Wow 5 years goes fast. We were fortunate to go on an anniversary getaway this year to celebrate. For several years we've wanted to go to NYC to see friends, family, and sights in the area. Matt's been a few times, but I'd never made it outside of JFK airport. We decided our 5th anniversary was a perfect excuse. Though we've traveled a lot in the last few years, it was such a treat to leave Danny behind this time (Thanks Anne and Rex). Our first kid-free trip!
So on our actual anniversary, Matt surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I then proceeded to surprise Matt with the news that we'd have a new addition to our family this July (and I don't mean another beagle). We were able to have a nice dinner out and do some sealings at the temple. We'd never done sealings on our anniversary before and it was so fun to remember our wedding day.
A few weeks later we flew to NYC for 4 days of fun. A couple days we spent with Rex's family and friends - Dave, Mark, Becky, and Allison. Dave was kind enough to share his tiny place with us, which was awesome. He lives a few blocks from Times Square so we were in the middle of everything. He also hooked us up with a sweet deal at a fancy hotel that we never could have afforded. THANKS DAVE! It's nice to know people in the hotel industry. Rex's family kept saying it was their way of saying thanks for all the times we've let them stay at our place, but c'mon. I think we are still in debt big time. Stay at the "Hong Houston Hotel" you get two rascally beagles, possible screaming child in the night, a room that stays over 85 degrees year round, and a shower full of kid toys. Stay at the "W" in NYC you get chocolate covered strawberries, comfy bed, subway stop just outside, huge shower, and beautiful city views. Yep, we owe them big time!
So here's some highlights of the trip:
Seeing the musical "Wicked," which I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend! I loved the music so much Matt got me the soundtrack for Christmas.
Shopping at Macy's, which I HIGHLY, HIGHLY don't recommend doing 2 Saturdays before Christmas. It was fun to see the bustling crowds, but we were already tired from a busy afternoon so opted to people watch and drink hot cocoa rather than fight the madness.
Wandering around to see all the lights, window displays, and enormous trees on 5th Avenue and around Rockefeller Center. The light show outside SAKS 5th Avenue is one Dave designed in his previous job. It was cool to get the inside story on how they did it and how it's changed. I was way impressed! NYC definitely knows how to do Christmas well.
Seeing the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. It was phenomenol, but tiredness from a 6 AM flight and a 10 PM show was starting to wear in by then. To my disbelief Matt actually dozed off during part of it! The music hall itself was pretty incredible too - the size alone was impressive let alone all the decorations. The picture is of a huge chandelier in the lobby. ENORMOUS!
Wandering around the MET and finding favorite paintings. Sadly, an exhibit of American artists that we were looking forward to was under renovations, but we did enjoy seeing the Egyptian temple.
Strolling through Central Park and enjoying the skyline at dusk on our way to have dinner with friends. We met up with Ryan and Linda Todd, who we knew from the Houston YSA ward. We also went to church with them (ironically a singles ward that Ryan is now serving in) and heard a pretty spectacular Christmas program. When many of the members sing on Broadway, it's not your average Christmas program. It was fun to see their adorable place, meet their son Brandon, and eat some tasty dinner. Thanks for a fun visit!
Stuffing our faces at a delicious Dim Sum restaurant in China Town. After a trip to the mainland last year, we weren't as excited about the great deals on knock off Chanel and Gucci items though.
Sadly pondering our declining investments at Wall Street. I guess this wasn't a highlight . . . thinking about lost $. But the HUGE tree and famous Bull were pretty cool. It was also interesting to see where the action happens.
Remembering 9/11 at the beautiul memorial museum across from the site. Matt's last trip to NYC was just a few weeks before the attacks, so it was very sobering to remember. The museum was excellently done and caused us both to reflect and remember. (No pictures, but something I wanted to recommend if you're ever in NYC)
Squinting to see the Statue of Liberty. We had decided to skip the boat trip out there on this visit - our time was limited and I knew the tour would take most of a day and be very cold. I was unaware just how far away she is from shore thought! I swear, the tallest, distant thing in the picture is the Statue of Liberty. Really.
Taking a train out to New Jersey to visit Uncle Clay, Aunt Jeanie, Elaine, and Krista. In addition to a tasty meal (THANKS!) we had fun visiting and seeing some of Krista's beautiful quilts and meeting her bird.
Shopping in Time Square and 5th Avenue. Can you tell how tired Matt was?
Lego beagle at Toys R Us - I wish we knew about that before buying real ones!
The Lego Statue of Liberty made up for my disappoint at not being able to
see the real one very well.
What an AMAZING adventure. Thank you to all who helped make the trip possible. And thanks to Matt for a wonderful 5 years. Year 6 looks to be a great one - no more business school on the weekends and a new baby on the way. 143 forever.
We had fun with all the Christmas preparations this year from the cookies to the decorations and most especially the surprise snowfall! Yes, in Houston!
Christmas crafts with Grandma Couch were a huge hit though. She always had something up her sleeve to help entertain all the grandkids. Sadly, the handprint for dad didn't work out quite as expected, but Danny was proud to give it to him anyway.
We had fun opening a few early presents from Grandmother and Papa Douthitt. However there was a bit of confusion when Matt and I through in a gift from ourselves as well. Mom and Dad Couch couldn't figure out why Grandmother and Papa had sent them an ultrasound picture and a little onesie. It only took a minute before they realized that it was from us, not the grandparents.
For Christmas Eve our friends the Swansons joined us. I warned them about our families traditional Christmas Eve Program and described it as a talent show. They were the only ones who provided real talent by singing a fabulous rendition of Michael Bubles song "Everything." Benjamin's not in the picture because he was playing the piano. 
We provided some more traditional family "talents" like a dance, 
a magic show,
and a doggie poem.
Fortunately we had enough tasty appetizers and treats that Swansons weren't scared away entirely. In fact, they still consider us friends even after our wacky talents. We did end the silliness by singing some Christmas hymns and watching the video of Luke 2. It was fun to keep asking Danny who we were celebrating just to hear his little voice say, "Baby Jesus." 
For Christmas Eve, all the cousins spent the night at our house. Leah left Santa a note at their house so he could find them and leave their presents in the right spot. They looked pretty great in the snowman jammies Grandma and Grandpa Billings got for all of them!
And Santa certainly did find all of us. He brought wheels for the kids who could walk and a jumper for the littlest one who couldn't. We had a fun morning giving and receiving gifts and after a delicious roast beef dinner enjoyed an afternoon of playing, relaxing, and being together. It was a Merry Christmas indeed!
