New York

Here's our trip in photos...(forgot my camera on the day we walked across the Brooklynn Bridge...sorry).

Brad's brother, Mike, and his wife Jen used action figures as centerpieces. There's lots of reasons they chose this rather than traditional centerpieces...but mostly it just fit them perfectly! Here you see Dr. Who and Rose (our centerpiece couple).
The box tied up with a ribbon held the most amazing chocolates I have ever eaten.


It was only fitting that there was a shoot going on somewhere around the wedding site. Mike, a film school grad and aspiring film-maker, had the perfect photo backdrop for his big day.
Brad with his mom and brother.
I'm carrying the bread for a Jewish blessing Jen's father offered during the reception, a bouquet and bubbles for the ceremony. I've only been in my heels for a few hours...so I'm still smiling at this point. By the end of the night, I was walking through the streets of Manhattan in just bare feet. A couple women told me I was their hero...they probably thought I was some kind of feminist. :)



Brad dances with his mom. Later I learned that they were talking about how impressive Mike and Jen's first dance was. They took lessons and wowed us all.

Once the wedding festivities were over...we shifted our focus to a city which needed to be explored. Our first trek was to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. This guy was entertaining the masses outside in the ferry line.

We hadn't eaten before leaving for the ferry. So when we got off the ferry at the Statue of Liberty...we ate burgers instead of walking around to the front of Lady Liberty.

Ellis Island was incredible. I wish we would've had more time to explore the museum. But as Brad's mom told us, "Take pictures and if you want to read about it...buy a book when you get home."



These are called the Stairs of Separation. The staircase you were sent up determined whether or not you would be allowed to enter, were being detained, or would be sent home without ever reaching your goal. Some were even separated from their family at this point.


Grand Central Station ticket counter.
Outside Grand Central.
Friends, Melissa and Brad Voigt...eating in Little Italy.
Waiting for A-list celebs outside the Good Morning America studio. We were shocked at how excited we were.
Robert Redford. I'm sure that wave was meant just for us.
Tom Cruise shook my hand, looked me in the eye and said, "Hello." He has a big smile. (I still think he's loopy.)
Meryl Streep
Rockefeller Center.
We saw Wicked on Broadway. We loved it.

Central Park




Watching some kids enjoy the Central Park petting zoo.




Enjoying the view...and the sun. We were disappointed at how few rays could reach us while we walked between the tall buildings.
New York was an incredible trip...after getting over the trash, and used to the wind. I loved that there was always something to do there. Everywhere we walked there was something new waiting for us to discover. We saw much...
The Statue of Liberty
Ellis Island
The bull statue in the financial district
Ground Zero where the WTC once stood
Times Square
The Naked Cowboy singing in Times Square
A-list celebs
Grand Central Station
Central Park
lots of great restaurants (sushi, italian, bbq, and more...from high-end to hole in the wall)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
I ate a hot dog with sauerkraut and mustard from a street vendor. (The best!)
Rockefeller Center
Battery Park
Union Square
Little Italy
Brooklynn Bridge
Chinatown
We ate at Mesa Grill, Bobby Flay's restaurant.
5th Avenue
Broadway
we rode in a New York cab...and he got lost

I'm glad we went. That being said, here is a list of things we have a greater appreciation for in the midwest...
Free drink refills in restaurants. I mean seriously, who can make one Diet Coke last through an entire meal?
Sun on our face.
Free Wi-Fi in the airport. No fooling travelers with a big sign that says "Wi-Fi Zone," only to find a screen asking for payment when you open your browser.
Drivers who observe basic traffic laws.
Our kids.
Our friends.
Our bed.