I {Heart} NY

Girls Retreat 2012!

In April I went to New York City with my Mom, sister Rachel, my aunts, and some of my girl cousins. I have to admit it was crazy taking a break from real life- not having my boys with me- but it allowed me to really soak up the city life and enjoy the sights. It was so nice being able to relax knowing they were back home with Aunt Kimmie who flew up to take care of them for the week. It was a party for everyone!

We came home with loads of photos and fun stories but in the interest of saving everyone some time... here are just a few favorites.

Newsies on Broadway...

LOVED IT!!  I want to go see it again- right now.  I was kindof obsessed with this movie when I was young but seeing it on Broadway inspired a greater love for it all.  Three of my So You Think You Can Dance favorites (Evan, Alex, and Jess) were part of the cast which made it all the more awesome.

We rode bikes through Central Park.  Took the longest route around possible- beautiful and hilly and a very good workout.  First we had to ride our bikes a few blocks through the busy city- I may have almost gotten run over by a bus or two.

We ate a lot of yummy food from the very fancy brunch to the very street-cart-hotdog. We did lots of exploring, riding subways, and walking.

We visited Ground Zero and walked around the new September 11th Memorial Fountains. Those tiny colored dots are people.... that's the enormity of these fountains. There was a very special spirit here that I'll never forget.

(The museum behind the fountains is still being completed, so we'll have to come back to see it someday.)

One of the nights, instead of going up to the top of the Empire State building, we rode the elevator up to the Top of the Rock and got to see this...

Other great moments... took the ferry to Ellis Island, spent time at FAO Schwartz Toy Store, the Rockefeller Center and Grand Central Station (I was hoping for a flash mob... but no.) Walked through St. Patricks Cathedral, got lost in the Museum of Natural History, visited Little Italy, waited in line at the Shake Shack, and had great talks in the hotel.

Some people say New York is great to visit once in your life, but truthfully I wouldn't mind going back again... and maybe again after that.