the city

A whirlwind girls weekend only 10 years in the making!

My college roomates (well, really neighbors...but I claim them as my roomates) and I decided it was finally time to make good on our promise of getting together every other year...10 years later.  Since we all turn 30 this year, it was the perfect excuse to get together and celebrate...in "the City"!!!

Ashley, Kerstin and I in Times Square...we stayed right here (in the Marquis)...thanks again Ash for hooking us up!!

We saw a little Gwen and Matt...while enjoying our Dean and Deluca...muffins...

We walked through Central Park...in the rain...dreary but still beautiful...

...I made a new friend...until he about jumped on me and then I was done with being friendly...

...we saw Mamma Mia...I don't know if "saw" covers it...we were pretty much on the stage, so I think we "participated" in Mamma Mia.  It was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!  The only problem was I couldn't sit still I wanted to get up and dance the WHOLE time!!!  And the end...yea, front row seats with a few of those outfits...that was a whole other experience.  Thanks to Kerst for the hook up on those seats!!!!  This was the best part of the trip...followed by the next best part....

...late night dance parties baby!!!!!  We were so thrilled when we realized we had an iHome in our room...our neighbors no doubt loved us this night...

And then it was all over...all too quickly....thanks for the fabulous weekend girls...ready to do it again??? Next weekend??? Who's in???

A few "unphotographed" highlights....

My bag of goodies for the plane trip - Owen and the kids got me a bag of things to entertain me on the plane ride.  I opened one every hour.  Treats, magazine, books and a tetris game.  Yes, I do have the best husband and kids...

The cab rides - We thought it couldn't get any worse than our trip into the city when the cabbie told us that he got off work at 5pm and he would have us to our hotel by 5...we arrived at 4:55 all a little green and swearing we wouldn't get back in a cab...but we had to get back to the airport so we hailed another cab...this time the cabbie got mad at another cabbie and was determined to run him off the road (this went on for 15 min)...at one point he took his shoe off and was yelling at him...yea, I was scared for my life...

My package when I arrived at the hotel - When we checked into the hotel we were told there was a package for us and it would be up shortly.  We started making bets on who's husband was the most thoughtful...I was pretty sure it wasn't Owen since I had been entertained by his thoughtfulness on the plane...but I was wrong.  He sent me a homemade frame with a picture of the kids with all their footprints.  I guess I could go take a picture...

Like a baby I started crying...it was one of the most thoughtful things he has done...Husband of year material, yep!...but wait there is more...

FAO Schwartz - We got there right when they opened.  All the employees lined the walkway and clapped as you walked through the door...I thought it was pretty cool, I would go there every day for that...

Desserts - We ate WAY too many...everywhere we went...cheescake, chocolate pie, hot apple pie with ice cream, cookies, more ice cream...I think I should stop listing them now...

Spooning with Kerstin - I have never slept so good...I don't think the dancing had anything to do with it : )  

Ashley's toy - We will leave it with that...

Notes from Owen - I found random notes from Owen and the kids hidden throughout my suitcase...

Chinatown - I was a little nervous about this adventure but it turned out to be pretty non scary...until we were following a Chinese man across the street into the subway...through a random door...down a dark hallway...into another door...and MORE purses...ok, I can breathe now...

More notes from Owen - I kept finding more every day...each one made me smile...and miss home...

Burger Joint - A little hole in the wall restaurant with super yummy burgers and fries.  Actually all the food we ate (and we ate ALOT) was really good...

Magnolia's - The banana pudding was to die for...I don't understand why I gained 10 pounds on this trip...anyone???

Coming home - There is nothing like New York City...a fabulous weekend with TONS of memories, but it was so good to walk off the airplane, see no rain, feel the warmth of Phoenix and see my homeless looking kids and my Owen...now that was a priceless...and a picture I wish I had...

Cleaning Club - props to you once more...but it will NEVER happen again.

Thanks again girls for the all good times!!!  And thank you to everyone who helped watch my kids...or claimed to watch them...