Friday in The BIG APPLE

Day 2 in New York started out... in New Jersey, but after 30 minutes on the bus we were back in the heart of Times Square. First item of business: visiting Toys R Us in Times Square.
 

We didn't have any kids with us, but we sure had a lot of fun any way!
 

BIG Candy! Yum! They even had those big, chewy Sweet Tarts, the kind I had as a kid. I had to get one. (We also got these little puppies for the kids at home. They have I *heart* NY shirts on).
 

No, we didn't ride the Ferris Wheel. Maybe next time. ;)
 

Took this picture for Josh, who loves his Hershey's syrup.
 

No we did not go to Disney Land, that was for our Honeymoon. Did you know Times Square is home of Minnie, Mickey, Elmo, Spiderman, and The Naked Cowboy?!  (Didn't get my picture taken with that one. . . )
 

We made our way to the West side of Manhattan for our 75 minute Circle Line Cruise to see the Statue of Liberty.
Lovin' this picture of my hot date waiting for the tour to start.
 

I had to have one of these hats for the tour. They were actually a BIG hit with lots of people on the boat.

Ryan eating an apple looking out over the Big Apple. Clever, clever. . .
 

Our Lady of Liberty!
 

It seemed that most people we encountered did not speak English, including this girl who some how communicated with me that she wanted her picture taken with me. Ryan even let her wear his hat. Told you they were a big hit!
 

Heading back to the dock. Can you see Freedom Tower in the background on the right? (It's the tallest building).
 

Today we also made it to the MOMA, Museum of Modern Art. We had walked into this room and I was looking around in awe, when Ryan told me to turn around. This is what I saw. Then the tears came.
 

Monet! Love this one too, plus it matches my shirt.
 

Ryan posing in front of a Mondrian. I fell in love with Ryan all over again on this trip. I love being with someone who can walk into a gallery and recognize a Mondrian on sight. 

We saw Jackson Pollack too. I don't care if my kids say they could do that, I still think it's pretty cool.
 

Hee hee, I LOVE this!
 

Does this look familiar?
 

Dinner in the Empire State Building with this fine specimen. ;)
 

By the time we made it to the Empire State Building that night I was beyond tired. Tired, was hours ago. Fortunately we didn't have to take the stairs to get to the observation deck!

Our view of Times Square from the top of the Empire State Building. Wow.

 

Thursday: Day ONE in NYC

On June 11th Ryan and I hit our 10th Anniversary. For a few years now we have planned to go on a trip to New York City for the occasion. It almost didn't happen, for a few reasons (I'm really pregnant, Danny was in the hospital the day we were supposed to leave. . . ) but we actually did it! We actually packed our suitcases, kissed the kiddos goodbye (leaving them in good hands with Grandma) and flew to the BIG APPLE!

Here are highlights from Thursday, our first full day in the city.
NBC Studio tour. Can you see "Lamb Chop" in the upper right hand corner?!?
On our lovely tour Ryan got to be the weather man for our group. What a star!
 

The NBC studio tour is located in the GE building at 30 Rockefeller Center. (Yes, we are 30 Rock fans). So we had to make a trip up to the "Top of the Rock". You have to go through security, and ride several elevators. Took this picture at security for Jared who desperately wants a pocket knife for Christmas. It's not happening.

Our view to the north, looking out over Central Park.
 

A shot of the main photographer from our trip.
 

We did a lot of this. Ryan got us all over the city like a pro.
 

We just barely missed the cut off to be in a live audience taping at NBC but we did get to be in the Dress Rehearsal for the SNL weekend update with Seth Meyers. AND we got 3rd row tickets for Phantom of the Opera at the Majestic Theater. (Thanks to waiting in line at TKTS in Times Square).

We had to stop and visit M&M World in Times Square. Look, a little peanut for my little peanut! Ha!
 

Decided on a mix of blue, peanut M&M's to calm the chocolate craving that hit the moment we walked in the store.
 

I could go home happy after the first day (glad I didn't though!) I got myself a New York Cup Cake!

Our trip to Magnolia Bakery was well worth it. The  cup cakes were good, but the Banana Pudding was AMAZING!
 

Waiting for the show.
 

Okay, this is what I really did while waiting for the show. Yum!
 

This is what we did after the show. There is no shortage of food options in NYC!

After that, with aching feet, we made our way back to Port Authority Bus Terminal to take us back to our hotel in Jersey to rest up before another day of fun in just a few short hours.

Watch Us Grow

Back in 2005 we started a tradition, on accident. We lived in Pennsylvania, it was the first weekend in October and we had a few hours to kill before the General Conference broadcast would begin.(On the east coast it doesn't begin until noon). We headed off on a drive and found ourselves at a State Park. It was such a beautiful, quiet morning we were delighted when we realized our camera was in the car. And so began our Conference Morning Photo Shoot tradition.
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2005

In 2005 we lived in Clarks Summit, PA. Danny had just turned 2 and Jared was 7 months old.
 

2006

In 2006 We lived in Madison, Wisconsin. Ryan had just started designing for Johnson Health Tech / Horizon Fitness.
 

2007

In 2007 We lived in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin and had just moved into our first house with these two little munchkins. Danny had just turned 4 and
Jared 2 1/2.

2008

In the fall of 2008 we found out we were expecting a 3rd baby! This picture happened to be taken the day we got the good news.!
 

2009

In 2009 We welcomed our 3rd boy, Joshua Kian Hochstrasser to the family. Could a baby boy be more loved!?!
 

2010

Our 2010 Photo shoot would be our last one in Wisconsin. Danny was in First Grade and Jared had just begun Kindergarten. 

2011

2011 Was a BIG year for Team Hochstrasser. We sold our home in Wisconsin and moved to a rental in Logan, Utah where Ryan began working for ICON fitness. The end of that summer we moved to our house in Hyrum, Utah. 

2012

Here we are in 2012. Danny is in 3rd Grade and Jared in 2nd Grade. Josh is 3 and has started preschool. The biggest news of course being that BABY BOY #4 will be joining the team this December!

A Hospital Birthday for Danny

The week before Danny's 9th birthday went like this:
Monday: Headache
Tuesday: Headache
Wednesday: Headache
Thursday: Complains of pain in his eye socket like a bruise.
See the doctor for the first time. Diagnosis: none
Friday: Area around eye turns red and puffy. See the doctor for the 2nd time. Diagnosis: Not pink eye, not contagious, possibly allergies. We still have his birthday party
Saturday: Getting more swollen. Visit his great-grandma Mahoney in Salt Lake. Saturday night: time for a trip to the E.R.

Saturday night Danny had his first MRI. That was a breeze for him compared to getting his IV. Diagnosis: A Sinus Infection Gone Wrong. (I can't remember the technical name...) Though he had no symptoms of a sinus infection, he had one, and it went THROUGH THE BONE, into the area around his right eye. Doctors take that pretty seriously (Mom's too!)
So, Saturday Night Danny was admitted to the hospital with an infection in his eye, just hours before his 9th birthday.
 

Happy Birthday Danny! Glad he had something to smile about. :)

Fortunately Grandma was in town with her digital flame so Danny could blow out a candle in the hospital.
 

It ended up being a memorable birthday to say the least, and maybe a little fun... for some of us.

 Other than a reaction to the Vancomyacin, which they got all sorted out, the antibiotics worked great and Danny did not need surgery, which was a big answer to a little boys prayer who was very nervous. We were happy to bring him home on Monday. (Just in time for Mom and Dad to leave for their 10th anniversary trip to NYC, only 2 days postponed!)

Our Danny Boy is NINE!

It is hard to believe he is already 9 years old! Before we know it (in 9 more years) he will almost be out the door and on his way to his own grown up life. Let's not think about that right now.
 

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Ninja Danny celebrated with a "FRUIT NINJA" party.
 

Danny and his brothers in Ninja gear made from t-shirts.
 

Chop that fruit! I love XBOX 360... instant party!!
 

Hmmm... maybe there is something wrong with his eye.