The Madsen {Girls} Take Over NYC

Last weekend was an absolute blast! One to go down in the books, for sure. We had all the Madsen girls (originals and in-laws and one honorary cousin) in one place. Mom, Kasey, Annie, Amy, Jessy and Jill all came to NYC - the city that never sleeps. And we sure didn't have a lot of that, despite Jessy's request. (I would link Annie, but she hasn't updated her blog in about a year).

We had a full house in my teeny, tiny apartment on Thursday night, with Mom, Kasey, Annie and Jill crashing. And a big thanks to my roommates for being so accommodating! By Friday morning, everyone had made it. And we never stopped going.

Here are some pics from the weekend:

Jill with Hans (as in Christian Andersen) - Central Park

Mom, Kasey, me, Jessy, Hans, Amy, Jill Annie - Central Park

Alice in Wonderland sculpture (Jill, Jessy, Kasey, me, Annie, Amy) - Central Park
At one of the many bridges in Central Park (no two are alike!)
Levain Bakery (West 74th and Amsterdam, if you're in the neighborhood): Kasey, Amy, Annie and Mom. (I do not apologize at all for posting this, even if your mouths are enjoying all that chocolaty goodness.) Maybe we made a daily stop here for their chocolate walnut, oatmeal rasin and chocolate peanut butter flavors. How could you not?! They are sooooo tasty!
All of us in my apartment - me, Jessy, Amy, Mom, Annie, Kasey and Jill
Carnegie Hall for the San Francisco Symphony (they performed Mahler's "Resurrection") - Annie, Jill, Mom (isn't her jacket so chic?), Kasey, Jessy, Amy and me.
The famous Carnegie Deli. We just got take-out cheesecake and carrot cake (can you sense a theme for the trip yet?) - Amy, Jessy, Jill, Annie and Mom
The Late Show with David Letterman. We just passed by, but didn't see a show (they film around 5:00 pm if you're ever lucky enough to have a chance to go!) - Jessy, me, Kasey, Jill, Annie and Amy
Liesel (Kasey's bestie from their delinquent teenage years) was able to join us for brunch on Saturday morning at Sarabeth's - Liesel and Kasey
Outside Sarabeth's - the brunch is absolutely delish! Mom, Jill, Kasey, me, Jessy, Annie and Amy
Mom on the Brookly Bridge - nothing's going to stop her! (and that is Kasey's purse she's carrying as a backpack)
There she is - the Brooklyn Bridge with Manhattan in the background
Just another windy day on the Brooklyn Bridge - Liesel, Kasey, Mom, me, Annie, Jessy, Amy and JillThe three "originals" - Annie, Kasey and me
A trip to NYC isn't complete without a little pampering - Amy, Annie and Jessy getting pedicures
And a manicure for me!
Thank you Pretty Angel for all the TLC! Amy, Annie, me, Mom, Kasey, Jessy and Jill
We saw "The Fantasticks" Saturday night and laughed the whole way through! Grandpa Madsen designed all the costumes for this play when it was in San Francisco. All look a little creepy in this picture - Mom, Annie, me, Kasey and Jill.
This was the main character - El Gallo - and he was just fantastic! Annie, me, El, Mom, Kasey and Jill. Doesn't he have a striking resemblance of Adam Pontipee ("Seven Brides for Seven Brothes")?
Or Eric Dane (aka Dr. Sloan on "Grey's Anatomy")?
We thought so!
And a trip to NYC would not be complete without visiting one of the millions of Duane Reade stores (read: pharmacy)! We found these fancy bunny ears that lit up! Maybe they were purchased....
Jill, me, Kasey and Annie

Sunday we were able to go to church at my ward and to brunch before everyone had to part ways. Thank you everyone for making the trek out here and just doing what we do best - loving being together and having fun!

I Thought So...

In case you were wondering, this is the correct way to set a table. Thank you, Emily Post, for confirming what my parents taught me many years ago.

http://www.emilypost.com/everyday/table_settings_basic.htm

She also has the answer to ANY etiquette question you have.

Home Sweet Home

I was able to go home to Utah over Presidents' Day (I know, I'm just taking my sweet little time with updates, but at least I'm posting!) AND Christmas. Why you ask? Why not?! And I just don't like to be left out of any of the fun. So here it goes...(Warning: Long post! Don't judge for the lack of pictures.)

First, Christmas! Somehow a huge snowstorm manages to hit NYC every year around Christmas. But luckily, I've missed it every time! This year was no exception. I was glad to be out of the city to go home to be with family, and to have a break from work. Kasey, Steve, Sarah (4) and Grant (2) came from Detroit. Annie and Ryan joined the festivities, too, from Minneapolis. We lived it up! Lots of sleeping, relaxing, eating, skiing, seeing friends (they even picked me up from the airport and waited while my bag never came out on the baggage carousel - you guys are the best!), went to see The Nutcracker with the Madsen and Later girls (my favorite part was when the dancers from Germany came out, and Sarah whispered to Kasey, "They look like Mary Poppins."), projects (aka crafts), shopping, Temple Square. Wow! We sure kept busy. And now what you've all been waiting for...proof:

The Madsen girls - Annie, me, Mom, Sarah and Kasey

The belle of the ball - Miss Sarah

Dad
(I think he wanted to go to the ballet, so he decided to put on Sarah's tutu. Please don't forget to notice the bow.)

Hi, Ryan!

Annie and Ryan

Kasey, Sarah, Steve and Grant

And now, the part deux of the Utah trips: Presidents' Day! Once again, NYC was hit with a massive snow storm. To get to the airport, I think I used all forms of transportation except a bike or rickshaw: taxi, subway and Air Train. It was a miracle and blessing that I made it to JFK, and even a bigger one that we were able to take off in the snow and sleet.

But away we flew for the next five hours. I sat next to this really cute guy, and why I didn't give him my number is beyond me. My parents are probably singing praises at this moment that some stranger does not have my number. I guess we live and learn.

After I landed, my mom picked me up and immediately went to Target (one of the things I miss in the city) to pick up some basics - face wash, lotions, etc. I just can't handle paying so much more for the same items in the city (sometimes double!) what you pay in "normal" life. It's just ridiculous. The rest of the day left nothing wanting: skiing with the little kiddies (I'll have to post videos later), even if I did forget my ski boots! Luckily Amy and I wear the same size and I wore hers. Cafe Rio for dinner and then the Jazz vs. Lakers game with my dad. (They lost, but it still was a great time!)

The rest of the trip consisted of: Corner Bakery three times (anyone in Utah MUST go - it's right by the VA Hospital on Foothill Blvd.), the famous Patagonia Outlet Presidents' Day sale, skiing, attending Swan Lake with all the Madsen and Bagley girls, skiing, watching the Olympics, skiing, stomach flu (I could have done without that...), skiing, projects with Beth (after I told her I had some ideas we could do, she quickly told me, "I just have these ideas in my head, and I have to get them out right now!"). Sadly, I have no pictures to document this trip. You'll just have to take my word that we had an absolute blast! Until next time, Utah...

Just Thinking Ahead

It may be a little early to be thinking about the 4th of July, but I just can't help myself! All the fireworks, sparklers, days off from work, barbecues, beach and warm weather! Oh, and this little diddy. Wouldn't it make the most perfect and patriotic outfit to celebrate Independence Day?

(http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Skirts/Knee-Length-Skirts/WG365/Womens-Stripy-Hem-Skirt.html)

Now if only I could find a sponsor...Any takers?