The Rum Diary premier in NYC

Dave and I attended the NYC movie premiere of The Rum Diary, starring Johnny Depp and Amber Heard  Tuesday night at Museum of Modern Art.  Aaron Eckhart didn't attend, unfortunately.  While the movie premiere was fun to attend, I think the NYC premiere was a little more subdued than a L.A. event.  It was just a different vibe.  The Rum Diary, based on Hunter S. Thompson's time in Puerto Rico in 1960, was a great movie.  We hit the after party at Hiro Nightclub, after a short ride in a stretch SUV with the Playboy publisher and gang.  Johnny's band, The JD Band, played most of the night and we, unfortunately had to leave after midnight and missed Johnny and Keith Richard's performance with the band.  It was a fun night out and we hope to have many more of these opportunities now that we live closer to NYC!  Bring on the fun!

Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Picking

The school held their annual Harvest Festival after school last week.  Instead of playing the games, Zach played on the playground with his friends and Olivia caught butterflies.  Olivia had kids following her, asking if she would catch a butterfly for them.  

The scarecrows each class made were a hit! 

On our way to an apple orchard and pumpkin patch last weekend, we took a detour due to traffic and ended up at a lake.  We didn't stay long, but it was nice to see the sun sparkling on the water; it brings back good memories. 

Kobe 'blending' in to the fall leaves 

DiPiero's Farm had a petting zoo (donkey, pigs, goats) hay maze, hay ride, pumpkin picking and kettle corn, mmm, mmm!   

Hay ride to the pumpkin patch with the kids and Tom 

Zach, Olivia & Tom

10 Year Anniversary, NYC & Coney Island

Dave and I celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary on September 22.  It brings back fond memories of our St. Simon's wedding weekend and our lovely French Polynesia (aka Tahiti) honeymoon.  It also makes you think, 'have 10 year really gone by?'  I guess that speaks volumes to our union...we like, no love, each other and have been busy having a grand time these last 10 years.  Let's keep up the good work - ha!  Thank you for my beautiful roses, as well.  We are hoping to repeat our boat trip somewhere in warm waters soon, with the kids this time.  I'm really looking forward to the anniversary trip!

Olivia shopping at Claire's with her birthday gift card.  She bought earrings, not glasses:-)

I found this guy in my broken bird feeder.  He was helping himself and acted as if I was bothering him during his lunch hour.  I left him to over eat at the buffet and he was on his way.  We have so many squirrels and chipmunks in our area.  I can't wait to see the leaves fall with all of these mature trees.  Well, actually I can because I was just given the price list from the landscapers.  Apparently, it's a LOT of leaves!

Abna's Farm is about 3 minutes away from our house and we are fortunate to have such a wonderful, family owned farm this close.  They have fresh meats, vegetables, a petting zoo with a new calf, goat (the cleanest goats I've ever laid eyes on), bunnies galore and chickens....which gives us fresh chicken eggs.  We fell in love with this place last week and have visited three times since!  A hayride is on the list for the next visit.

Olivia and Zach were off of school for Rosh Hashana, so we went in to NYC to see more sights.  Olivia happily spent her American Girl gift certificate on two animals (of all things) at the store.  This was Dave's first visit to an American Girl store (Zach's too), so they were in awe (of the marketing!)

LEGO Land at Rockefeller Center

Radio City Music Hall

I cannot wait to take the kids to see an actual show on Broadway.  

American Girl - Zach doesn't look too happy about this place, but he did help Olivia choose her animals.

I helped Olivia's class make scarecrows for the upcoming Harvest Festival.  It is great getting to meet all of these new kids; they were pretty silly.

Over the weekend, we took a trip to Coney Island...or shall I say, we braved a trip to Coney?  The NY Aquarium was a nice surprise.  The enormous walrus' were a hit with us.  The sun actually shone on Sunday, so we were even more enamored with the mostly outdoor aquarium.

Beach time on Coney Island

Look at us riding the Ferris Wheel originally built in 1918 or something like that.  It was OLD (read, scary).  The car we were in slid on a track as we went around.  Not sure that was a good choice, until after we were finished...then it was a great idea!  Coney Island rides had an older section and a newer section of rides, so it was quite interesting to see.  The people watching was even better!

Happy 8th Birthday, Olivia!

Look who turned 8!  Olivia celebrated her 8th birthday on Sunday, Sept. 18th.  Of course, we had to celebrate all weekend:-)  Friday, after school, Zach and I took Olivia for a riding lesson in Franklin Lakes.  Now Zach has decided he wants to take lessons, so it will be a sport they can do together, well, at least  back to back.  They even have an indoor arena for inclement weather.  We all know we'll be using that arena come snow season.

Olivia wanted inline skates for her birthday.  Thanks Sparkles (in Smyrna) for 'sparking' Olivia's interest in skating!  While there are not any roller skating rinks nearby (there are tons of ice skating/hockey rinks), the kids can still use their skates in our driveway and around our neighborhood.  Zach used 'his money' to buy skates to ride with Olivia.  What a good brother! 

A new Bell helmet for safety. 

Making Olivia's birthday cake.  It's so much more fun than ordering one (and peanut-free safer)! 

While my cake decorating skills need some work, everyone (besides GF mommy) loved it. 

Olivia still has on her skating gloves.  Protect those hands! 

Kobe outside training on his new Invisible Fence.  We love it so far.  It's funny, everyone tends to play in the front yard and not the back yard so much.  We have a nice backyard, it's just that the front has the cool driveway to play!

Sunday, opening presents!  It was tempting all week as the gifts came in the mail, but we waited until Sunday to open presents.  Olivia got beautiful new earrings from Aunt Karen, Uncle Mike and Gavin, a Claire's gift certificate to buy new earring from Carla, Barry and the gang, Breyer horses from Nonnie and Aunt Kim, a stable from Mimi and Papa (plus college savings money - a plus!), an American Girl gift certificate from Skylar and really cool cards from the girls, and neat Melissa and Doug toys from the Goss' (pictured below). 

Eating cake with her new friend and neighbor, Ezra, Tom Goss, our new 'adopted brother'....he fits right in (ha).  Zach is enjoying his piece of cake...ya think?! 

The Goss' were good sports and attended the Zerbini Circus with us for Olivia's birthday.   

The Pryor clan...with our new 8 year old.

Thanks to Andy for the light sabers and light up wand.  If he bought the whistles that were $5, but marked down to $1 (horrible marketing ploy), we would have made all the kids ride with him!  Oh, all of those whistles under the circus tents were loud!  Our ears are still ringing!

Our babies at the circus.

The camels did not want to participate, but the alligator and python did....

Mount Fuji for a hibachi birthday dinner.  Olivia pictured with Rachel (the other Olivia sat with the boys)

The dragon serenaded Olivia for her birthday.

Zach, Tom and Olivia with their fruit drink umbrellas.  

What a magical birthday for our sweet 8 year old, Olivia.

Since we have been in New Jersey, Olivia has officially started riding her bike daily, swinging (I wasn't aware that she didn't swing before!), but she's proud of herself and she's roller blading.  People were right, New Jersey is a great place for kids.  She is blooming before our eyes and we are so proud of her.  Happy Birthday, Olivia.