The Big Apple

Back in March, I know I am way behind on blogging about life......guess I've been too busy living it?
 Justin and I finally took his Christmas gift trip to New York City.  We went for a week and it was AMAZING!!!

We stayed right in Times Square which was wonderful!

It is just crazy how many people crowd those streets each and everyday.  So different then life in Arizona.....even Phoenix.

After visiting Chicago so many times we kind of had the idea that New York wouldn't seem as massive.

Oh no it's MASSIVE.......Chicago did not prepare us for the Awe of The Big Apple!

Justin had to take a picture of the parking lots....just crazy!  There were very few and there was even a car elevator which seemed crazy to us.  We are so use to space I guess.

I was beyond EXCITED to try my first Cannoli and Lobster Tail while we were in Little Italy.  We had one while in Times Square but man oh man they are not half as good as the one we got at Caffe' Palerino!

I would have like to have one of those chocolate cannoli's everyday!

Seriously they were worth every calorie..............but calories don't count on vacation, that's my motto!

My (Black Market) Coach purse from China Town.
We really LOVED China town and Little Italy!

This picture brings back such fun memories.....hold onto your hats because this is a fun story.  

And IT IS ALL TRUE!!!

So this good friend of mine, her name will not be disclosed.........you never want to give up your sources right?
She had told me all about getting real name brand purses in China Town.  When she was telling me what to do and everything that it involved I didn't fully believe her. But it was all true just like she had told me.....
down to the secret door and everything!
So I talked Justin into going on this adventure with me........he didn't believe it when I told him what my friend had said but he was interested in seeing.
We got lucky we didn't even have to look for a little oriental lady whispering, "Yo wan a purse?" "Yo wan a purse?"
We were just standing on the street and she can up to me.........and asked me that magical question, "Yo wan a purse?"
I was like, "YES, YES I DO!"....."But I want to actually see the purses I don't want to look at a picture of them!"  This is part of adventure!  Usually they just want to show you a paper that has pictures of purses, you just say which one you want and they bring it to you.  I knew to ask to see the purses......I wanted the full adventure.
So this older oriental lady, who's name is Lily I later came to find out, says "come with me but not close."  Got it... follow her but don't look like you are following her, just like my friend had told me. Lily then gets on her cell phone and makes several phone calls.
We follow Lily as she takes us a block east, two blocks north and one more block east.........or something like that.  All I know is that I smiled the whole time we were following Lily, as we weaved through the street of China Town.  We eventually get to "the store," Lily just motions with her head for us to go into the store.  The whole time so far she doesn't really look directly at us and she speaks extremely soft, especially considering how noisy the streets are.
We enter the store, it's a jewelry store with no purses. So Justin and I pretend to be interested in the jewelery as a young oriental girl gets on a walkie talkie and says something in Chinese.  The girl never speaks to us but motions for us to go to the back of her store.  We do. As we get to the back the wall opens up.........yup there is a secret door.  We walk through the door in to a small and I mean small......okay lets go with a better adjective, tiny hall/closet.  As we step inside the young lady shuts the door just as another oriental lady opens another door at the opposite end of this tiny space.  We enter a small room lined floor to ceiling with brand name purses. There are probably 7 "tourist" mostly ladies crammed into the room.  We all check out the purses, pick the one we like, pay and they walkie talkie back and forth to decide when to let you out.  Some of the time people have to wait a few minutes to be let out.  
It was AWESOME CRAZY!!!
There is a little more to this adventure told later on in this post.

We really enjoyed the subway.  We felt it added to the whole New York experience.  I had a couple of people tell me before we left, not to ride the subway in NY because it was too scary or dirt.  Hmmmmm it wasn't any dirtier then the streets of  NY and "scary"....nope never felt scared.  It felt very much like any other subway I have been on, like in Chicago or Washington DC.

Plus it was WAY cheaper then taking a taxi everywhere!

Our kids were excited to see this picture.........the ferris wheel inside of the Toys'r'us in Times Square.

Our first taste of Cannoli at a bakery down the street from our hotel.

Yummy Goodness!

I hope to never know how to make Cannolis!

What a hottie!

This was when we were on the ferrie on our way to Liberty Island.

It was a cold and foggy day. But we were very excited to finally see the Statue of Liberty!

This is a picture of Manhattan 

Wish it wouldn't have been as foggy so the picture would have turned out clearer.

Just a little history....

The people of France gave the Statue to the people of the United States over one hundred years ago in recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution. Sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to design the sculpture.

Pretty exciting to cross something off your bucket list!

This is nice view of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Justin was fascinated with the construction in the city.

I told him we could probably move here and there would be a job for him....... but he didn't go for it.

It was humbling to stand at ground zero....

This is one of the new towers under construction....when they are finished they will be taller then the Empire State Building.

There was such a reverence about the memorial area.

I was full of a wide spectrum of emotions standing there...

sadness, respect, pride in my country, love of family, honor, devotion, a renewed desire to follow our Heavenly Father's Plan and many more.

The two water fountain memorials are breath taking to say the least.

It is as if the City itself is shedding continual tears for the lives lost on September 11, 2001.  What really amazed me was the way all that water falling blocks out the noise of the city.  The city is noisy as it is but with the construction of the towers going on it was extremely, extremely noisy all around.  Although, as soon as you walk up to the falling water memorials, the noise is silenced, completely silent aside from the comforting sound of the water fall and there is peace.

I Loved It!

What a beautiful way to remember the lives lost on that dreadful day.

Justin took like 40 pictures of this chopper, made by Orange County Choppers.

It is amazing the workmanship that goes into a bike of this magnitude.

No we didn't ice skate at Rockefeller Center.....yeah we didn't want to cruise New York on crutches.

It was super fun to see all the places you've seen for forever on TV. We saw so many places that it's hard to remember them all.  

This Pic is for Hunter Boy

He would have LOVED the Lego store

And Mom REALLY enjoyed the Michael Kors store.

Yes I even walked out with a new watch.....I know not shocking!

I had saved some photography money just for this purpose.

Although there is a really sad story that accompanies the word "watches" when it comes to this trip.  But we'll save the sad part for the end of the post.  No need to ruin the fun yet!

Yes Justin dressed drag while we were in New York!

Okay it was just how my phone made the picture turn out but it does look like kind of convincing doesn't it?
This was a Ruth Chris's Steakhouse.  It was some of the yummiest steak, stuffed chicken breast, scalloped potatoes, sweet potato pie we have ever had.  Makes my mouth water just thinking about it!!

Yes I've seen Wicked many times but how can you resist seeing it on Broadway in Manhattan.

LOVED, LOVED IT!!!

Having a wonderful time with the love of my life!

Thanks Babe for letting us take this great trip.  It was just what we both needed!

We actually really enjoyed the subway.  Riding on it really gave you a true side of the City.  Sometimes it's good to not listen to peoples advice!

This exhibit was very interesting.  I have a whole new respect for my body and it's complexity!

What an astonishing home our Heavenly Father has created for our spirits to spend their mortal experience in.  There is one section that shows miscarriage babies.....it was sad.  And at the same time it was amazing to see actual fetuses.....even at just 8 weeks you can see the resemblance of a baby.  It was very interesting to see how fast things develop in just a weeks time.  

We happen to be in Manhattan for St. Patrick's Day.....totally not planned it just happened.

Let me tell you all the crazy's come out and walk the streets that day!!

I so had to have a picture with this guy.....we loved the crazy people.  Some of the yelling and drunk people got old fast but for the most part all the green people were fun to watch!

Everyone is Irish on St. Patty's Day!

This picture doesn't do all the people dresses in green justice.

Justin and I joined in the green fun!

Justin even did his leprechaun dance in the middle of Times Square just so I could video it and send it to the kids. Every St. Patrick's Day he loves to annoy me by acting and talking like what he believes is a leprechaun.  He says, "Osh Gosh Golly Be Gone.....Tis the Luck of de Irish!" while doing heel clicks.

It is quite funny.....but several years ago we had to make up the rule that he can only do his little Leprechaun act on St. Patrick's Day.  He does however get to do it as much as he wants that day.

He is so funny!

I love that he is confident enough to do such a thing even it the middle of Times Square surrounded by thousands of people.  He is the best!

The Stardust Diner is a fabulous little hangout in Times Square.

I celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a nice cold Root beer!  I know pretty crazy huh?

All the waiters and waitresses take turns singing and entertaining while you enjoy the yummy food.

They are all good singers aspiring to be on Broadway....so it was enjoyable to listen to them!

Look at my new Crossfit shoes....

I have been wanting a pair of these for a long time.

Pretty excited to finally buy a pair....and they are quit comfortable!

Who can walk by this sign and not stop?

And who can see all these yummy cupcakes and not get one or two?

I am thinking only CRAZY PEOPLE!

This is a view from the Empire State Building

It was just breath taking seeing the views from the 86th floor.  Riding the elevators that high kind of  made my stomach turn and my ears pop.

Nice view of the Chrysler building.

Do we look happy or what?

We loved all the street entertainers!

This guy just busted out dancing as this young artist played his makeshift drums.

They both were actually really good and very entertaining!

One day we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
I had to take a picture of the horses in their armor for my boys.
They thought it was way cool!

Hunter would have loved seeing all the swords and guns.

I can not even imagine wearing all that heavy armor!

I love going to museums where ever we travel to.  Especially with Justin....he makes everything fun!

Of course what would a trip to the Big Apple be without going to Central Park.

It is beautiful!

It was fun to see so many landmarks that you recognize from different movies.

I can't even name all the movies this bridge is in.

It was gorgeous weather.  Perfect for enjoying the park!

We took a bike tour of the park which was a great way to see a large portion of it.

Our guide did a great job and it was really interesting hearing different facts about the park.

It was just fun to recognize spots featured in movies and tv shows.

I loved being in Central Park!

The architecture is amazing!

I loved seeing all the old buildings of the City.  They have such detail that we lack in the west.

Do you recognize this fountain?

Justin really wanted to go see The Cathedral of St. John the Divine.  It is the worlds largest cathedral.  So tall that the Statue of Liberty would fit comfortably under it's dome and over two football fields long.

Once again the architecture amazes me!

Gorgeous right?

This statue is in a garden that is part of the Cathedral.  I thought Kiersten would love these little owls.

The stain glass was just gorgeous!

Pretty grandiose!

One evening we had to go experience Serendipity!

It was a 90 minute wait but so worth it!

It was a quaint little spot.  I loved all the Tiffany chandeliers!

We splurged and both got a sunday.  It wasn't their $1,000 sunday (ridiculous I must say, that's when you just have too much money) on their menu but it was delicious for sure.  They were yummy but too big to finish!

This picture might not seem that cool but to a photographer it is like HEAVEN.  B&H Photo's main site is located in Manhattan.  It is a full blocks length.....a beautiful sign in my book!  I could have stayed in there for hours.  I could not believe it when Justin told me to get the new lens I have been dreaming of.  He said it was an early birthday present.  And we actually got it paid off before my birthday, which is great considering it wasn't cheap!

I now own a Canon EF 70-200 mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens......

It paired with my new Canon 5D Mark II (my anniversary gift) takes outstanding pictures.  

I love them!

Thanks Babe!

We were so close to Hoboken, New Jersey we couldn't resist going to Carlos Bakery!

We stood in line outside for a little over an hour....

Then inside we probably waited another hour or so.  It was worth it though.  Plus our kids were very excited to see pictures of us there.  We all like watching Cake Boss!

Everything looked so good............I wanted to try a bite of everything!

It was crazy how crowded the place was. They do have a pretty good system for getting customers in and out as fast as they can.

Yep we left with some boxes of Carlos goodness!  We tried all kinds of pastries, cookies and such.  I enjoyed the Cannolis, lobster tail and biscotti.  We were leaving the next day so some of the yumminess lasted for our kids to try.  They were very excited!  We even had enough to share some with our good friends, The Shupe family!

As a photographer you find beauty in all kind of places.  I loved this wall of graphite!  Every place I went I saw photo shoot opportunities.  

It was great!

We went back to China Town, Little Italy and this time Greenwich Village.

The street markets are pretty cool in China town.  They have some of the most interesting things.  Some of which we had no idea what they were.


To continue the story of the Coach purse from China town.....


  After we had purchased the purse we were standing out on the street and several oriental people approach us asking us if we want jewelry, watches, sunglasses, etc.  We say sure so they show us some Tiffany jewelry and we buy some, Justin gets a pair of Oakley glasses.  Then they ask us if we want a watch and I say yes, "Michael Kors or Fossil?"


A young oriental lady tells us to follow her as well as the older lady, Lily. We don't know who to follow and they started yelling at each other in Chinese.  We are just watching then and the young lady grabs my arm to motion us to follow her and so we do.  They continue to yell at each other as we are walking away.  Then the younger lady starts to shove Lily as she is screaming at her.  It was insane!!!
We started to walk away and the young lady motions is to follow her and so we do.  This time Lily stays on the other side of the street as they continue to scream at each other.


We did get two Michael Kors watches which I was pretty excited about.  I have a slight watch fetish!


Very exciting stuff in China town I must say!

Along with Wicked, we also saw Ghost the musical on Broadway.  It was phenomenal to say the least.  The special effects are amazing. The whole background is LCD screens that move.....it's great!
We also saw, Jersey Boys and loved the music.  The language was a bit much but we kind of knew that going in to it.  

Even in The Big Apple Justin found a Cold Stone.  It is like he has a radar for them or something.  Kind of like me and Target....he, he....

We saw this guy every where around Times Square.  Dressed just like this every time.  This time he was outside a Abercrombie and Fitch store.....just feeding his baby doll.  Sometimes I wish I could be that crazy.  It could be kind of fun!
He defiantly made us laugh!

One of the highlights of the trip was attending a session at the Manhattan Temple.  We also did some initiatory work which was interesting and insightful.  I love being in the House of the Lord and feeling of his spirit and love.  The feelings in the temple are unmatched to say the least.  Such a refuge of peace from the world that we live in.  

As I was getting ready to leave the dressing room to leave the temple, one of the lady temple workers came and gave me a huge hug.  She said, "I am so glad I found you before you left. I am so glad you came to the temple today.  I know the Lord loves you!  Have a safe trip home."

That has never happen to me at the temple.  I mean everyone is always nice at any temple I have ever been to but for her go out of her way to come find me.....it was very sweet and touching!

Justin and I did go to the temple with a prayer in our hearts and mind.  We received an answer while in the Manhattan temple so it will forever hold a special place in my heart!

There is this sign on a building in Times Square.  I knew Justin was leading a double life I just wish he would have told me he manages a building in New York City.  I totally support that idea!!

All in all it was a fabulous trip!  We had so much fun, wore ourselves out and loved every minute of being together!  It was great to finally spend some one on one time with each other.  Justin works long hard hours every week and the weekends seem to always be spent doing stuff with our kids.  Sometimes the only way to really spend time with Justin is to get him away from the business!  He is so much lighter and relaxed when we leave town.  He carries a lot of stress, pressure and annoyance as he is helping to run CKC.  He does more then one mans job for sure!

I am so proud of him for the amazingly hard worker that he is.  A yearly trip alone with him is more then deserved, but doesn't always happen.  I am always very grateful when it does work out though.

Thanks to my wonderful Mom and Mother-in-law!  We could not have gone without their help with the kids.  Our kids had a blast as well! 

Thanks so much!

I love you Babe!

And remember you promised to take me back to get another watch in Manhattan.....

oh yeah mine all got stolen.  

There will be a separate post all about that saga!