Spring Break 2008: Part One (NYC)

Brad had this past week off, so we planned a two part trip to New York City and Washington D.C. We only got to spend one day in New York City (sorry to all of our friends that we didn't get to see while we were there!) But we made the most of our short day. We were able to stay with one of Brad's college roommates and his wife. We started out early and took the train into the city. LaMar took the day off and showed us around. Our first stop was Rockafeller center where the "Today Show" is filmed. This was one of my favorite stops because the Pink Tulips they had planted near the fountains were gorgeous. Next, we walked toward Central Park and on our way, we stopped at Trump Tower, went inside to see the pink marble and have a little Donald Trump icecream. My Coconut Sorbet was incredible, and Brad's Mango Sorbet was equally yummy =0). We also stopped by the Disney store on our walk. Liv was in Heaven. Just to help you imagine what it was like. Take any Disney Store you have ever been in, and multiply it by 20 times. They had the most amazing princess dresses. They were gorgeous, almost worth the $90.00 they cost =0).After that we finished our walk to Central Park and found a nice little spot in the grass where we sat down and let the girls run around for a while. We also waited for LaMar's wife, Amy, who met up with us after her morning classes. Gwen was in Heaven once Amy arrived. They were fast friends, and Amy was our saving Grace, considering Gwen hadn't slept well and was beyond tired. Central Park was a neat place. It was very refreshing to be among the flowers and singing birds right in the middle of a bustling city.After our bit of relaxing, we headed off to FAO Schwartz, the HUGE toystore from the movie, "BIG." They did have the big piano there, but my favorite part was the doll section. They had a hospital nursery set up where the baby dolls were behind glass, and they had a woman dressed up as a nurse there who would bring a baby to you and let you hold/rock her. It was so cute and so realistic. The girls got to choose dolls that looked like them and then the nurse would put the doll in a hospital baby cradle and wheel it out. I'm sure Liv didn't realize how realistic it all was, but I thought it was great =0).We also stopped by St. Patrick's Cathedral, and walked through.Next we had our first NYC cab experience when we took a cab from there over to Time Square. NYC traffic is fascinating in and of itself. The cabs have a whole system of their own, and somehow with all of the commotion, they get where they want, and its fast! Time Square was neat.
After Time Square, we took the Subway to Ground Zero, and then to Battery Park where we saw the Statue of Liberty.Next we walked past wall street where Brad paid homage to the Bull =0). And then to the Brooklyn Bridge. Last but not least, Amy and LaMar surprised us by offering to watch our girls so we could go to a Broadway play {I have to add here, that Liv was SO excited to have a party with LaMar and Amy, she kept asking me when it was time for us to leave them, and then she would talk to LaMar about the cookies he promised her =0) }. Brad got our tickets while the rest of us ate lunch. He chose Phantom of the Opera, and it was Amazing! The Actor's had amazing voices and were also very powerful emotionally. We loved it, and got back to Amy and LaMar's after midnight. Phew, that was a full day! I think we were both asleep before our heads hit the pillow =0).

Thank You LaMar and Amy for letting us crash at your place, and making our trip Perfect! And, Thank you especially for being SO GREAT with our Kids. We can't wait to see you again!