No new niece yet...but why not take Zoe for a big sister surprise anyways!? 6:29 PM

Last weekend we called up Lauren and Mike and asked if we could take Zoe for a bit for a "big sister surprise." Without telling any of them what our plan was, we headed up to Harlem, and got Zoe and went on our merry way! We took the train to 5th avenue and walked along, while Zoe kept asking and guessing about where we were going. She didn't have very many guesses though. When we were across the street from a very fun, kid-friendly looking place, she said "oh, I've never been there!" and we soon had her read the sign and she figured out that Build-A-Bear was our destination! Boy was she excited!

We went in and it was quite overwhelming for the 3 1/2 year old! But she did great, picked out her own bear, outfit, and shoes! She was so excited!

Meet "Fairy."
We even made the "birth certificate" for Fairy.

What a fun time! Zoe was so excited about taking Fairy home in her new box-house, and showing her parents!



And what is a Karen + Matt outing without a Jamba Juice if there is one nearby?! We introduced Zoe to that amazing place. She loved the smoothie and we made it back to Harlem after only 1 spill, and some inappropriate sightings of the naked cowboy, to share the fun surprise with Lauren and Mike. Fun day!

This week has been crazy busy for both of us, as both of us are working stiffs now. Haha. Clinic started this week and I am DEFINITELY not used to the full-time lifestyle! Yikes! It's going well though...More updates later!

C'mon baby Hart! Hopefully she will come VERY soon! =)

PS- Lauren and Mike, sorry again about the naked cowboy exposure! HAHA!

A Twist Cone with Sprinkles, Please! =) 11:17 PM

We had a GREAT time visiting family and friends in Glenview! It was an exhausting weekend because it was totally fun-filled. We had so much fun!

We hung out with Kim and the kiddos everyday! It was fun to see how much Courtney and Paxton have both grown! Courtney is quite the hilarious conversationalist, and Paxton is getting more and more independent. Despite his stranger-danger, I grew on him by the end of the weekend by getting to hold him, by his choice! =)



Paxton LOVED "Rocket puppy" and Courtney was constantly concerned about Rocket puppy's whereabouts, but was pretty scared of him if he came near her. He really wanted to play with her though! Eventually Courtney and Rocket puppy were on a playing basis, only outdoors!

One day we braved the heat and went to the Chicago Botanical Gardens. It was great to just walk around and enjoy the sights. I haven't been there in a while...it was beautiful! Here are a couple of pictures from that.



We also did a lot of visiting. Including many puppy play dates! Rocket met Norine's doggy Oreo, the Kiraly dogs Morgan and Wagner, the Hassen doxies Chloe and Pheobe, and met the Lerner doggies Sammy and Cooper. Phew. Needless to say, Rocket was exhausted after this exciting trip. I like this "sausage link" picture, and this ADORABLE picture of Courtney and Paxton.

I also made sure that I had my fill of the Dairy Bar and Caribou Coffee. Many delicious trips were made. Mmm.....

So much fun = So many pictures! To see more, check out the album I posted on facebook (click on that link).

We were sad to leave because we had a much needed fun weekend away from the city with excellent company. Plus, of course, we miss our family and friends! =)

we <3 comments! =)

Alice's Tea Cup and other Adventures in NYland... 11:57 PM

Friday I had such a fun morning! Lauren, Mike, Zoe, and I went to Alice's Tea Cup. It was my first time there, and it was such a cute place! Lauren and I both bought "groupons" a few weeks ago and decided to use them! Boy are we glad we did! It was such a fun time, not to mention the delicious food and tea! The groupons were for a 3-tiered breakfast...with fruit/yogurt, eggs, and a delicious scone. Zoe and I both got banana chocolate chip scones. Wow the food was so good!


They give little girls fairy wings to wear while they enjoy their meal, and well as fairy dust. Zoe didn't really want the fairy dust and she was also reluctant to put those wings on to compliment her beautiful dress...but she came around soon enough, and ended up modeling those sparkly wings for us!

As we were leaving, Zoe was already talking about going back there sometime. It was such a fun leisurely morning to start off the weekend.

The weekend was fun, as Matt and I went on adventure on Saturday that was a total bust and was totally hilarious to say the least. We got these city walk dog cards that had what seemed to be a really nice and fun walk at a national park near the Rockaways and Jamaica Bay. That place was a major dump...we didn't last long there even though we drove a good half hour or so there. I managed to take just 1 picture... I should have taken more to document the smelly rocky seaweedy beaches, the blood sucking vulture bugs, the lack of people, and not taken care of landscapes. haha.

To make up for it, we headed to Brooklyn Heights to the promenade, the dog park, and we FINALLY waited in the giant line for the infamous Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. (I've wanted to try that since we moved here!) We got chocolate chocolate chip cones (mine with sprinkles of course)...and the picture I got of that I have chocolate all over my face because it was such a hot and melty day...so I'll just show you how eager Rocket was to check the place out while we were in line instead! The ice cream was amazing!

FINALS ARE OVER!!!!!! YAY!!!We head to Chicago this weekend (even Rocket!). We can't wait! =)

Comments are the best! =)

Pitstop in NYC on the way to the desert! 11:35 PM

Last weekend Stephanie came to visit for just a short time before her trip to Israel left from NYC!!! We were so glad she decided to come in a couple days earlier to hang out with us!

When she got here Friday evening, she was immediately greeted by NYC's true colors at JFK, and had many stories to prove it...haha. Once at the apartment, Rocket was instantly in love, especially because she brought him 2 toys! We stayed in and hung out that night eating our delicious neighborhood pizza and garlic knots (which Stephanie LOVED), and watched a movie.

The next day, Stephanie wanted to explore Brooklyn a bit, so we took her to the Brooklyn Promenade and walked through Brooklyn Heights. Then we headed into Manhattan and met Lauren in Central Park for a picnic. It was a beautiful day and was great fun! Not to mention, the picnic food was delicious!

Rocket got in a bit of trouble...

Then we showed Steph around Union Square, got Crumbs cupcakes to share (mmmm...) and headed home to drop the tired puppy off as we went to go eat some more delicious food at 67 burger, our favorite burger place in Fort Greene.

(crumbs cupcakes)

After an exhausting day we hung out and relaxed at the apartment for the night. Sunday, we sadly had to take her to JFK, but we're so excited for her and her trip!

As for us, we are heading to the airport very soon to head to Chicago! We are soooo excited to see family and friends! =) I am also very excited to almost being done with another semester! 2 more finals to go!