New York

THE BIG APPLE RUNDOWN:

I'm back (and have been for several days) but I just haven't gotten around to posting about the BEST trip ever! I didn't want to post, because that would be admitting the trip is over and done..and I am sad all the hype and planning has finally come to an end, and all I'm left with is memories and 400+ pictures! (That's what I get for taking my new camera and making everyone pose for me)!

I stole pictures from Natalie's blog, because she edited and made them all cute....(thanks Nat!)

We caught a red-eye (which I now understand the real meaning of 'red-eye') out of Salt Lake on Wednesday at 11:20 pm. We were all too excited to take notice of the time. We arrived in New York at 5:15 a.m. and hopped in a taxi and headed to Manhattan. It was too early to check-in to our hotel, but they took our bags for us and we were able to freshen-up in their bathroom. (Freshen-up means put on our t-shirts we had made for the Today Show. It was Leslie's 30th birthday (a.k.a. Lou Lou) so we surprised her with 'embarrassing' t-shirts and posters!

It was a hit! Al Roker kissed her on the cheek, Ann, Meredith and Matt came and chatted with us and we even had our several minutes of fame on the Today Show. (It was my second time!) When we returned home from our trip we all re-watched our silliness:)


Instead of visiting the famous Empire State Building, we were told to do the Rockefeller Center instead or Top of the Rock. The view was amazing; especially since we had beautiful weather! (Oh, did I mention we had PERFECT weather the entire trip!) Top of the Rock is amazing; plus you are able to see the Empire State Building!



Thursday afternoon we went to the David Letterman Show. A neighbor of ours has connections and scored us VIP seats! It was amazing! I loved seeing what happens during commercials. Dave is hilarious and I couldn't believe we were there and part of the show! They had to split us up into two groups, so Lou Lou, Rachel and I were sitting together. We were laughing the entire time; not because it was funny; but because we couldn't believe we were there! Surreal.

And of course...who can forget to mention BONO. Oh yes. U2 was the entertainment! They played one song for the show and then did another number just for the audience. It was better than being at a concert because were on the 3rd row. I think Bono's sweat flicked onto my cheek;) U2 is amazing and timeless; how lucky they were there!


After Letterman we strolled along Times Square and found some food. We wanted to be authentic the entire trip and not eat at any chains. We succeeded and had the absolute best luck with our food. (Probably too much food, but New York is known for their delicious dishes...and we didn't want to leave any of it out.)

Our heads hit the pillow after 24 hours of pretty much no sleep. We woke up Friday morning bright and early to get a start on the day.

FRIDAY
We took the Subway to Canal Street where we bought purses, jeans and other knock-off items. It was fun to shop and go at our own pace without having to worry about kids and husbands! We had lunch at a quaint Cafe in Soho and then caught our Hop on Hop Off bus back to our hotel to get ready for the evening.

Hop On Hop Off Bus


Waiting for the Subway


"SHREK" was amazing! We all loved it! It exceeded our expectations...and I would recommend it to anyone who is going to New York.


What else do you do at midnight in New York? Certainly not sleep if you are given the chance...we headed to Serendipity to get some dessert. If you've seen the show "Serendipity" then you know this restaurant is famous. (It is also featured in the movie "One Fine Day" and I'm sure many others). People wait in line 3 hours to be seated at this famous little spot; we waited 20 minutes at midnight! The dessert was unlike anything I have ever tasted (and larger than should be allowed!) They are famous for their 'Frozen Hot Chocolate'; which was absolutely divine!


SATURDAY
We caught the subway to Ground Zero to visit Rachel's cousin and see where the World Trade Center had been. It was fascinating to see how 'real' people with families live in New York. Let's just say Ikea must do well in the Big Apple! You have to learn to live in super small spaces...(I was humbled and realized I have way too much space to complain about!)

We stopped at the 1/2 Price Ticket booth to pick-up show tickets for later that evening. We all had different shows we wanted to see; but some of us had seen them already. So, we eventually agreed on the "Little Mermaid".

We then visited Century 21 (not the Real Estate Company) but a HUGE discounted department store. After we'd had our fill of shopping we took the bus back to Central Park. We hired a little bike tour to peddle us around the park.


Dinner was a hot dog stand. That's a must when visiting New York. (We tried to eat at a yummy pizza place, but it was too busy for us to make it to our show on time. The "Little Mermaid" was great and we followed it up with some real dinner! The night was still too young at that point...(only 11:30) so we decided Serendipity was just what we needed [again]!

Dinner on a stick:)


SUNDAY
Our last day. We utilized our bus tour and went through Harlem and saw other parts of Manhattan we hadn't been to yet. Lunch was at Carnegie Deli (the biggest sandwiches I have ever seen. Seriously, ridiculous). After lunch we split up and half of us went to Ellis Island and the others took a ferry to Staten Island.



We rushed back to our hotel to catch our limo (yes, limo) to the airport. Our bags were bulging, bellies too and our eyes were longing for some good 'ole fashioned sleep. We said good-bye to the Salsibury Hotel (perfect location and huge suite that fit us all!) I personally slept the entire flight home.

The entire time I was away I didn't worry about my kids at all. Chad was busy with work so Kye and Kelly were so fantastic to take my kids for three days! They even took them on a small road trip to Cedar City to be meet up with my parents to celebrate my dad's birthday. (Seriously, what aunt and uncle do that? Only my brother and his wife. They love my kids and my kids adore them!)

Thanks to Chad for funding this little getaway. He's such a sport about my girl trips (even if the guys get together and gripe about how much $$ their wives are spending:)

I have such wonderful friends who make getaway so enjoyable. Thanks to everyone for going along with my wild idea of taking a New York vacation; it wouldn't have happened without all of you...and it wouldn't have been as amazing without each one of you!