NYC Part 2! With photos!

If you missed part one, click here!

Quick recap...I decided to attend an agent/editor luncheon to pitch my new book. It was hosted by the Long Island Romance Writers. So we made a little weekend getaway out of it! My last post is all about the luncheon! This one is all about the family fun!!

After leaving the luncheon, we crawled through traffic to get to Coney Island!

Someone didn't want his picture taken!

We went on lots of rides and hubby and I even rode the Cyclone. That coaster is a deathtrap...seriously. I am a huge roller coaster nut, but I seriously feared for my life on this one. But, we can at least say we did it. We rode other, safer, rides and played some games. Dinner was at Nathan's on the Boardwalk.

Had to show off her game winnings.

And while we waited for dad to get our food, we were treated to a lovely sight.

So so pretty!!!

Then we played on the beach.

Lighting was kinda weird then, so this is kinda dark.

We decided to leave before the fireworks, just so we could navigate back to our hotel in semi-daylight. We got some decent rest so we could wake up bright and early for our big day in Manhattan!

After breakfast at the hotel, we took the PATH train in to the World Trade Center, where we met up with one of my oldest friends who now lives in Manhattan- our tour guide for the day! We'd wanted to see ground zero, but it's all fenced off as they are working on the memorial. We moved on to one of the oldest building in NYC, a church, and it's cemetery. I've always been intrigued by old cemeteries!

Then we walked through City Hall Park.

She loves to pose in pics for me.

We then walked through Chinatown and Little Italy and had lunch there.

So cool that they close off the streets.

Next was 5th Avenue and all kinds of fancy stuff.

You're fired!

Lots of cool toys!

Awesome stuffed animals.

We walked through Central Park...such a gorgeous view!

Then we headed to the American Museum of Natural History! Kids loved it!

Really cool dinosaur skeletons!

Had to see Rockefeller Center! That's my hubby and son at the top of the pic!

And Times Square. Could just sat there and people watched for hours...the bright lights and excitement!

Stopped at the Times Square Toys R Us! So so awesome...better than FAO Schwarz.

One last shot of Times Square before we headed to Crumbs Bake Shop for some fancy cupcakes.

So, as you can see, we really shoved a lot into our one day. Our feet definitely felt the affects of it. I wouldn't doubt that we walked at least 10 miles. But we had a really great time and I look forward to our next trip to NYC! 

Roadtrip!

I'm in such a mood for a road trip!! Do you ever feel that way???

This feeling is rare for me...since I get motion sickness and all. Not the vomiting kind, but headaches and some nausea. Mostly it's only if I start reading in the car...even signs on the side of the road, or turning around too much...like when the kids need something and I have to face backwards and help them.

But sometimes I really do get in the mood to just get in the car and drive and drive for hours!! I am so looking forward to Sunday and our drive to Virginia!

This trip was on the fence for months. Things were in the air with hubby's job transfer. Finally we booked it and he arranged the days off with work. Then the transfer came in and we didn't know what was going to happen. Hubby asked for the days off, since the trip was already planned, and luckily, he was granted them! After a summer filled with wacky work schedules, so many things up in the air, and hubby working mega overtime, we really need to get away and relax.

Today I will start packing and also make some road trip music cds. One will be mellow stuff...our usual traveling music: Hootie and the Blowfish, The Wallflowers....one will be our favorite dance tracks...yes we dance in our seats while driving!

Ever feel like this???

Really excited about something but you just keep it to yourself because you're sick and tired of hearing the thoughts that everyone else feels compelled to express about said topic.

This is happening to me right now.

We live within a budget. I do not work a regular job. We are not swimming in money. But come tax return time, we have some money and we like to splurge on ourselves. No one has issues with that fact....but everyone has a comment for what we actually do with our money.

We like to take trips and that time together is very precious to us. It's an escape from bills, work, school, responsibilities...everything. We treasure that time as a family and the rare chance that hubby and I can get away on our own.

So that's what we're doing. Hubby and I booked an extra long weekend away but we dread telling family and friends where we're going. I know we'll get the "AGAIN?" and "You were just there!" and "Don't you get sick of that place?"

At this point in our lives, no, we are not sick of it. It's what we like. I'm not siting here telling someone they can't eat steak more than once a week if that's what they like. Or what about people who buy season tickets to sporting events...I'm not asking them: "Aren't you sick of going to football games?" I would never do that. If people find joy and happiness from something...more power to them. Life is about being happy and finding it wherever you can.

Why can't people just be happy for others who are able to do the things they enjoy???