The Vestal's headed to New York City and we survived and didn't lose anybody!! We left the day after Christmas and just about missed our flight out because we all think the Midland airport should be empty at 6 am. Not the case and we were all the very last on the plane. Once arriving in Dallas we had a gate change so another round of being the last ones on the flight! We arrived to New York around noon and Teri had arranged our pick up. We loaded up and arrived at the Park Lane Hotel. It was a beautiful hotel right across from Central Park. Once settled we hit the streets. It was obviously super crowded and we had trouble keeping Mason with us. We met a hot dog stand and all ate out on the benches at the park. The boys devoured theirs and needed more, in which they pretty much took Ryon's food and ate it. Poor Daddy.
We headed to Rockefeller Center and looked at the big Christmas Tree and Ice Skaters. The boys all enjoyed a good sucker. We then thought it was a good idea to go to the Lego Store, and it really was a neat place in which I wished we had had a bit more space to enjoy it. It was just so crowded you couldn't even walk. The crowds were very annoying. That night we went to Sarabeth's next door to our hotel and ate as a group. It was great food. Sutton feel asleep before our food came and woke up mad so I had to leave and take him back to the hotel. It wasn't really a place for a screaming toddler :) We were all in bed early (really every night) because we were so worn out.
Saturday we woke up and all had breakfast downstairs. The view from the breakfast area was beautiful with central park and the horse carriages. We ate there each morning and it was a great spot to meet and start the day. Ryon and Justin mapped out our plan for walking thru Central Park and ending up at the Museum of Natural History. The park was our favorite part of New York. It was beautiful, not crowded and a great place for the boys. We took pictures along the way and really enjoyed the morning. Once we got to the Museum we saw the dinosaurs, ate lunch, and all the other "stuffed" animal exhibits. We only made it thru two floors. The boys really enjoyed it and it was a great place to take kids.
That afternoon Teri had bought us all tickets to the Rockette's show at Radio City Hall. We had wonderful seats and everyone really enjoyed it. The facility is simply beautiful. Sutton was really into it and was a wonderful commentator for everyone around us :) We had reservations for dinner that night together. Mason got pasta and was proud of it. He made sure everyone had to see it and just kept saying, Look at my pasta!
Sunday we had bought tickets for the 9/11 Memorial Museum. Mason had a TK day because they were going to see the Lion King that afternoon. They got to go to "the biggest toy store in the whole world", eat pizza for lunch, ride in a taxi, see the Lion King, and eat Mac and Cheese at the Ritz. He was pretty spoiled. It was a good day because he wouldn't have lasted long with us at the Museum and got to be with TK which is the only thing he wants anyway. For the rest of us at the Museum, we had a great time. I don't think you can go to New York without spending time here. It's such a part of our lives now that it was great to see and learn about. The fountains and grounds are simply beautiful and the Museum is just amazing at the things they were able to preserve and keep and find in the aftermath. My favorite thing to see was the bible that was melted to the metal. I just think God's hand is in everything and the bible and cross that were created should give Christian's hope that Jesus and faith will prevail in this evil world we live in. We also got to see several artifacts and the fire truck that was half burned up. Sutton fell asleep in the stroller for most of the day so that was great; we were really able to enjoy the Museum without worrying about him. After the Museum we were all so hungry and headed to Bill's Bar. Yes we took our kids to a Bar ;) It was probably the best burgers we've ever had!! The boys enjoyed a few cold beers and enjoyed our time together. We finally made it back to the Ritz to meet up with Mason. I say finally because Subways with two strollers are pretty much a nightmare. We couldn't figure out where were going in the first place and then we'd get there and couldn't get across to the other side due to no elevators. Everyone was very worn out from carrying strollers and kids up and down stairs. It took us awhile to get to the Museum bc of Subway issues and a long time getting home. Strollers and NYC are not recommended I don't think :)
The next day was a more low key day for us. That morning Ryon and I took the boys across the street to play on the huge playground at Central Park. We really could have stayed there all day and had the most perfect day I believe. We all enjoyed climbing on the rocks and enjoying amazing weather. We were so lucky with the weather and everything was just really beautiful. The smiles and excitement when the boys were running, playing and climbing were priceless. It was the most enjoyable time of the trip for me probably, just being in our element of a playground….we are good at playing and climbing :) Not necessarily good at subways and crowded stores. Haha.
That afternoon we headed down to the Statue of Liberty and Wall Street area. We opted to not bring the boys strollers and it was a pretty good idea but we all had to do more carrying than anyone wanted. Oh well. We ate the Harbor House which was right on the water and had great seafood and burgers. Sutton feel asleep on the way there so we just laid him down on the floor and he slept away. Meredith, TK and Barrett had stayed behind to do a little shopping around our hotel.
Our group walked the streets and went all down into the Financial District and saw some very beautiful churches. We saw the one church that was basically in the middle of the aftermath of 9/11 where they helped the injured. God's hand is amazing. We finally made it to dinner that night to eat out at Lombardi's with everyone. It was impossible to get a cab and so we walked way too long :( But the pizza and the company were good once we got there.
The next morning we had breakfast and had to come home. We made it on the last flight into Midland that night as an epic ice storm hit our area!
The next day was a more low key day for us. That morning Ryon and I took the boys across the street to play on the huge playground at Central Park. We really could have stayed there all day and had the most perfect day I believe. We all enjoyed climbing on the rocks and enjoying amazing weather. We were so lucky with the weather and everything was just really beautiful. The smiles and excitement when the boys were running, playing and climbing were priceless. It was the most enjoyable time of the trip for me probably, just being in our element of a playground….we are good at playing and climbing :) Not necessarily good at subways and crowded stores. Haha.
That afternoon we headed down to the Statue of Liberty and Wall Street area. We opted to not bring the boys strollers and it was a pretty good idea but we all had to do more carrying than anyone wanted. Oh well. We ate the Harbor House which was right on the water and had great seafood and burgers. Sutton feel asleep on the way there so we just laid him down on the floor and he slept away. Meredith, TK and Barrett had stayed behind to do a little shopping around our hotel.
Our group walked the streets and went all down into the Financial District and saw some very beautiful churches. We saw the one church that was basically in the middle of the aftermath of 9/11 where they helped the injured. God's hand is amazing. We finally made it to dinner that night to eat out at Lombardi's with everyone. It was impossible to get a cab and so we walked way too long :( But the pizza and the company were good once we got there.
The next morning we had breakfast and had to come home. We made it on the last flight into Midland that night as an epic ice storm hit our area!
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