Love those Founding Fathers - Poconos

Who could ask for anything better than Presidents Day Weekend in the Poconos?  Well, I guess going some place warm could top it...but since that wasn't an option...the Poconos was the perfect location for a weekend away from NYC.   We rented a cute little cabin deep in the heart of the Poconos.  The whole weekend was spent laughing, relaxing, listening to amazing music, watching movies, playing games until the wee hours of the morning, cooking delicious food, and enjoying nature.  The morning that we left we woke up to a foot of snow.  Oh how we wanted to stay and and play in the snow....but unfortunately, it was time to head back to the city.  

Cruisin down the Westside Highway - NYC

Sometimes NYC throws you a bone and you remember why you love living here.  This winter has been extremely cold, depressing, and long!  Thankfully, we were blessed with a couple days of 60 degree weather last week.  On Friday my friend Joanne, her dog Kaylie, and I took a bike ride down the Westside Highway.  This was my first time riding a bike in NYC and it was so exhilarating!   I felt like a little kid again.  I love sunshine, bikes, and NYC!

U-Haulin' in the Big Apple - NYC

Sometimes you have to get a little creative when moving things in the city.  Today was no exception.  Jenna and Chuck needed to move a couch today so they called in the troops (me, Alisa, and Maria) to help them out.  Jenna had rented a U-Haul for a few hours to make the move happen.  Unfortunately, there was only room for two people up in the front of the cab.  So, obviously, after we loaded the couch into the back of the truck, Alisa, Maria, and I hopped into the back and sat on the couch as we drove from 20th St. and 7th Ave to 52nd St and 8th Ave.  We weren't quite expecting it to be pitch black when Chuck shut and locked the door.....but don't worry, Maria's trusty flashlight app on her iPhone (she must have been a girl scout) got us through the ride.  Our ride was filled with a lot of laughing, screaming, slipping, sliding, and singing.  Oh, and thanks to the strobe light app, we had a little dance party to "Dynamite" too.   Just another Saturday in the city.

PS - If you are in need of a couch, you might be able to pick one up off the street in Hell's Kitchen.

Snowed In - NYC

So, I've been in NYC for the last few weeks.....and if any of you out there follow the news, you would know we have been slammed with some intense snow storms....including the storm on Wednesday.  It was fun watching the snow accumulate but the aftermath was miserable.  I spent the whole day yesterday slipping and sliding on icy sidewalks, braving slushy ice puddles in my trusty rain boots, and getting sprayed by disgusting slush as cabs sped by.

Here are a few pics from my old Cornelia Street apartment (big shout out Alisa who is letting me stay here while she is in warm California):

Christmas has come and gone - Rexburg, ID

Christmas at the Sparhawk house was off the hook this year!  The entire family was home - including the newest member of our family - Rachael!  We had an amazing time together and there were no major holiday meltdowns.....although, we did come close to one on Christmas Eve morning.  Everyone woke up in a bad mood but by 11am everyone was happy again.  Phew!


Here is a quick recap....


Christmas Eve:
-Prepped and cooked everything for the next couple days
-Delivered Christmas presents to neighbors and friends
-Ate dinner with the family and a few neighbors (turkey, dressing, rolls, cranberry ice, mashed potatoes, assortment of pies  - yes, we basically recreated Thanksgiving dinner)
-Had our famous Christmas program and sang lots of Christmas songs
-Opened up pajamas (My mom tried to get nix this tradition this year but we all threw a fit and got our way.  Another tradition saved!)
-Drove around the Burg and looked at all of the Christmas lights
-Stayed up until the wee hours of the morning trying to conquer Super Mario on the Wii

Christmas Day:
-Woke up at 7am to open presents (Adam tried with all of his heart to get us to wake up at 5am but of course that was never going to happen.  I lobby every year to wake up at 10am.  One of these days I'm going to win!)
-Ate a delicious breakfast (baked eggs (best eggs ever), sausage, blueberry muffins, orange juice, hot chocolate)
-Played games, watched movies, put together puzzles
-Ate Christmas dinner (crab cocktails, ham, funeral potatoes, peas, rolls, and Helen's Good Stuff)
-Had another Christmas program
-Played games till we couldn't play anymore

My favorite part of the holiday was when the whole family gathered around to play Super Mario on the Wii.  We have never had video games in our house so imagine the craziness as a room full of 25+ year olds tried to master Super Mario in two days.  There was a lot of screaming and laughing coming from our family room at all hours of the day.  It was kind of amazing!

Boys will be boys - Rexburg, ID

On our way to pick up Liesel from the Salt Lake Express bus drop off, Andrew thought it would be funny to hop in the trunk of the car so he could scare Liesel when she put her luggage in the back.  We loved the idea!  So, as soon as we saw the bus pulling off the freeway, Andrew hopped into the trunk.  We greeted Liesel as she got off the bus and quickly ushered her to the back of the car.  We popped the trunk and BAM Andrew jumped out and scared her to death.

Home for the holidays - Rexburg, ID

That's right folks, I'm back in the Burg for a few weeks.  Since my mom was offended by my last Idaho post (she said my pictures made it seem "hokie" and that I should show pics of the "big city" and explain that some people here have some "class") I'm going to try to showcase all of the "classy" things about Idaho.

First, Idaho is busting with culture!  I spent my first three nights in Idaho attending Christmas concerts:  BYU-I Christmas in the Snow, Idaho Falls Symphony, and BYU-I's performance of the Messiah.  All of the concerts were very enjoyable but if I had to pick a favorite, the Messiah would win hands down.  I must admit I was a tad disappointed they decided to perform a shortened version of the Messiah.  I mean, I appreciate the fact that they are aware that most people have a hard time sitting there for three hours, but I was upset by some of the songs they chose to cut.  How can you cut out "All we like sheep"?  I don't get it?

Second, Idaho has some architectural wonders!  I attended the dedication of the new BYU-Idaho Center.  This is a beautiful new auditorium that can hold up to 15,000 people.  The building is basically a smaller version of the Conference Center at Temple Square in Salt Lake.  Once you are inside you would swear it was the same building.  The dedication service was lovely.   It was great being back on campus.  I loved seeing how much it has changed over the last nine years.  Oh, and I even ran into a couple professors who still remembered me!  But in all honesty, how could you forget me?

http://www.byui.edu/byuidahocenter/facts_photos.htm

Third, Idaho is a winter wonderland!  There is no doubt that we will be having a white Christmas in Idaho this year.  The trees are so pretty after a fresh snow fall.  One morning, the sky was so clear that it seemed like you could see forever.  Those are the days that make living in Idaho a dream.  We have had several snow storms and the roads are currently covered in ice.  In Rexburg, we don't believe in plowing the snow and ice completely off the roads.  Apparently, the city doesn't like to lower the blades all the way to the ground because it dulls the blades.  Obviously, the city values the cost of blades over people's lives.   Those damn republicans!

PS - I must issue an Idaho health warning.  A nasty cold virus is spreading like wildfire in Rexburg...and don't worry, I got it!  It literally wiped me out for a good five days and now it's been over a week and I still have it!

PPS -Fourth,  Idaho is home to BSU.....what does Utah have to say about that?!?!  Way to go BSU, even though you were ripped off by the BSC.  You are a classy team!