Storming New York

We took a lovely walk to start the day off. Ashley lives in the Flatiron District so we strolled south and saw Washington Square and continued on down going about 35 streets before taking a taxi the rest of the way to Battery Park. Mom LOVED staring at the ocean. She did it for quite some time until I really understood why she and dad talk about moving to San Diego so often.

We got an amazing tour guide who explained really well extra insight information about New York. We meant to get off the bus at the South Ferry stop but liked what he was saying so much we rode all the way back up to 51st street. Then we took a tour of northern Manhattan and Harlem and also stood in line again for Wicked tickets. We didn't win. :-(

We DID win at the NBC studios store! I went to TOWN buying stuff there. It made the whole trip! I love my Dwight, Sean, and Gus bobbleheads! Also the 'that's what she said' magnet and Soup Nazi 'no soup for you' t-shirt. The Rockefeller Plaza Christmas tree was beautiful and so were all the bright lights of the city. The entire day was FABULOUS!

Brrr!

We headed out in the morning with high hopes of being able to see lots of New York. We dragged back in after heavy traffic, snow piles, and frozen bodies...ours. The roads had been cleared, but there was so much traffic around the Times Square area as they trucked snow out that it made a two hour loop of the hop on/hop off bus tour into five hours. Mom only got to see lower Manhattan. The heater wasn't on when we got back to Ashley's apartment. It took three hours before it turned on and then I warmed up and got nice and toasty. Sweet!

Travel Day

I drove us in Lisa's van to Union Station. Not bad considering our GPS wasn't working. We made it in record time. Even had time to drop Lisa off at the corner for her to run in to find a restroom while I parked out front to drop our bags off. Luckily she was able to find us. Unluckily our bus was two and a half hours late arriving. Mom got a little cold and had to use her new Christmas pashima over her head for warmth.

Mom was worried before our trip that the Bolt Bus we were going to use would be sketchy (horror stories from her home teachers). I talked her down from that ledge when she found out the cost of taking Amtrak in comparison and when Angelina Jolie used it between D.C. and NY in the movie we watched on the airplane on our way to JFK. Thank you Evelyn Salt!

A Day in D.C.

When mom and I visited D.C. back in 2008, it was 114 degrees so we didn't get out to see Arlington Cemetery. We decided to do it right this trip so we took a tour of the place. Grant cracked me up with the faces he was pulling all day.

We had a game night playing Boggle and Guillotine. Lisa cooked things up for us right. It was a fun day.

Day One

One flight, late night arrival, and bus ride later...we made it to NYC AND D.C.

Merry Christmas!

Kevin and Grandma Backlund joined mom, dad, Jodie, and I in opening presents up this morning. Jodie and I made each other blankets. The one she made me is a beautiful crocheted long lap blanket. Mom was very creative and wrapped up my Christmas presents from toys she got from the kids' play room. They were hilarious! She even labeled people in the little bus with our names.

She can finally start packing now because she got some new clothes that she is planning on taking with her. New York here we come!

It's a Pahr-tay!

Jenny and her family came down an hour before our Christmas Eve party to give a musical recital. Each of her boys play two instruments whether it's piano and violin, or piano and clarinet. Even Brett played a violin song! They are so good now. Nate even played the violin in Sacrament meeting at Church last week. TJ and Christian serenaded us with Jingle Bells while shaking bells. The Nativity scene was super cute. Jeremy was the donkey and Jenny even made him little ears to wear as he came out! Lots of presents, food, and laughing afterward.

Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus with a bow!