Heather needs to get out of the concrete jungle . . . (written by Ryan)

Heather's island fever hit critical mass. Without any planning we took off on an adventure to Long Island. Best intensions sometimes have unforeseen repercussions.

Six hours on a train to spend three hours in the

Long Island country side . . . check

Lunch at an Irish pub owned by Palestinians . . . check

Quiet walk on the beach (required apparel -

snow boots, gloves, hats) . . . check

Nice bottle of wine drank out of thermos . . . check

Happy wife . . . priceless

SNOW DAY!!!

(Picture of my school yesterday, our "Play Deck" is to the right and that's our mini parking lot. This was taken around noon, it had been dumping all day.)

Well, it's been the worst winter in NYC . . . ever. Even though I am so so so happy to have the day off today I'll say that this weather has really started to effect me. The first snow storm was very exciting and definitely beautiful while it's snowing but after a storm a week and the dirtiness that comes about an hour after, is a bit trying. We are trying to make the best of this weather with going to movies, making fun dinners and going to museums.

On the bright side Ryan and I have booked our honeymoon and we can't be more excited about it. We've decided to go to St. Lucia, where we will be staying in this really beautiful boutique hotel. What I'm most excited about is they greet you with champaign, you get a free massage and it has it's very own mini beach. OH and the sun, of course. We've decided to start the trip off with stopping by Florida on the way and enjoying some of the Mets spring training games. March 19th couldn't come sooner :).

If you'd like to check out where we are staying:

http://capmaison.com/

Off to just relax and enJOY my day off. Poor Ryan is stuck on a business trip in South Carolina, wish he was here to play with me. Think happy thoughts for him to make it home soon.

Miss all of you so much!!!!!!!!!

Our deck at 5:30 this morning after hearing that I had a snow day. :)

Bringing in the new year with the Anderson's!

The day after my family left we cleaned up and got ready for our next visitors, the Anderson's. We had a wonderful time with showing them the snow in Central Park, walking all around the city, going to some very "New York" style restaurants and seeing the show Billy Elliot. We decided to throw our own mini dinner party the night of New Years Eve. With Wendy's expert cooking skills, Ryan and Chris's amazing skills in building snowmen and my talent of cleaning we threw a nice little party. Our friends Brian and Debra came over and we served fresh lobster risotto, prosciutto wrapped scallops and asparagus. Getting the lobster from China Town was an experience on it's own. Their five day stay was a perfect balance of seeing fun sights and relaxing, many fun stories and laughs were shared. Thanks you guys for coming all this way, we loved our time with you!!!

Now it's time for the Joys to relax a bit themselves. Happy New Year to all!!!!

The start of building our snowman

Wendy and I with my Kindergarten friend Herbert

Wendy's amazing dinner

My pretty table

Happy New Year!

Billy Elliot

The four of us!