NYC

Last year, on my mom's 59th birthday all she asked for was that we go with her to NYC to see the Nutcracker for her 60th birthday. She said she was asking a year in advance so we could plan. We could not make it on her birthday (Dec. 7), but went December 22. Nathan and Bernie were on kid patrol all day. We left Elizabethtown, PA on the 8:15 train.


We arrived in time for lunch and a little site seeing. We had planned on what we were wearing for days. We didn't want to freeze while walking around, but we didn't want to sweat in the theater or restaurants. We also wanted to be somewhat dressed up. Our first thoughts were courdory skirts with tights, but even a long skirt would not have kept us warm. We ended up with dress pants and cuddleduds (long underwear). I wore thick socks and hiking shoes (I only have my sorrell boots and they are anything but dressy or comfortable walking in.)

We found this nutcracker on the way. Mom was so excited, so Teresa and I got our pictures taken with him.
We did not have much of a game plan. We wanted to, but there is so much to do in NYC, especially at Christmas time. We tried to see Cirque Du Soleil, they had a show at 7, but we never would have made the last train home. We tried to go to MoMA, but it is closed on Tuesdays. Who would have thought, especially during the holidays.Even though the kids were not with us, we gravitated towards things the kids would have loved. We went to FAO Swartz to look for Legos. It was a pretty lame display for FOA. We ran into ToysRus and had to go in. They have a Ferris Wheel and all the cars are different (firetruck, ScoobyDoo bus, Lego truck, etc.)
Just having fun being in NYC, but always thinking of my kids. This is for you Everest.
Mom and I at Times Square. Teresa really wanted to see Times Square. It was so busy. We almost missed our train. I looked at the map and found Grand Central (only a few blocks away). When we got there we realized we were at the bus station and NOT the train station! We ran about 8 blocks in 20 minutes. When we got there, our train was delayed by 45 minutes!
We had a really good time. We arrived in Elizabethtown around 12:30am. Mom had a great time. The ballet was beautiful. And we got to spend some girl time together. We said we would try it again in a few years, and who knows, we may get to see Cirque Du Soleil.

TMJ

I went to an ear, nose and throat doctor on Friday. I was sure I had a sinus infection with an ear infection. Turns out I have a virus and TMJ. The doctor told me specialized dentist deal with TMJ. I made an appointment today to talk to my dentist and sure enough it is TMJ and I have to see a specialist an hour away. Not sure what all they can do for it. Any know anything about TMJ? All I know is that it hurts and I can't open my mouth very far without a lot of pain. Fun times!

Hurray for Papa!

Our family has been sick. Leaf had to go to the doctor for croup and Everest has a terrible cough, he can't seem to shake. Nathan has a cough too and is not feeling well at all. Nathan will not slow down, he still rides his bike to work every morning at 6 or 6:30 (yes, in 6 degree weather and snow...he says "I'm dedicated"-this is the most true statement about him in every sense), he still works all day and helps out so much at home. I have not been feeling very well either, but yesterday and today have been really bad. Nathan called Papa yesterday morning and asked him to come out and help. He is on a plane as we speak (or read). We love you so much Papa. I was thinking he would stay the weekend, so Nathan and I could sleep. He surprised us and is staying a week and a half. Hurray!!!!!! He is going to flip when he sees the disarray that is my house right now. We literally have been "getting by" for 2 weeks and barely leaving the house.
We give Papa a hard time every change we get. He deserves it =) But what would we do without Papa?????? We love you. Thanks for rescuing us Papa!

Cleaning the bathroom

So it seems cleaning mom's bathroom is a tradition with my boys. This picture was taken when Everest was about 16 months old.This was Everest over Christmas. At his age, there is a good reason he should help out cleaning the toilet. Most of the time he tries, but I have been in the bathroom, more than once, when he starts talking and turns his whole body, while peeing. So much fun boys are!

Leaf had to get in on the action. Mom assured me his rag only had water. He had so much fun cleaning the cabinet. He has started wiping himself (most of the time, he wipes his belly, but he is trying) while I change his diaper.
Between watching his brother do this, and watching me do this, Leaf has decided he wants to help clean the toilet. We have caught him with his hands in the toilet, and Everest's toothbrush. He even stole the scrubber from the dishwasher the other day and headed up the steps. I caught him on his way up. He just giggled. He is quick!

Polar Bear Express to the North Pole!

December 19, 2009

We went for a ride on the Polar Bear Express (a.k.a. Middletown-Hummelstown Railroad) with the Gill family. The kids were so excited to ride a train all the way to the North Pole and see Santa!
Mark, Raegan, Braden and Bryce tried to get tickets with us, but they were sold out for Sunday, so they went Friday night. They told us the train was a little cold, so we bundled up very warm. Fortunately for us, we were in the seat that had the heater blowing up under our seat. Most of the ride Leaf was in his onesie and Everest in a t-shirt.

The Gill family- Aaron, Heather, Ashlynn and Jack.

Us. Nathan was at his first commencement as a professor so he missed the train ride. Papa opted not to go, he watched the game instead.


Leaf and Nonnie looking at all the Christmas lights outside. The train (literally) went 2-3 miles an hour. (We could have walked to the North Pole quicker!) The conductor read a story called the Christmas Wreath on the way to the North Pole. Then they had an accordion player come into each car singing Christmas songs.
We are finally at the North Pole! You can see Santa's house in the background!The kids waiting for Santa to walk through the train car. He handed out a book to the older kids and a stuffed animal to the babies.


Happy to finally see Santa and start back home. Everest loved the train ride!
Ashlynn and Everest waiting for Santa to come back through for pictures.
Santa with Everest and Leaf.

Leaf with his polar bear. It is almost as big as he is.
We had fun, but this is not a trip I would take again. It was fairly expensive and VERY unorganized. The idea is great, but we left 30 minutes late. Do you know what it is like to have a train full of 1-5 year old cooped up for 30 minutes waiting to see Santa? It was nuts. We missed our dinner reservations and by the end, all the kids were so hungry. And Santa was quite grumpy. Everest said "Merry Christmas Santa", Santa looked the other way and as he was walking away said "Yea, whatever." Nice!

Cookies for a shelter

Early December 2009

Lisa and Doug invited us over to make Christmas cookies for a local shelter. Aunt Teresa was visiting so she got to help out too.


This is Leaf's favorite place to be at the Louks household. (Leaf says "Go away Rowen, this is my space." Poor Rowen!)
So proud of himself. He found an apple and chewed on it most of the time.He finally came out of the dog crate, only to "un-decorate" the Purdue Christmas tree.
Doug trying to keep Leaf occupied.
Everest got to decorate some cookies. They spread out in the baking process and turned into HUGE cookies. We had fun decorating...and eating a couple!

Mentzer Family Review 2009

I hope I did not miss anyone this year. If I did, I am sorry. Our printer was not cooperating and I had to address the envelopes by hand.

Happy Holidays! 2009

We hope this letter finds you happy and healthy. We have had a good year. Early this year, we took advantage of the snow in Utah. We knew it would be our last winter in the mountains (at least for a few years). We went cross country skiing as much as we could. Everest got his own skis, and did well for being 3. We miss the mountains VERY MUCH!

Nathan accepted a full time position at Purdue University as an assistant professor in the College of Technology. We bought a house close enough to the University so he can commute on his bike everyday (even in the winter- he has studded tires). We are also close enough to shopping and other activities so the boys and Fay can bike (we are not die hard, if it is too cold, or raining, we drive). This summer we bought Everest a tag a long bike. It hooks onto one of our bikes and the trailer for Leaf hooks onto Everest’s bike. Everest loves pulling his brother; he calls it our train or semi.

We are enjoying the benefits of living closer to family (only 10 hours now, instead of 36!). We have had someone visit us every month! We have plenty of room, so please stop on by sometime. We have wonderful neighbors who have shared their love of Purdue with us and the boys. Every time Everest goes to Doug and Lisa’s, he comes home with something Purdue. At the beginning of the basketball season, they gave us 4 tickets in the front row. The boys had a BLAST! We were afraid we would have major meltdown, since the game started right before bedtime, but both boys hung in for the entire game. Purdue Pete came over and said hello to Everest (which made his night). Everest was interested in the cheerleaders and their megaphones, so he and Nathan made his very own megaphone. We went to a game for Everest’s 4^th birthday. He sat in the front row with Doug and Lisa and had a great time.

Everest started preschool at the Montessori school, which is 3 blocks away. He is in a bilingual class 3 afternoons a week. Fay volunteers on Friday afternoon and Leaf stays home with a sitter who is from Chili and speaks Spanish to him. Everest got a trampoline this summer from Papa. He loves to jump, ride bikes, read and play. He has always loved to build things (using anything from toys to my pots and pans), but his latest obsession is Legos.

Leaf turned one in October. He is growing up so quickly. He is a happy baby, who adores his dad and brother. He loves to play in the kitchen, put objects into containers and then put lids on the containers. He is intent on learning to talk and will talk to anyone who will listen. He wants to eat ONLY what we eat and only from a big plate and fork. He has been free standing since he was 8 months and is finally starting to take steps. He tried to walk up the steps backwards today (holding aunt Teresa’s hand). He is a bit of a daredevil as he tries to keep up with his brother.

Nathan has been busy brewing beer. He acquired 2 more fermenters this year so he can make 4 batches at a time. Nathan has not started biodiesel yet, but plans to in the spring. He loves spending time with the boys.

Fay started blogging this year. She is having fun crafting, sewing, knitting and cooking, especially when she can do it with the boys. Stop by and see what we are up to. http://amountainandatree.blogspot.com/

Love, Fay, Nathan, Everest, Leaf, and Kenya (she is 12 this year and still doing well!)

Finally Home

We left PA yesterday at 1:30. Leaf was asleep before we left the driveway and Everest quickly followed. Thankfully, the trip was uneventful. We stopped for pizza, but that was our only long stop. We arrived at home at 1:30 am to a warm 10 degrees! Gotta love winter in Indiana. I can handle 10 in the west with no humidity, but 10 here is down right frigid. Our neighbor Doug says it is just the beginning. Can't wait!
Everest woke up early asking if it was time to go to Doug and Lisa's to play. (Doug and Lisa would like us a lot less if we let Everest go to their house as early as he would like to.) We told him after breakfast he could call them.
I thought I would share a little piece of my heaven. Here are a few things Everest did today.
He lined up every vehicle he could find.
While Nathan and Leaf took a nap, (Everest was supposed to be napping too- I took one earlier with Leaf, while Nathan and Everest unloaded the truck- Thanks!) Everest decided Kenya was cold. This is what I saw when I went to check on everyone.


Kenay is such a good sport. I can't believe she is 12. I do not know what we will do when she is gone.Hope you had a wonderful holiday. We had a great time visiting everyone. We miss you.