Kevin and I went to New York City to celebrate our FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! I can’t believe we’ve been married for five years.
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Phantom of the Opera”
I have wanted to see Phantom of the Opera since I was a little girl. At the end of the show I was balling like a baby.
After the show we went to the hotel with the plan of going back out to enjoy New York City night life. We were both exhausted, changed into our PJs and went to bed.
We stayed at a European style hotel, which meant we shared a bathroom with six other rooms. It was like camping without the tent and the campfire.
The next day we packed up our stuff and took a taxi over to Kevin’s boss’s hotel. She is living in New York City during the week for some type of educational program and she offered her place to us for the weekend. What a blessing that was, we were so grateful. We felt so welcome in her place, she left us notes and told Kevin he wasn’t allowed to work. The view from her apartment was amazing.
Grand Central StationWe started out on what would be the most exhausting 48 hours of my life! We walked to Grand Central Station. It was so beautiful.
SubwayThe subway wasn’t as bad as everyone said it would be.
Statue of LibertyWe admired Lady Liberty from the shore. We hear she is going to open to the public for tours again. I wouldn’t mine going up to the top of the statue when they reopen it.
Trinity ChurchI wanted to see Trinity Church because it's in National Treasure. It was pretty cool and pretty dang old. Kevin and I sat in mass for about 2 minutes, that was enough for us.
Trinity Church CemeteryIt looked like the Haunted Mansion (I think I go to Disneyland too much!) with the standing head rests. These were from people who died in the late 1600’s and early 1700’s. Besides the La Brea Tar Pits, we don’t have stuff that old in LA.
New York Stock ExchangeKevin wanted to see the New York Stock Exchange, since it was right there we decided, why not? We don’t have any kids with us!
First Capital of the USAAcross the street from the NYSE is our Nation’s first capital. George Washington took his presidential oath on the stairs of this building.
Ground ZeroAfter walking down Wall Street and headed to Ground Zero. Everyone is right when they say it is underwhelming. I think it will be a lot better to visit when the World Trade Towers are rebuilt by 2012; along with the monument remembering those who lost their lives that day.
Yankee StadiumThis was Kevin’s night to do what he wanted. He really wanted to go to a game in Yankee Stadium, especially since this is the last season they will play there. The Yankees are building an amazing, new, state of the art stadium across the street. We didn’t have enough time to see Monument Park so we headed to the team store. Kevin was amazed at Yankee stadium, he even caught a ball!
At Dodger Stadium, you eat a... Dodger Dog. At Yankee Stadium, you eat a Nathan's Dog.
Some guy walked past us to get to his seat and totally ate crap falling down about 3 rows. I felt bad for the guy, but it was so funny.
Here's the new Yankee Stadium.
After the Yankee game we joined the mass of people heading to the subway.
ESPN ZONEHow lucky is Kevin that his wife lets him eat at the ESPN Zone? Yes, the Yankee game was followed with dinner at the ESPN Zone in Time Square. I might as well be there by myself; Kevin is so enthralled with all the TVs around him. He said, “I want a room like this in my house one day.” I didn’t understand what he meant by that, but to clarify; he wants a room with a bunch of TVs so he can watch multiple games at the same time.
Time SquareWe walked around Time Square after dinner, and headed back to the room. I walked straight into bed. I don’t know how Kevin could stay up to watch the Top 10 on ESPN.
Pfizer HeadquartersSaturday morning started a little more slowly. I did not want to put on my tennis shoes or walk at all… but we were in New York City! We walked to Pfizer’s world headquarters. It’s a whole building. Since it was Saturday we could not go in, but they have an amazing mural depicting medicine through out time.
United Nations
What an amazing place. There were many displays talking about some major problems in our world. From the destruction of the rain forests to the refugee camps of Darfur, it is amazing how much of an impact and influence the U.N. has for the world. It made me feel so good to know that there is an organization working on the problems of the world.
The U.N. goals are:1. End Poverty & Hunger
2. Education for All
3. Equality for Women
4. Save Children's Lives
5. Make Motherhood Safe
6. Stop HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases
7. Protect the Environment
8. Build a Global Partnership for Development5th Ave. Kevin was in heaven! All of his favorite stores in one place! Cole Hahn, Faconnable, Brooks Brothers, etc… yea, can you say champagne taste on a beer budget? We kept shopping, so we had to focus back to our list of things we wanted to do that day.
Central ParkWe walked to Central Park and rested, we were exhausted; Kevin wanted to take a bicycle taxi, I said, “No, lets walk through the park!” Words I would regret later. I didn’t realize how BIG Central Park was.
The Metropolitan Museum of ArtWe walked all the way to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The Ancient Egyptian art is so cool because it’s sooo old, same as the Asian art pieces; I don’t really get excited about modern photography. My favorite painting was the “
Death of Socrates” by Jacques-Louis David.
230 FifthOur last night in New York City we decided to check out the night life. We had dinner at this quaint little Mexican food restaurant, it was so good. We went to a night club called 230 5th. It was awesome. It was a roof top night club.
From the roof we could see the whole city, and had an amazing view of the
Empire State Building.
On our way home we stopped at a couple of bars, Joshua Tree, an 80's bar... awesome, I love 80's music. Then a sports bar... they were playing Bob Marley... perfect for Kevin. We got home and CRASHED!
Madison Square GardenKevin wanted to see Madison Square Garden, so we walked
all the way there. Oh how I hated walking.
On our way back we ate.... PIZZA!!! We just couldn't get enough pizza.
Flight DramaWe took a cab to JFK together. Since Kevin's flight left before mine, I got there quite a bit early. It turned out to be a blessing because my flight was canceled AGAIN! The airline people were telling everyone to come back tomorrow morning. Whatever! I want to go home. I buttered up my guy a lot. I said, "Let's work your magic! Are you a genius?" Then I asked the other girls if he was a genius. I tell you, he looked for a good 15 minutes to find a flight for me... meanwhile, everyone else was told to come back tomorrow. He did it!!! He found another flight. The problem was it was out of Laguardia and it left in 1 1/2 hours. I asked 3 other people if they wanted to share a cab. What an exhilarating cab ride to the airport. I asked the cab driver what his record time was from JFK to Laguardia, I had him all pumped up to beat it, turned out to be pretty scary. The cab driver was driving in the shoulder and almost got in 50 accidents. Amazing we made it there in one piece to find out our flight was delayed 1 hour... then 2 hours... then 3 hours... I thought I would never get home... Finally, our plane arrived. Everyone boarded and we all waited another hour to take off. By the time I got back to Cleveland I zombie walked straight to be since it was 11:30. At least I didn't have to wait with 2 kids! I enjoyed being by myself. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
It was ridiculously crazy.
All the kids had a good time though.
Joyce took me to JoAnns. Not just your normal JoAnns, but the headquarters!!! Hudson, OH is about 20 minutes away. I know, I'm lame, but I had to take a picture.
That night we dyed eggs. Here are Sam and Gavin getting ready.
Sunday (EASTER): The Easter Bunny came and left the kids notes!
It couldn't have been more perfect of a day. The kids were hunting for their eggs in all the daffodils.
A little competitive guy
Luke and Papa T really bonded, Luke was so content with him.
Luke has really grown up. He's 4 1/2 months now and really interested in food. He is rolling over and doing so well sitting up. He had his first "baby cup" (that's what Gavin calls them) at Mamo J's house.
Hannah enjoyed one of her favorite activities with her Mamo J... cooking. Hannah is quite the little chef.
Luke is eating everything. I loved his face when he found Hannah's box of crayons.
The kids ate a lot of popsicles, but hey, that's what you do at Grandma's house... eat candy, cookies, ice cream, and popsicles!
My last night in Ohio I went to the Cavalier's game with Steve. I had a great time with him. It was a Daddy-Daughter-in-law date. Luke was so good at the game. He loved it! He got a bit fussy during the second quarter, but after a quick snack he was ready to finish the game. He lasted the whole game!
*Luke has a clogged tear duct, it's starting to clear up. Hopefully, it will open on its own and he won't need to have it punctured.
We had some time to kill before our flight home so Papa T splurged for the Mini Bungee. The kids loved it!
Hannah was crazy with the back flips!
We had a great flight home. Luke slept for the first half and the lady next to me was just dying to hold him, so she held him for a good hour, they were singing and talking to each other and he was giggling. The flight attendants all wanted to hold him and took him on walks. It was awesome. Gavin got tired, got his blanket and rhino, and went to sleep for the last hour and a half.
Hannah and I watched the Princess and the Frog together. I had so much help getting off the plane too. It was really easy traveling with 3 kids alone.
