technology fail

I've never thought of myself as technologically challenged, until lately. All the awesome things we can do these days make me want to sing Kip's wedding song to LaFawnduh. (I don't have to link it, do I? Okay fine.) But, these past few months it seems like it's been one technical difficulty after another.

First, I lost my camera a few months ago. Then, several weeks ago our internet started acting up. Then, a few days ago I ended up with a dying laptop battery, no power cord and still spotty internet... but at least, at least I had my phone. And finally, on Saturday, my very last connection to the outside world went down the toilet. Literally, Isaac threw my phone into the toilet. Even after being instantly rescued by a friend (who will remain unnamed--but wow, when your friend reaches into a toilet for your phone, that's love) it still sputtered out and died.

The good news is, things are looking up...

New camera: check.

Computer and power reunited: check.

Internet fixed, hopefully for the last time: check.

Replacement phone: on its way.

Sigh. When I started this blog, one thing I was wary of was that it might start dragging because I would feel obligated, rather than excited, to keep it updated. But blogging is still so fun! If it weren't for this massive, continuous technology fail, who knows where we would be today. My guess is, realistically, not far from where we are today. It's always something, right? Ah well.

Okay technology, I forgive you.

But don't ever do it again.

Imagining the future conversations we'll have about these pictures...

Mom, what were those big green things?

What's mail?

What's paper?

Oy.

Feeling good at J.Hood

Gone are the days of bundling up for the park! And gone are the days of having the playground all to ourselves when it was cold. I would be there thinking, yeah, I know it's like 35 degrees, but is no one else going nuts in their tiny Manhattan apartments? Am I the only one crazy enough to be outside, but only because I'm even crazier when we're stuck inside? It's a weird feeling when you find yourself alone in Manhattan.

Thank goodness for you, J. Hood Wright, and for your awesome park just 3 blocks away.

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Phone faves: holding hands

At the moment, my laptop is in NY but my power cord, camera and husband are in CA for the weekend, starting yesterday. Why they're there is maybe a story for another time-- I only bring it up to say that this seems like a great opportunity to do a little phone photo spring cleaning.

Phone pics are never great quality-wise, but content-wise they are sometimes the best! So I'm going to try to post a few of my faves, starting with this one. Lately Bethany insists on holding Daddy's hand even while sitting in the stroller. She's got this guy in the palm of her hand.

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Mexican cooking night

Ever since living in Mexico years ago (and possibly before that too), Jared has really, REALLY loved good Mexican food. So, for his birthday... (here's where a nicer wife probably would have taken him out to a good Mexican dinner or cooked one for him, but he had to do it himself...) I took him to a Mexican cooking class! We learned how to do a few things and had a great time.

It was at the Institute of Culinary Education, and our teacher was Chef John Ash, who runs a restaurant out in California wine country, has won some awards of some kind (the cooking kind, I'm sure) and has also done stuff on the Food Network TV. I hadn't heard of him before, but he was a great teacher and even though we sometimes felt like we were on Top Chef or Hell's Kitchen, he never yelled or swore at us.

There were about 10 students in the class and we split up into teams to make different dishes. Jared and I were on separate teams so the competition got a little heated between the two of us, even though there was nothing to really compete over. The whole room was going a little crazy toward the end when everyone was scrambling to finish their dishes so we could eat. But our big reward was tons of amazing food! And knowing how to make it!

the kitchen/classroom/dining room

avocado fries with chipotle aioli

wild mushroom quesadilla with charred tomato salsa

new world shrimp cocktail

tomatillo, poblano and hominy chowder with cilantro pesto

achiote roasted sea bass with citrus salsa

grilled steak tacos with chipotle lime sauce

and of course, Mexican corn on the cob

The food was clearly more gourmet than the good and authentic Chihuahua fare that Jared ate every day for 2 years, but we didn't mind.

Ironically, the only dish I didn't get a picture of was the one I made. Probably because it was THE BEST and it got scarfed up too quickly (see? I'm getting competitive again). I was in charge of the Capriotada (Mexican bread pudding with caramel sauce), and it was pretty amazing. Even the people who didn't normally like bread pudding cleaned their plates. I maybe shouldn't take all the credit because I was only following a recipe, and got a lot of help from the chef, but I think I will anyway.

the new Mexican chefs (in a super smoky kitchen)

lounging around in large quantities

General Conference is always a treat--you get all the great feelings you have when you go to church without having to leave home or change out of your PJs. Elder Bednar's talk about how inspiration comes really resonated with me. In addition to hearing great talks, General Conference weekend meant a fantastic amount of down time as a family of four. So refreshing.

a big month starts with Pearl & the Beard

April. For once it felt like time passed kind of slowly this month, even though we had a lot going on. The things we did at the beginning feel like forever ago. Not everything we do makes it on the blog, but there were a few things we've done recently that I thought I'd throw on here just for fun. (In other words, these next few posts will help me clear out my blog drafts.)

Jared & I started April out with a great date night to see Pearl & the Beard at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. They were super fun live! Lost in Singapore was probably my fave, Douglas Douglas stayed in my head for days (in a good and not annoying way), and Oh Death made for an awesome sing-along that they did in the encore. And Emily Hope Price! She's incredible on the cello! (And also my VT companion, which makes me feel cool, but then so much less cool for saying it on my blog. Eh, you can't win 'em all.)

Dinner at Manolo - a yummy tapas place in our hood!

The Lisps were the opening act - quirky and fun. I liked.

I love being right up front!

* * *

Obligatory baby photo: we all got psyched for the show earlier that day.

(A billion points to anyone who noticed that Bethany's on the left and Isaac's on the right. Here's why, if you missed it.)

Easter!

(Here's what I would have posted yesterday if our internet wasn't broken. Again! Bah!)

The Easter excitement has been building in the Lee home.

It started last weekend with the Easter egg hunt at Fort Tryon. Bethany was quick to get her four egg limit (haha, yes, each kid was allowed a whole four eggs... which is actually plenty for a one-year-old but sad when it came time for the older kids' turn), but Isaac stayed loyal to his first and only find. I guess that egg was so perfect, he saw no reason to keep looking. It might have something to do with trying to sneak in a nap on the way there, and being yanked out of it so he didn't miss the fun. Sorry, kid.

Video!

The excitement continued with the arrival of this package from Grandma Suzanne and Aunt Kristi:

So sweet! They really spoil these babies. I love it. :) I was especially excited to see the brown dress for Bethany, since it was already in my cart at oldnavy.com. I think these two wore their outfits well...

We finished out the weekend by having Easter dinner with our good friends Brendan & Tamara. I've lost track of how many holiday dinners we've had with them since we've lived here.

Hope everyone had a happy Easter!