Brooklyn bridge

After the ferry ride, by the the Statue of Liberty, we decided to check out the famous Brooklyn Bridge.  We could actually see it from where we were, and were having a hard time finding a subway that went directly there, so we decided to walk.  We walked forever and it never seemed to get closer!  But we finally made it and realized all the subways we thought were too far were right where the bridge met the road way inland. And we had to walk back inland to actually get on the bridge.

 

 The next morning we planned to pass the temple on our way to Central Park.  It was so strange to see it sitting right there in the mist of the skyscrapers.  It just sort of pops out at you! The neighborhood seemed more residential than business, it was beautiful.

Fast...

One night while waiting for Daddy to come home, we made up a game called "Ready set go!!"  I'm sure you can guess what they did.  I slowed the camera way down to make them blurry.  Their favorite part was looking at the pictures after each run to see who was missing an arm or leg because they were running so fast!  Like this first picture Rhylan is missing her left arm and she about died laughing:)  And I love Gracin in the last one.

Thanksgiving

Grammy C and Markee came for Thanksgiving this year.  Papa had the flu and didn't want to get the kids sick so we did some face time with him.  The kids loved all the extra snuggles and hugs!!

Riley's birthday

The day before Thanksgiving was Riley's birthday! We usually aren't interested in eating cake around his birthday because of Thanksgiving.  I was off the hook this year when he came home from work with this cake his staff bought him.  We had cake when he came home. Then we went on a dinner and a movie date while Grammy C and Markee babysat.  I sure am lucky to have this guy as my husband!!  I let Rhylan be in charge of the camera (phone) during the cake and candles.  She was so excited.  Here are some of the MANY pictures she took.

Gilbert Temple

Around the city

Here are just some random pictures from around the city that I liked! The next 3 are of the Empire State building. (I didn't go to the top--not enough time!)

China town was so weird, and smelly!!! But I liked it.

 New York Fire Station close to 9/11 Memorial.  I bet they were there that day!

Statue of Liberty

Another great adventure I had, was riding a ferry to Staten Island to wave at the Statue of Liberty!  The official tours for Liberty/Ellis Island and ferry wasn't a terrible price but it was supposed to take 3-5 hours to complete!!   When you only have 2 days and so much to do, you couldn't spend 5 hours on one activity.  So I almost gave up on a life long dream to see her in person.  But then my MIL said they have ridden a free ferry that goes near the statue, when they have come before!  It was perfect.  Plus if I was actually on the island with the statue I think all my pictures would be pointing up her nose... just say'n. I love checking things off my bucket list:)

Here is the view of the city as we were sailing away.

This is about the view you have from land, we had only been on the ferry a few minuets.  The statue looks so small compared to all the skyscrapers I have been walking around.

This is about the best view I was able to get in person. 

Thanks to zooming, computers, and cropping, her details can come alive.  Cameras are amazing things.

She is so pretty!!

View with the city behind her.

9/11 Memorial

One thing I really wanted to do was spend some time at the 9/11 Memorial.  It was so strange to be in a place to quite right in the heart of busy New York.  You could just feel a very special peace here.  Everyone was walking slowly and talking quietly.  It was a great memorial, I love what they did.  In the place where the Twin Towers were, there was a large hole with water falls on all sides.  Then in the middle there was another hole ans waterfall, I couldn't see the bottom (I think that was the point.)  Then all around each location, were the names of all who died, each name was listed.  It really hit home to see each name, there were so many.  I still remember that day back as a senior in high school, so vividly.  I was so glad I was able to see this.