NYC time

     Going to New York City was a really anticipated trip.  Brad and I had not left our kids for 5 days in a long time, like before Jillian was born, long time.  So when this May 9th was our 10 year anniversary I knew we need to get away.  I had been planning in my mind for almost a year of where we should go and how to leave the kids with my parents.  First it was going to be Niagara Falls and Canada Brad has never left the country and I wanted him to get his first stamp in the good old passport.  But he also had never been to New York City to sight see and go to a Broadway show.
     When we decided to go to PA for a week it looked like it would be easy for me to hop on the train and meet him there.  Doesn't it sound kind of romantic to meet my husband in New York by train?  Well let me know tell you the idea doesn't always play out in reality!  I got on the train just fine, the trip was fine no problems.  My husband boarded the plane flew to Chicago to exchange and head over to NYC, that is where his nightmare began.  He sat on his plane, for an hour, changed planes then sat on that one for an hour.  Then waited out bad weather and it was so late that they cancelled the flight altogether.  It was just problem after problem.  I was sitting in the hotel waiting for him while he was ready to scream at the top of his lungs he was so tired and frustrated.  But he was getting the first 6:00 a.m. flight out the next day and was at my hotel by 9:00 a.m. and he wanted to go and hit the streets.

On the train to start my romantic getaway.....

 
We headed to the south part of the city and saw the 911 site and learned more about the new building being built.  It was pretty sobering to see it all.  My heart aches when I think about that day for so many people that lost their lives.  The new building is huge, really I can't imagine what it will be like once its done.

 All around the water fall are the names of the people who lost their lives.  It was pretty amazing to see.

Then there was this tree....its a cool story.  When the buildings all collapsed of course everything around it was crushed and died.  Except this tree!!  After removing all the damaged metal and concrete they found part of a tree that had survived.  They weren't sure it would unless they up rooted  it and planted in better soil, so they moved it to a different part of the city to nourish it back to a stronger health.  Then they put in in the courtyard of the ground zero memorial.  They call the Hope tree.  A man stands underneath it and tells the story of this tree all day long to tourist.  I thought it was kind of cool, so of course I needed a picture of it.

After that we went to China town and Little Italy.

 So many shops to stop and look at, people are everywhere.  Its fun to just sit and people watch.

The next day we went to the middle of the city and saw Times Square, and a Broadway show.  There are so many people in Times Square area.  I think my sweet husband was going to go crazy with so many people everywhere.  We learned a new thing about him on this trip, he doesn't like crowed places with people packed like sardines.  

We saw some interesting signs and advertisements.  My kids would have been freaking out.  Also we saw street performers/characters.  Brady would have stopped every five feet to get a picture with them all.  

 Jillian's favorite show is Toy Story, she loves all three of them.  She can say Buzz and Woody.  She loves to look at these pictures.  I personally think they are kind of creepy.  I mean look at Woodys' eyes....

We went and saw Newies during the day and it was SO good.  I am amazed at how awesome they all were and my husband got us front row tickets! Brad got the best husband award for doing that.  You can see him giving me the thumbs up in this picture below.  

After that we went up town a bit and found a restaurant called Serendipity's.  We have heard they are famous for their ice cream sundaes and wanted to try one.  The wait was 1 hour so we put our names down and then we to a cafe two doors down for dinner.  It was practically empty so we ate and talked about the play and then finished just in time to walk down and get seated for dessert.  

So this bowl has a slice of chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, whipped topping and chocolate sauce drizzled all over it.  Its the size of Brads head.  We sat there and stared at if for a min. then I HAD  to take a picture right?  Just. so. good.  Almost couldn't finish it.

Our view from the hotel....

The next day we also went shopping, and site seeing in Central Park.  Brad really liked this day because it was less people there.  If that is less people...lol  Does this picture look familiar?  Its a hot spot for movies in New York that is why I wanted to find it.  I have seen it in 13 going on 30.  I have also seen it in Enchanted.  

Kind of being silly.....

New York was so fun and I know I am missing about hundred other pictures and stories to tell.  Oh yeah the last meal that we went out to was awesome!  It was a Bobby Flay restaurant.  We both said we thought it was one of the best meals we have ever had.  Definitely top 10.  So naturally I had to sneak a picture.  They put us in the corner of the restaurant so I hoped no one would notice....

Brad got this pork loin and I got fish was some kind of sauce I was tempted to lick off the plate.  There were mashed potatoes in between us that we were fighting over.  Had to keep it civil we were in public....

So glad that we spent celebrating our 10 year Anniversary doing something new and exciting together.  Even after 10 years, three kids, and a crazy daily life we endure together. I am still glad that we are doing this together!  Can't wait to see what unfolds in the next ten years and how we celebrate that anniversary!