This is just Day One, so I hope you won't begin to be bored with the next few posts. For those of you who don't know, Michael had a business trip to New York in August, and I got to go with him. Our flight was earlier in the day than the hotel expected, so they stored our baggage, upgraded us to a suite on the top floor, and then asked us to come back in a few hours. So we went for a walk.
The pond in Central Park.
That's the Plaza Hotel in the background on the left.
Random people getting their pic taken with "The Statue of Liberty."
(You guys know it's not the real one, right?)
Looking back into the park.
The trees are so old, it looks more like a forest than a park.
Carriage ride around the park, anyone?
Or perhaps a cheap, knockoff purse and a bicycle carriage ride?
Michael just thought this building was cool.
We walked up Avenue of the Americas.
Blurry Radio City Music Hall.
Inside Grand Central Station.
It was a very hot and humid day to be traipsing all over the city.
More Grand Central Station.
It was two blocks from our hotel.
You can catch any subway line from there.
Finally back at the hotel.
My feet were KILLING me.
Can you say, "Blister"?
The "other" room in our suite.
Starbursts instead of mints on the plates that were hidden in the table.
Soup dumplings in Chinatown with Molly.
Yum!
This place was in a tiny, little alleyway, and it was packed! The hostess barely spoke English, and she was very abrupt. We had no idea if we were supposed to wait and or come in or what. We followed her in one time, and she chased us back out -- good-naturedly -- well, somewhat. Anyway, it was worth the wait. The food was EXCELLENT.
Gelato in Little Italy for dessert.
Stay tuned for more New York posts. Or don't. I mean, if it's boring to you, you don't have to check back. We had a blast, though. I would totally go back again!
Morgan's theater group did a production of Alice in Wonderland: Through the Lookingglass. Last night was the final show. It was very good -- funny and creepy. Alice was a little angry for my taste, but other than that, very good. Because of band conflicts, Morgan wasn't able to be at all the shows, so they gave her a part where there were four of them. Others of the girls were in band too, so they were Jabberwockies with her. 
The pond in Central Park.
Random people getting their pic taken with "The Statue of Liberty."
Looking back into the park.
Or perhaps a cheap, knockoff purse and a bicycle carriage ride?
Michael just thought this building was cool.
Blurry Radio City Music Hall.
Finally back at the hotel. 
Soup dumplings in Chinatown with Molly.
I have been waiting on his birthday post, because I wanted to put a baby pic on here too. Apparently the discs with all my pictures are lost, and I'm going to have to go burn them again. Anyway, you can see what he looks like now. He's an old soul, this one.
But full of mischief nonetheless. Cade, when he learned to walk, ran everywhere instead of walking, and he still does. He is not afraid to try anything (although he does get shy around grownups at first). He is a perfectionist -- truly. He has great desires to do everything right. He's very distractable, so he forgets a lot, but he always responds when you ask him to do something. He is not defiant at all. He can do flips on the trampoline and hand stands against the wall. He is an excellent reader and good at math. He is a good big brother. He is always willing to give things up to his younger brothers if they want something he has. He has a testimony and wants to do what's right. He has very sweet and tender feelings. He told me that sometimes he gets so excited that his eyes get watery -- like when you bear your testimony. He is all boy. He loves lightsabers, dart guns, legos, pizza, wrestling, making noise, Star Wars, Bionicles -- you get the idea. He's kind of afraid of dogs, but he wants one. I think he needs one. A dog is about the only thing that can keep up with my him. Look out world, because he's going to make his mark on you. Can't slow HIM down. Love you, buddy!
Ready for the snap.
Calling the play.
Brandon is very diligent about his homework, about his priesthood and scouting duties, even about organization. He keeps getting the "Most Organized" award at the end of the school year. He is an excellent big brother to all those little boys -- especially Kellen and Liam. He is setting such a good example to them of how a young man should be. I am so proud of him and who he is growing into. I can't wait to see more of him as he matures and grows. He still has not gotten too cool to like his mother, and he treats me with great respect and love. He has a testimony of the Gospel and the Savior and is always trying to do what is right. I could not have asked for a better oldest son. He is an excellent student, musician, scouter, athlete (quarterback and inside linebacker), son, brother, friend. And what a great smile! Love you, Buddy!
He's way too little to go to school in my mind, but at the same time, he's perfectly ready. I can't believe how big he's getting. I asked him how school was after the first day, and he shrugged his shoulders and said it was fine. No big deal, Mom. That's what he was telling me. However, he is thrilled each day to show me that he got a green face in his folder -- still, and we're in week four here.
