In Which We Go to Maaaaatha's Vineyard

Hope you enjoyed my pics from NYC!  It was uber-fun although by Monday our sweet family of 3 was also uber-exhausted and oh so happy to jump in the rental car and head up north to Martha's Vineyard...or as my hubby likes to call it - Maaaaatha's Vineyard (saying it this way makes you feel like you belong in this postcard village).

We loved this island - it was picturesque in every way...it was relaxing...and a perfect place to slow our pace!  Although NYC called for strollers with our wee one we quickly realized that the Vineyard was the perfect place for the Baby Bjorn so that Selah could swing her legs and enjoy the ocean breeze!

 How cute is my kid in her hat?!

Highlights from the Vineyard include:

1.  Marveling at Hydrangeas (my favorite flower)

2.  Touring the Island and stumbling across this gorgeous lighthouse

3.  Meandering through quaint little towns (loved this children's book store)

4.  Taking an afternoon to enjoy the beach

5.  Finding a hidden golf course so Josh could continue his quest to play all over the U.S.

(This is the face Josh makes when he misses a putt...he usually makes them)

6.  Taking self-portraits with my baby girl

...like this one...although I didn't quite get her cute face in there

...like this one...we were taking a shopping break

...like this one...at the beach

...and like this one...on the golf course

I know...it is a problem...but I'm thinking this may be how I try and document my adventures with Selah.  Nothing says I'm having fun quite like the awkward self-picture!

So that was Martha's Vineyard.  I have so much more I could tell you - boats on the harbor, delicious seafood, late night ice cream as we sat outside and listened to Selah sleeping indoors, lots of people watching, and good conversations with my smart hubby - Maaaatha's Vineyard will be remembered

The Allens Take Manhattan!

My sweet little family of 3 returned about a week ago from a whirlwind vacation to NYC & Martha's Vineyard...and it was fantastic!  I was a bit nervous traveling with Selah - it was her first time on a plane and I knew that all of our schedules would be thrown out...and yet, true to her wonderful and flexible nature - she was a trooper and was actually the best traveller out of the 10 of us who were there! 

In fact, this is Selah after our long day of plane rides...she was SO happy to just flail around on the bed...and I was SO happy to get a good picture of her beautiful blue eyes!

Here are highlights from NYC

DAY 1:  We started off with a trip to the Clinton Street Bakery since Josh's sister had seen them on food network.  I was game to try whatever (Joy knows delicious food - so if she says it is something we should try you go for it)...Let me just say...it was probably the BEST meal of the trip!

Just look at that excitement on Levi's face...and do you see what I'm holding...yes, it is divine french toast with carmelized bananas & pecans!

Afterwards, we took a boat ride to see NYC landmarks like the statue of liberty

I love this picture of my cute family on the boat!

 Here we are with Josh's family and Lady Liberty!  So thankful for all of them!

After a great boat ride and lots of walking...Lennie & Marcy offered to watch Selah so that Josh and I could have a date night.  I don't have pictures, but our date consisted of....an Italian dinner + the Tony award winning Memphis (where we happend to sit near Jason Segal - it's always so interesting watching famous people) + an aftershow cupcake at Magnolia Bakery (this is one of my most favorite places in NYC & I had to introduce Josh to it) + a late night stroll.  The date was perfect & Selah was sleeping soundly when we got home.  Thank you again, Lennie & Marcy!

DAY 2: Our second day was quite wonderful as well as we strolled through Central Park & then headed to 5th Avenue so that the kids could go to FAO Schwarz & the American Girl Doll store

Although this trip was for the big kids I decided that Selah needed a gift as well so she got a book about NYC & a stuffed elephant - she was ecstatic (can't you tell?)

The rest of the family then went to see Mary Poppins on Broadway (we didn't think Selah could sit quietly for 2+ hours)...so our cute family of 3 did some shopping.  Hello H&M!  So happy to see you again, Zara!  And I must tell you that although I did recently write a blog about my problem with purchasing shoes...I did, in fact, buy a fabulous pair of shoes (I'll post a pic at a later time).

That evening we took the kids to a crazy restaurant called Mars 2112 - it was like we were eating in Mars (red lights, "aliens" as our servers, etc) and then we went to Times Square so that the kids could see it lit up at night! 

Day 3: We started our day off in Central Park.  Although I've been there a few times before, it was really fun to discover some new things in this expansive and beautiful park! 

We enjoyed seeing the boat house, watching people sail miniature sail boats, the kids got to run around and we even heard a familiy singing the most beautiful songs to the Lord on this Sunday morning.  It was a special part of our time in NYC.

After Central Park we decided to have some lunch and then try out Serendipity where Josh and I indulged in some Frozen Hot Chocolate - delish!

That evening we got to experience both Chinatown & Little Italy!

And then we prepared to move north towards Massachusettes - I'll share some pics from this portion of the trip next.

Overall it was a special trip.  We so enjoyed being with Josh's family - there was lots of laughter, the kids were super sweet, and we realized that Selah is a fantastic traveler! 

Until next time!

Quick Update

As usual, it has been way too long since I've blogged...and in this course of time I have...

1. Traveled to Tulsa with the hubs to celebrate (his birthday & our anniversary)- Can you believe we have been married for 10 years!  I must devote an entire blog to this topic - it will come soon!
2. Had way too many conversations surrounding vuvuzellas...Although we did use the iphone vuvuzella app as a way to gauge the appreciation of brainstorm ideas at our zoe leaders retreat...Nothing like a room full of young adults with mobile phone vuvuzellas going off as someone tells Josh and I that we need to preach for a shorter time period to get the point across!
3. Wrecked the back of my car...yep - and not in a glorious way either.  I pulled out of my garage without looking and hit my mother's car which was parked directly behind me...Not only that, but apparently I am the Mario Andretti of garage drivers because I hit her car with such force that it rolled out into the street!  There were shrieks, arm waving, trying to stop her car, running...all by yours truly!  It was a site to behold.
4. Played and played and played with my baby girl!  Just love seeing her personality come out more and more.
5. Watched the rain (I'm doing this now & it is quite lovely)

I hope you have a most lovely 4th of July!  If you are in my neck of the woods - stay dry!

I Have a Confession

Mondays are typically when I share my gifts...

And often I try to be thankful for those meaningful moments...those intangibles that are really of value...

But today...I'm going to confess that I'm also thankful for...

MY SHOES!!!!

I love shoes...it is a problem really...

so today I'm confessing that although I AM thankful...I may actually have a problem

You see, when you look into my closet you will be greeted with this sight

But then your eyes will travel upwards and you will also notice these boxes

Yes, they are all filled with another pair of shoes...

And you might say, "Paige, that's not so bad..."

But then you will notice something sticking out from under the clothes

And THEN you would look to the left...

And then you might say...perhaps this is a bit much Paige.

Yes, I know. 

Now, as a disclaimer I would like to offer two things:  1. These shoes have accumulated over the last 10 years - seriously, a couple pairs have been in my ownership since the day I got married and because they are simple they have not gone out of style and therefore they remain in my closet.  2. Several of these are the result of a tragedy in my mother's life.  She had to have foot surgery a couple of years ago and the result of this surgery is that she can no longer wear fabulous high heels.  Do not bring this up to her as you may see tears well up in her eyes...you see, I inherited this shoe problem from my mother...so the day that she had to give up her high heels was a VERY sad day (for her).  For me, it was a day of great joy & celebration (although I did feel sorry for my mom).

Now that I have confessed, I would like to state that I am thankful for my shoes!

I am thankful for my latest purchase.  These are my new favorites that I got from Anthropologie.  They were fabulously cheap (and you know, nothing in cheap in Anthropologie, so I felt obligated to bring them home).

I am thankful for these lovely gems that were a part of my mother's collection.  I feel like both a lady & a rock star when I wear them.

I am thankful for these shockingly yellow sandals because they are both comfortable and fun.

And lastly, I'm thankful for my funky boots!  I bought them on 5th Avenue in NYC with my mom...so they bring up feelings of nostalgia each time I wear them.

I'm contemplating sharing each week a new pair that I am thankful for...if for no other reason than to remind myself that I do in fact have PLENTY of shoes & hopefully refrain from purchasing another pair...

What do you think?  Should I share more?  And do you have something that you need to confess?

Wonderful Dads

Thankful that my girl has a wonderful daddy...

Thankful that I have a wonderful dad too...

Happy Father's Day!

I Am Still Counting My Gifts (81-100)

I haven't given up on counting my gifts...just got a little behind. However, I am excited to reach 100...and after jotting a few more down, my heart is full of thanks! Perhaps you should join me in counting your gifts! I'm going to 1000!

81. A gorgeous backyard that continues to bloom even though we have black thumbs

82. A season of weddings – watching girls that I love join their lives with men of honor


83. A spontaneous trip to KC – finding that our spontaneity is still possible with a little one

84. Simply sitting in IHOP Prayer Room

85. Watching a little girl twirl in her tutu and then run to get hugs from her daddy…hearing God whisper at that moment that He stills sees me that way too

86. Faithful friends in which I could bare my soul…finding eyes of comfort and words of wisdom

87. A ruffled bikini for Selah’s first pool day

88. Watching Selah bring peace and joy to those who hold her…

89. …to a friend who recently miscarried

90. …to a sweet babysitter who needed to feel she “was living in a novel”

91. …to my lovely mom who has had too much on her plate recently

92. …to my Mema – who despite debilitating pain and frail bones joyfully held my sweet girl with a content smile and many kisses

93. An opportunity to serve – finding fulfillment in a little sweat

94. Arranging floral arrangements for a wedding – laughing at my lack of ability

95. Seeing the beauty of an old stained glass window

96. Talking with a pastor of a small country church – marveling at his warmth and grace…especially as I saw the sign that last Sunday’s attendance was 34…

97. Finding old treasures from my parents’ attic

98. Watching my sweet Selah roll over…and over…and over…

99. Using the hot weather as an excuse for cold treats – ice cream…yogurt…frozen custard…

100. Watching Josh read “Ten Fingers and Ten Toes” with great enthusiasm

Some Exciting Firsts

Selah has had some exciting firsts (well, they have been exciting for me!)

She was dedicated this past Sunday...

She got to experience her first swim day...couldn't resist the ruffle bikini...

She got her first round of shots...but even Scooby Doo band-aids didn't slow those little legs down...

And she attended her first wedding...congrats Mark & Erin!

It has been a busy couple of weeks for our little bug!