The Big Apple

This past weekend Perry and I had our first get-away together without kids in over 5 years. We just celebrated our 8th Anniversary so this was a much needed vacation. Perry's parents so graciously came out and took great care of the kids while we were gone. I have to say, it was very strange to be able to go anywhere we wanted and not worry about kids, snacks, strollers, naps etc. It was very liberating. We had a great time. And boy did we see and do a lot! We walked and rode all around Manhattan. It was a blast. We arrived Wednesday night and Thursday morning we had tickets to Live with Regis & Kelly. It was so fun to see how live television works behind the scenes. We saw Liam Neeson & Emile Hirsch. When we got to the studio, the place was crawling with Secret Service. It turned out that John McCain was there and they pre-taped a segment with him after the first show. We also got to be there for a taping of Natasha Bedingfield performing. It was so awesome. Perry and I both really like her.

Here we are on the set of Live after the show.

Kelly came down & talked with the audience during every commercial break. She is so funny and even tinier in person. She could use a cheeseburger or two, but she was made for television.

Another shot of Regis & Kelly during a break.

Another shot of Kelly talking to the audience.

Outside the Gershwin theater on Broadway before seeing Wicked. It rained all day that day


Here we are right after Wicked. The show was wicked good! :) We absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone.

The paparazzi hounded us like crazy the entire weekend. Who told them we would be there? :)

Here we are at the Metropolitan Museum of Art at a cool ancient Egyptian ruin exhibit.

Waiting for the subway train. Perry was the photographer on this trip so there are way too many pictures of me.

The view from our hotel room in Times Square.

We took the Staten Island ferry across the river to see the skyline and the Statue of Liberty

Lady Liberty in all her glory

We waited in line at the famous Magnolia Bakery. This place is famous for their delicious cupcakes among other goodies. There is always a line out the door for these things. The cupcakes were good, but their Banana pudding was amazing. Here I am picking out my cupcakes. We ate way too much good food. Good thing we were walking around all day long.

We were able to do a session in the Manhattan temple. It was so beautiful inside. One of my favorite temples. It is right in the middle of the city across the street from Lincoln Center. We also went to Rockefeller Center and saw the Today show and a Mary J. Blige concert, we went to another Broadway show called Avenue Q. It was really funny, but also a little risque' if you know what I mean. We strolled through Central Park, got standby tickets to SNL, but were unable to get in, went to China town, and walked and shopped and ate all over Manhattan. It was an absolute blast! Thanks to Caitlin for all of your recommendations (they were fabulous) and to Pete and Elida for taking care of our crazy kids.