New York "3~4"

Our Third day in NYC was alot of fun.

We jumped on the subway and went into Brooklyn.

We heard it was neat to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, so we did just that.

 There was a neat dedication to the wife of the man who built the bridge.

It was built from the man's fathers plans,

 and it sounds like they dedicated their lives to building the bridge.

It was being painted while we were visiting, but the view was still beautiful!!

 This picture is with New York in the background.

 We enjoyed the views it gave, and the neat construction that made the bridge so beautiful!

After walking over the bridge back into NYC we hit up CHINATOWN.

We were just looking for deals, or fun things to bring the kids.

There were alot of interesting food places, and things being sold.

 After enjoying Chinatown we hit up LITTLE ITALY.
Both were very close together and Matt and I thought we might have better luck getting some "normal looking food" in Little Italy.

 We found this cute little pizzeria that had a TV (so we could watch one of the many soccer matches for the Women's World Cup) We both got a calzone and just sat and enjoyed the food and the game. My calzone had mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, and sausage. They usually put the marinara on the top but we got it on the side so we could dip to our hearts desire. HONESTLY the best calzone I have EVER HAD!! They had all these pictures of celebrities that had eaten there with the owner. It was a cute little place!

 We walked around a little more then jumped back on the subway to head to GRAND CENTRAL STATION. I know you have all seen that AT&T commercial where the guy starts the Flash Mob ALONE then his phone updates to tell him it was moved to 12:30... hahah! Anywho... Matt and I were SOOOO tempted to re-create that, but we restrained ourselves and just took it all in. I was most impressed with the ceiling. It was beautiful in a busy kind of way...

 We left Grand Central Station then headed to Rockefeller Center to check it out. We contemplated checking out the Top of the Rock, but decided against it. We did check out a few of the shops on Saks Fifth Ave, Radio City Music Hall, NBC Studios, St. Patrick's Cathedral it was neat. We took a picture just above where they have the Ice Skating Rink during Christmas and right behind us is where the Christmas Tree is lit as well. It was a neat to visit that area for sure!

 After seeing that we went out to eat and then walked around Times Square again then headed back to the hotel. We walked alot on that day as well, but not 10 miles like the previous day! It was a great day.
Day FOUR in New York was just for us to RELAX and get ready for the Reunion in Boston. We woke up early and packed all our things and hit up Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast! YUMMMOO! Then we went shopping... I needed to get at least ONE shirt to remember my NYC trip!! We loved just walking around spending time together just the two of us.

 We took some pictures just to remember what our walk looked like...

 NYC sure is a neat city to visit! Then we headed back to the hotel to check out the ROOFTOP pool before we left. They closed it everyday at 6, so we never got a chance to swim, but we really enjoyed the view for sure! We hung out in the lobby and watched another soccer game then decided we needed to get near where we would be catching MegaBus...

 So we grabbed all our luggage we had stored at the hotel the headed to the Subway for our last trip! We took it to Penn Station, and that was neat to see as well...

We had a few hours until our MegaBus departure so we found a two story Burger King and sat to watch the Women's USA team play Sweden. Worst relaxation time of the trip! They lost 2-1 which set them up to play Brazil in the next game. I enjoyed having the Women's World Cup on while we were on vacation, but it was also tough because I was wanting to watch the game and relax and we were traveling when the games were being played. ANYWHO, we took MegaBus into the Boston area, I think we were in Foxburro. Our awesome cousins Cami Bird and Allyson Jensen came to pick us up and take us to our hotel. HOLLAAAA GIRLZ!! We got into the hotel, called family to let them know we were there and then went out for a LATE dinner with Matt's older brother Chris, his wife Erin and daughter Rylie. It was nice to see family. We headed back the hotel to get ready for our next day. Thus the BIRD FAMILY REUNION BEGINS!!

NEW YORK "2"

Our second day in New York City was the 4th of July. I LOVE this holiday! And MAN does NYC love this holiday TOO!! We decided it was a perfect day to go see Ground Zero...

This is the current view of 1 World Trade Center (Freedom Tower). We took the subway there, and walking up the steps to street level was very humbling. I felt somber yet completely patriotic! We walked by a tour that was being given and got a little bit of information about the new tower being built.
The skyscraper is being built according to a revised design released in June 2005. The new design has essential elements of the original plan ~ soaring 1,776 feet into the sky, its illuminated mast shows the Statue of Liberty's torch ~ but features a smaller, cubic base than originally set. Plus it is set back further from West Street to protect the building against future attacks. It will be the tallest building in the United States.

This is a picture of what the National September 11 Memorial & Museum will look like. The Memorial will be located at the World Trade Center site, on the former location of the Twin Towers, destroyed during the September 11th attacks in 2001. The design includes a forest of trees with two square pools in the center, where the Twin Towers once stood. It was a bittersweet experience being there on the 4th of July. The day we are celebrating our Independence we were staring at ground zero where thousands of people died in our "free country".
I think everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing on that morning. Matt had just returned from his mission in New Jersey a month earlier and was at home with his parents. I was sleeping at my apartment I shared with a friend when her mom called and woke us up to turn on the TV. My friend and I just sat there and cried watching the second plane hit. We were attending College at that time and we had the same class that morning. I just remember our teacher refusing to talk about the attacks and continuing on with the original lesson. I think we walked out half way through the class.
Getting back to our trip, we ate then headed to Battery Park. We wanted to try to get a tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. KEY word being TRY... the lines were SO long that we decided we would just be happy with seeing it from the park. It was a very muggy and humid day so as you can see the view was not the best...

We did however LOVE seeing all the sailboats in the water. We said we would return when it was not our Independence Day to take the tours...

The Battery is named for artillery batteries that were positioned there in the city's early years in order to protect the settlement behind them. This was also the site of the East Coast Memorial which commemorates U.S. servicemen who died in coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean during World War II, and several other memorials. The picture above is by that memorial. We thought it was fitting for THE BIRDS to take a picture by the Eagle Memorial. As we were leaving Battery Park we came upon a street performance of The Positive Brothers and wouldn't you know they had me as part of the show. We have lots of funny video's from the performance. They were very positive and very funny, but that is a WHOLE NATHA' post...

 Long story short... one of the guys jumped and did a flip over the 5 of us above. NO JOKE!
After the show we headed to THE PATH (port authority trans-hudson) to see New Jersey. It is amazing the ways people are able to travel in NYC. The subways make living anywhere SO easy, and PATH and other underwater tunnels make getting back and forth REAL easy. Anywho... we took the PATH train into Hoboken, NJ. We walked down the street and around the corner and guess what we saw...

 CARLO'S BAKE SHOP!!

 We walked up to the shop, took our pictures in front and saw a small line near the store. We figured it would be worth a small wait so we got in line. Little did we know the END of the line was across the street and a hour and a half long. I promised my mother that I would bring her something from the famous CAKE BOSS shop. I know you watch TLC!!

 After the wait we got into the store and our mouths began to WATER...

 This is Samantha. She helped us pick out goodies from the shop. They gave out numbers and they had about 10 people like her assisting customers when they came in. It was a NUT HOUSE, but a very good very DELICIOUS nut house!!

 Ohhhhh, can you believe it... yeah... FRESH~GOODNESS at it's best!!

 Of course we each got a Cannoli. I have never had one before; and I would LOVE to have another... I asked our helper to recommend something that was good, and in honor of 4th of July I got a Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting Cupcake...

 OHHHH YEEEAHHHHH!! I wish I would have gotten more!! We asked what they thought would make it back to California and still taste good in a week and they said the Cookies. I forget what kind they were but they made it home and were devoured within minutes of the box being opened!!
As we walked we looked down the street towards NYC and we could see the Empire State Building. So here is the view from NJ of it!

 We walked, and walked, and walked, and walked... THEN walked a few flights of stairs and got into Union City, NJ. Upon reaching the top of the stairs we hit a local bread shop and Matt's eyes lit up. We walked in and the smell was AMAZING. Picture this FRESH BAKED BREAD in a warehouse... YUMMMMM! We got THREE loafs for $1.00 and Matt told me stories about him and his companions them getting them at the end of the day on his mission all the time. I laughed because he said they used to be FOUR for $1.00. THEN we walked up the street and went into a corner store and got an ICEE POP...

 Matt said these were a TREAT and were only a quarter when he was there. We got two for a dollar, so those went up a little in price too since he has been there...

 But they were OH SO GOOD.

It was just as humid as NY so the ICEE POP was a REAL TREAT for me!

We were walked and walked and walked and walked again and came across a cute little water/play park.

We saw this little boat and swung on the swings and started missing the kids.

 "They would have LOVED this!" so we took a picture for them. Then we walked some more and finally found what we were first looking for...

 One of the housed Matt lived in while on his mission. The address was 12 Bleeker Street, Jersey City, NJ. AND WE FOUND IT!! This house used to be owned by the church, but the two men on the roof let us know it was not owned by the church anymore. Then we walked ALL the way back and went to the New Jersey Cliffs. The view from here was AMAZING...

 We sat here for a while and just took it all in. Matt was telling me other things about the area and how being there brought back so many memories... It was VERY nice to visit a part of his mission. He served all over NJ and we just saw a little corner of it. We originally were going to watch the fireworks from NJ, but we were tired from all the walking and just wanted to get back in NYC. So we jumped on a bus that took us through the Holland Tunnel... interesting little fact... The tunnel is one of the earliest examples of a mechanically ventilated design. 84 fans, in four ventilation buildings, create a floor to ceiling air flow across the roadway at regular intervals, via systems of ducts beneath and above the roadway. The fans can completely change the air inside the tunnel every 90 seconds. A forced ventilation system is essential because of the poisonous carbon monoxide component of automobile exhaust. We hit up BOSTON MARKET in NYC for dinner then walked towards the Hudson to see the Fireworks show...

 They closed the highway along the Hudson River so people could sit on it to see the fireworks. We went earlier then we planned because the police were going to shut off the streets so there were not too many people in one area. It was CRAZY...

 So we sat and watched Angry Birds until it got dark enough for the show...

 The skyline was BEAUTIFUL! It was amazing being there. This is the BIGGEST fireworks show I have ever seen! There were six barges along the Hudson River simultaneously shooting off fireworks for 24 minutes. It made me want to start singing " And I'm PROUD to be an AMERICAN where at least I know I'm FREE!!!"

We made it back to the hotel where we showered the dirty sweaty grossness of the day away; then headed out to get a snack. One of my favorite things about NYC is that there were tons of little bakery's all over. Unfortunately for that night they were closed, but we hit up a grocery store and Matt got Ice Cream and I got a piece of Strawberry Cake... we walked over to central park and enjoyed it while we called to see how the kids were doing. That was another one of my favorite things; calling the kids to have them barley talk to us because they were having SO MUCH FUN at Grandma & Grandpa's!!
AND THAT was the end of that VERY BUSY, VERY LOOOOONG Day!!!

NEW YORK!!

Long time no see huh?

I know... I know...

Technically; I got back two weeks ago and I am JUST NOW putting up my blog post??

 Give me a break people!

 I needed a vacation from my vacation!! 

AND after I went through over 600 photos I was in NO mood to get my "post on"

READER BEWARE: MANY LONG BLOG POSTS TO FOLLOW... 

Let's get this party started!!

Hubby and I ~ ON THE PLANE ready to go!!

Oh, where are the kids you ask? They are at G&G Andersen's house.

HECK YEAH we left them... best start to our vacation ever!! 

 Flying into NYC. It was BEAUTIFUL seeing a "bird's eye view" of the city!

We arrived half an hour early to the airport and decided we would be adventurous and take the subway to our hotel. It would have been three times as much to take a cab so we went for it!
I have never been on a subway before, this was very new for me; but I enjoyed it! (as much as you can enjoy a subway ride... I guess)

As we hit our stop we got out, all our luggage in hand and walked up the steps to THIS...

It was almost 11 p.m.

This city truly never sleeps. At least while we were there it never did!!

I was stoked to see the WICKED sign... I was SOOOO looking forward to going to see that!!
We took our luggage and walked to the Hotel. Checked in and decided to eat.

We hit up a local diner, then walked around Central Park.

I never knew how HUGE Central Park was. So neat having a huge park in the middle of a huge city!

It is just as beautiful as you see it in all the movies!

After our little stroll we decided to head back to the hotel and get some rest for the next day.

 Look what we found looking for breakfast! Too bad it was not lunch time huh?

It was raining a little, but was not cold at all. The humidity is NUTS!

As we strolled the streets we saw more of Central Park, The NYC Ballet Building, The shops at Columbus Circle, a Yoga shop with a REAL girl in the window doing Yoga... and wouldn't you know??
We ran into THIS...

The Manhattan Temple (the smaller building with the LONG windows)

We were just walking around and I saw the Angel Moroni.

I said "Matt did you know we were near the temple?"

That was really neat for us. And we found out that they hold church meetings on the third floor of the Temple Building. How different NYC already is for us!!
After that we needed to get ready for BROADWAY!!!

When we were planning our trip we had "Watch a Show on Broadway" on our list of things we wanted to do. We have been hearing great things about the show WICKED for years now. I have wanted to see it, but never got around to going when it was here in California. It worked out PERFECT for us to go because one of my LIFE LONG friends Teal Wicks was playing Elphaba the lead character in NYC!! She had been in the LA, and San Francisco production that I missed, so I KNEW I had to go!! We went early to try to catch her before the show, but she was already in hair and makeup. So I left her a note in the hopes that I would catch her to let her know I was there. Let me just tell you... the show was AMAZING! The writers and actors have CHANGED history with this play. I don't think I will ever watch The Wizard of Oz the same way again!! I'm not going to give too much of the play away, but if you have not seen it, I HIGHLY recommend you do!! So after the show we were trying to find a crew member to help us find Teal. We were kinda walking around the Theatre and saw someone walking across the stage. I asked them if they could help me; and wouldn't you know it, she was looking for us! Teal sent her "swing girl" (the person who does all the costume changes during the show) to find me. We got to go backstage with her, we got to stand ON the stage and see the set and everything about WICKED, but BEST of all....

I got to see TEAL!! It was SO sweet getting to see her. When I was sitting in the theater; and I heard her voice for the first scene I got teary eyed! Not only was I watching an AMAZING show, but the LEAD CHARACTER was one of my BEST FRIENDS growing up!! She ROCKED it! I am so happy and very PROUD of her. We go WAY BACK... to first grade having a crush on the same boy, playing soccer on EVERY TEAM together, enjoying High School and being in Vocal Jazz (Glee Club) together... Man, I LOVE this girl! She and I talked for a while, I got some pictures, had her sign my playbook, and got LOTS of hugs! This MADE my vacation! After that was over I told Matt "OK, That was the highlight of my vacation. We can go home now!" And he laughed. Teal recommended a few places for us to eat, we exchanged phone numbers and she said call her if we need anything! SUCH a sweetheart RIGHT? Same old Teal... LOVE HER!!

How awesome is it that her FACE was on the poster in front of Gershwin Theater??
SOOOOOO AWESOME!! Had to get this picture!
Anywho, After the Awesomeness of WICKED we went back to the hotel, changed clothes (my heals we killing me) and headed for Times Square. On our way we saw THIS...

That's right... Matt's Grill!! So funny that in the same day we saw "OUR NAMES" on restaurants! There were millions of little grills, delis, and shops everywhere! Also everywhere Dunkin' Donuts... Ugh YES PLEASE. (breakfast of champions)

OH, and Check this out. With all the "HOOPLA" around The Book Of Mormon Musical on Broadway look at what our church has in the middle of Times Square. And this picture does not do the HUGENESS of the I Am Mormon.org poster justice. This thing was MASSIVE!! The lady that took our picture asked us if we had seen the play and I said "No, but we are real life Mormons. Wanna touch me?" and she and I laughed.

The humidity was KILLING us so we hit up McDonald's for some dessert. Quick question... Have you had the ROLO SHAKE at McD's yet? UGH! TO DIE FOR... get it! Matt above enjoying my rolo shake in the middle of Times Square.

It was the 4th of July weekend, so the streets were WAY crowded. Obviously not as crowded as New Years, but STILL crowded. We saw the M&M store and decided to check it out. We took a picture to send to Landon and Hailey...

If you read my blog you MAY remember Landon LOVES his "M". So we thought they would like us to send them a picture from the "M" store. My mom said he loved it when he saw it!
On our walk home we got the FULL New York experience and walked by a guy laying on the sidewalk with blood all over. Not sure if he was dead or alive, but we helped flag down the ambulance to the scene of the crime. Luckily a few other people had come upon him first and had already called for help. CRAZY STUFF ~ huh??!!
And that was the end to our VERY LONG first FULL day in NYC.
MANY MORE Blog Posts to come! :)

Missionary Pillow

Looking for something to send your missionary??
This is a CUTE idea my mother and I came up with.
For our Family Reunion we needed projects to do with the kids.
What better project then making something for your missionaries??
We took:
~FABRIC MARKERS
~a Standard White Pillow Case
~Fabric and Iron-On Transfers
and made THIS:

 My mom cut out the "We Love Elder Andersen" and then ironed it on. (she used blue fabric and iron-on transfer sheets) Then we had all the family sign the pillowcase and write a little note to him on an index card. We are going to put all the little letters in the pillow case and send it to him. Quick FUN and easy craft! And as you can see these markers are EASY to write with. We had little kids 2 years old writing with them! And they dried quickly too; both sides of the pillowcase were written on without any smudges or problems. Remember to put something in the middle of the pillow case; we used a garbage bag JUST in case the marker went through the other side. FUN FUN FUN!!

My cousin Elder Tyler Andersen is serving his mission in BOISE, ID.

We are SO Proud of him!!

LAST TRIP!!

So... you are AGAIN not going to hear from me for a little while.
I am leaving TODAY for NEW YORK!!
I'm leaving on a JET PLANE...
(but unfortunately I do know when I will be back again...)
We are going to see a Broadway Play, visit New Jersey where my husband served his mission, and then attend the BIRD Family Reunion in Boston...

I think we are going to have a BLAST.
Oh, and the BEST PART...
we are leaving our TWO Adorable Little ones with Grandma and Grandpa Andersen...
YEP... going to a Family Reunion WITHOUT the kids...
If YOU were going these places would you take your 2 and 4 year old...
I didn't think so!!