A Day in the Big Apple!

Grand Central Station

NBC Studios Store

New Freedom Tower at Ground Zero

Ground Zero museum

Central Park

snack at Dylan's Candy Bar

Kids at Dylan's Candy Bar

Our last day was spent in the city doing as many touristy things as we could squeeze into one day.  Luckily our plane did not leave NY until 9 PM so we had plenty of time.  

Wayne had decided the best way to hit everything was to go on a "hop on hop off" bus tour.  He was right.  We went everywhere in New York City we wanted to and could get on and off at our leisure.  It was the perfect way to go although it was a little chilly sometimes riding on the top of the tour bus (we sometimes went underneath to warm up).  While I have toured NYC various times, it never gets old as there is always so much going on and new.  

We started out in Rockefeller Center and Elyse was loving NBC Studios Store as she is an "Office" fan, as is Alex and their friends.  It was a fun stop as the ice skating rink had just been opened up the week before so there actually were some people skating in Rockefeller Center.  We did not go to the top of the Rock, as we have done that before, but we had a super time at this stop.

We ventured many places: Central Park, Ground Zero, Macy's, Dylan's Candy Bar, Grand Central Station, Time Square, Diamond District, saw the Statue of Liberty..so much in a day.  Luckily it was sunny and the snow had melted from the day before.  Perfect day with family.

Sadly, we had to return to Iowa.  Luckily most of us slept on the plane (all except me) and the drive home so they were kind of awake for school the next day.  I think we were still in a "New York State of Mind" Monday.....

Until next time NY!  Thanks for creating many more memories for our family!  That is what life is about!

Is this Iowa? No.....this is NY with a Nor'Eastern

Go Dennis!

Wayne's turn

flying food to catch in your mouth

hanging with the Buddha

Well...to say we got snow while in NY would be true.  When we woke up Saturday morning, we were prepared to go to James and Wills' football games.  We did have to go and buy some more gear, but we were ready for anything.  By noon, he snow was starting to come down and big flakes.  While it was pretty, the trees all over were still full of leaves.  Heavy snow plus full trees leads to broken branches.  Not a good thing.  We sent Elyse, Alex, and Will out to knock some snow off some of the trees before too much damage was done to Dennis and Connie's tree.  You could stand outside and hear trees cracking.  This along with the snow cancelled James and Wills' football games.  While we were bummed that we didn't get to see them play, Will was JV captain for the game, we had a nice time hanging out at the house chatting, watching movies and then going out for dinner.

We ended up venturing out for dinner to a Japanese place that was entertaining for all of us.  Besides the onions on fire, flying food to land in our mouths, and sakki shots (not sure how to spell it), there were lots of laughs and tummies full!

So a little snow didn't ruin our time in NY.  It was actually kind of nice to have the time to relax and hang with family.  Considering it was the worst Nor'Eastern NY has had for many years,  we can at least say we were there for it.