Well, Jonathan managed to really surprise me! He arranged for his parents to come and stay with the kids, and he took me to New York City for my 40th birthday!!! I've always wanted to go...and it was a much needed break.
This food truck was out in front of our hotel every morning selling bagels.
We were a little jet lagged, but enjoyed just walking around seeing everything.
Majestic Theater...
Times Square
The M&M store in Times Square
I thought this mug looked like Jonathan ;)
I just had to get a souvenir. Each of the white M&M's say I love NY.
Pizza Pizza
My heart is happy...Chic-fil-A
One last picture in NY before catching the connection to SC.
NBS News
They were getting ready for the State of the Union.
Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center....no we didn't skate...we didn't want to chance a fall and then spending the rest of the trip in the ER, so we just took a picture :)
pretty cool Lego set
St. Patrick's Cathedral
It really was beautiful inside.
Radio City Music Hall
An art project on display...the students were given a sleigh and told to represent NYC with it. I though it was pretty creative.
Also on display...a little strange, but I thought my kids would love it! :)
We were walking around trying to see everything that we could!
While we were checking out the above location, we were asked if we would be willing to be in the audience to the rehearsal of the Late Night Show. So we said yes, and went to go get some dinner before getting back to the studio.
Everything was so pretty.
Here we are waiting to go into the studio. It was actually quite fun to see the entire process of making the show.
A BEAUTIFUL police horse!!
Finally getting to see the Statue of Liberty :)
It was a beautifully clear day!
Inside the Statue....it's a long way up!
NYC Skyline
Mandatory Selfie :)
After the Sttue of Liberty, the boat to you to Ellis Island.
We were waiting on Ellis Island for the next boat back to the city. The nice clear day was gone and cloudy, windy, and cold had arrived!
Freedom Tower
We went to the 9-11 Memorial Museum.
Most places in the museum you were not allowed to take pictures. It was done really well. I'm so glad we went.
The reflecting pools where the buildings once stood.
Yes, welcome to Chic-fil-A...and breathe in the fresh air ;)
Yum!
It was kinda fun to see the iconic Macy's store. It was much bigger than I realized and looked different than I was expecting.
The entrance to the store. We went in, but it's almost too big. It's eight stories and literally takes up an entire block. If you are just wanting to browse, you really don't know where to go. I still enjoyed it though.
I had no idea that escalators used to be entirely made out of wood. It was probably my favorite part of the store :)
I know. You've seen Panera before, but I'll take a taste of America for my b-day. :)
Street Art
The kids said we really needed to visit Christina Tosi's bakery, Milk Bar.
She has many different desserts. I ordered the cereal milk shake...and it was REALLY GOOD!
I found this gem walking down a random street exploring the city...NY Cake. I was having fun.
They made this city skyline in the store using different cake pans...pretty cool idea.
The Flatiron Building
Ok, So, I had to stop by the Manhattan JCPenney store...it's a requirement ;)
One morning we went to the Brooklyn Bridge and walked across to Brooklyn.
We ate at Julianna's Pizza. These pizzas were HUGE!
I'm glad we beat the rush because the line stayed out the door.
Walking back across the Brooklyn Bridge
The sun had come out and everything looked so different from the morning.
I like that the guys were playing chess in the past and having a good time!
While we were in NY, the kids were back at home with Mamaw and Papaw and our friends. They sent us these pictures to show us that they were having fun without us ;)
They really enjoyed the new trampoline park.
Hudson kept challenging Hua Quan to push up challenges.
I think both the guys enjoyed the challenge ;)
Benjamin didn't really feel like jumping so scored a Starbucks with Xiao Jun and Mamaw :)
I think this is one of Katherine's favorite spots
They all got ice cream afterward.
There's just something about this selfie. It makes me smile every time.
So, back to New York...I got a Starbuck's also...but no seats! It was standing only. Apparently, not all of them are this way, but it would be the one that we chose.
Welcome to the Empire State Building
It was sooooo cold and soooooooooo windy! I'm surprised we didn't blow off the roof. Great views! Didn't disappoint at all.
I even managed to get the helicopter in the picture. It flew right up to the building, hovered for a minute and then left. I'm sure those are some expensive tours!
The public library
Grand Central Station
The United Nations
The lobby of our hotel room...notice the game on tv. This made my hubby very happy. Vols Basketball
I think out of all the food we had in NY, this Japanese place was my favorite.
It was so good!
Waiting in line to see Phantom of the Opera!
We picked another little pizza joint for lunch on Sunday. We knew we had picked a good place after we saw a group arrive that we had met that morning. Always order what the chef says is the best ;)
The Guggenheim
A really cool tree at Central Park
Central Park is huge by the way...much bigger than I realized. We enjoyed walking through it.
Poor little geese must be cold.
Yes, so many people run in Central Park...this guy not only ran but juggled at the same time. Hmmm. I'll stick to walking ;)
Ice Skating in Central Park
Interesting. I guess it keeps the wind from being so cold when you are selling stuff on the streets all day.
This was some of Regan's homework for science class. She had to build something using only the things at home and show tons of transfers of energy, and it had to really work. It was quite the project.
It took a little longer than they thought it would, but the cheers at the end of the video when all the steps worked as planned...cute.
The Westminster Dog Show was at Madison Square Gardens!! I really wanted to see it just because, but we had a plane to catch. I did get to watch from the lobby and enjoyed it just the same. But this dog, really?! Poor Chinese Crested Thing
As we were flying out of the airport....I think it's my knew favorite saying :)
