New York City Getaway - Day #3

Our third day in the city we decided to head back to Central Park. We just couldn't get enough of it - and did I mention the ABSOLUTELY PERFECT weather?!?! Yeah. Amazing.

We decided to go boating . . . 

Kissy-face!

Okay - believe it or not - this photo is real! We actually convinced Sarah to kiss on camera! Ha!

That's us down there. Dan hopped out to get the view from above.

Besties!

Window shopping!

HARRY WINSTON!

Then we headed down to Little Italy.

Asking directions to the Italian food market - from this awesome Italian guy.

I love this photo.

We found it and I got some awesome Parmigiano Reggiano.

We ate lunch - and though my pasta was good, we all agreed this was the only part of the trip that was less than perfect.

(It doesn't help that I'm just a LITTLE picky about Italian food . . .  :)

Cannoli!

Here I am with the owner of Caffe Palermo.

Nice guy, but the cannoli? NOT great.

One of my favorite places in the city: Chelsea Market!

Another favorite: The High Line!

Saw this and loved it. 

True.

We ended our awesome trip with yet another Broadway musical,

Mary Poppins!

(A friend from my major at BYU was in this production too!)

The show was so well done! Bert and Mary were fantastic, but I have to say my favorite was Mrs. Banks. Her voice = the real deal. Gorgeous. Loved it. I was so glad to see this! I'd been wanting to see it for years. (There was one WEIRD scene though - the creepy toys? Ugh.) Overall, it was a great great night of theater!

We were so sad our trip had to end.

It was so fun to hang out with Sarah and Dan again!

It was BY FAR the greatest NYC trip Jacob or I had ever taken!

We were definitely ready to see the boys again, though. 

(And I have to say, we were better parents for having taken the break!)

Ciao NYC. . .

Till next time!

New York City Getaway - Day #2

(A side note - several of these pictures were taken by Dan Walton. 

Just wanted to give credit where it's due!)

Okay, so when I said we packed in the fun - I mean we REALLY did!

SO - get ready for a long post, because we did a TON our second day . . .

We rolled out of bed early and ran over to Rockerfeller Center where the Today Show is always filmed. We were determined to get on the show - so Jake decided the best way was to be a little - different - so he made paper hats. He wore one and with his height he was visible on TV during the entire spot! (I was too, but much shorter and no hat!)

They were right in front of us. Awesome.

Jacob had given two hats to a Phillipino couple near us. Ann Curry came over and talked to us about them. She wondered if Jake was interested in Origami.  

For breakfast . . . 

Oh yeah! Nothing better than their Banana Pudding! Agh! I love it!

We were so excited about our next activity: 

We rented bikes for $5/hour and spent the morning riding through Central Park!

It was the MOST beautiful day!

We had truly perfect weather the entire trip. Sunny and just warm enough, but never hot!

Jacob showing off some of his crazy tricks . . . 

Aw . . . 

I love this city. 

And thus began the "PLANKING CHALLENGE" between Dan and Jake . . . 

Dan definitely had better form at this location.

Me and my BFF!

After a glorious 3 hours biking (we could have gone another 2 - it was so amazing), we went back to the hotel (just 3 blocks from the park) and got ready for our lunch at a 5 - star restaurant. 

We had heard this place was awesome - and a surprising deal.

It was fantastic food!

Then we walked down the streets window shopping.

I am obsessed with Dean & Deluca.

Gorgeous church

 

My mother-in-law told us we had to try Bloomingdale's frozen yogurt. It was sooooooo good. 

(With MELBA sauce . . . )

The we walked the streets of Chinatown and started to get a little crazy. 

(That's what all good parents do when they are without their kids, right?)

(ew.)

We got to the Brooklyn Bridge

and took in the view.

Now, I have to say - Jake really took the planking cake on this one.

(Though I was yelling at him to stop b/c I was sure he was going to fall into the river 12 feet down!)

Here we reveal our true inner - tourist and took photos of a huge rat in the subway. 

(Yeah, I'm a little embarrassed about that. 

Okay - a lot embarrassed.

 I've been to NYC enough to know better than that.)

While Sarah and I were gasping at the grossness, Jake pretended he was going to push Sarah onto the tracks - and scared her to death. 

So, Dan decided to defend his woman and get revenge!

And here we go . . . best part of the trip right here:

It was sooo amazing. I wanted to jump to my feet applauding after almost every number. Seriously, though. This show requires a strong group of amazing guys who can sing and dance their "tushies" off - and boy, this show delivered!!! The harmonies were spot on. The choreography was outstanding. The set was soo unique and interesting. My only beef was that the female lead left a little to be desired. Regardless of that - I was possibly the first one standing after the curtain closed, because I think I LEPT out of my seat! :)

We ALL loved it that much. Sarah and I were a little bit like teenage groupies after the show. Yeah, we  were among the throng of crazy girls waiting for a glimpse of these guys. 

I was so excited to meet Alex Wong and Jess LeProtto from So You Think You Can Dance. Yeah, I got their autographs too.

We were all so excited after the show - in case you couldn't tell from our giddy expressions.

Walking through Times Square - Jacob had some fun on the Jumbo Tron!

One of Dan's cool pics - 

More planking . . . 

And, yeah, we had Halal Guys for dinner a second time. What can I say? We just love it and it's so weird - there are not that many restaurants open after shows get out. ??? Not what we expected in the city that never sleeps. This is what the locals eat, though. The line is down the street and around the corner every night!

After our BIG day and yummy meal, we finally headed to the room and went to bed. However, we didn't go to sleep. With the lights out, Sarah and I kept talking and talking - just like our old BYU days. (Only this time a little different since we had our hubbys by our sides! Ha! Love that girl.)