Good bye New York City

Watching the light show at Grand Central Station~

The grand tree & other decorations at night~

The store Sax Fifth Avenue with falling snowflakes.

The final act in the show. Something about those Rockettes!

Terri & Tyler at Radio City Music Hall waiting for our show.

At St. Patrick's Cathedral

More playtime at Central Park . . . Everyone sipping on Hot German Cider.

At Rockefeller Center -

NBC Studios

Top of the Rock viewing area

Our last day in NYC~
Today was by far our coldest day. It was 11degrees & 0 with the windchill. We bundled up & headed out for the day. After finding a great place for a quick egg sandwich, we walked down to Top of the Rock. We went to the viewing section ~ one floor was enclosed, one had plexiglass to break the wind, and the upper two decks were open. We were blasted by the wind ~ although cold, it was a clear day so we could take in the views. Keith swore he was so cold that his upper lip froze . . . yes, I told him I could warm it up! :) I know "gag!" We walked around Rockefeller Plaza and the NBC studios. We went by FOX News again and saw Megan Kelly. She waved at us - she & I are best buddies!

Next on the agenda was another visit to Central Park. The kids had a great time playing in the ice & snow. We cruised around the market area taking in the sights. Feeling quite hungry by now (Terri was always planning our next eating opportunity), we found this great deli called "Green Cafe." Again, great food; but the best part was that we could warm up.

We wanted to take the double decker tour, but didn't have enough time to fit it in. So we strolled around town & visited St. Patrick's cathedral. The kids tried to ice skate at Rockefeller, but it was over an hours wait. We headed over to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes and the Christmas Spectacular. What a treat! It sets were unbelievable. It was a great way to end the trip.

After the show, we walked to Grand Central Station to see the light show. Another wonderful sight . . . we ended up at dinner very late . . . and then a long walk back to the hotel. We'll head to the airport tomorrow morning & we pray we don't get stuck in Chicago where we have to change planes . . .

A sentimental Mom's musings . . . I am so thankful for our time here and all we experienced together. So many new and different things. I'm thankful for my sweetie, Keith, who values making memories like these . . . I was amazed as I would look around to count heads on the crowded city streets, looking for my kids, and then realizing that they aren't little kids anymore. They've all grown up. Time does fly ~ God is so good. Merry Christmas everyone.

From our visit to Chinatown.

I think the cold is getting to his head! Lovely!

Outside the theater for "Wicked." This covers how Glenda, the good witch and Elphaba, the green witch were friends growing up. Yes, I said friends. Elphaba isn't so bad after all. When we got back to the hotel, the orignial Wizard of Oz was on TV. It was fitting to watch that after seeing the broadway version! None of us made it to the end ~ very sleepy!!

Kevin in front of FOX News network studios.

Sight-seeing at the Toys R Us store. That's a ferris wheel ride in the background.

Riding the subway

People still leave memorials . . . missing their loved ones. Here was a Christmas tree that was decorated with ornaments of the deceased. We read so many notes. Again, it is almost too much to take in. I pray for those families and thank God for those men & women serving to protect us.

Hungry? Chicken anyone? I'll take the one in the middle!

Morning snow showers gave way to a rainy day! We purchased some umbrellas and off we went! Our first stop was China Town. We travelled there by subway ~ the best way to get around NYC. As soon as we got onto Canal Street, we were hounded by people wanting to sell us Rolex watches and Coach purses. So, yes, we took part in the NYC experience and found some watches, purses, and perfumes! It was fun! Who knows how long the watches will work (it took us forever to even get them to work); but it was an experience! It was some operation, they took us into a side door that locked behind you. It was a little awkward. We walked from there to Ground Zero. Along the way, saw the Brooklyn Bridge and St. Peter's Cathedral. It was unbelievable to see the footprint of where the buildings used to be . . . 16 acres . . . gone . . . still not much there. Just walking around the streets brought to mind the visions from that day. We toured the memorial; again, too sad for words. God bless the little family who brought their 4 & 5 yr old family to see the memorial. The little boy was sitting there, asking his daddy why someone would do something like that. The dad stroked his face, telling him that there are people out there who really don't like us . . . He did his best trying to explain . . . so many innocent questions from his boy . . . We all need to remember that day, the evil that is out there. Thank God we have been spared more attacks . . . The plans for the new tower and memorial look wonderful; just wonder why it is taking so long.

We ate at a great mexican place called Chancey's. From there, we bolted for the 3pm showing of Wicked. What a great musical! The story fills in much of the story of the Wizard of Oz. It was very entertaining - incredible singing, great humor, colorful costumes. I highly recommend it. We wandered the streets afterward (again the streets are soooo much more crowded at night). The sad part was when we heard a man reporting to a police officer that he lost his son. Understandably, he was getting more and more distraught by the minute. Keith went over to get a description of the boy; we thought maybe we could keep a watchful eye for him. Thankfully, in the next ten minutes, they found him. We had dinner at Applebee's. The temperature is dropping and the wind is picking up . . . I think tomorrow will be our coldest day yet.

Ralphie, I triple dog dare you ~

The Abominable Snowman

We had to tell Tyler not to touch "yellow snow." Another huge ice ball . . .

Dinner at the hotel

A Winter Wonderland

Kevin tries it on the belly, face first!

We found a piece of cardboard in the park. It became our sled! Tyler tries it out . . .

At Central Park: the ice skating rink

Our Favorite thing for the day:

We came back to the hotel to add more layers (yes, we have thin FL blood). Then, we headed out to Central Park. This was by far our most favorite thing for the day. The kids loved playing in the snow . . . it was more like making "iceballs" rather than snowballs! We just enjoyed walking around, watching the people at the rink, and sight seeing at Tavern on the Green and the nearby outdoor market areas! We picked up some New York City ornaments.

We also walked over to Rockefeller Center to see the beautiful Christmas tree. We'll come back here tomorrow night. We ended the evening eating dinner at the hotel overlooking the city. It was a perfect end to the evening because . . . right as we were finishing dinner . . . huge snowflakes began to fall. We watched the city get a fresh dusting of snow.

Times Square
We rode in a suspect taxi with Vladimir as our driver. Not kidding . . . we teased that he must have been with the KGB!

At the M & M Factory Store - that's a lot of candy!

"You're the one that I want . . do do do . . . woo hoo hoo . . . honey!"

Outside Stardust. Do we look a little cold????

Start spreading the news . . . I'm leaving today . . . We'll make a brand new start of it . . . New York, New York. We arrived! It was a long trip! Keith used his flier miles ~ so we were routed through Chicago to get to NYC. The flight left at 6:00am; so we were all pretty tired & slept! Yes, even Kevin slept on the plane ride. :) We are staying at the Hilton Times Square. Wow - what a culture shock . . . we walked the streets with a thousand of our closest friends. At 51st and Broadway, we ate lunch at Stardust Diner. All the waiters & waitresses sing to you while you eat - they are the starving singers trying to make their way to Broadway! It was entertaining and the best part was that it was WARM! It's freezing here! Yes, we have SNOW!

Song by Matchbox 20:
Call on your angels
Come down to the city
Crowd around the big tree
All you strangers who know me
Bring your compassion
Your understanding
Lord how we need it
On this New York City Christmas

Yeah I'm sending you a Merry New York Christmas
And a prayer for peace on earth
Within our time
Oh, the sidewalk angels echo hallelujah
And we understand them
Now more than ever

So call on your angels
Your beaten and broken
It's time that we mend them
So they don't fade with the season
Let our mercy be the gifts we lay
From Brooklyn to Broadway
And celebrate each and every day
This New York City Christmas

It's off to New York City . . . We'll take in the sights and sounds . . . The Christmas Spectacular, Ice Skating in Central Park, Top of the Rock, Wicked . . .