Nick Visits 2018

Kevin met his friend from high school, Nick, in Queens. We used to see Nick sometimes when he lived in New York, but now that Nick lives in Austin, we don't see him nearly as often. The first thing they did was have an enormous Szechuan meal in Flushing that included dumplings, noodles, beef, chicken, celery leaves, and beer; everything but the celery leaves and beer was very hot. So they cooled down with more beer and also tequila in a Mexican bar in Woodside. And they both felt great the next day!

Nick eating Szechuan food in Flushing

Visiting Lukas, Sarah, and Lio 2015

Back in October, Sarah, Lukas, Lio, Cory, and Robin were going to come visit us at our new house, but James and I were each sick for two terrible feverish weeks, for a total of a month... (James September 15-30, me from October 1-15) and we banned anyone from visiting and catching our evil virus. So we finally had a makeup date with Sarah, Lukas, and Lio.

Lio, Lukas and Sarah at Bareburger in Astoria

James probably had the best time of anyone because he loves Lukas and Sarah so much. Plus now he thinks Lio is his other sister. He also loves eating so his opportunity to have a second HUGE lunch at a restaurant was the best thing that ever happened to him. Seriously he ate more than me and Kevin combined that day.

The Clous in Astoria

Lio samples the menu... literally

After lunch we walked over to a nearby playground.

Look at these little city girls.

It was only a matter of time before Miranda had Lukas wrapped around her little finger...

Because Miranda said so that's why.

We had a lot of fun at the playground. Especially Sarah and I who see children as a great opportunity to be children again. I went down the slide as many times as Miranda did for sure, and possibly more than James and Lio.

James and Sarah having fun together

Siblings playing together

Because when your first baby is 6 months, you put her in the swing together

Miranda: YESSSS! Lio: What is going on?

Seriously, look at these expressions

Joy.

Cheering Miranda on (she was a little fearful on the slide)

Helping Lio down the slide

Then we went back to warm up and hang out for a while.

She's impressed with his building skills. Haha.

This. is. happiness.

Playing "together."

Overtaking Lukas

• My last visit to Sarah and Lio, June 2015
• Kevin and I visited Lio, Sarah, and Lukas in May 2015
• Sarah and Lukas came to visit us Easter Weekend 2015

Visiting Sarah and Lio- June 2015

I went to go see Sarah and my newest little buddy, Lio, last week. We had lunch, talked about babies, and went for a long walk around Astoria. I think it was more of a treat for me than it was for Sarah.

And of course, I got to snuggle Lio.

So beautiful!!

Baby-selfie!

Valentine's Day 2015

This year was the best Valentine's Day yet because we have another little Valentine that we didn't have last year: Miranda. Kevin, James, and I are really in love with her.

Valentine's Family Picture!

Playing with Dada

 

Naptime with Mama

Sitting in Dada's lap at dinner because she's spoiled!

Kevin got me flowers and wrote me the nicest card ever. James made me this awesome Valentine (pictured above in family picture). Kevin picked up sushi for dinner (I was actually craving it today- not just because we often end up getting it for Valentine's).

Flowers

But the best part was going out-- for a second weekend in a row! We were giddy with freedom. We met up with Lukas and Sarah who, luckily for Kevin and me, had to delay their Valentine's ballet plans. We went to Sekend Sun in Astoria, a new cocktail bar and restaurant. We had tots, pretzels, and chocolatey beignets, and I tried more cocktails than I should have. Valentines Double Dates might be my new favorite thing now!

At Sekend Sun (though Kevin is a first son)

Sarah and Lukas (a legitimate second son)

• Last year I was pregnant with and we took James for sushi at Kaji in Long Island
• In 2013,  we had sushi at Ki, chocolate cake, and hot chocolate in Brooklyn
• And here are our first 6 Valentine's Days 2007-2012

Astoria Book Swap 2014

On Saturday, Kevin had his second book event, not a reading this time- but a book swap- at the Astoria Bookshop in Queens.  For once, I don't have to write all about it because Kevin already did on his publisher Black Balloon's blog: http://airshipdaily.com/blog/kevin-clouther-we-were-flying-to-chicago-book-swap.

Here are some fun pictures I took of the Book Swap:

Kevin is the "Swapper of Honor" at the Astoria Bookshop book swap

Enjoying some free wine

 

Buy a book and have it signed by Kevin!

The Rules of Book Swap: Talk (a lot) about book swap.

Swapping books!

Mingling

Becky, Miranda, Jon, and Ben

Christina, Ash, and me

Signing books!

Celebrating our April babies!

Kevin introducing Miranda to some Black Balloon friends

With Buzz and Jen

Kate, me, Miranda, Christina, and Dan

Also, here's a new awesome review of the book in LitReactor's Bookshots: http://litreactor.com/reviews/bookshots-we-were-flying-to-chicago-by-kevin-clouther

Kevin also did  and interview with THE AIRSHIP and ended up talking about cars and grace and real estate: http://airshipdaily.com/blog/05052014-kevin-clouther-interview

• Kevin's first book event for We Were Flying to Chicago at Stony Brook University, May 2014

Saturday Sitters- Sarah and Lukas 2014

Sarah and Lukas watched James while I recovered in the hospital. He had so much fun that when we got home that evening he cried to go back to their house. And again the next day! The rest of this post guest-written/photographed by Sarah.

1. Hunting dust with flashlight and Swiffering

2. Using flashlight to shine "sun" on plants after watering

3. Styling Lukas' hair using a bike pump

Soup Dumplings in Flushing, Queens 2014

Kevin and I are big fans of soup dumplings, and one of his students recommended Nan Xiang Xiao Long Baoin Flushing, Queens, so we decided to try it for date night. Best soup dumplings ever. We had a little trouble getting the waitress's attention though so we left a bit hungry. Made for a good excuse to get Fro Yo in Rosylyn on the way back.

In front of Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao.

Chinatown in Flushing, Queens

Happy to be out of the house

My huge preggo belly is hiding under the table.

Delicious soup dumplings

Eating them is a little tricky!

New Year's at Lukas and Sarah's 2013 --> 2014

Sarah and Lukas invited us over for brunch on New Years Day, which is also Lukas's real birthday (as opposed to the fake one we already celebrated).

Brunch in Lukas and Sarah's kitchen

They made a delicious spread of waffles, bacon, sausage, and fresh strawberries and bananas. We brought the mimosa fixings. I think it was more of a treat for us than them.

The Clous enjoying the New Year

Sarah letting James blow out the candles

James loves playing with Sarah and Lukas. They engineered some toy car speedway for him out of huge cardboard rolls and their furniture, and then showed him how to shoot the car out. Between the food and the playing, I'm pretty sure he just wanted to stay and live with them for a while.

Where did the car go?

The top of the track

Catching the car at the bottom

Happy birthday Lukas!

And Happy New Year! Yay 2014!