Annie's 16th birthday trip ~ Day 2

 We started the day by visiting Columbus Circle, just outside of Central Park.

 

 And enjoyed some really neat works of art in the area.

 

 

 Central Park is beautiful and strikingly peaceful compared to the city around it.

 

 Then we continued on to see the theater where Hamilton was playing. We chose not
to see a couple of plays because of strong language (no judgement for those that did
see them, just a personal preference for us), but Annie loves many of the songs from
these plays, so she wanted to at least see the hoopla surrounding both plays.

 

 And the second favorite we didn't see.
Annie and Ben Platt sittin' in a tree...

 

 

 Then we spent some time at both the M&M store and the Disney store.
We didn't buy anything, just took a look around, but these stores are truly amazing.

 These macarons are absolutely amazing.
I might have bought them more than once for Annie.

 And then on to the first true reason we were there--The Lion King. It was incredible.
We absolutely loved it and the second it ended, we wanted them to start again.
I just wish I had the words to explain how amazing it was or what an experience it was to watch.

And a Times Square selfie on the way back to our hotel.

Annie's 16th birthday trip ~ Day 1

For her 16th birthday, Jacob and I gave Annie a trip to New York to see a couple of
Broadway shows. I'm so grateful for Jacob's hard work and how he is always willing to
let his very many airline miles be used for wonderful trips for our family. Annie and I had
an absolutely tremendous time and I'm so thankful for that time with our darling girl.

On the plane and on our way.

New York greeted us with a beautiful sunset.

Times Square in all it's bright craziness.

This is the play Annie's high school is putting on in November and she is a part of the cast.
Hence the two photos of darling Annie and this show that will be on Broadway soon.

This picture cracks me up. We were a little excited to see this incredible show in just two days.

And just one more day for this amazing stage performance. 

Our last stop of the day took us to the Empire State Building.

It was cool stuff.

And the views were incredible.

Unbelieveably incredible.

And on our way back to the hotel, one of my favorite pictures of our whole trip.

Album covers

Since I shared the handsomeness of this guy in some recent pictures, it seems only appropriate
that I share some of his fun ones or his "album covers" as he calls them. I'm not quite sure
what exactly he needs an album cover for or what would be on this album, but he did have
me laughing pretty hard. So without further ado, Campbell's album covers. You know, in case
one of you needs a picture for an album you are producing and a pretty fabulous and hilarious
eighteen-year old that makes everyone around him happy is just what you are looking for.

How did we get here already?

At the same time I took fall pictures of all of our kids, I pestered Campbell for a few extra.
Because well, he is a senior. A great excuse to admire his handsomeness in my opinion..

My favorite gift

Well, Merry Christmas to me! These six fabulous humans gave me the only Christmas 

present I ask for or want each year--cooperative and lovely children who let me take their

photos every October. And while this picture isn't the fanciest or most posed, I love it so.

We are going to miss that guy in the middle something fierce beginning this summer.
I get a lump in my throat every time I think about it. But I'm so proud of him and his
choices. I'm proud of all of my kids and their choices. Especially the one where they
give their mom the best gift she could ever ask for. I keep looking through all
of the photos and feeling like Christmas definitely came early this year.

Preschool pumpkin patch field trip

Reminds me of something that has happened three times before.
One, two and three for your viewing pleasure.

Yesterday

Sixteen

Happy Birthday my amazing Annes!
You are so incredibly loved.

He will walk beside you

"{Following the Savior} does not mean that our lives will be free from sorrow...
No, following the Savior will not remove all of your trials. However, it will remove the barriers
between you and the help your Heavenly Father wants to give you. God will be with you.
He will direct your steps. He will walk beside you and even carry you when your need is greatest."

So very grateful

I can't stop thinking this morning about how grateful I am for this little sweetheart. My pregnancy
with her happened at a time when we had more on our plate than we have ever had in our lives.
Everything was just so overwhelming. And yet the prompting was sure and unmistakable.
And something I never would have chosen with my overly human, completely exhausted mind.
But I will be grateful for all of eternity that the Lord knew she belonged in our family and touched
my heart in a way that I've never questioned it once. This little firecracker is good for her momma.

 And while I often look around and wonder how in the world someone like me, full of impatience
and craziness and so many shortcomings, could have six kids, I have felt more humble than usual
of late that my Father in Heaven would let me. Precisely because of my impatience and craziness
and so many shortcomings. I love the six I've been entrusted with to the deepest part of my heart.
I know I was put on this earth to be their mom. And I'm so profoundly grateful.