Happy Birthday Mick!

Last night was Mick's birthday, and there was much celebrating - complete with cake!
Erin looking very pleased with her carrot cake extravaganza!




















Getting some help blowing out the candles....















.....make a wish!

Day at Stone Barns

Yesterday - whilst poor David was stuck working on a Saturday - we headed over to Stone Barns. It is part of the Rockefeller estate, that was donated to New York, and is focused on organic community based food- production and its education. It even has an upscale restaurant where the menu is based around seasonal ingredients of all the produce grown on the farm.

The estate itself is 80 acres complete with its own river, and has a collection of farm animals that can be seen and touched by the public. We had a great day taking a hike around the estate and then visiting the pigs, cows, chickens, turkeys, bee-hives, and the green house.

Miles attempting to fish




















"is it just me or do those pigs smell?"

First week back at work

Well it has been quite the shock going back to work after nearly 4 months off!
Exhausted is a word that springs to mind.
We are both enjoying getting back into the swing of things and making new friends along the way.
I am hoping to have slightly more exciting news this week - but for now its off to bed!

Cute things kids say

After a little over a week and half at Mick and Erin's there has been some pretty funny moments. Mostly as the results of classic one-liners from Davis and Miles.
Here's a few examples:

Miles: "David you are a ponk! " (aka a punk)

Davis : "These are my poofy socks. When I hit the ball it goes "poof"........ poof! poof! poof!"

Miles: "I love you Alex........I want to keep you forever........like a pet"

Mick: "These kids are Italian! It takes 3 hours for them to eat!"

Miles: "Alex stop bossing David"
Alex: "Did he tell you to tell me that?"
Miles: "Yes .......umm.......i think.........i don't remember?"

Erin: "Why are the kids watching TV?'
Davis: "Miles did a poo"
David: "Yeah he did - and thanks for leaving me at home to deal with that"

Miles: "Where's your family?"
Alex: "In Australia"
Miles: "Do you want to be in my family ? So you don't get sad?"

Davis: "Alex you smell nice.......but your lips are sticky"

Miles: "Why would you move?"
Alex: "So we can have our own home"
Davis: "No..............Don't ever leave us! Don't ever leave us!"
Miles: "I'll put a lock on the door so you can't!"
David: "But don't you want to come over for a play date?"
Miles: "Oh okay ........"
Davis: "Yeah you can move"

Dinner with the Newly Weds

After a jam packed day of sight seeing with Beck and more apartment searching - we caught up with Jay and Erica. They are just back from a fabulous honeymoon in Argentina - looking like very loved up newlyweds!

We had challenged Jay to find us some spicy indian and he did not disappoint......our tongues were still burning as we left the restaurant!!!
















"hold me that vindaloo was spicy"
















The Curtises and Altschuler's!!! Here's to many more fun times together!

Australian Entourage....Part 2

Yesterday we headed back into town to see Beck before she jetted back to Oz.
We had a fun day seeing the Guggenheim, and walking along Central Park...















seeing the MET............ and the Frick Collection....




















......taking a short stop for pretzels.....















.....and then Alice's Tea Cup for lunch - a cute cafe all themed in Alice in Wonderland!















More tea!!
















It was great having the Aussie contingency represent, and I hope we have more Aussie soon!
Oi Oi Oi!

Australian Entourage!

Yesterday we headed into the City for jobs interviews and apartment searching. After a long day, we caught up with an friend from David's old work, Beck who is in New York this week visiting. We enjoyed champagne and cocktails at the Top Of The Rock at the top of NBC studios - which has a view of the Empire State and Chrysler building - fabulous!!




















Beck and David outside Radio City




















We then headed out to dinner at a funky mexican restaurant Dos Caminos. Unfortunately the camera battery ran out before the guacamole was served, so heres the link to get an idea of the decor!
http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/dos_caminos_third_avenue/index.php

Snow Storm

Last night a massive snow storm came through and dumped about 10 inches of snow. We woke up this morning to find everything in white!! Luckily we had the boys to help shovel the snow!

A view of the car from the front door.




















The driveway gone completely white.
















The house in the middle of the blizzard..............
















.............and yes, it really is that big!

















Davis helping shovel the snow.




















With all this bad weather we have decided to stay indoors, light the fire and toast some marsh mellows!

Davis's Birthday

Well we have finally arrived in New York!! We are staying with fellow Aussie Mick, his wife Erin and their 2 adorable boys Davis and Miles. This week was Davis's 5th birthday - and party at the California Pizza Kitchen.

All the kids got to make their own pizza and sundae, followed by a tour of the kitchen and then a space themed birthday cake complete with black frosting!! There was much squealing and giggling!!

It was lots of fun and bought back many birthday memories such as the Woman's Weekly Birthday Cookbook, ice-skating parties complete with wet jeans and ice-cream cakes, pool parties with pool pony rides, the magician party where the glass of milk turned into confetti and of course pass the parcel and musical chairs that always ended up with the birthday girl winning!! hehe















Davis birthday cake.............and blowing out the candles.















The boys enjoying the cake.....















........and the result of too much cake....















............and miles just before a sugar meltdown - bless.