This is the last one!

Tuesday night we saw Wicked. Love that show! The kids love that show!

 Then, we stopped by Juniors for dessert.....can you say scrumptious!!!?!?!??

 Love Brandon's eyes....he had that whole thing!

 Yum yum!

 Some pretty bridges in Central Park...

 Wednesday morning came and it was pouring rain!  We had planned to go see the Statue of Liberty this morning before we headed for the airport.  We debated, but in the end, decided we needed to show the kids the Statue up close.  So, we bought some cheap umbrellas....had everyone wear their jackets...we didn't bring coats...and headed out!

 We weren't the only crazies....but Mike and I thought the kids will for sure remember this visit!

 Quick picture....I think they were surprised at how tall she is.....Then, we headed back to the ferry to take us back...

 Amazingly enough, we had a subway car almost to ourselves...one lady. So, Sydney and Brandon decided to swing a bit.  It lasted one stop until there were more people boarding the train, but it was fun!

 We were starving and cold, so we went back to Juniors for lunch before heading to the airport.  Amanda had to try the hot dog after hearing from Maddy that she loved it! This thing was huge!  But, it hit the spot, she ate almost all of it.

We went to the airport via shuttle.  When we went through security, Brandon had to lose his snow globe.  I guess you can't take them with you. The security guard said we could check our bag or they have to throw out the globe. Well, we needed the bag, so we gave them the snow globe. Brandon was in tears!!!  But, lo and behold, once you get through security, you can buy a new one in the airport shops.  Crazy.  Amanda bought some new pj pants because her jeans were soaking wet and changed before the flight.  We bought the kids all fuzzy socks so that they could take off their soaking wet tennis shoes.  It was quite the experience :)
We LOVED this trip! Thank you to Grandpa and Grandma for taking our whole family! It is a trip that we will think about often and remember forever.  Thanks to Mikey for making it a fun time for our little family. Loves!

9/11 Memorial

I'm beginning to think I'll never finish posting about NY!

This next activity was amazing. Mike had gotten us all tickets to see the 9/11 Memorial.

 These memorial pools/waterfalls were incredible.  So peaceful in the middle of a construction zone, not to mention this noisy city.

 This is the only pear tree on the plaza.  This tree survived the attacks on the World Trade Center. It was taken to Brooklyn for rehab and then replanted on the plaza.  It has cables holding it together and is fenced off, but what an amazing story.

 This is the new tower of the World Trade Center being built.

 Only family members are allowed to leave flowers, etc.  Also, we learned that the name plaques are heated so that they will always be warm to the touch.

 I really could have sat there all day. It was so peaceful.  I think it is very appropriate what they did with this piece of Manhattan real estate.  Beautiful tribute.

 As you walk down the street, there is this memorial for the firefighters lost from the closest fire station.

Very humbling.

More NYC

 Here is my little family, along with some random woman in the background, by the part of the World Trade Center pictured below.  There is a flame that was lit on the one year anniversary that is glowing right next to the monument.

 We walked on the Brooklyn Bridge next.  Mike has read Dave McCullough's book about this bridge and was excited to be seeing it with his own eyes.  He was explaining to us all the things he had learned in the book about how this bridge was constructed. Pretty amazing!

 We walked to the second brick wall and then back again.  Beautiful day and beautiful views!

Empire State Building

This visit, we decided to go to the Empire State Building at night!  It was gorgeous!

This was a highlight for the kids because of the movie, Elf.  We had been quoting the movie since the day we arrived in NYC!

 It was really, really cold on 3 of the 4 viewing areas outside, so the pictures of Sydney and Brandon happened inside!

 "I'm looking for a Walter Hobbs!?"

"I'm here, with my Dad, and we've never met, and he wants me to sing him a song...and, and I was adopted, but he didn't know I was born. So I'm here, Dad, I found you, Daddy and guess what? I love you, I LOVE YOU, I LOOOOOOOOVE YOU!