Happy New Year!

My sister surprised us by coming into town this past week. It was a great surprise. Since she lives in DC we don't get to see each other as often as we would like so this was a real treat. We headed into the city to meet up with them.

Hanging at Starbucks while dad had to take care of a work emergency. Nothing says good times like some hot chocolate with whipped cream.

The emergency ended up taking longer then he thought it would.

Waiting for daddy. Boooooorrrriiinngggg!

Once we were all together again, it was time for sushi! Edamame for everyone.

Full bellies means it is time to meet up with the cousins. Yeah! A quick subway ride uptown was full of adventure. This was the kids first real subway ride. We were entertained by some street singers. They were very good and we felt bad that we did not have any small change to give them. When we got off we the kids had their 2nd real New York City subway experience: Pay attention to what is going on around you. At our stop when we got off the train we immediately went to the left because a child was throwing up on the platform to our right.

Riding the subway. That's my daddy!

We headed downtown to have dinner at RUB (Righteous Urban Barbecue. http://www.rubbbq.net). We partook of some barbecued bacon slabs, chopped beef sandwiches, BLT's, pulled portobello mushrooms, ribs, and some home style potato salad, baked beans (with bacon), some wilted greens (also with bacon), and of course-french fries. The kids loved it because it was the kind of place where you don't get in trouble for being loud and kid like.

Having a good time with my cousin.

Cousins riding the subway.

After dinner we took my sisters kids home with us so my sister and her partner could have a night out in the city. Sleepover! They cousins all had a ball. Best of all was the surprise snow. When we woke up there was snow on the ground. I put all the kids to work shoveling snow. Many hands make little work.