The Dixons take Manhattan

Seth & I will be celebrating our 10th anniversary on Tuesday and, to celebrate, we decided to take the family to New York City. In the past, we've been lucky enough to make the trip alone (thanks Mom), but we decided it would be fun to try making the trip as a family. A small miracle occured along the way-we didn't have to stop at any bathrooms. That's progress, people.

Here's Katie-cakes on the subway. She kind of reminds me of Randy in a Christmas Story-she can't really put her arms all the way down.

Nate could put his arms down, he just didn't want to. Here we are catching a train down to Battery Park to take the ferry out to Staten Island. The kids love ferry rides (it was the only thing they talked about after we visited Boston) and I wanted them to see the Statue of Liberty.

I hate to say it, but my kids are wimps. Kylie walked from the subway station to the ferry, only to collapse in the elevator. She wasn't alone; Kaitlyn collapsed as well, but not as photogenically. Maybe it was the 10 pounds of winter wear I had them dressed in.

Our gift from our French friends.

Does this island look like it belongs somewhere remote and peaceful? This island is just off Staten Island, but it seems so out of place. On every side you find all of the industrial trappings associated with a busy harbor with this little gem in the middle of it all.

Our little geographer in the making. He loves maps, just like his dad.

A serendipitous moment: the unexpected tree at the Stock Exchange. We ended up liking this one more than the Rockefeller Tree.

Just another day on the subway. Kylie's got her careworn New Yorker face on.

Free hugs, get 'em while they're hot.

"All aboard to Santa Land!" The kids loved our conductor and this place, the decorating is so extensive they leave it up year round. I also loved it because the line moved rather quickly for the biggest department store in New York City on the last Saturday morning before Christmas.

Decisions, decisions...

The man himself. This is the first year that my kids didn't treat Santa like he had an extra eye or a communicable disease.

Like I said, the Wall Street tree was better and less crowded.

One of the things I love about Kylie is her ability to surprise me. When I asked what she would like to see in New York City, she replied, "Balto." I thought she'd give me a generic answer, but instead she taught me something. Me, "What??" So she (a second grader) explained to me (age unknown) about the dog that saved the town of Nome, Alaska.

The kids came to life in Central Park. All of the whining ended, no one needed to be carried and it started to snow. Although they enjoyed the things we took them to, in the end they just like climbing big rocks and running around best. I guess Olmsted knew best.

"The enjoyment of scenery employs the mind without fatigue and yet exercises it; tranquilizes it and yet enlivens it; and thus, through the influence of the mind over the body gives the effect of refreshing rest and reinvigoration to the whole system." --- Frederick Law Olmsted
Central Park's designer

Live Free or Die-NH

Two weeks ago, we took an extended weekend visit to New Hampshire to stay with my aunt and uncle. Live free or die is on their license plates and tells you something of the people who live there. We had our first outdoorsy adventures in a long time. Generally, our time outdoors is going to the playground or, more recently, the beach. Our first full day in NH we climbed Mt. Piper and picked a gallon of blueberries.

The kids got tired, but mostly they walked. Round-trip this was a two mile excursion uphill-yes, both ways:)
My aunt Janet made us a blueberry pie and then sent us home with the rest of the blueberries. Yummy.
Our second day we spent canoeing and swimming on Lake Squam. If you've seen "On Golden Pond" with Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda, this is the lake. It's gorgeous. Notice how you don't see any cottages? They are required to leave the trees along the shoreline and build behind them, pure genius.

Nate became a blueberry connoisseur. We picnicked on a huge rock and, while wading around, Nate found blueberry bushes and helped himself.

Fun swimming with Daddy.

Seven or seventeen?
Okay, this lake is full of huge boulders. They freak me out. Even though we were in a canoe-thus only two inches down in the water-I could imagine us tipping or getting a hole in the canoe. No wonder they chose that particular problem in the movie.

My Uncle Gary hoping to see some wildlife. Overly hopeful with my loud children in his canoe.

Loons. They had a baby with them but I couldn't get him in the photo. They have the most beautiful call.

On our final day of the visit we went to the Squam Lake Science Center where my aunt works. It's very child-friendly and has a lot of animals native to the area. I like this photo of the kids.

Let's go Cougars...let's go! I mean, We Are...Penn State! I have conflicting loyalties.

The girls in a faux bear cave. They loved this.
Nate and my aunt studying what a bear eats.

We walked through a marsh area on our way to the exit and I saw this Monarch. We had a great visit that Nate can't stop talking about.

Life in Little Rhodey

If anyone out there still checks to see if I have updated my blog, I have two things to say. First, thanks! Second, sorry-I've been really busy. This picture is a large part of why I've been busy. I hated the wallpaper in this room and determined that as soon as the ink was dry and the keys to the house were in my hands I'd attack this room with vigor.

And I did. It fought me every step of the way. Sections of wallpaper pulled old paint off the walls. Wallpaper, I've realized, is used to hide a multitude of sins-all of which are a headache for the person foolish enough to pull off the wallpaper.

Twenty plus hours later, I let the girls chose the color of paint and initially regretted it. It was too bright for a subtle person like myself. However, this wasn't my room. It was for the girls and they loved it. After all the bedding and pieces of decor were added I had to admit I liked my girl's bold tastes.

My friend Deborah, who was been such a help to us, invited us to Scarborough Beach our first week. There was a large group of us, mostly kids, and they discovered 5 starfish. The girls had no intention of touching them, but Nate is always a brave boy.

Not a great photo, but home to 5 starfish for the duration of that day. They also found eels...ick.

Kaitlyn, who will never look at the camera if she can help it.

We decided that if we were going to live within five minutes (literally) of a zoo we needed to be members. So far, we have visited three times and learn a little more each time.

Kate and Nate.

Kaitlyn is touching a wildebeest hide and Nate is reaching for an elephant tooth.


Kylie loves the giraffes and has an amazing memory for the facts that she's been picking up on our trips to the zoo.
This is a harbor seal and the really cool thing is that we have them here in Rhode Island. I would love to see one out in the bay.

Our move has been good so far. The kids are getting used to the house and making new friends. We miss all of you back in PA and hope you are well.

Almost famous...

After four years out of Utah, I had the opportunity to return for a writer's workshop at BYU. We didn't talk about Stephenie Meyer much...not more than ten times a day, anyway. The bag of apples they gave us were bruised, but they made a great photo op.

Memorize these faces. This is the future of young adult chic lit.

Each morning we had a workshop with author, Janette Rallison. Okay, so I look terrible, but isn't Janette cute?

Here is where Seth and I met so long ago.

I love BYU's campus and the mountains. I enjoyed learning, visiting old friends and making new friends-it was a great week.

Nate's birthday-aargh.

When I told Kylie I needed to put Nate's birthday pictures on our blog she said, "What? His birthday was a month ago!" Observant, isn't she?

Anyway, for those of you who know me well, I never have the patience to do desserts like the one seen above. However, my good friend, Megan, was willing to help the cake-decorating-impaired person that I am.

We had his party at Spring Creek Park. My kids always want their parties here so they can play in the sand, water or on the playground. It's a beautiful park and we will miss it when we move.

The wee Miss Kaitlyn Grace. Don't be fooled by that sweet face, she'll make you walk the plank.

The birthday boy. Please note the pirate pinata. After Kaitlyn's Jedi party, all my kids need pinata's now.

Nate, Lucy (who he either hugs or fights with), Kaitlyn, and cousin Dani.

Our neighbor Jonny, cousin Ben (the spy), Kylie and cousin Natalie (ice skater extraordinaire)

Seth and our little ninja. Nate loves Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and has picked up their moves-watch out!

Craig, Seth and Trisha

Everyone who comes to State College has to get their photo with the Nittany Lion...it's a law. We are so grateful we could have this day with the Oceanside Dixons.

Hats off to Dr. Dixon!

Today Seth received his PhD after years of hard work and we were lucky enough to be surrounded by our family. I love this photo of Nate.

Craig & Trisha's family is here with us and we are excited to spend time with them this week.




The cousins have had a great time playing together. They made a huge mess and loved it.


The elusive Ben Dixon. Apparently he wants to be a spy and is working on his computer skills.


The hooding. Seth's adviser, Deryck Holdsworth, sat with him and walked across the stage with him as well. I liked the symbolism of him staying with Seth until the end.


When crossing the stage, Seth was handed the 'real' certificate of graduation.


I love this photo too. Deryck has been fantastic. We are so grateful for his intelligence and wisdom. Congratulations, Seth!

Life is a beach

We met my sister, Chrissy & her husband, Tom, at the beach house on Topsail Beach. My parents drove down with us and we had adventures like Nate throwing up in his car seat.

But we're here and loving every minute of it. Nate has been asking for the beach since we left here last year-I'm glad we can finally give him what he wants.

Seth is the best beach dad because he loves doing all the same things the kids do. From this small beginning came a huge sand castle.

My happy boy

The dunes

I'm not quite as fun at the beach, but I do enjoy burying the children. They thought it was fun too.
The intercoastal waterway runs behind our beach house and we have a dock. We tempted the crabs with pepperoni and were able to catch a few. Kylie was terrified of them to begin with but eventually stopped running away:)