nyc | getting around

This post is dedicated to all of our 'getting around' pictures. I gained a lot of respect for NYC mommas, especially my sister who travels around the city daily with kids. It is no easy feat! Even with Brandon and I, we were exhausted by the end of each day walking, carrying strollers up and down subway stairs, and just having everything take 4x as long as we are used to.

Needless to say, Blake and Evelyn were mesmerized with the Subway. Blake still asks to go on the subway. And we did take quite a few taxi rides, only because we Brandon was partly there for work and we didn't have to pay for them. It was well worth it, though.

nyc | sailboats and slides in central park

Our last afternoon was one of our favorites moments in the city. After our morning date, we we picked up our children and went over to Central Park to sail boats on one of the ponds. We thought they were remote controlled, but it turns out you actually get to sail them. It was tricky, but we all got the hang of it after a while. The boys were in heaven playing around.

We ran out of time to go to the Central Park Zoo. Next time! Instead, we played around on the granite slide which was SO. MUCH. FUN.

And then the boys had to get some hot dogs. Of course, since we were in Central Park.

And then we walked through-- literally-- the Columbus Day parade happening on 5th Avenue :

and stopped at FAO Schwarz to play the big piano. This is the only picture I got because I was taking video instead. Blake was giddy as a school boy playing this. I'm glad we made the effort to go.

nyc | norma's and the highline

Perhaps the best thing about spending the night at Le Parker Meridien was having Norma's just an elevator ride away. Emily and I first tried out Norma's on our trip in 2008. It has the most decadent, over the top brunch items that keep you full the entire day. We thought that would be the best way to start off our last day. I loved having a meal just the two of us to talk and laugh without interruptions.

We were hoping to eat at Serafina's sometime on our trip. It's the restaurant we first ate at right after we got engaged. Realizing that our list of things to do in NYC was much longer than we had time for, we had to cut something out. We figured at least walking by would be a sweet way to reminisce. But ha, this was actually a different one than we ate at. Next time. 

We went down to Chelsea Market, this old industrial building turned into chic shops and restaurants. I wish I would have had more time there. Then we walked along the entire Highline Park--the old elevated train tracks turned into a park. It was a cool, new perspective of the city. Again, I wish we wouldn't have felt so rushed to get back and could have enjoyed a nice, leisurely stroll. 

 

nyc | sunday in the city

Sunday in the city meant:

-hailing a taxi to get to church (didn't have the luxury of hopping in our car to get there. kind of fun though)
-going to the ward Kyle is bishop of in Harlem.
-taking a long, much needed nap. Up to this point, our kids hadn't had one besides little cat naps here and there.
-walking through Central Park and taking Blake and Evelyn to the spot Brandon proposed to me on Bow Bridge
-eating a gourmet dinner that Emily "threw together". That girl is the perfect hostess, I tell you what.
-hanging out with cousins
-Brandon and I slipping away for a night at Le Parker Meridien. I'm pretty sure we'll never be able to afford a night there on our own. It was fancy and the perfect night away.

the church building and my handsome boys 

having a meltdown at this very moment ^

nyc | city shots

I'm kind of weird, but I love taking photos of what's around me, including details. I'm trying to make it not so annoying for those around me. So sorry if you've been affected by it. A few times Brandon said, "why are you taking a picture of that?" And so this post is for all those random pictures I took that have little sentimental value, other than the fact that they are just details of New York that I liked.