NYC Day 1

April 1, 2011 we boarded a plane at 6 AM to head to NYC!

We had plans to meet up with friends later that day for the weekend, but we decided to go up early to celebrate our 5 year anniversary and visit with some family.

Philip has never really had an opportunity to experience NYC as a tourist so we decided to tackle "NYC in One Day" revised.

We arrived at the Laguardia airport at 7 am. We headed to my cousins apartment to drop off our luggage with her doorman (so we didnt have to shlep it all over the city)

We bundled up (it was raining, snowing and windy and in the 30's).

We ended up running into my cousin on the street and said a quick hello and went on our merry way.

We were headed to Rockefellar center!

Rockefellar center had the tinniest most narrow escalator!

And Philip looked so darn cute I couldn't resist!

The ice skating rink at Rockefellar Center was still being used in April!

The full view of Rockfellar!

Even though it was freezing the flowers were already in bloom at Rockefellar

The timing was just right for us to catch the taping of The Today show with Kathie Lee and Hoda! We even got on TV several times! Amanda and Asher were at home watching us!

Our next stop was Ground Zero and the National Hall Museum

It is amazing to see the rebuild at Ground Zero.

How can you not love that hat...hahaah?!?

We stopped at the Federal Hall National Memorial

We got to see the stone that George Washington took oath on!

And touch the railing that he held on to during his address

Philip was in history heaven.

It's important to note that we got lost and turned around several times trying to get to this memorial. At one point we walked in a complete circle. I was less than impressed since it was cold and raining, but we laughed together!

We had scheduled to meet my Aunty Betsy at the Russian Tea Room for lunch.

I had not seen her in what felt like forever so this was a special treat for us all.

The Russian Tea Room is a sight to be seen. It is the most gaudy place I have been to in a long time, but well worth the visit!

Aunt Boots and Philip started off the meal with a flight of Vodka Shots!

The menu was full of Russian Delights so we all decided to try something new.

Philip ate Borscht and actually liked it.

He had never even eaten beets before!

I had a wild mushroom and goat cheese crepe. It was delicious!

Did I mention the place was Gaudy?

They sold the little Russian Dolls in the "gift shop"

Loving on my Aunt Boots.

I wish she lived closer to us!

The Russian Team Room is known for this tree...

You have to have someone escort you up to the "ballroom" to see it and they only turn on a spotlight for you. Weird huh? The eggs that dangle from the tree branches are worth 20k-40k EACH! Yes you read that right!?!?!?

They are also known for this Bear.

Inside the Bear is a fish tank full of goldfish.

Again.. no light, just a spotlight.

So weird.

and YES that is Philip punching the bear in the crotch!?!?!

After we said goodbye to my Aunt Betsy we headed out into the rain and on a walk through Central Park. If you have ever been to Central Park you know that the squirrels come eerily close to you. I was inches away from this squirrel. Crazy creatures!

We caught another couple taking photos of themselves in Central Park with this view so we offered to photograph them together in exchange for our very own photo together.

Our first photo together on our 5th Anniversary!

Our walk through Central Park was intentional. We were going to the Metropolitian Museum of Art. After a lovely hike we arrived at our destination...I am not sure at this point I realized how much MORE walking we would be doing at the museum. It was HUGE!

We made it through approximately 1/2 of the exhibits. I ended up finding a cozy bench in the middle of several sculptures where I stretched my aching hip and propped up my sore feet.

Im pretty sure we walked well over 10 miles by this point.

Did I mention that Philip was in HEAVEN?

After we finished up at the museum we headed back to my cousins so we could spend some time with the kids before bed time and rest our feetsies.

We got to kiss this sweet face..

and play with this big boy...

(that is my cousin Robin...not me)

Our Cousin Amy who also lives in the City came in to visit while we were there!

I cant stand her cuteness. She is such a little city girl.

Jordana stands in front of the window looking out into the city!

Spencer made me about 10 ice cream cones.

Make believe of course!

Around 8 pm our buddy Jason arrived and his mom came by and scooped us all up in her car.

Off to Cresskill NJ we went for Chinese food and a weekend full of friends and lots of laughter....