more fun with water cam

Jack and I hung out with the nieces (Caitlin, Erin & Lily) this afternoon.
I have attached a sampling of the 300+ pics they took of each other.

You new Dum-dum. You give me gum-gum...

Jack is a big Night at The Museum fan. So of course he wanted a picture with this guy. Every kid there was quoting the movie. Pretty funny. Loved the Museum of Natural History. We covered maybe 1/3 of the museum. So much to see! The Horse special exhibit was very cool. Our horse lover was in heaven...

Statue of Liberty

The Statue and monument base museum (the only part you can go in now) were very cool. Some tips if you go:

• Get tickets early on-line. Made fun of my mom for doing this, but they sold out. Mom is always right. Mom is always right. Mom is always right...
• Check times beforehand. The last group let into the monument is at 3:30. We had no idea and just made it in at 3:15. (After wandering around the island taking pics, eating Italian ice for a few hours thinking we had all the time in the world.)
• Anticipate security screenings. This pissed off Libertarian Matt - go figure. They had one before the ferry and one before the monument entrance. Like full airport security with the air puff things and everything. Things that we had that caused trouble - Matt's tiny Swiss Army knife on his keys, my phone charger, the kids' battery operated M & M fans. Also you aren't allowed to bring bags into the monument. They make you rent a locker and check them. The fewer things you have, the better.

All in all - worth it. Totally cool. The view even from the top of the base is great. The scale of the statue is overwhelming. I loved the museum and the making of blurbs and videos. Amazing process to build that massive thing. Amazing that we were once loved enough as a country to be given a gift of that magnitude. Totally loved reading all the history and seeing all the fund raising campaign stuff. It's possible that I was more into it than anyone else in our group... I think fun for all though.

wobbling on a wiggly stone waiting for the ferry

old sign still up on Liberty Island showing the skyline across the water

the actual skyline

more on the gnome later...

the original torch (way cooler in my opinion)

Top of the Rock

I have wanted to go to the top of the Rockefeller Building the last 2 trips to NYC. Somehow it just never worked out. This trip we squeezed it in at the end of day 2 - and it was awesome! After our long afternoon on Liberty Island we lucked out and caught a quick ferry, immediately got on the right subway back to midtown and walked right into the yummy BBQ restaurant Matt had heard about from a co-worker. We made such good time we decided to try for Top of the Rock tickets just as the sun was starting to go down. If we had been there 15 minutes earlier we would have seen more actual sunset. But all in all, I can't complain. Gorgeous view. The kids loved it too. I wish I was a better photographer. So many great photo ops...

the gnome...

riding in the car to NYC

Our neighbor suggested we bring our little travelocity gnome on vacation with us. The kids thought that was hysterical so we did. Many photo opportunities and much laughter. We may have started a new tradition... With all those pics, not a single odd look. Apparently it takes a lot to weird people in NYC out. Also, no problem getting Gnomey through all the various security checks.

at the hotel

Mars 2112

Top of the Rock - view of Empire State Building

riding the subway

waiting for the ferry

Statue of Liberty

American Girl Store

Battery Park

Today Show

Nana, Em and I got up early on the last day to watch the Today Show broadcast from Rockefeller Plaza. It was not that crowded when we got there at 6:30, but most of the front row spots were taken. I think half an hour earlier would have done it. The people directly in front of us had a great view and got all the good camera time and shots with the anchors. We did have a very good view though and it wasn't crowded so we could move around. The people near us were friendly and chatty. I just watched our tivoed episode from yesterday with the kids. You actually can see us quite a bit. Next time I would bring a book or electronic toy for Em. (She was a little bored, but in a pleasant, Emma-like way) The kids in front of us had gameboys to keep them busy. I have all sorts of strategy planned for next time. 4th time's the charm!

Mom snapping a pick of the back of Matt and Ann. (Meredith was on assignment)

Mom all giddy about getting her pic.

Doing the outside broadcast right near us. (In front of Lenny - that dude with the hat who is always there)

Matt, Matt, I can almost touch you! I love you! Please don't call security.

the lucky ladies right in front of us

those same ladies with Al

Ann and the kids in front of my mom

Ann greeting Morgan Freeman

Heidi Klum after her segment waving to the crowd

Accidentally found the back exit to NBC studios (next to Nintendo World.) Heidi was swarmed by a bunch of autograph seekers (who were waiting by the not-so-secret back door) as she was exiting to her limo. I think she was autographing this police officer's ticket pad thing. She was super nice. She also posed for a bunch of pics with kids. Emma didn't want to - all shy. She is not a Hanna.