Pony Up

One thing y'all might not know about me is how much I love horses. I grew up around horses, and was climbing into a saddle soon after I could walk. I absolutely adore them. I spend a good chunk of my childhood riding western pleasure and going to horse shows to cheer on my best friend.

So, after I left NYC, I flew out West to my parents summer home in Montana. All I wanted out of the trip, was to get back on a horse.

And I did.

We went for a trail ride with Tara of Selway Adventures--who, was awesome, by the way--love her, and the Selway outfit. They have a three day women only trail rides in Paradise, Idaho and I totally want to go on that! (Sara, you in?!)

It was a beautiful trail, and a gorgeous day.

This is Tara--everyone say hi to Tara. "Hiiii, Tara".

Oh, and her mule, Molly Sue.



Crazy, huh?

The cabin we rode out to--four miles back in the canyon.

My baby for the day, Curly.
Redhead twins!



Being back on a horse was so much fun, and had I been given the chance, I would have stayed out there all day. I'd love to spend more time out there with Tara and her crew, it was really a blast!

Can't wait to get back in the saddle again!

The Phantom of The Opera

On Thursday night of our trip, we went to see The Phantom of the Opera which was playing at The Majestic Theater, just down from our hotel. I mean, it can't get much better than Phantom on Broadway.

My sis and I decided on Phantom a few months ago—in an ideal world, Les Mis would have been playing, since, it’s my all time favoritest and none of the girls had ever seen it, so, I thought that would be fun, but, sadly, it left Broadway for good years ago (it’s still playing on West End—London or bust, baby!)….Anyways. Phantom. Broadway go.

We had a super big dinner at Carmine’s before the show, wherein my nieces and I gorged on garlic cheese bread and meatballs. I then attempted to try some signature drink or something and it was pretty, but, not good. I tried pawning it off on the girls, but, no takers, so, I spent the night sneaking sips of their Cokes. Because I’m awesome like that.

Inside the lobby of The Majestic--so flippin' pretty.

Ohhh, ya know, view from our seats (like a good patron, I took no photos during the play). We were in the FOURTH ROW. Sorry, I know that was shouty, but, I'm still not over it. You could see their makeup! (my new goal in life is to have fourth row seats or better in every play I see. It's gonna cost me a pretty penny, but, damn, worth it)

Love. L.O.V.E.
From our seats--that's the famous Phantom chandelier. There is no zoom on this picture!
Me and my sis.
The reason for our amazing trip, these girls. Taylor, Paige and Bailey. I love Taylor and Paige in this shot!
There is a really cute one of Taylor, Paige and I on the way to the show, but, it's on Taylor's camera and she hasn't sent it to me yet. But, trust me, cute....Lordy, I hope people didn't think I was their mom?!

My girls.

Seeing Phantom was incredible. I've never seen it live before, but, love the movie (duh, Patrick Wilson and Gerard Butler, hello), and, I'm a sucker for plays, so, I knew it would be amazing, but, holy goodness.

Oh em gee. I can't even explain how great it was. Just hands down amazing. I'm trying to get myself back to NYC today to see it again. Les Mis is still my favorite, but, Phantom is definitely the most moving and emotional.
Although, the best part was watching Bailey's face during the whole thing--she was just transfixed. It was so great to share that with her.

She and I were both in tears at the end--the stage production is just so moving. And, I mean, come on, admit it, The Phantom is pretty sexy--don't deny it, you know I'm right. “No matter what he does, you gotta love him,”--> Bailey. She accuses me of being exactly like her mom, but guess what honey, you’re the same as her!

Of course, she and I sang the entire way back to the hotel--duh. It's been over a week and I've still got the songs stuck in my head!

I'm thinking when Paige and Taylor go to the NFR in Vegas this winter that sis, Bailey and I should tag along and go to Phantom in Vegas, haha.

It was a really fun night, but, kind of bittersweet for me because I know how much my mom would have loved it, she was the reason I love musicals so much—and seeing Lara with her girls, and Bailey totally in her element just made my heart swell. I want nothing more than to have that relationship with my daughters (yes, I have my order in for daughters, plural).

And why yes, you are correct, I've been listening to the soundtrack on repeat for the last two weeks and miiiiight have watched the movie twice since getting home. Maybe. It's possible. (still, not the same as the stage production)

Seriously, if y'all haven't seen Phantom on stage, DO IT. DO IT NOW.

Lecture over.

The City So Nice They Named It Twice

(New York, New York in case there was any question)

I had an amazing time with my girls in NYC, the trip was so much fun and I don't think I've laughed so hard or so much in ages.

I only get to see my sister and nieces every six months or so, if I'm lucky, so, this was a much needed treat. My nieces really are the light of my life, I love them so, so much. We were there to celebrate my baby niece getting into the Radio City Rockette Summer Intensive Program--only ten percent of girls who audition get in, and, duh, she was one of them.

So, apologies in advance for photo-palooza. I can't help it!

This was the view from our hotel room. Funny story, when I was in high school, my dad and best friend and I went to NYC for Spring Break and we stayed in the exact same hotel. My best friend and I got in massive trouble for hitting every button on the elevator--55 floors worth--now, of course, the elevators are all automated. I like to think we had something to do with that ;)

My sister and I at Shake Shack the first night. We didn't eat until like 10PM, but, ohmygah, so good.

Sis and baby niece--who's clearly not such a baby anymore. Boo.
Big niece's bff (and team roping partner), big niece and me at Shake Shake. Big niece and I are rockin' root beer floats and Taylor had a peanut butter shake. Which I was about ten seconds away from stealing.
Love these girls so much!
View from our breakfast locale in front of Anthro next to Radio City Music Hall each morning.

The Empire State Building.
The site of the World Trade Center where they are building the Freedom Tower. Whew. I cried. My niece was soooo embarrassed, but, she doesn't remember 9/11. I do.
Taylor and Paigey.
Me and my bloggy bff, Dollface who I finally got to meet! Love her to pieces!
Me and sis on our touristy bus ride. Yes, we are color coordinated, it's a sickness/we're the same person.

My nieces were cracking up at this-- "Oh my gawd, you're the same person!". Love.
Cupcake time!
We stopped at Magnolia Bakery every day on the way to or from picking up or dropping off Bailey at practice.
Paige and Taylor with their sign outside the today show. They made that the night before--our hotel room was covered in glitter for days!
Daniel Radcliffe!
My girls and their 15 seconds of fame. It was so cute, they got texts and calls all day from people back home who say them on TV.
After The Today Show we did more sightseeing and then that night had a fancy dinner and our night out on Broadway. Don't worry, I have a whole post for that!

On our last day in NYC, Lara (sis) and I got up super early to get to The Met to see the Alexander McQueen exhibit.

It was hands down, the coolest thing. Totally worth the time in line!
Erhm, slightly out of order, but, whatevs--The Statue of Liberty.
Me and Lara outside on the top of The Met.
The Arms and Armour exhibit was our favorite, which is hilarious. We decided it's because we have some sort of Cinderella complex and want a knight in shining armor to to rescue us.

Ahhh, the whole reason we were in NYC. Bailey is on the far right. Look at that high kick!

Bai and her friend Emily who also made it into the summer program.
Since Bai had been in rehearsal all week, she kind of missed out on all the touristy things (but, next year we're going to go earlier so she can enjoy the city), so, we spent Friday afternoon after her performance doing some fun stuff--like shopping.

Ever the performer, Bai doing her Elf impression on the escalator in Macy's. And I died laughing. (Please tell me someone gets the Elf reference!)
That evening we went to Top of The Rock and saw a guy propose to his girlfriend--it was so sweet! Of course, Bai and I were fawning over it! It was just the cutest thing.

Two of my girls!
And finally, gorgeous Bai.
I had so much fun. Spending time with my sister, my nieces and Taylor was just so much fun. I love those girls so much. Today, I'm totally homesick for them and keep harassing Taylor to put more pictures on Facebook, ha (she has some really cute ones!).

Whew. Can't wait until next year!