The next morning we got up and decided to get on one of the tour buses so that we could see more of the sites. We took the bus for a little while and decided that wasn't the way we wanted to see NY. We really couldn't get off the bus when we wanted to. We took it to Ground Zero and then got off the bus. Ground zero was very somber--even still. There was so much hussle and bussle until you were close to it--then there was a silence. We were both surprised at how quiet everyone was while walking by the construction site. This was not the best part of the trip, we were far from our hotel and we weren't sure where we were, where we were going or how we were going to get there. So we found water and walked along the edge for a mile or two. (Lexi would probably say 20) We saw Battery Park and the Ground Zero monument.
We finally came to Ellis Island and the Staten Island Ferry. So we jumped on.
The Ferry gets you pretty close to the Statue of Liberty, but not close enough in my opinion. I would love to take a different Ferry and actually go to the island. I think that if I ever get back to New York that that is one thing I want to do. Seeing the Statue of Liberty was AWESOME! Something I have wanted to do my whole life. I am so glad that I was able to fufill this dream.
We had a hot dog from one of the carts because I said I wanted a NY hot dog and we had to cross it off the list. We decided not to get back on the bus to go back to the hotel, instead we decided to walk. That was a long walk. It was at least 5 miles back. We saw a lot, but my legs were getting tired after yesterdays adventures. But it was fun, we saw a guy filming something, we don't know what, but we took a picture anyways...
We walked to the Empire State Building and decided to go up to the top. There are really long lines and a whole lot of people in there. The Building was fun to see, but I don't think I would ever go to the top again. It took about 2 hours to get to the top. Just standing in lines and then we were only at the top for like 10 minutes and then the long wait down. There were a lot of people so it was hard to see much anyway, and it was expensive. Something funny that happened, we were talking to this family, they had a baby girl with them. The employees were letting them go through the line, to get down, a lot faster than anyone else. When they asked them how many in their party--they said 5. They had included Lexi and I with them so were able to get out of there really fast. It had Lexi and I laughing for quite a while.
We could definately see a lot from up top. This is where the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade starts. That was fun. We found the Chrysler Building. "I want it to shine like the top of the Chrysler Building" (Annie) We drove past Madison Square Garden on our bus ride to Staten Island.
We barely made it back in time for our next show. We grabbed some Philly Cheese steaks from a vendor cart on the road. And gobbled them down.
We saw "Guys and Dolls" The costumes were great and the set was incredible. I wouldn't say I could recommend the show. Especially if young kids were going to watch it. It is a little on the skanky side. It was good, but not great. The way they moved from set to set was pretty amazing, one of the best that I have seen.
On our way home we saw this guy making the most incredible paintings with only spray paint and a few tools. Mostly a spackle thingy...we watched him for a long time.
Today was Shirsten's 18th birthday, so we had lots of fun desserts to sample and sat around and visited with everyone. Then it was off to bed.
She sang, "Favorite Things." She did a great job. If I can figure out how to upload it. I will.
I had to recreate this moment. Bubba was looking at a book, and asked me how to read. I thought it was such a sweet moment. I made him do it again so I could take a picture.
They are both doing good at house training and don't have many accidents. We will have "Shorkies" in a year or so and they are the cutest puppies EVER! Look them up!
Here he is playing with a 4 wheeler and making all kinds of start and running noises. Something boys seem to come by naturally. I am not sure how or why...
Nicolas has the cutest pucker ever, this picture doesn't even do it justice. His top lip goes all the way to his nose. I love it. I asked him to kiss my "owie." I will keep trying to get a better picture.
These are his new big boy clothes for church. He looks so adorable! He loves the puppies as you can see.
AWWW...Nicolas' official first day of Nursery. April 26th.
This is Bubba super happy in his new jacket GG made for him! Before his big owie after getting a 4 wheeler for his birthday. 
This is Bubba getting ready to ride his 4 wheeler before his owie after getting a 4 wheeler for his birthday.
Lexi and I are going to New York, we are G O I N G to New York! NEW YORK!! We are going to see Wicked, In the Heights, Mary Poppins, and Guys and Dolls! Plus, we are going to see as much of New York as we possibly can!
It just so happens that part of the Julliard Campus is across the street from the Temple so we got to see that too. We then went to the Museum of Natural History. That is where the movie "Night at the Museum" is filmed. Again, HUGE!
Then for our last show we saw W I C K E D !! It was Amazing, Magnificent, Incredible. I loved it so much. If I only saw that one show, I would have been satisfied with my trip. I didn't want the show to end. Alexis was 2nd row center! Me right next to her. It was FABULOUS!!
Alli Mauzey played Galinda or Glinda (without the Ga) The cemistry between the two leads was something to see. I truly have never seen anything like it. I can't decide which one I liked better.
I loved the fun part of Glinda, but Elphaba won your heart. I would really LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see them again. The same cast, I mean. I sat there and bawled like a baby during the last number. So sad it was over, so touched by the whole thing. I turned to Lexi and I was so embarrassed! I had no control over my emotions at all. We both just sunk down in our seats and said we were NEVER leaving. We were going to set up camp there and live there and watch the show over and over and over and over and over and over...you get the idea.
The trip changed me, changed something inside me...I am not afraid anymore. I used to live my life in such fear, but it is gone. I walked the streets of NY, I figured things out, it was the most amazing thing! I loved every minute. I am glad Lexi was with me too. I hope I can do something similar to this with all of my girls!
The Ferry gets you pretty close to the Statue of Liberty, but not close enough in my opinion. I would love to take a different Ferry and actually go to the island. I think that if I ever get back to New York that that is one thing I want to do. Seeing the Statue of Liberty was AWESOME! Something I have wanted to do my whole life. I am so glad that I was able to fufill this dream.
We had a hot dog from one of the carts because I said I wanted a NY hot dog and we had to cross it off the list. We decided not to get back on the bus to go back to the hotel, instead we decided to walk. That was a long walk. It was at least 5 miles back. We saw a lot, but my legs were getting tired after yesterdays adventures. But it was fun, we saw a guy filming something, we don't know what, but we took a picture anyways...
We could definately see a lot from up top. This is where the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade starts. That was fun. We found the Chrysler Building. "I want it to shine like the top of the Chrysler Building" (Annie) We drove past Madison Square Garden on our bus ride to Staten Island.
We barely made it back in time for our next show. We grabbed some Philly Cheese steaks from a vendor cart on the road. And gobbled them down.
Today was Shirsten's 18th birthday, so we had lots of fun desserts to sample and sat around and visited with everyone. Then it was off to bed. 
We went back to our Hotel, after finding food to see if anyone was ready to see NY. We decided to check out the things right by our Hotel. We stayed at the DoubleTree right in Time Square. Right on Broadway, in the middle of ALL the action. The ball that drops at the beginning of each new year was always in sight. SO FUN!! So, we went to the M& M store. Talk about big, it was 3 stories high.
Next we ventured to Central Park. We figured we could find it because we could see Columbus Circle from our Hotel room. That was awesome, I recommend that to anyone who visits NY. Go to Central Park and take the bike tour. You get to see the whole thing and have someone explain all of the history and see where a lot of movies are filmed. The whole new money on the west side and old money on the east side (or vise versa) was pretty interesting. We saw where a lot of famous people live, like, Brad and Angelia, Tom Cruise, Richard Gere, Madonna, I can't remember them all...but there were A LOT!! The old money: The Rockefeller, Carnegie...
We walked around this area for quite awhile. We went to F.A.O Schartz TOY STORE. Again, it is HUGE! This is where the piano on "Big" is located. I can't even explain the size. It was 3 stories but it was also like half a city block. BIG BIG STORE! The soldier at the enterance soluted us. That was pretty fun.
We walked back up 5th avenue to our hotel and bought Chris and Brianne something so that we could say that we purchased something on 5th. ha ha
We got back to our Hotel and crashed--ready to get up and start another busy day.
