SisandBoo: New York City

For as long as I can remember, Mama always wanted to be in New York City at Christmas. Many people worry about their parents drinking too much, swearing too much, or overeating... Mama... she is addicted to Hallmark Christmas movies. She won't even talk to me on the phone if a really good one is on! She forgets she has a pause button and dvr! As the holidays were approaching, I knew we needed to do something a little different this year. Daddy would have been so proud of Mama spending a little piece of money to make these six smile the way they are. I couldn't help but think of him every time I saw a hot dog stand, heard a siren, or walked by a news station. He was there with us in spirit without a doubt. I'm sure with all 13 of us going we could have 13 different stories, but I will try to cover for them. They each commented on what they liked and what they would go back to see again. Needless to say, this was the trip of a lifetime that we will always remember. We also didn't fight or argue the entire trip... I did get a new nickname on the trip, but some things must be kept secret!

Mama didn't have to go through the same line as us for security, so she may have been a little lost... I told her to stay where she was and not to move!

We all headed to Charlotte to spend the night on Saturday night. Other than a few gunshots when we were trying to get a dessert, we had a great night as we prepared our nerves for flying!

Cole figuring out if he wants to pilot one of these planes one day!

Juju and KB all smiles on the airplane. This was Ju's first flight and she has nothing to be scared of anymore. It was wonderful, smooth, and no problems.

You can almost see all of us... except Mark... he flew by himself behind all of us. We figured since he does it every week almost... what would hurt to fly with a stranger this time too. Our flight attendant loved us... he gave Ben and James all kinds of snacks... Mama and I got a special kind of coffee to bring home... and I found a bag of chocolate bites in our things too. I had never flown United before, but they were very nice! They give really good discounts for groups too!

This was us flying into Newark and the Statue of Liberty in the distance.

Pictures from the window as we flew over Manhattan.

After we landed, we took AirTrain to NJ Path to Penn Station in NYC. It was an experience that we all are glad to have had... but we really don't have to do that anymore!

We checked our bags and headed to my favorite place to eat... John's Pizzeria. It's in an old church, and they make delicious pizza and salad! We usually eat here at least twice when we go, but we only made it one time!

Our next event was heading to our bus tour to see the Uptown part of NYC. We were able to see all the usual landmarks and even the barricades for the upcoming parade. I haven't done it yet, but I am going to write a letter to the tour company because the guide told political jokes and was very disrespectful in some of her comments. We won't use this company again... even though the night tour was spectacular! We got off at The Plaza to use the restroom and grab a quick snack!

Jim had no idea what he was eating, but he said it sure was good!

We ordered crepes and watched them make them! My crepe was Nutella with bananas and it was DIVINE! Remember that a good trip is determined by the food you eat!

Once our bellies were full, we headed back toward Times Square. There is nothing like entering St. Patrick's Cathedral and hearing the organ. We actually went twice to the church. The first time they were having a service in Spanish and none of us could understand. There are really no words for the church... it's beautiful and needs not one decoration.

Lighting candles in the church....

We headed for our night tour after visiting the church. This route took us to Brooklyn and all around the downtown area. It was gorgeous at night!

Someone was lucky enough to get under the cover for the ride! It was SO cold!

The boys sitting together!

By 9:00ish we were starving! What better place to go than Juniors for burgers, sandwiches, and CHEESECAKE! We went back the next night and just bought an entire cheesecake for our room because it was so good!

Our first day in the city was wonderful... little did they know that we had lots more planned!

DAY 2

Monday we headed to Jim's request- the 911 Memorial. It was freezing cold, so we looked at it like Chevy Chase did the Grand Canyon. Actually, it was very peaceful and calm. It was quiet, it was memorable, and no matter how many times I've been I am touched by this place.

We were looking for the Survivor's Tree. It has grown since I was there last...

The WORST tour guide ever... I was not happy when I heard him start talking!

The Flatiron Building...

Walking through Chinatown and looking at the "live bait" on ice! UGH... smelled awful!

And while this may look like a small drug deal going down... it was really my family making deals in Chinatown. They loved Ju and Janice... and of course Jim and Cole got in on the action too!

While they were dealing... we took several pictures!

A close up!

KB and Ben were not impressed with the deals and were patiently waiting to find a bathroom.

We made our way to Trump Tower that night and of course we all took the opportunity to get our pics!

Our last stop of the night was the Empire State Building!

Mama and the girls~

Jim's family on the ESB

View from ESB!

Mama loved her chance to be by the TT!

Cole and Jim while we were "viewing" the Statue of Liberty.

JU JU!!

Julianne's request was to ice skate at Rockefeller Plaza.... She had so much fun, and we had fun watching her!

For lunch on Monday we went to a GREAT restaurant in Little Italy. It was the best food I have ever had (besides my favorite John's Pizzeria).

Outside Rockefeller Plaza

My three walking the streets of NYC!

View from the 911 Memorial

We also went to see the Rockettes on Monday. I think we would all agree this was our favorite of everything!

Sis has it in her hand!

James wanted to go in the NFL store!

DAY 3

Tuesday we started at the Museum of 911 Memorial... this was a free ticket that I thought would be a complete bust.... but it was one of my favorites! There was a presentation by a firefighter on duty that day... we saw lots of remnants from that day and our children were able to learn about an important date in history!

Somebody got a special necklace from Tiffanys!

And that's her jealous aunt in the background!

We ate lunch Tuesday at Black Tap... the burgers were good.... but the milkshakes were great!

Tuesday night will go down as my most embarrassing moment ever.... I waited for Broadway tickets and for 13 people the best thing was SpongeBob or Miss Saigon... I'm not a history buff... but I thought that everyone would like it better than the alternative... Miss Saigon was very informative on all levels... the little boys got quite an eyeful.... and I didn't have to wear blush for the next day because I was still embarrassed!

I thought we better fill their brains with something besides all that trash in Miss Saigon, so we went to Ripley's.... I know these are weird little places, but for some reason we like them...

Back at Tiffanys... I wanted to tell the rude little sales clerks that they were the ones working... I was the one with the money, but I didn't....

DAY 3

And for our last day.... we spent it at Madame Tussauds, which is so much fun.... Gulliver's Gate...Virgil's BBQ... Bryant Park, and Grand Central Station Whispering Wall....rode the bus to Newark Airport.... and had a complete show of drunk man who was not going to make it home for Thanksgiving because United kicked him off the flight.... I loved watching it... just like Live PD!