NYC--DAY 4

*****Days 1, 2, and 3 are down below.  So start at Day 1 and work your way up to 4.*****


Day 4---Our last full day in NYC.  We had an early reservation with Hop on Hop Off: New York Water Taxi.  This was our only way that we were able to visit the 911 Memorial.  If you are planning to go to NYC and want to visit the memorial you need to get tickets through a tour.  That's a loop-hole in getting tickets.  Otherwise if you try to get tickets through the memorial, they are gone through well into 2012.  And in my opinion, it would be a total shame to go to New York and not get to visit the 911 memorial.

The water taxi tour was really fun and informative.  It was beautiful seeing the city from the Hudson River.  Our first stop was the 911 memorial.  The security getting in to the memorial is just like the airport.  You strip down, put your things into bins & slide it through the x-ray machine, & walk through a metal detector.  Then you have this 911 ticket that you show over and over.  First they scan it, then they punch a whole in it...on and on.  Pretty serious business there.  Once you actually get in to the memorial it is overwhelming.  The sound of the waterfalls in the actual footprints of the Twin Towers is so peaceful.  Then there are these beautiful Oak trees that surround the memorial.  I was so taken back with the names that are stamped....they just go on and on and on...It really is overwhelming.  There were many names with "and their unborn child' written beside it.  And to think that child would be turning 10---heartbreaking to imagine what could have been.  They really did a wonderful job in making this sight a sacred place.  People spoke in a whisper out of respect.  It was like you couldn't bring yourself to speak louder than that.  Then there were sirens in the distance and you can close your eyes and almost imagine what it must have sounded like.  No words for what you experience there.  1 World Trade Center is coming along beautifully.  I cannot wait to see it completely finished.  Next year will be the opening of the 911 Museum.  I know it'll be equally moving as the memorial.

1 World Trade Center

 What the skyline will be one day soon.  1 World Trade Center is the far left tower.  It will be the tallest building North America.

The Oak trees planted are gorgeous.

...and her unborn child.  That ripped my heart out.

The names just kept going and going...and to think those were real people with real lives with real loved ones.  To see the name and think of the person behind the name.  It's overwhelming.

At the 911 memorial shop had a few remnants from 911.

This picture above is the Survivor Tree from Ground Zero.  It's worth watching the story behind this tree that I linked.

---After the 911 Memorial we headed to Wall Street.  My banker man said this was a must.  We saw the New York Stock Exchange.  Saw 1 protester shouting "WE ARE THE 99%".  Matt was like, "You and what army??"  (in his best Shrek voice).   It was funny seeing this solo guy shouting.  To me he looked to be the 1%.  It was a funny moment and we had a good laugh.

We walked around the financial district, stopped for coffee at this great Espresso Bar.  We saw the Charging Bull and then headed to Battery Park for our water taxi to take us to our next stop.  Before our taxi ride we had to get us a hot dog for a quick bite to eat.

What Matt thinks of Occupy Wall Street.

DELICIOUS coffee break.

Chowin' down on a good dog.

Once back on the taxi we saw great views of the city.  The Brooklyn Bridge was beautiful, the Statue of Liberty was gorgeous...we saw the sight of The Miracle on the Hudson.  It was a beautiful day to sight see.  Not a cloud was in the sky.

I love all of the American Flags around the city.  It feels so patriotic there.

After our Taxi ride we headed back to Central Park for a few hours.  We later had dinner at a great Italian food restaurant near Rockefeller Center.  We then headed to LUNT-FONTANNE THEATRE for The Addam's Family.  Brooke Shields was Morticia and she was fantastic!  The musical was so fun and funny.  The set and costumes were fabulous.  It was a great show that you just smiled all the way through.  We were glad we saw it...and seeing Brooke Shields was an added bonus!

After the show we walked around Times Square and then headed back.  We knew we had a full day of traveling home on Wednesday.

By this time my left hip was ACHING for my baby.  I really was dying to hold him.  Of course I was beyond ready for Hudson and Harper too.  We were ready to go home and be with our babies again.  The flights to and from NY were easy and without any hiccups.  It was a sweet reunion to be home.  We were excited to pass out souvenirs to the kids.  I was thrilled to rock my baby to sleep.  As I was rocking Holton on Wednesday night Hudson came in and asked if I would rock him too.  I scooted over and had my 2 boys rocking away.  Such a sweet moment that meant all the more to me since I missed them so.  It was great getting my lovey, dovey, kissy poo Harper love too.  They grew while we were gone.  Hudson's top tooth came in even more, Holton's top teeth are moving right on in AND he got a new tooth too.  Too much growin' up around here.

While we were away the kids had a blast with their Mini and Papa.  They went to the zoo, the Witte Museum, the River walk.  Made Halloween cookies and monster toes.  They did not have time to miss us.  It's so nice to leave town and know that the kids are in such good hands.  We didn't worry for a minute about them.  As for the amount of sugar they had in one day, cokes, and if bed time was a priority???  Ha--you just can't think about those things while you are away.  Thanks Karen and Curtis for watching the kids for us.  We are so blessed and thankful that you let Matt and I get away by watching our 3 loves.  We can't thank you enough!

Matt and I had a fabulous time away.  We laughed until our sides hurt and enjoyed so much being alone and away together.  Being away always makes me appreciate the day to day routines that make life so sweet.

----MATT---
Best New York Moment(s)?

"Jersey Boys and rowing you on the row boat.  I loved Central Park.  And the monologue on Letterman.  I just can't pick one."

---Allison---
Jersey Boys, Letterman, and the rowboat in Central Park...pretty sweet moment...brunch in Rockefeller Center....and the night we laughed until we nearly cried while having dessert at a cafe in Rockefeller Center....now that was fun!!