Greg and Tom had the brilliant idea to go to New York together for our big trip this summer. The kids were so excited to see the city, church history sites and to play with the Pierces for a whole week. Everyone enjoyed the hours of movies and books on the flight but we were ready for bed when we got to NYC around 11pm our time. We had some Uber fun but eventually all got to our AirB&B. Not a great location for sure (we later learned there were a lot of gangs in the area 😳) but it fit all of us.
The next morning the kids got to enjoy the metro while we ate our breakfast and eventually met up with the Pierces on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Man- I love love this bridge. The historical and engineering significance of the structure is fascinating - every time I see it I am amazed. So cool! - except that it was so hot. The kids were dying by the time we walked across the whole thing. We walked around downtown for a while, enjoyed some NY hot dogs, and headed to our ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty.
We loved seeing the statue and we learned so much in the visitors center - or they learned to put their hands in her nose- what? It poured on us as we waited to get on the ferry heading to Ellis Island.
The museum at Ellis Island was amazing. Natali and I couldn't get enough. The rest of the group got a little tired and were ready to move on. They lined up to get on the boat while Natali and I explored as long as possible. What an amazing building with so much history.
We enjoyed the windy, wet, but beautiful ride back to the city.
The kids had to touch the bull at the stock exchange.
The rain continued on and off for the rest of the night. We were all pretty wet by the time we got home. We walked to the 9/11 Memorial and were humbled by all the names and the peace of the water fall. I hadn't seen the memorial before and thought it created such a powerful peaceful feeling. Lily's little legs were getting tired and everyone was hungry so we found a nearby pizza place to enjoy some authentic NY pizza. Delicious.
Rachel headed back to their place to put Nora down for bed and we went out in the rain to explore Times Square. Natali was in heaven. She wanted to stay there all night but the rest of us soon grew tired of all the people and noise and headed back to our place - but not before a few fun stops in the Hershey's, M&M, and Disney stores.
The next morning we explored more of the sites. FAO Schwarz was a favorite. The kids would have played there all day long.
We had to walk by Rockefeller Center, Saks 5th Avenue, and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Then we went to Grand Central Station and found some lunch in the huge eating area underground.
Then to the MET - oh yea! Natali and I took off exploring with Lily and Emily. Degas anyone?
Greg, Natali and I could have stayed all day but the kiddos were ready for something new so we headed out to Central Park. Such brilliant city planning- you can sort of escape the city in the vast green of the park. Nora and Lily loved the playground while the rest of us talked, read, or slept. Our feet were pretty tired from all the walking!
We wondered through the park and came out near the Temple. It always amazes me how quiet it is inside. The loud of the city doesn't follow you in. We hung out in the church while Greg and Tom worked out the car plans. Then we separated and found us some fabulous crepes for dinner. The kids absolutely loved them leaving us on a high note as we got on the metro for the last time and headed out of the city. Greg went with the three youngest to get the van rental and the big kids and I returned to our place to get our luggage. The owner of the building wouldn't let us sit outside alone because he didn't think that was safe. I took his word for it and let him stick around while we waited for Greg. The city was such fun but I felt relief as we left it behind. It was more stressful than I realized to manage all those kids in a big city and I am really a country girl at heart. We breathed easier the green our drive got.
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