LABOR DAY 2009

by Sara on November 2nd, 2009

This is the 2nd year my family spent Labor Day weekend in the White Mountains of northern Arizona. My sister-in-law Amanda is kind enough to let us crash at her family’s cabin.

There are my reasons why I love being there. This year’s highlights were: Lydia discovering and falling in love with the movie Overboard. I love that in the picture above, where she’s holding the DVD, Lydia’s hair kind of resembles Goldie Hawn’s. Lots of smiles, food, and games. Jake, the adorable family Bichon roaming around, part of the gang. Rides into Springerville and seeing the hospital where my sisters and I were born. Fireside entertainment (aka Dick dancing). Riding up Greens Peak under perfect cloudy skies. Julie’s homemade ice cream and peach cobbler, bocce, and best of all, rainy weather. The only thing missing was my brother Ashley’s family.

I want to go back every year.

IDAHO

by Sara on November 1st, 2009

Eleanor, Dick, my mom and I took a trip to visit my grandparents in what Eleanor refers to as “their hotel room”. Seeing people age is not easy for me. But I’m glad to see they’re still together and happy.

AT LAST

by Sara on July 24th, 2009

I did it! Took my guys for a retro “staycation” at the Hotel Valley Ho. I’ve wanted to stay here since moving back to Arizona 3 years ago.

It did not disappoint.

Max was a little apprehensive in the beginning.

But after realizing the Ho is fond of furry friends, he was quickly at ease. (Yes, they provided the cute doggy bowl & food just for him.)

Dick belongs in the 1960s. Proof? His name. Apart from being one of the most feminist people I know (feminist, not feminine!), his era is the ’60s.

Spoiled. And looking good while at it.

I geek out over details. I would have totally designed this place if given the chance.

Dick’s favorite dessert: strawberry pie.
My vice: Fresca & Starburst.

Treats we enjoyed while re-watching the 1st season of the only show that seemed appropriate: Mad Men. 3rd season starts next month! I think it’s the best show out there.

Early mornings with no agenda are my favorite.

Planning a trip to Arizona? Stay at at the Valley Ho!

We’d reconsider the move if living in this place was an option. (Well, I guess it is an option. Just a very unaffordable one for us.)

NORTHERN ARIZONA

by Sara on July 9th, 2009

A few weekends ago Jeff, Elyse, Dick and I took a road trip to escape the Phoenix heat.

First stop: Jerome. The coolest hill-side mining town I know of.

We had the best ice cream (thank you, Thrifty, I am now obsessed!). Elyse had mint chip, I had black cherry.

Next stop: Sedona. It’s so beautiful there.

Sheriff Dick at the Grand Canyon. Hard to see, but that’s the most awesome souvenir pin, courtesy of Jeff.

Jeff, Elyse [+ baby Olive] at the Grand Canyon.

Not pictured, but another highlight: staying at the Little America hotel in Flagstaff.

Dick and I are moving soon and these pictures remind me that I’m going to miss hanging out with our movie-watching, Lost-fanatics, state fair-going, dog-friendly, foodie-junkies, travel-buddies, parents-to-be peeps.

BIG APPLE – JUNE 09

by Sara on June 25th, 2009

This post contains a lot of pictures taken on a recent trip I loved. My city, New York City.

Amy in Soho.

Outside the lovely Café Habana. Lazy eyes blamed on my redeye flight in. I sat next to a man with terrible no manners.

Café Habana’s delicious Mexican style grilled corn. Mmm.

That’s John Krasinski (aka Jim from The Office) & Joey Slotnick. I couldn’t resist snapping a picture. Wish I had a picture of the craziness that ensued. It involved Amy tipping our table, breaking a plate and spilling food all over the guys sitting next to us. Good times.

We saw John Krasinksi’s new movie, Away We Go, the next day. While I liked it, I must admit that overall I was disappointed. Considering Dave Eggers was involved, I expected better. Ah well. We saw another actress from the movie – Allison Janney, who I adore. But I’ll get to that later. Next, I’m going to show you my favorite shoe store…

Greetings from the Camper shoe store in Soho!

The indecisiveness of this place kills me! In a good way. I bought a pair; not for me, but for Dick.

On the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). We saw our preferred mediums in record time. (What was it? 15 minutes? But it was free!) Amy ran for Matisse while Julie and I were spoiled with images by favorite photographers, including: Cindy Sherman, Diane Arbus, Richard Prince and Louise Lawler to name a few.

Apart from my honeymoon, this was the most luxurious trip I’ve taken to NYC. We took taxis everywhere. My only subway ride was from JFK to the hotel (a hotel which definitely added to the luxury!).

Chocolate covered strawberries from Godiva; it has become a Hall girl NYC tradition. Last year we did the same on our trip with Elyse.

We sat in Central Park watching fancy people arrive for a gala. Second celeb sighting: Jaslene Gonzalez, winner of America’s Next Top Model cycle 8. (My least favorite winner to date. Yes, I do watch that show. Every single cycle.)

Radio City Music Hall, where I saw The Decemberists with Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3. One of the worst seats in the venue, but still a fantastic show. I wasn’t crazy about their new record, Hazards of Love, until I saw it performed live. They sounded amazing.

Obligatory NYC meal: world’s best Reuben sandwich at Katz’s Deli.

Amy’s idea of heaven on earth. Otherwise known as Magonlia Bakery.

Enjoying Magnolia cupcakes in a West Village park. Red Velvet is my favorite; love that vibrant red – tastes pretty good, too.

Julie & Amanda. Enjoying the city at night.

The photo above and the next few were taken at the MOMA! (Museum of Modern Art)

If I had to decide, it’s probably my 2nd favorite NYC museum. Or, maybe it ties for 2nd place with the Whitney. Stay tuned for my #1 favorite.

Adorable baby mama Jules. Will it be a boy or girl? We won’t know until the day “it’s” born.

So glad my sister-in-law Amanda came with us. I love traveling with her.

These crack me up. At FAO Schwarz where Julie bought a Middleton doll to give Eleanor when baby #2 arrives this fall. Those dolls look and feel so real. Being here reminded me of a recent This American Life episode where a former FAO Schwarz employee shared a story about this same brand of dolls. They ran out of the coveted white babies, so white moms, much to their dismay, were relegated to purchase ethnic dolls instead. That was a good episode.

Amy on one of the many taxi rides in the city. To the right is the Apple store by Central Park. I took that picture for Dick to see. Bummer that I missed Sonic Youth’s performance at the Soho Apple Store by 1 day.

Manhattan: north view of Central Park & south view of Empire State Building.

Tourist gem worth doing at least once: Top of the Rock observation deck. This was my first time up – I loved it. (Did you catch the pun?)

I don’t care for Times Square but it was worth braving this night. My sisters & I are not the musical types at all, but we saw 9 to 5: The Musical. We had to, it was one of our favorite movies growing up, thanks to Grandma Wanda Hall. And let me say, it did not disappoint. We had a blast. This was when we saw Allison Janney; she played good ol’ Violet.

Taking it all in.

Amanda in Saint Patricks Cathedral.

Here it is: my favorite NYC museum. The Guggenheim. Designed by the one and only, Mr. Frank Lloyd Wright.

That spiraling rotunda amazes me every time I visit.

We were lucky enough to be there during the celebration of its 50th year. The celebration included a Wright exhibit featuring his sketches and models. Loved it, love him.

Hey, look, it’s us on the Brooklyn Bridge!

Terrific view of Manhattan.

If you visit NYC and want to do something awesome, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. I love it. I think Amanda and Amy did as well. The weather was perfectly drizzly and cool.

In Brooklyn, waiting in line for delicious pizza at Grimaldi’s. That line was well worth it. Amy was a smart thinker, she went and bought us ice cream to share while we waited. Butter pecan, that ice cream was really tasty too.

That’s it, folks, until next year’s NYC girl trip. But in the meantime let’s go to San Francisco!