Wednesday, January 14, 2009

We {Heart} New York & Walgreens

The Holiday Saga continues...

Someone must have figured that I needed a break because by Sunday, December 21, I was feeling pretty close to human again so just after lunch DH and I decided to pack up and head out on our trip. It was a good thing we did too because just as we neared Bangor, Maine, we ran into a bad snow storm that was coming up the coast. We debated about trying to get to Portland but with so many whiteouts on the I-95, we wisely decided against it.

The next morning we woke up to...snow. I wish I had been quicker with my camera because there were at least half a dozen transports off the road. We drove as far as Freeport, Maine, and took a quick shopping break :o) DH did very well in the clothing department, so well that I now call him a Clothes Horse. LOL! It was serious driving after that and we made it as far as Danbury, Connecticut.

DH wanted to call his sister to let her know we'd be in the next day. Do you know how frustrating it is not to have a cell phone (that works in the US) or a calling card???? Don't even get me started on those pre-paid phone cards or trying to locate a pay phone! Then I spotted Walgreens. Surely they would have one. I asked the clerk behind the counter and he said no but that I could go back to the photo counter and make my call there. I told him it was a long distance call and he said it was okay. Huh? Just to make sure I heard him right, I explained it to him again. His response..."It's within the country right?" O-kay... How nice was that! We Heart Walgreens :o)

On December 23, DH and I finally reached our destination in Summit, New Jersey! What a beautiful spot. My DSIL and DBIL have a lovely home and they made us feel more than welcome there. We were able to spend a bit of time with our nephew before he was scheduled to fly to England for the Christmas holidays and we were really happy about that :o) Brie was reintroduced to her cousins Casey and Stella and by the end of the trip, she was having a grand time.

For Christmas Eve, DSIL cooked a turkey dinner and was it ever delicious! Even Stella thought so :oS I can't tell you how nice it was to have a home cooked meal again :o) DH and I were greeted with a Baked French Toast Casserole for breakfast the next morning, made by DBIL. Seriously, check the recipe out! Christmas day was pretty quiet so we decided to take the dogs for a walk in Liberty State Park. The park is located just on the other side of the river from New York City so we were able to see the skyline -

Photobucket

The magnificent woman herself (although we could only see the back of her) -

Photobucket

And Ellis Island with its wonderful history -

Photobucket

The next day, December 26, we ventured into "The City" by train and arrived in Penn Station. Can you guess the first thing I spotted? A KRISPY KREME! The only one that was even remotely close so I just had to stop ;o) When we emerged above ground, it was everything I remembered and more. Poor DH was completely dazed though. The day before when he saw New York from across the river, it looked so peaceful to him. ROFL! I just told him to go with the flow.

We pretty much did a walking tour where we got to see the New York Library with its awesome and inspiring sculptures -

Photobucket

At Bryant Park we watched the skaters, we saw the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building (from a distance), Macy's, and Saks was all decked out for Christmas -

Photobucket

There were actual line ups in order to see the window displays!

Rockefeller Center was packed so I took the best picture that I could -

Photobucket

We went by the NBC Studios Rainbow Room, Radio City Music Hall and Cartier's -

Photobucket

On the way to Tiffany's we passed by The Disney Store and Trump Tower. Unfortunately we didn't have much time to shop so it was no little blue box for me :o(

On our way to the show, the Big Apple Circus, we saw the carriage rides -

Photobucket

that go through Central Park -

Photobucket

One of the many street performers -

Photobucket

By the time the show was done, and I finally got rid of "the devil child", it was dark outside and for the first time, I got to see New York City at night. My love for this place re-surfaced and it bit DH as well :o) Don't get me wrong, we don't want to live there! But there is just SO much to see and DO. We made our way towards Times Square and there people e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-re -

Photobucket Photobucket

Even though we weren't there for New Year's Eve, at least we got to see the ball that would have been dropped -

Photobucket

Luckily I was notified ahead of time, so when we came upon the M&M Store, I just had to check it out :o) It was THREE floors stuffed with M&M candy, clothes, ornaments, you name it -

Photobucket

The store was so crowded that they had people directing traffic. The salesperson that rang up our order told us it was like that e-v-e-r-y day. Oye!

New York City truly IS the city that never sleeps. Unfortunately, after a day like that, Pumpkin slept for 14 hours straight ;o) LOL! We can't thank our DSIL and DBIL enough for such a fun filled day.

24 comments:

Ranae said...

sounds like a lovely time and the photo's are beautiful
Thanks for sharing

WendyCarole said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time

Irene said...

Sounds like a terrific time and great pictures !

Daffycat said...

It sounds like a great holiday! Glad you had such a good time!

Alberta said...

No wonder it took some time for this to all unfold...so many wonderful photos! Sounds like your batteries are all recharged and you are ready for whatever 2009 brings you! Good for you both.

Annie said...

Wow.. that sounds like a really fun trip. Quite the tourist!

mumzy said...

We are so happy that you had a great time on your holiday. Too bad you ended up with a bad cold caught from that monster child at the Circus Show.

{{{Hugs}}}

Stitchabilities said...

Oh boy,New York..that is one of the places I would love to see, great pics..a store just for M&M's really....three floors, boy they must love M&Ms over there.
I love the bow on the store.
Sounds like you had a fab time!

Christine S said...

We spent a couple of days in NYC before our honeymoon cruise and it's a fantastic city! I would love to go back there someday.

Faith Ann said...

Love the pics! The M&M store was one of DS's favourite spots... because he got to hug a "real-life" M&M lol.

Our hotel was really close to the New York Library... I thought that building was amazing. We definitely want to go back for another visit, I don't think you could ever have enough time to see/do everything!

Tammy said...

This is like reliving my own trip to New York. I went there once 4 or 5 years ago. My ex husband took me for my birthday to see a Yankees game and included was 2 days in New York. What I wouldn't give to go back.

Your pics bring tears to my eyes when I think of how incredible it was to be there. It truly was a dream come true. I walked in to Yankee Stadium and was so overwhelmed to be there that again, I was crying.

Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Glad you had a great time!

Ginnie said...

Sounds like you had a great trip, thanks for sharing the fantastic photos with us... I would love to visit the M&M shop!!

Lori said...

wow... it tired me out, just reading the short version!

Glad you had fun!!

Paisley said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip! Thank you for sharing your photos!

P.S. Our nearest Krispy Kreme CLOSED!

Karen said...

wow wonderful photos

CathE said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time.

Mary Ann said...

What a wonderful trip you and DH had! I loved seeing all of the photos.

Carolyn said...

Thanks for sharing your pictures-they are awesome:)

Sounds like you had a great time

Barb said...

Sounds like you had a great time. Great pictures!

Cindy said...

Your pictures are wonderful! It sounds like you had a really great trip :)

Sharon said...

Wow, what a trip! I would have loved to see the M&M store!

stitcherw said...

Looks like an awesome trip, I'm glad you had such a good time. I would love to see the M&M store sometime, what fun. Saw in your earlier post where you found some of the creme eggs. Enjoy, and I'll look forward to watching your egg counter add up again this year.
Sue

Anonymous said...

Kel & I absolutely love NYC! Our taste last March has us both wanting to go back, soon. It has to be awesome at Christmas!

Olga said...

Wow! The pictures are so pretty! Glad you had a great time - you've deserved it!