I DID IT!

I did so many things these last few weeks that I thought were pretty amazing! Not amazing on any sort of important, world saving, life changing way, just in a little Leslie, I can make it, who knew, kind of way.

I had my first dinner party in New York with the missionaries and the Anderson's.

What Leslie Kyte knows and now anyone who reads this blog will know is that cooking for other people is SUPER SCARY to me and sometimes debilitating.

So many things could go wrong right? However, whether they were acting or not everyone seemed to like the food. Thanks everyone for coming and thanks for saying you like my cooking.

After dinner the Missionaries had to go but the Anderson's stayed and we made Gingerbread houses. (or rather graham cracker houses...but that doesn't sound as festive right?)

Rhett and I decided to make a quaint little cottage that sits in the woods, however, because Rhett and I do not believe in the old saying "Less is More" Ours ended up looking more like Liberace's summer cottage in the hills.
Mike is an industrial engineer...Michelle is creative and Classy....Behold their amazing cathedral, complete with a M&M stained glass window.
Christmas Day we opened presents...Okay fine, Christmas Eve we opened them...I couldn't take it any more and I am pretty proud of myself for waiting that long....Okay fine, I had already peeked at all of them days before. Don't judge me, I am weak.

My family draws names for Christmas and since all of us kids are super poor we had to pick gifts for around five dollars and I love that about our gifts because it ensures they are super fun.

Daniel gave Rhett a storm trooper Lego set. To which Rhett said and I quote, "I didn't know I liked Lego's SO much!" Sarah got me this super cute desk top vacuum named Henry and he is better at cleaning than I will ever be.

I made Wicket pose for some pictures with our gifts...

The Storm Troopers and Wicket started fighting with each other...I don't know who started it but... Wicket ended up eating one of them, poor guy.

My mom who loves me very much sent Rhett and I the best gift in the entire world...The.Best.Gift. Listen Universe, if you want to eat the salsa that all other salsa's aspire to be, you will eat El Pato. I thought when I left AZ I would be okay without this spicy paradise juice. I was completely wrong. Thank you Mom, I am forever in your debt.

New Years we went to Central Park. I have never really enjoyed New Years and since it was snowy and rainy and cold in New York I didn't really want to go outside at all. However, Crystal, my super plus BFF in AZ told me I had to do something because it was my first one in NY. Ghah, I was so mad at her at the time.

Her ever reaching wisdom payed off and I am so glad we went out. Central Park was a huge hit. There were costumes, dancing and singing, hot coco and AMAZING fireworks. Thank you Crystal! You made my New Years an incredible one. Love you!

The Tree The Leak and The Cat

Merry Christmas EVERYONE!!! WHOO HOO!!! I love Christmas and I love presents and I love our tree!!! Here it is...It's little, but fluffy...and yeah, I made that little fire place.

The little angle on top is my favorite. I wish you could tell how funny this girl is. I got her for a dollar at little store by my apartment. She is all hot glue and left over pieces of an 80's craft kit. I love her.

Everything has been so great lately that something had to go wrong. My friend Abbie (who was recently locked out of her apartment because her door broke) says that is one of the great things about New York. You get to celebrate through all of the mess.

I also want to wish all of my Jewish friends Happy Hanukkah. I love seeing all of the Menorahs around the city, they are so pretty!

Last thing...Wicket is so cute...He has really enjoyed cuddling inside of anything lately.

Have A Very Torpey Christmas!

It's true! I do love New York! Last night New York had it's first blizzard of the Season...I don't even know what the definition of a blizzard is...hold on I will check...Blizzard: A severe storm condition characterized by strong winds. low temperatures,and heavy blowing snow. Yup, that is what was happened. We were out and about because we were off to see the comedy group Dan Ryan again! (yeah, they are still awesome.) Aren't they so cute! Can't you just tell how funny they are? They also performed with an awesome guy Michael Torpey and another comedy group called Serious Lunch. Here are the places you can check out and fall in love with them yourselves.

http://www.seriouslunch.com/

http://www.black20.com/

Here we are enjoying the show...Yeah, new Beanie...http://www.fredflare.com/

We got to meet Torpy...Don't you just want to be best friends with him?

After the show we headed home and it was cold...But, It was BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Rhett took this picture...In NY they sell trees on almost every street. I feel like this picture shows why I love New York so much!

Tara Takes Manhattan

All of the Johnson's were so super excited that Tara was coming for a visit. Including our cats!

Once Tara was safe and all of her luggage dropped off we immediately went to find sustenance at Dinosaur BBQ. It was amazing, yummy, and messy.

Tara and Wicket spent some much needed TLC time together the next morning before we went out.
The first thing we did was visit The Empire State Building. It was super fun and Tara and I went and spent the extra money to get to the 102 floor. It was SO AMAZINGLY not worth it. However on the elevator down they hit a little button that tells you "congratulations you are in the elite 102nd floor club" and I do like being called "Elite!"

On the way up to the top there was a BIG stuffed gorilla that everyone was taking pictures with. (apparently that is what they want you to think right before Gorilla scared the pants off of you!) Tara and I were so bright eyed & sweet that the stinking gorilla just couldn't resist attacking us as we willingly ran into his arms! I started screaming, ran into Tara who started screaming and running and the entire guest list of The E.S.B. laughed at us.


We saw the tree at Rockefeller, which is from Arizona! Go Grand Canyon State!
Okay....That girl in the black jacket is Kate Beckinsale. I SWEAR!!! She was at the Museum Of Modern Art with us and she is SO pretty. Ask Tara... it is her!




Hands Down the coolest sight was the St Patricks Cathedral. It was beautiful and lovely. Everyone should go.



We went to Canal Street! CRAZY!!!! Here we are after with a couple of our amazingly cheep finds! (Cryz, that's my scarf I was telling you about.)

Then we went to Staten Island so Tara could see the statue of liberty and ride the ferry. We made a huge mistake and stayed on the island for dinner...Ghhaallaahhghg...I don't even want to blog about it.

Exploring Midtown!

We also went to the Rockettes at Radio City! It was a great thing to do at Christmas time. They did a huge nativity and the Rockettes really do do some amazing things.

We then went Ice Skating at Bryant park at 12:30 at night. I wanted to be a party pooper but my complaints went unheard and I went ice skating...But get this people, Tara hurt her foot and Rhett was done after 5 minutes! People should listen to me more.

Sunday we went to church and after Rhett had a meeting so Tara and I went home without him...However I didn't bring keys so we went to Central park instead. It was really great and I am glad we got locked out.

Now Tara is gone and I am sad...Come back soon Tara! Wicket and Kelly Clarkson miss you SO much!

Thanks + Giving = Thanksgiving

November 26th started off a little rocky...Only to turn into the best Thanksgiving I have EVER had in New York! Rhett and I were suppose to wake up early and meet our awesome friends Mike and Michelle...That didn't happen. After Rhett got me out of bed we hopped on the subway and headed down to 76th and central park. Michelle and Mike love us so much that they saved us a spot.

I loved all the cute kids that loved the parade!

There were some baloons and floats that reminded me of people.

PS These things were so HUGE!

Hi Mom, that is Andre Bocelli...He didn't look very happy on that bridge.

After the parade we decided to stay down town and watch The Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey. I don't think I loved it...It was not as fun as the Mickey Christmas Carol and not as light hearted as Muppet Christmas Carol...Apparently I like all classic literiture presented to me in a funny manner by cartoon and muppet animals. The 3-D element was super cool however.

Then Rhett and I went to Michelle and Mikes for dinner...Let me tell you something world. Michelle is an amazing cook and their table was beautiful. Oh, and Michelle and I rocked Rhett and Mike at a domino game. TA-DOW!

Have You Seen Big Business?

It is a big hearted comedy about country girl, Sadie Ratliff's, visit to New York...There is a lot more to the plot, however, for the purposes of my post we are only going to focus on this piece.

When Sadie arrives in New York she feels more small town than she ever had before. She tries her best throughout the film to fit in and prove she can handle anything these big apple folks can throw at her.

This is how I felt last week when I attended a GAP PR Event with my super awesome friend Michelle.

I was so out of my element before I even entered. There were people standing outside waiting to get in...security, velvet ropes and camera men...The whole shabang.

When I was inside it was amazingly hip. It was also incredibly packed, leading me to believe that Gap was breaking a fire code or two. Catarers dressed in black and wearing Gap scarves (which looked rediculous and Gap should have left their uniforms alone) were walking around with trays of drinks, brownies and cookies all in a fashionable maner.

While we were there we could shop for clothes and get a % off and another % of the sale went to charity. I had to buy something right? Well, I did, and it is super cute and has both ribbons and buttons. WOOT!

There were all these famous people walking right by me, or rather walking around with me. I wasn't looking at them from afar and they wernt being rushed past me like I was a lowly peasant. I was one of them...I was a welcomed member of their society. I tried to act cool. I tired to pretend I was bored. I don't think I pulled it off.

Michelle and I were given a lot of attention from the camera men because we looked so cool in these hats.