The Big Apple

We’re back from our trip to NYC! We had so much fun and we got to see so many things on our list of things-to-do….it was a wonderful yet exhausting trip!

We spent the night in Dallas Wednesday night so we could wake up at 4:15am on Thursday to get ready to go to the airport and catch our plane. We checked in at the airport at 5:40am and our plane left DFW at 7:40 (we had a little delay because of weather). We arrived in NYC at 11:55am and finally got to our hotel around 2pm. The shuttle ride from the airport to our hotel was both crazy and scary. I don’t know how anyone could or would drive in NYC. Those people are maniacs! I seriously thought we were going to have a wreck several times. It was definitely an experience we’ll never forget. After we got checked in and got our stuff in our small room (smallest hotel room I think I’ve ever stayed at and it was the most expensive hotel I’ve ever stayed in) we set out to see the Big Apple. We visited Time Square (that’s where our hotel was at), St. Patrick’s Church, 5th Avenue and Broadway. We ate lunch at Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Co. That night we got all dressed up and went to watch the Broadway musical, Wicked. It was wonderful and I loved every minute of it. I would highly recommend if you go to NYC…go see Wicked! You won’t regret it.

Time Square

Us at Wicked.

Friday morning we woke up and bought tickets to ride a tour bus around the city…that was a good choice because it allowed us to see a lot more of the city than if we would have just walked around…NYC is a very big place. We rode around Manhattan, walked the entire Brooklyn Bridge, ate lunch at the Hard Rock Café, visited the World Trade Center site (it was very sad to be there…I had work hard to hold back the tears), went to see Yankee Stadium (unfortunately they were out of town while we were there) then took a bike-cab ride around Central Park.

A picture of the Empire State Building from our bus tour.

The Brooklyn Bridge

New construction at Ground Zero, where the World Trade Centers once stood.

Yankee Stadium (the new one)Central Park

Saturday we got back on the tour bus and went around upper Manhattan and Harlem, visited the Museum of Natural History, Macy’s, Grand Central Station, got all dressed up to eat dinner at Rosie O’Gradys and watched the musical Chicago. The actress Chandra Wilson (she plays Dr. Miranda Bailey on Grey’s Anatomy) played Matron “Mama” Morton. I enjoyed the performance…but (to me) Wicked was better.

Inside Macy's.

It was crazy busy...felt like Christmas time.

Grand Central Station

All dressed up for Chicago. Isn't my hubby cute?!?!

Sunday we took at boat ride to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty then went to Ellis Island to look around. We stood in line for ½ price Broadway tickets, bought souvenirs, got all dressed up ate dinner at Lindy’s (not a good choice) and watched the musical Mama Mia. It was very enjoyable and I liked it a lot. Afterwards, we changed and went back out to enjoy our last night in NYC.

Us at Ellis Island

Monday we woke up early (actually we never really went to sleep…terrible neighbors!) went to the Today show…we were actually on it…a little….you could see Steven and kind-of see me jumping up and down in the back. It sucks being short! We went back to Central Park one last time, walked around the streets of Manhattan once more then took a taxi to the airport.

The Today show.

One more visit to Central Park (one of my favorite things about NYC).

We arrived at DFW around 5pm, ate dinner and drove home. We pulled into our driveway around 9:30pm. It was nice to sleep in our bed again.

I loved our trip to NYC and I would like to go back again someday…I doubt Steven would want to go back with me but he also had a good time. Hopefully after we get finished paying for this trip we can start saving up for our next adventure!

NYC....Here We Come!!!!

We’re leaving today to go to Dallas and spend the night so we can get up early in the morning and head to the airport. I am SO excited that our trip is finally here!!

There’s only one little glitch in our trip so far….the weather! It is supposed to rain every day we’re in the Big Apple…but have no fear….that’s why they invented rain gear! We both purchased a rain outfit yesterday so we’re ready! (We think.) It’s also supposed to be pretty cool while we’re there so instead of packing all shorts and tank tops…I’ve got blue jeans and sweatshirts. I’m determined to not let the weather get me down.

We’ve got tickets to see Wicked Thursday night and then after that we really don’t have any plans…we know there’s going to be a lot of walking around and sightseeing. I also want to eat a LOT of food while I’m there!!! I can’t wait!!!

Jessica's baby shower

This weekend I had the privilege of hosting the baby shower of one of my oldest and bestest friends, Jessica. She is pregnant with her first baby, a little girl to be named Mary Ella. It was so much fun having Jessica and her husband Brad stay the night with us Saturday night and go to church with us Sunday.

After church we had the baby shower at my house and it was so wonderful. We had such a good turnout and it was so nice to see and visit with people that mean so much to Jessica and to me.

I can’t wait to meet Mary Ella!

Me, Jessica & Neelie

More Pics

Here are more pictures from Gage's baseball game last night. Enjoy!

Gavin eating his animal crackers.

Gage after his game.

Gage & Makenna

Gage & me

Makenna, Gavin, Kristian & Gage

Sizzling Summer Nights

It’s hot. It’s summer. So that means it’s baseball time! I went to Gage’s baseball game tonight and man was it hot! It wasn’t the “let me get a sun tan” hot….it was the “I think I’m going to pass out” hot. Gage plays for the B.S.T. Maud team (don’t ask me why they named the team that…it stands for Blood.Sweat.Tears…but still…that’s a little ridiculous if you ask me…but no one did…soooo…) Anyways, I haven’t had a chance to really watch Gage play this year since I’ve been coaching Makenna’s softball team so this was my first game to really see him in action. He did a good job in the field, he plays shortstop and he’s one of the pitchers. Actually he’s the best pitcher…and that’s not just because he’s my nephew. He really had a great night pitching. He didn’t do too well batting tonight but the opposing pitcher was really good. Gage is an outstanding athlete and it is so much fun to watch him play any sport. I am very proud of him.

Gavin also enjoys hot summer nights. While at Gage's game he enjoyed the dirt..instead of the game. He was so dirty! It looks like he has hair growing under his armpits but it's really dirt. He was so gross.

A Sigh of Relief

The kids are finally out for the summer! I have to go back to school tomorrow until noon then I’m officially done.

I have really enjoyed this group of kids and it was sad today to think that they are no longer my students….but I’m so happy to have a break. Teaching is such a rewarding career but it’s also an exhausting career. It is fun at times and then other times it can be very stressful.

But now its summer and I’m so excited! I have my trip to NYC in 14 days and then I’m going to Florida a few days after we get back from NYC!!! Fun, fun!!!!!

HAPPY SUMMER!!!