Friday, October 16, 2009

My AWESOME New York Story

It all started when my wonderful sister and her hubby offered to treat me to an all expense paid trip to New York, my hubby said he could handle me being gone and encouraged me to go and my in-laws offered to help watch my kids while I was away. Thank you to all of you!

Day 1 - My flight was awesome... no matter what happened it didn't matter because I had no kids with me. I arrived to my sisters beautiful home in one piece and was ready to party!

Day 2 - DJ and I went on a little date to go see his super cute toy store and spend some time together. I didn't realize the toy store was named after him, that we would be playing in it forever and that he would need me to go in the toy house with him to complete the experience! It was super fun though. We then walked down the downtown strip and got a bagel followed by a trip to dunkin donuts (which is disgusting but all New Yorkers LOVE) where there was actually a BIG line. DJ was so sweet to me on our date and had super good manners which made me feel super proud of my sweet and friendly nephew!

Then we got home and took a few cute pictures before we headed to the city to meet daddy at work. Here is Gavin who is getting so big and looking SO CUTE!


And here is DJ who turned into such a big boy and cracked me up non stop the whole time I was there! I loved this picture because a.) he looks super cute & b.) it reminded me so much of Kenyon who I hope to be one of DJ's best buddies when they are bigger.


Here we are getting me a taste of why no mother belongs in New York with little kiddos. It is such a hassle to go anywhere - especially the city where Daryn happens to work.




Below Gavin is giving me the full experience of trying to meet Daddy for dinner. He is not impressed by the city at all and although boys love trains - hour subway rides are not included.



And this picture just cracks me up because they look like they belong there - even though they DO NOT!!!


Here they are in front of Daryn's work (with the 2 American flags on it)...



And here is a picture of my purse being scanned so I could go inside and see his desk... wow! Daryn seems so important huh? Then about 5 minutes after this I took a picture of Daryn and Stacey and a security guy started freaking out and telling me no pictures are allowed in this building... oops!


And since Kyle didn't get to join me in person I thought I should include a picture of him and I at the Statue of Liberty (kind of).
After that Daryn gave me the quick tour of lower Manhattan (the New York stock exchange, 9.11 site and much more) then they took me to a wonderful dinner and then we took 2 very tired boys home where they could go to bed which is just what they all needed - except for me who was still on CA time and got to watch instant Netflix on the big tv (don't know how they do it but it was truly magical) and I finished season 4 of Lost!


Day 3 - After I slept in late we got ready and took DJ to preschool. He is the cutest school boy ever and was so proud to show me every detail of his morning routine.




And here is his AWESOME teacher who is guiding them on the hay ride!


That night I got to babysit for my hottie sister and her cute hubby who showed up with flowers to whisk her away for a fancy dinner on the Hudson river.



Gavin was such a good boy and after a big dinner (of yams and banana's) he went to bed with NO FUSSING (praise the Lord!) and DJ and I had big plans to make a balloon solar system, practice writing his name and watch a fun movie!




Day 4 - After Daryn went out to breakfast with Gavin and brought home super yummy donuts for Stacey and I we were off to see the sights. She showed me where she lived when she first moved there, where her church was and all kinds of things I have heard her talk about. Below is just a cute building I LOVED.


Here is their church...



And here I am paying for 12 hours of parking so Stacey and I could head to the city with no kids in tow. SO EXCITING!!!!


She treated me to Phantom which I LOVED! The only part I didn't like is that you can't sing along. :( After Phantom we headed to a super fancy dinner which ended with a delicious chocolate souffle - YUMMY! Then we headed for a tour of the city by a super cute boy on a bike. I saw Rockefeller center, Time Square, Trump Tower, went in The Empire State Building and much more. We were glad the stores were closed as we browsed by tons of super cute stores and picked out our favorite pieces in each window. I had such a great time!


Day 5 - We hung out and relaxed at home. DJ played with his famous Geo Tracks that he is amazing at building. I watched a great movie (The boy in the striped pajamas).


Daryn even hung out with me but I couldn't ask what he was doing because it was illegal for me to know about his report since Kyle and I might base our investments on what I hear.


Then that day we headed to Harbor Park (DJ and Stacey's special park) to try and get a family picture - which didn't work out that well. But I did get a few shots I really liked! This one of DJ is probably my favorite picture from our 2 hours of snapping shots!


And to end I just have a few words to Stacey and Daryn...




To my beautiful sister Stacey, how could I thank you enough - I had so much fun hanging out with you and your boys! It was such a needed break from life and I felt so spoiled by every detail of the trip you had obviously thought out just for me (chocolate cakes, perfect restaurants, fun days, lay around days and so much more!). You are such an awesome sister, host and friend and although I LOVED the trip I must say it makes me want you home all the more so I can come lounge at your house anytime I want (and we don't have to get Daryn to pay for it). Thank you again... I love you, your boots and every minute of my trip (well, except that one night).




And lastly I want to say THANK YOU to Daryn (who I am assuming Stacey will make look at this). I know this was all Stacey's idea but I know if it weren't for your love for my sister (and kind of for me too), your hard working/great money making skills this trip would only have been a dream. I seriously had so much fun and I even enjoyed hanging out with you/making fun of you! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I can't wait until we live closer and it's a little more even... you and Kyle vs. Stacey and I. Oh the laughs!


I LOVE YOU MILLERS!

And I miss you already... thank you again!

11 comments:

The McGraths said...

Wow! I want a trip to NY like that! Glad you got away and enjoyed yourself

The Mid-Cart Parentals said...

I love me some Millers, too - & Stacey, I have to agree with Amers...we will all be glad when you make it back to the "left" coast.

Bassetts said...

What an amazing trip! I'm so glad you got spoiled. You totally deserve it. I miss you and Stacey both.

Brett said...

One disagreement, one agreement...

Disagreement: Dunkin Donuts is awesome!

Agreement: So is Phantom of the Opera (it really is hard not to sing along sometimes)

Glad you had a great trip, there's no place like NYC!

The Horners said...

Fun trip! I'm glad you got to get away with out the kids to enjoy visiting Stacey and her family. They are so cute and you are so pretty!

The Millers said...

What a sweet post! We LOOOOVED having you here and DJ can't stop talking about making balloon planets with Aunt Amy --he's bugging me to do it now (thanks.)Love you!

amy hubbard morris said...

What a fun vacation! So happy for you to be able to spend time with you sister! I miss having fun with you! You are awesome!

Gpa Paul said...

While you were having fun, I was having even more fun playing with your wonderful kids you left behind. Glad you had a great time.

Nana said...

Hi Amy,
Stacey shared your terrific NY Blog with me because it had so many adorable pictures of the Miller Jr, family I'm so happy that you were able to enjoy all this special time with your beloved sister and be able to see her "NY" life. It makes me even more anxious for our trip at Thanksgiving!

Gail said...

Amy,
I have to agree with Brett. Dunkin' Donuts is awesome! If you want to find out what a really horrible donut tastes like, you need to come see us in Mexico. Their donuts here are terrible!!! They don't even deserve the name donuts. Jim says that Jesus would curse them because they have the appearance of something wonderful but they don't deliver what their outward appearance says they should have.

Glad you had a great time. New York is an awesome place to visit. Did you know I was born in NY? (Upstate NY, but it was still NY)

Grandma Howell said...

I am so glad you had a great time in NY. Love the pictures and especially that you included yourself in them, YEAH AMY!!! It makes me even happier that my girls are not only great sisters but friends too. No choice in picking your sisters but friends you choose. Can't wait to get there myself with Lauren in a couple of days after looking at your blog.