Empire State of Mind...

The day after Christmas we left for our trip to New York.  After six and a half hours in the car, we stopped in Harrisburg, PA for the night.  Early Tuesday we got back in the car for the rest of the drive.  It was a super-easy drive...until we got to the Lincoln Tunnel.  Midtown traffic is the worst.  But, finally we made it to Mike's parents' house out on Long Island.  The girls were so super-excited to see him--I mean, it had been a whole month ; ).  They were also very anxious to meet his parents.  Luckily for Barry and I, the girls perform at their best around other people.  So, they were really ready to shine on this trip.  After presenting the gifts the girls brought (Logan made an apron for Mike's mom--it was quite lovely, and she was very proud of it), we went out for pizza. 

 

The girls with Mrs. B and Mike...

 

The next morning we headed out for a trip to the city.  We took the Long Island Railroad to Penn Station.  The ride was a little over an hour, but the girls were too excited to care (plus they had "Angry Birds" to help keep them entertained).  From Penn Station we took the subway down to lower Manhattan to see the new 9/11 Memorial, and meet Mike's brother Chris.  It was done really well, but it was pretty surreal to be in a place where such tragic devastation took place--very sad.  Next we walked up to City Hall to meet Mike's dad for lunch.  The girls were really out of their element walking past all the fist markets in Chinatown.  But, we had an awesome meal in Little Italy--I ate way too much!   

Mike and the girls on the train...

 

Maren and Daddy on Wall Street...

Checking out the memorial...

The new Freedom Tower...

 

Carsyn and Mr. B...

 

Little Italy...

Where they film scenes from Law and Order...

Once we got back to Long Island, Mrs. B had made an appointment for manicures and pedicures.  The girls had been looking forward to this for weeks!  They had so much fun.  While the girls were getting pampered, the boys were having a Wii tournament...the jury is still out on the winner ; ).  For dinner we went to a restaurant called Pit Stop that was featured on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives--kind of a tradition when we hang out with Mike.  It was so good.  And, just to show you how well-behaved (and, cute probably doesn't hurt) the girls were...the owner went out of his way to give the girls complimentary cookies.  We definitely recommend it! 

 

Mani's and Pedi's...

 

They need some manly activities, surrounded by all that pink...

The girls and their three favorite guys (no, seriously--the girls literally met Mike's brother Chris only hours before this picture was taken, and look how affectionate Maren is)...

 

Thursday morning we went back to Manhattan to see the Rockettes, and other sights.  We thought about skating at Rockerfeller Center--but, apparently so did everyone else--the line was ridiculous.  The Radio City Christmas Spectacular was pretty good (even though a couple of guys I know might have fallen asleep).  After the show we enjoyed a late lunch at the restaurant where Chris' girlfriend, Kim works...the girls were only a little jealous ; ).  Then we were off to Times Square.  Whoa!  Was it crowded!  It was almost impossible to walk down Broadway, and keep all seven of us together.  But, we got a few photos and even saw the "Naked Cowboy", before making the trek back down to Penn Station.  What great day in Manhattan--even though it was pretty chilly. 

 

Checking out the koi pond in the backyard before heading out for the day...

 

Back on the train...

The Rockerfeller Christmas tree...

Inside Radio City Music Hall...

 

 

After the show...

 

The girls and Kim (aka...best server ever!)...

 

Times Square...

 

Empire State Building...

 

Back in Long Island we ate dinner, and then the girls had so much fun making a gingerbread house with Mrs. B, Nani, and the neighbors' little girl.  Such a perfect ending to a great day!

 Building a gingerbread house is serious business...

 

Checking out the progress...

The girls...

 

On Friday morning the girls were pretty sad, knowing that we had to return home.  They really didn't want to say goodbye to Mike's mom when she left for work.  But, we were able to spend a little bit of time at Long Beach.  Such a pretty view from the boardwalk, and such a fabulous day.  A huge THANK YOU to Annamaria, Mike, Mike, and Chris for being such hospitable hosts.  We will always treasure our time with your family...love you guys!

 

Mrs. B and the girls...

The girls at the beach...

 

Hanging out on the boardwalk...

 

Goodbye, friends...until next time...

Wet Weekend in New York...

A three-day weekend from school? Where should we go? I know...New York. Well, that's what we would have done if we were still living in northern Virginia, and it wouldn't have taken a 9.5 hour car ride--both ways. But, we're adventurous and we thought, what the heck...let's go! So, immediately after school Thursday we hit the road. We stopped for the night in Harrisburg, PA. Daddy drove up from Washington and met us at the hotel. Friday morning after breakfast, we drove the rest of the way to New York. As soon as we checked into the hotel and changed clothes, the girls had plans to "shop 'til they dropped". However, Daddy was not on board with that plan. They settled with some sight-seeing and a visit to the American Girl Place. Afterward we enjoyed some yummy pizza.

The girls and the view from our hotel...

Ready to go out...

The girls in Times Square...

Carsyn at the American Girl Place...

Back at the hotel the girls got warm (and dry) in their pajamas, as we prepared dinner. The girls had fun watching and "I Carly" marathon on t.v. with Nana, while mommy and daddy went out to a show. We got tickets to see a new musical called "In the Heights", starring Corbin Bleu! Actually, this was one of the main reasons that we went to NYC. The show was really good (that's probably why it won a Tony for "Best Musical" in 2008). And Corbin was awesome. After the show he was out in the lobby (along with other cast members) collecting donations to "Broadway Cares". Was Barry thrilled with the idea of me waiting in line to meet Corbin Bleu? NO! But, he really didn't have a choice. (However, he pouted about it for the rest of the trip...jealous!) Anyway, Corbin was so nice. I told him how much the girls loved him and how we saw him at the Kids' Inaugural Concert last January. It was very cool!

Mommy and Daddy in Times Square...

Mommy and Corbin Bleu...

Saturday morning we enjoyed a nice hot breakfast at the hotel before heading out for the day. We took the girls (in the rain) up to 46th Street to see the theater that mommy and daddy went to the night before. Then--after over a year--the girls got to go to Jamba Juice. They were so excited, and it was nice to get out of the rain. Next we took the downtown train to Battery Park. Originally we had tickets for the Liberty Island ferry, but with all the rain the girls lost interest. Luckily we got our tickets refunded. So, we still haven't made it to the Statue of Liberty. But, at least the girls saw it (from a distance) this time. I guess that will just give us another excuse to go back to New York ; ). We walked around the Castle Clinton for a while, but the girls were ready to get back to our room and dry off.

Ready for another day in Manhattan...

In front of the Richard Rogers Theatre...

Jamba Juice, at last...

On the subway...

Can you see the Statue of Liberty in the background?...

Castle Clinton...

Saturday night we went out for an early dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner on Broadway. The girls had so much fun watching the singing wait staff and singing along. Logan particularly liked our waiter...she's so silly. Sunday morning we filled up on breakfast and got ready for our long drive home. We had a great weekend, rain and all. But, hopefully next time we'll have nicer weather.

Daddy and Maren at the diner...

Logan and Carsyn enjoying some show tunes...