Christmas in the City

Friday, December 26th--the festivities continue! As much as we would have loved lounging in our PJs all day, we seized the moment and took a trip into the Big Apple instead. We had most of the Utah folk plus Jeanette and Alesia, making us a mighty crew of thirteen as we wandered the city. And no one got (permanently) lost! Impressive.

Here we are waiting at Huntington Station.

Alesia looks stylish! With Jeanette living in Chicago, she was our only resident New Yorker showing us the ropes.

NomiAnn looks thrilled while Annika looks a bit unsure.

Our first stop--the double decker carousel at Greeley Square on 34th Street.

It's not every day you get to ride an ostrich!

As spied from above.

Smiles from Callie at the cute little markets.

Our next stop: Macy's: the World's Largest Store (and home of the Macy's Day Parade.)

Window displays anyone? Good luck getting close enough to see.

Who knew you could find a corner to play basketball?

We divided into groups, only to discover that most of us wandered straight up to the candy section anyway.  LOL

On the move again.  The city always involves LOTS of walking.

Tango in the city.

There's nothing quite like the bustle of Times Square.

Venturing on to Bryant Park and the Christmas markets there.

Cutest photo bomber ever!

This would be a fun place to come back to for ice skating.

Plus, it's right by the New York Public Library! 

This tree is pretty, but not quite the one Anders was searching for.

Time to stroll again!

Getting closer!  As dusk fell, we finally made it to our true destination, Rockefeller Center. After singing a song about it in school, Anders was SO excited. Judging by the crowds, this was the desired destination for the rest of Manhattan too.

Worth it!

As the Grand Finale, we even got to see the light show at Saks Fifth Avenue.

I had so much fun watching everyone watching.

Shine bright like a diamond!

I'm hoping Rockefeller Center was everything Anders dreamed it would be.

Okay, so the next fifteen minutes was absolute MADNESS. Trying to cross the street to get out of Rockefeller Center was insane with enormous crowds. Somehow I ended up at the point trying to part the mass of people moving the other direction. I don't know how I shoved my way through except to let myself be carried by the equally insistent mass of people pressing from behind. I've never experienced anything like it! Amazingly our whole group made it through without getting separated or injury, although I'm pretty sure a few elbows may have been thrown by protective grandparents

By this point, most of the group was ready to take the train back to Long Island. A snow storm was in the forecast, and the littles were tired. Our bigger kids wanted more of the city though, so Jason, Alesia and I hung out a little longer with Brooklyn, Talia, and Eli. First stop? Joe's Pizza. Justifiably crowded, this pizza was everything a New York slice should be. 

Then we set out for a walk to see the Wall Street Christmas tree.  If you are looking to avoid the crowds, this is definitely the way to go. Turns out everyone was at Rockefeller Center, making this corner of town pretty quiet.

We feel a special connection to this spot knowing that Papa Kay once conducted a group of missionaries in singing "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet" from this street corner.

We also saw the church and cemetery the corner of Wall Street and Broadway where the Hamiltons are buried.

With extra daring in our veins, we spied this fancy luxury store of fashion icons and walked right in. I half expected to be escorted out, but they politely allowed us to look around. Such a cool building!

From there the snow started to fall in big flakes, just like in the movies. With Jason leading the way at New York city pace, we strolled power-walked across the Brooklyn bridge. It was magical!

This photo is going on next year's calendar.  :)

Cousin hugs!

Cousin hug from a prior bridge crossing.  They've grown!

As much as we would have loved to stay, we knew that we needed to get back to Long Island before the snow fell too deep. Pulling up to Woodbine Avenue with the lights and garland was enchanting. The Wells family sure knows how to decorate! (Now I just wish I had a magic wand to do all the un-decorating for them.)

Thanks NYC for pulling out all the charm! Crowds and all, it was a great day.