We Went To The City

New York City that is.  Before driving back home we thought we'd spend a couple of days in the city. Joe had been once back in high school but the kids and I had never been.

We thought we'd give it a try on Black Friday. Why not, right? I love the hustle and bustle of the holidays and a bazillion people all in the same spot. I love taking the kids to new places and seeing their eyes fill up with excitement. It was great. From navigating the subway to riding the Ferris wheel inside the Toys R Us store, it was jam packed with new experiences. I told Joe before we got there that I wanted to do as much as possible in those two days. Forget the naps, forget bedtime, just live it up!

The view from our hotel room:

Lady Liberty

Hey, no free rides around here. Take care of your own bag...even if you are little. Actually, she insisted after watching her brothers pull theirs.

First glimpse of the Empire State Building.

Macy's window display.

We had dinner at Hard Rock Cafe. It was really, really loud but somehow Selah managed to nap through it all. She must be more Rock N Roll than we thought...

Isaac's drawing a picture of the City. So cute :)

Gabe drew the Statue of Liberty.

Look at all those people!!

The Ferris wheel!

The next morning the kids played with a few toys they picked out the day before from street vendors. Isaac's bubble blowing gun was a big hit. He had $9.00 in his wallet when we arrived...he chose to spend $5 on this. Seeing how much they all enjoyed it I would say it was $5 well spent!

After that we got dressed, hopped on the subway and made our way to Central Park. I think the kids would say this was the best part. We had them race up and down a big hill. I think it was just the kind of thing they needed :) It was great the way their faces lit up as they made their way up and down this huge piece of earth. Such a little boy thing to do :) It reminded me that they are still little, and I love little. They are ours, those smiles, those round faces, those belly laughs, they are our little people to love and enjoy. What a blessing to be able to take them on such a great adventure. To a place people travel from all over the world to see. They got to hear new languages, see different faces, experience something other than our little Ohio town. You have no idea how thankful I am for that...

Earlier, we found a cute little place for breakfast. We ate upstairs and had a fabulous view of the city as we sipped coffee and talked over eggs and pancakes. After breakfast we went to Victoria's Secret (I got new jammies, yay! I now have pj's that match...never thought I'd see the day...), then we browsed Tiffany's.  Joe surprised me with a new necklace :) Said he wanted me to have something special from New York. Love him. Seriously, love that guy.

Back to racing up the big hill...

This is Gabe getting a head start...

Daddy joined in on the fun...

I bet we did this twenty times! And the cousins were so sweet to keep it up, they knew the boys were lovin' it :)

These next pictures of my boys? I love them. I really, really do. Really.

This is Isaac telling Gabe the plane. Run down to that tree, turn around and race back...

Next, race up the hill holding hands, five jumping jacks and back down...

Love Selah's smile in this one...

We even saw a couple having their wedding pictures taken :)

Off to FAO Schwartz. The line was out the door and around the building. We thought we'd be there all night. Nope, we were in the door in less than five minutes! Who knew...glad we waited. We were seriously thinking the kids could not handle a long line. So glad we didn't have to!

Then back on the Subway and off to dinner before starting the drive back home.

Dear New York,

We like you. A lot. We will be back.

Love,

The Knopps.

The coolest part of all you ask? As we were getting in the elevator to make our way down to the subway we heard a choir singing Chris Tomlin's How Great Is Our God. I have no idea where they were, just off in the distance somewhere. It really was the coolest thing, these loud, passionate voices weaving in and out of city streets and over rooftops. It was literally the very last thing we heard as the heavy, silver doors were closing. Joe and I locked eyes and were reading each other's minds...is that what we think it is?? So very cool. Loved that.

And that was our little trip. So much fun. Oh, and in a strange twist of fate I lost my voice on the way home. No words, no wonderful conversation, no singing along with the Christmas tunes. I was bummed. My husband? Yeah, he thought it was hilarious. He kept saying things like, speak up, I can't hear you,  or oh, that must make you pretty miserable over there, not being able to talk and all... good thing I had that necklace ;)

Happy Wednesday out there!

XOXO,

Angie