so minutes with the guy in this picture (inside the building).....every single day.

Why you ask? Because we really wanted to see Wicked - but we were not about to pay the $250 (per person) for the only seats they had left. Wicked (and many other shows) have a lottery drawing, everyday, 2 1/2 hours before a performance. You write your name down and it is thrown into a "hat" - then they draw 14 names out and each of those people can buy tickets for $26.50 per ticket. Unfortunately, I do not have good luck (I must have used it all up on my exciting BINGO win....) and we never ended up with tickets. It was fun to try though!

Friday night we met up with Konrad's co-worker and his wife and went out to dinner. They live right in the city - and it was fun to get to know them and see how different our lives are. She mentioned she would give up space in order to stay in the city - I would rather move out to the suburbs and have more space :) They will soon have 3 kids - living in an okay sized apartment (especially by NY standards) - but pay an amazing amount of money for it.

It was really a wonderful vacation. Other than the cold, not getting to see Wicked, and bad luck when choosing restaurants (we weren't all that impressed with the places we chose), it seriously was perfect.

We will be going back someday - next time in the Spring or Fall - preferably Fall - so we can watch the US Open (tennis). Can't wait!

A Productive Day

Today I:

• Cleaned 6 bathrooms
• Vacuumed an entire house (wish it was my house - that will have to happen tomorrow)
• Cleaned two kitchens
• Cleaned a gigantic hardwood floor
• Attended 2 valentine's parties
• Went to Kimber's dance class and watched her dance/helped Sam with homework/played BookWorm on the DS
• Made dinner for 8 people
• Planned preschool for then next 3 weeks, while holding a very cute baby
• Went shopping at Kohls and Fred Meyer

Tonight Konrad:

• changed the oil in his car
• changed the brakes
• rotated his tires
• changed the windshield wipers
• added coolant

It was a good/busy day for the Crabtrees!

Tomorrow has to be the same.....wish us luck!

Happy Birthday Konrad!

Konrad's birthday was last Monday. That night we went to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner with my family (I used up my only night of eating out this month on the first day of the new monthly fitness challenge (which is no eating out) - it's going to be a long month....well I guess not really b/c of New York - I have to eat out then, but still the other 2 weeks and even the rest of this week will be hard - I LOVE eating out!). It was really yummy and hopefully Konrad enjoyed it.


Last Saturday Konrad and I went on a date for his birthday - Red Robin and a Thunderbird Hockey game. It was really fun.


Here are some pictures taken on his birthday.....
Konrad and the girls:
Allison:
Sam:

Kimber:

Konrad tried to guess each of his presents this year. He smelled this one:

He thinks he knows:

Yep - his favorite - orange slices. Something Grandma Williams always has around. He gets them for every birthday/holiday.
For some reason this is the spot-to-open-birthday-presents at our house. Right in front of the fireplace....

The best pic I got on him with is birthday dessert, Caramel Apple Pizza - he decided to sing happy birthday to himself and wouldn't just give me a regular smile or really look right at me...

Happy 33rd Birthday!

Yeah For Days Off....

Especially when you get to go on vacation for those days off! I am official on break from now until Monday the 22nd - whoo-hoo!

~I survived our Valentine's Day Party today preschool. I actually love having parties during preschool. The kids get so excited about them. We have a little sticker on the calendar anytime there is a party coming up - and we always do a count down. Today the kids came in carrying valentines, treats, and various other things that they don't normally bring - yet 2 or 3 three of them still acted beyond excited when they realized we were to the party sticker. :) So cute - you'd think bringing in all the extra stuff would have made it less exciting, b/c they'd already realize what was happening. I guess it isn't real though until you see it on the calendar. It is amazing what little people can eat - 2 cupcakes, 1 sugar cookie, fruit snacks, apples, cheese puffs, sandwiches, and popcorn. A few did give up and save it for later, but many downed most of it. I've got a lot of yummy cupcakes left over if you want to stop by and get one....

~Now that the party is over it's on to the next thing - planning my NY trip. Oh wait - I still have two more valentine party's to help at and then I'm helping throw a party on Saturday, with some friends, for our husbands. But I have to be all ready to go before that party on Saturday. What do I pack to go on a "cold" vacation? I've never been on one before? My friends husband served his mission there and he says it is so cold b/c the buildings create a wind-tunnel type thing - brrrrr!

~Our team in volleyball is undefeated so far - I am missing a double header next week, which I am totally bummed about. I love Wednesday's when I get my v-ball fix. With a double header there is a chance of having to play 10 games in a row - that could be tough...my team will be playing from 7:30-10/10:30. Konrad and his friends play that long - but I don't think I ever have. Can't believe I have to miss it!

~I have awesome friends and family who are willing to drive my girls around all next week while I am gone. Taking them to their various activities. What would I do without them. My sister, who is watching the girls, said she could take them everywhere - but I just couldn't see making her drag 6 kids to gymnastics, Activity Day's, and 2 dance classes. That could be torture. So thanks to everyone who is helping out!

~Okay - I am done stalling. Guess I'll go do something productive!

I've Been Tagged

1. What are some things you usually do everyday? Get the girls ready for school, make lunches, work out, teach preschool, run the girls to their different activities, make dinner, email, read blogs, watch TV at night, pick up toys/shoes/clothes/hair things from various parts of the house.
2. What would be your dream vacation? Any cruise is my dream vacation. Any warm sunny place is my dream vacation.
3. What is your favorite meal to cook? Taco soup, Asparagus Pasta, quesadilla's (with beans, corn, salsa, etc inside), potato soup, General Tsao's chicken. I guess those are really just my favorite things to eat - I love cooking, so it doesn't really matter what I'm making.
4. What should you be doing more of? Spending time with my children. Studying the scriptures/Ensign's/etc.
5. Any OCD habits you can't kick? My email inbox has to be as empty as possible. I only get rid of something once I've replied or done something about the email. More than 2 sitting in there and it drives me crazy. Toilet paper must be over, not under.
6. Do you have any unfinished projects? Mostly just organizing stuff. I don't really "make" things so nothing is left undone. I do have tons of work to do on my preschool class portfolios....scary thought!
7. What are your interests and hobbies? Volleyball, games, blogs and email, TV shows (Biggest Loser, Bachelor, Survivor, Mercy, Vampire Diaries), baking/cooking, exercising, word puzzles, organization (I need to get better at it though), teaching children, couponing ((I got 10 boxes of Rice-A-Roni, 8 boxes of cereal (4 lucky charms, 4 reese's puffs), and sour cream for $15 today at Safeway! Whoo-hoo!)), and spending time with my family
8. What are your 3 favorite movies and who are your favorite actors, actresses? I'm not big into movies. I do like to go see them, but it takes a lot to become one of my favorite movies. Some of them from the past are Sweet Home Alabama, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Remember the Titans, The Blindside - so pretty much either a romantic comedy or a under-dog sports team movie and I'm happy!

Tag your it: Heather P., Jenni W., Katie T., Laura M., my wonderful SIL's: Britt, Tiff, and Macie.

Did You Know....

Did you know that when you are used to drinking 64+ oz of water a day (I think I average closer to 75-80 oz a day) that if you go without drinking for an hour or more you feel like you are dehydrated? Weird.

Did you know that I am too big for every toilet in the world? Whenever I'm in a public restroom with Allison (and of course she is in the stall with me) she tells me "You are too big for that potty!". I guess if you can't sink your little bottom down in the hole, then you should find a bigger potty. I'd hate to see how big a toilet would have to be for all of us to fit on it correctly.

Did you know that I love veggie chips? They are delicious, but lower in calories then most salty/crunchy snack foods. I get 18 chips for only 110 calories! Whoo-hoo!

Did you know that I get to go to NY in a week and a half? Do you know what I should do there? Let me know.