NYC

We were fortunate that Chris' Mom offered to watch the girls while Chris, Mario, Elizabeth, and I spent a night in the city. We drove to Poughkeepsie and took a train to Grand Central Station.

 

We had a wonderful hotel two blocks from Grand Central and we dropped out bags off before going exploring.

 

We went to Times Square and did a lot of walking around.

 

We went to the famous red steps near the TKTS booth and were rewarded with a good view as we planned our day. {We put together a puzzle that is of this view a few years ago. We glued it and framed it and it is hanging on our wall}

One thing that was on my list to do was to visit Magnolia Bakery! They have the most delicious cupcakes I have ever had and have been dreaming of them since our last visit 3 years ago!

Chris and Mario were in charge of navigating the subway and figuring out how to get where we wanted to go. They did a great job!

We walked over to Rockefeller center. We weren't quite sure what this floral statue was supposed to be, but we took a picture anyway.

 

While we were people watching, we looked up and saw these two Emmys in the window! I wonder who's office this is?!

We walked down to FAO Schwarz and while we didn't buy Bailey the $8,000 Giraffe, we did have fun browsing the store.

 

After the toy store we walked over to Central Park and had hot dogs from a cart. We wanted to take a carriage ride around the park, but it was a bit pricey so we decided to walk around.

It was a beautiful day {not like last time we were there where is poured rain the entire time} and the park is absolutely gorgeous!

Our friend Tanya came up from New Jersey to spend the day with us!

The new One World Trade Center building. We decided not to go to the memorial museum and Twin Tower site because we went to that area last time. Seeing the building brought back memories from 9/11 and even the new building is a powerful reminder of what was lost.

This is the Eternal Flame in Battery Park.

We took the boat over to the Statue of Liberty and here is a view of the city from the boat.

The tickets to go in the crown and pedestal of the Statue sell out months in advance so we just walked around the base. It's amazing to see in person and listen to the guided tour. The torch really seems to glow in the sunlight!

The city from the Statue island.

 

Mario and Elizabeth!

We took the audio tour and it was interesting to hear all about the process of getting the Statue here and what it represents.

Mom and I watch Project Runway and Mood is the fabric store that they use on the show. When I saw that they were located near one of our subway stops, I had to go find it! We didn't go inside, but I was still excited to get a picture of the outside.

 

Mario had seen a steakhouse on a Travel show that was listed as one of the top five in the country and he has wanted to go there ever since. We had a delicious dinner at Keen's Steakhouse. I highly recommend it for a nice dinner out.

{We all ate a ton of food!}

 

I had the fillet and lobster and it was amazing!  

Mario and Chris cheers-ing their cognac.  

What's a visit to NYC without spotting The Naked Cowboy?

 

We had a great time in the city! We saw everything that was on our list to see and it was really nice to have some time to ourselves.

 

Vay-Cashe

A few days after Bailey's birthday, we jet-setted off to NY for Chris' cousin's high school graduation (Congratulations Sydney!) and famous pig roast. We spent 12 days together with family, exploring upstate NY, and even getting away to the city for a parent's only night. 

 

Because Bailey was 2, she was in her own seat on the airplane. She really enjoyed it and didn't even notice when we took off. Fortunately, each seat had their own TV and Bailey watched a few episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse before falling asleep. {we took the red-eye}

She woke up after about two hours and I ended up holding her for the rest of the flight. so that she would sleep..so she slept, but I didn't.

 

Right after we got to Chris' grandparent's house, Bailey wanted to explore the acreage in the back yard.

We found a frog and Bailey was very eager to hold it. She was pretty gentle and we let the frog go on it's way a short time later.

 

Elizabeth, Mario, Ella, and Eden got to NY a few days before we did and Bailey was very happily reunited with her favorite cousin!

They had fun running around the backyards and spending time together!

No matter where we go, Bailey seems to find a chicken to hold! Definitely a little country girl!

Chris' Grandma, Chris, and Bailey loved spending time together!

Chris' Uncle Michael, the proud Dad of the graduate.

Chris and his sweet Grandpa.

 

Chris and his cousins with their Grandparents. We were missing Elizabeth and Eden and Ella, but it was so fun seeing everyone together!

 

We spent lots of time outside and Bailey loved being in her bathing suit.

{and I couldn't resist how cute her back looks in this suit!}

The 4th of July was pretty windy and cold (a complete opposite from the rest of the trip) so after a cold morning spent at a local lake we decided to hang out at the house and watch the fireworks on TV.

 

Bailey had fun dancing to Miranda Lambert before the fireworks started.

 

Most days were very warm and muggy, so we spent lots of time outside playing in the pool. After Sydney's graduation, there was a pig roast {yes, there was a whole pig roasted in the backyard} and we got to meet lots of family and friends.

 

Michael has a Harley and we decided to have a little fun with Bailey on it. She loved sitting on the bike and held this pose while we took pictures. I doubt we will think it's this cute if she does it when she's in her teens, but we all loved it at 2 years old!

We even had our own private fireworks! Chris and Michael set them off and we all oohed and aahed as they lit up the sky.

 

The sunsets and sunrises were gorgeous and everything was so green! We had a few thunder and lightening storms roll through but they didn't last very long and it was nice to experience some rain since we are used to hot and dry weather here in CA!

 

Bailey was amazing! Lots of people, lots of changing schedules, new sleeping arrangements and she was a trooper through it all!

 

I love these two!!

 

One thing I have always wanted to experience was catching fireflies.

Chris came in from the porch one evening and called us all outside.

It was completely magical!

Bailey loved holding them {as did I} and it looked like the yard was full of tiny camera flashes going off. Next time we will try to catch some in a jar.

 

We also went to Six Flags Great Escape in Lake George and spent the majority of the day at the water park. Bailey loved the lazy river and they had a few areas for kids, so it was perfect for Bailey and Ella. Chris and Mario went on the waterslide called the Tornado and it was scary to watch! Elizabeth and I stuck to the kids area and a few more tame rides.

 

It's really nice that the waterpark is within the normal park, so after being in the water, we went on some non-water rides.

Chris and Mario took the girls on the swings.

We were heading towards the exit when it started down pouring on us! Chris ran to get the car and as soon as we all got in, there was a lightening strike and thunder so close it shook the entire car!

 

We had a great visit and it was so fun spending time with lots of family. Chris used to spend a month each summer back in NY every year and it was so good to see Bailey enjoying the same environment. Listening to their stories and memories, watching Bailey with her great Grandparents makes me so happy and glad that we were able to get back East.

 

The ride to the airport for our flight home was a lot longer than we expected. The end of the holiday weekend (we came home the Sunday night after July 4th) combined with a missed exit on the freeway made for a 5.5 hour drive to JFK. Our flight got back to LA an hour early, so our flight only lasted 4.5 hours, and we all slept better on the way home! It was wonderful to go, but so much better to get back home to our own beds and routines!

 

Like I mentioned, we were able to get away to NYC for a night...more pictures to come in my next post!