Almost here...

Four days to go. Here's one of the Monkey.

He LOVES Christmas!

Christmas from Kasey, Rob, and the rabbit

Pics from NYC

Clint on my fire escape.
On top of the Empire State Building.

On the subway.

Times Square

Looking at the Statue of Liberty.

Families Coming Together

This Thanksgiving marked a milestone in mine and Rob's relationship. We brought our families together and hosted a Thanksgiving meal. The turkey was from Whole Foods, and Mom helped with the sides, but Rob and I managed without any major hiccups.

Thursday morning we went to the Macy's Parade . Here's Pikachu!Then we picked up the turkey and walked through Central Park to the subway.Here's some shots from the meal...and the napping after.And that is Thanksgiving.

Thoughts of Thanksgiving

Last week at church we had a special service of Thanksgiving. Instead of a service we shared what we were thankful for. It got me thinking and all week I have been thinking about what I am thankful for rather than what I wish were different.

I am thankful for my family. I have a mom and a dad who love me and support me in anything I choose to do. And siblings, Grandma's, aunts, uncles, and cousins who are part of a close extended family that I am thankful I have.

I am thankful my family was able to come visit this Thanksgiving. We have had a great time so far and it is nice to fall into the same old patterns of talk and hanging out no matter where we are, Indiana or New York.

I am thankful for Rob. He has been there for me for so much this year, and he makes me smile. He couldn't have entered my life at a better time.

I am thankful that I have a job I love and all of the opportunities that the job has opened for me. I am so happy and excited about work and learning more and continuing my education while I work.

I am thankful for my friends. I sometimes take it for granted that I have friends who care for me. I am thankful for the small times we can take to spend time together.

I am thankful that no matter how bad things may seem, I still have good things in my life.

I am thankful that I was able to cook a Thanksgiving meal for eight with only a little help from Mom.

I am thankful that I am able to live comfortably and buy new shoes!

I am thankful for all of the travel I was able to do this year. The big trips and the short weekend jaunts.

I am thankful for all the blessings in my life. I need to remember more often these things. It helps the stress level.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Gems from the Kids

I thought I would post some of my favorite kid quotes from different research sessions over the past few months. Sometimes they give very cute answers and sometimes come up with just some of the strangest things.

On Bubble Guppies:
“Why are they wearing bathing suits?” (because they're Bubble Guppies!) “I want to be a Bubble Guppie!” 4-year-old girl

"They’re half fish! That’s a mermaid."

"It was funny because I was goin' like this (big smile)." 3yr old girl

On Construction:
“They were building, and made a doghouse, the dragon ate ice and ate a lot of crackers. He had a really big stomach!” 4-year-old boy

On Rock & Roll:
“When big crab pulled out a fork!” 4-year-old boy

“When he rings his bell and he can’t get the bell off the cow.” 3-year-old boy

On Restaurants:
“Mr. Grump was happy and the giant tomato was angry too. And Mr. Grump was angry like the tomato.” 3-year-old girl

"I didn’t like when the boy was stuck in the pickle, because if my mom was in the show and she was in there I wouldn’t like that." 4 year old boy

On Camping:
“A bear was comin’ to get them and an owl and he was about to sleep and they woke him up. And was eating marshmallows and he had the whole bag.” 3-year-old boy

“Camping on the dark side of the moon.” 5-year-old boy

On Cities:
“It’s hard to find a spot for the car. If there’s a spot you take it quickly and if you don’t someone else will take it.” 4 year-old-boy

On Doctors:
How was the python feeling? “I don’t know…. Nauseous?” 3-year-old boy

What would make the ape feel better? "I think he wants a leprechan!"

On Plays:
“Actors… the wolf came & Deema came over and she said she was late & she was like wolf don't come back. Can you read it again?” 4-year-old girl

"The owl going to kick the frog" (he means the wolf was going to get the Clam.)

On Spring:
“When he (Snow Monster) made it to winter. I hated it because I don’t want my life to be like that.” 5-year-old girl

“The fairy godmother (why?) she made flowers and then fireworks.” 3-year-old girl

The snowman. He;s not mad hes my friend.

On Dinosaurs:
(What dinosaurs do you know?) “A long tail" (Do you know any dinosaur names?) "Johnny" (Who’s Johnny?) "A big dinosaur.” 3-year-old girl


Now you see why I love my job.

Weekend to relax

I spend so much time traveling and scheduled on the weekends that I truly enjoy.

Saturday Rob and I drove up to his mom's house and she made us roast for lunch. Saturday night was Korean BBQ with some friends. It was an experience. They start by bringing hot tea and all kinds of sides. Tofu, noodles, potato salad, salad type stuff, and some spicy dishes. Then they bring out a bucket of coals and stick it in the middle of the table cover it with a metal rack, and cook the meat right there in front of you! We had beef and pork. To eat the beef you dip the beef in bean paste and wrap it in a lettuce leaf. The pork you dip in some oil and wrap in a radish slice. Very interesting and quite tasty.

Sunday Rob and I watched a movie and took a nap with the rabbit on the couch. The bunny gave us quite a scare last night when he took a nose dive from Rob's arms to the floor! But he seems to have recovered just fine.

And now I look forward to a busy week ahead...