Barry McGee’s Graffiti Wall

This past week I saw a picture of this wall. I instantly LOVED it and knew I needed to find it and have a photo op. It is amazing how graffiti, which is usually destructive, has become a beautiful art piece.

This wall (Deitch Wall), found on East Houston Street and Bowery, has feature multiple murals by famous artists. This mural was created by Barry McGee (aka “TWIST”) and Josh Lazcano (aka “AMAZE”), who spray painted simple red tags of the names and crews of graffiti writers from both past and present generations.

It is interesting because this work of art
begs the ever so famous question
that I studied so profusely in college:
"What is Art?"

Although this artwork features and honors the tags of graffiti artist's, it was sad to see how since the murals creation how this wall has been subject to other graffiti. When I saw this, it made me sad...but why? The wall was a giant wall of graffiti, so why would additional graffiti ruin it?

I always thought graffiti was pretty. It is nice to see an art piece which depicts its beauty.

Patrick the Juggler

Ever since we saw an amazing juggler at The Magic Castle, Pat has been obsessed with becoming a better juggler. When we got back from California he went and bought himself some balls that would help improve his skills.

Pat learned how to juggle when he had a companion on his LDS mission who refused to leave the apartment. Now, he entertains my nieces, nephews and me with his talent. Oh, the blessings of serving a mission never cease.

"Taking So. Cal. By STORM!"

While we were in Southern California, my sister-in-laws friend took pictures of my family. To add to the pictures my sister, Kim, made us all Storm Family Reunion shirts, which was a really cute idea. Thanks Kim!

The front of the shirts read:
"Taking So. Cal. By STORM!
Family Reunion 2010"

The back of the shirts read:
"And it came to pass in the
two thousand and tenth year,
in the tenth month, on the first day of the month,
there arose a great
STORM,
such an one as never had
been known in all the land."
-3 Marvin 8:5

Smith Family (Sister Kim)

Me and my bro Tyler

Storm family (brother Justin)

Original Storm Clan
(Tyler, Justin, Marvin, Marcia, Lindsay, Jodi)

For some reason this picture is really weird to me—seeing all of us as adults. We all are getting so old and have our own families. It makes me laugh to think back 15-20 years ago when we all lived under one roof. So many different personalities and so many lessons to learn. It would be a riot to go back in time and just watch our family for a day, knowing what we know now.

Rowell Family (Sister Jodi)

(Rowell Boys)

Brother-in-law Bonding

Pappa and Momma

Until Next Time, California...

While the families with kids went to Legoland and Disneyland Pat and spent a lot of time walking the beaches and thrift store shopping.

It was so nice to not have a schedule and just relax with my favorite person in the whole wide world.

It was weird being on the West Coast. Wide open spaces, driving a car, no humidity, reasonable prices, palm trees, and just a slowed down pace of life all added to my desire to one day move back. However, it was a little weird for everything to be so spread out.

(our room)

(our view)

After staying in a large villa type of apartment all week, when I walked into our NYC apartment I was SHOCKED at how old and small everything was—I felt a bit claustrophobic. It is amazing how I have gotten so used to NYC living.

(Newport Beach Temple)

Despite all those perks, I missed the NYC convenience of having everything a hop, skip and jump away. It is so nice to run across the street and just grab whatever ingredient you forgot to pick up for dinner. I missed the excitement and the energy.

No matter the vacation, it is always nice to come home.
Home sweet home.

California Eats

Pat and I love food. So of course when we went to California we had to go to the restaurants we don’t have in NYC. Some of our West coast favs include:

Rubio Fish Tacos

In ‘n out

(which for you in ‘n out fans do not read the following:

Shake Shake is way better)

and Café Rio

Some day NYC will have it all, but until then we will just have to savor our favorite eats on our vacations to the west.

Freezing at the Beach

Our resort was located just a mile from the beach; however, we only went there a few times because it was cold and rainy for most of the trip. We did manage to beat the rain for a few hours and had a lot of fun.

The kids loved running from the waves, not only for the pure fun of it, but also because the water was freezing.

The highlight of the beach for me was the tide pools. I have not been seen tide pools since I was in elementary school, so it was so fascinating to see all the sea urchins, star fish, hermit crabs, fish, and crabs up-close and personal. I was so amazed at the beauty of God’s creations and His creativity when it came to some of these animals!

As a kid I LOVED collecting sea shells (who am I kidding, I still do) so it was fun to see my nieces and nephews creating the same memories of finding the perfect shells to take home as mementos.

There is something magical about the beach. It may be the vastness of the ocean, the rhythmic sound of the waves, or the feeling of sand in your toes. Whatever it is, it never gets dull or looses it majesty. I love the beach.