Saturday, April 4, 2009

More Manhattan

We started our Saturday by getting on the subway to downtown. We went to Century 21 (a major designer discount store)- it has been referred to as a Winners on steroids. We got some sweet deals, and managed to get out of there before the store was completly overrun by crazy shoppers everywhere.

We saw Ground Zero, where the World Trade Centers were. It's hard to imagine and take it all in. That there were these massive buildings that are now missing. I can't imagine all the people locals and tourists going about their day and boom, everything changed.

I felt surrounded all day, by all the buildings just hovering over us. They are seriously never ending in this end of the city. All the buildings are so amazing.




I don't know if you can tell from this, but it was windy and freezing when we got near the water and away from the buildings.


If you can look way out in the water you can see the tiny lady of liberty raising her torch. I think we'll get a closer look another day.


A statue that was in the WTC and stayed intact after the terrorist attacks. It is now in Battery Park with an eternal flame as a symbol of hope.


Ryan and the raging bull


The New York Stock Exchange.

Ryan at Wall and Broad St. looking so stylish.
I sure made Ryan pose a lot today.


Trinity Church



Again feeling claustrophobic with all the buildings.

I had to take a picture of this, can you see angel Moroni on top?

Riding home on the subway
Goodnight

Who Knew??

We went down to lower Manhattan today, with a few ideas of what we wanted to see and do. Little did we know what we would run into on Wall Street. Apparently this is kind of a big deal round here and we got to see it, if only I had a pillow I could have been a part of it. It was hilarious and crazy and I couldn't stop laughing about the whole thing. I had no idea that the third Saturday in March is Worldwide Pillow Fight Day. And they totally celebrate it here in NY. Did you? Go grab your pillows and kids and have at er. Can't rearrange the order of the pics so this is it, all mumble jumbled.

The streets were packed with people, police and feathers flying everywhere. Some of the after math, seriously feathers and fluff EVERYWHERE.

People, people and more people. We were seriously just trying to get down the street, Ryan pushing Sadie in her stroller, when all of the sudden...

someone would blow a whistle or just yell, "pillow fight" and it all unfolded right before our eyes.


This is some of the die hards, I think. They all ran out along the boardwalk and a few jumped up on this cargo thing and were totally owning the crowd. Nothing like a bunch of crazies chanting, "Pillow fight, pillow fight" and the people raising their pillows up in the air.

Of course there was loads of police on hand, to make us feel so safe. Like, how much damage can 5000+ people in pyjamas armed with pillows do? The authorities managed to use some enforcing to an "innocent" girl


It was so funny to see a few people yell out, "pillow fight" and the people and pillows just came running.

Another crazy day in New York.
If you're as into this as I am here is one more from last year.

Sadie's night out

On Friday we decided to take Sadie over to the Children's Museum of Manhattan. I walked the 30 some blocks and Ryan met us there after work. Sadie loved it! There were so many cool things for kids to do. Heck, I just loved watching Sadie play and play. It was well worth the free admission (it was free Friday -first of the month).


If we we're really awesome and over the top parents we would be taking Sadie to see Dora Live at Radio City Hall. I think I'll pass, maybe Ryan will....
I think Dora just sucked in a new fan. I don't think she really knew who she was, but I turned it on today and she was totally into it, and bopping to the music.


I'm not sure why it is called a Museum, it was more of a really awesome, giant play and discover place. The museums I remember going to as a kid were not quite the same. I recall leaving the museum excited to be out of there.




This thing was totally like a giant light bright. Add that to the list for the kids playroom, right?



Sadie loved pushing buttons, making music, dancing to the songs (oh the Dora and Diego songs), climbing up, sliding down, driving, and whatever else she could do. The only bad part was of course leaving. She cruised out of the building, I think she thought we were taking her to a new room. When we tried to pick her up and put her in the stroller it was MELTDOWN. It was then I missed shoving her kicking and screaming into her car seat and shutting the door and dealing with it myself. Instead, Ryan carried her for a bit, so we don't have a million New Yorkers staring and judging the 'bad parents' with the screaming kid out to late on the streets. Obviously she is a kid and she got over it, and is getting used to some of our routines. She really is a trooper.





Thursday, April 2, 2009

Overload

Yeah, not just an overload of Sadie pics and stories, here is some of our life in New York City!

Dancing with some of the locals.

As if we have been here a week already, it has flown by. I don't even know where to begin, I will try to compose a somewhat decent post, but the pictures are what really matter. I am going to try to update this fairly often. I don't want to forget what our life was like here and what we really did everyday, so it may seem a bit journalish at times. But, unlike my Dads journal I hope I don't begin with weather updates. he he.
So far we have done a lot of walking, and exploring in our area. Which has included a couple stops in Time Square, the Rockefeller Centre, Central Park, 5th Ave, Broadway and just walking the busy busy streets.

I am just using the computer we have here and it is a bit annoying to load pictures. Hopefully it doesn't take so long next time. Anyways, I can't change the order or adjust them so this is an 'as is' post.

Sadie & I on the steps at Time Square


Chowing down on some NY pizza






The smart Canadian Geese who are still here where it is warmer than back home.





Sadie acting like she owns every path in Central Park.


Again

Turtles at Turtle Bay


Streets of New York.



Time Square at night.

Everywhere you look there is amazing and tall buildings.


The temple and where we go to church.

Sadie out chasing pigeons in our courtyard.


Strawberry Fields in Central Park.

Museum of Natural History

Dinosaurs

Museum of Natural History



Rockefeller Center

Harry Potter Lego people

The piano from BIG. Super cool


Playing some blues in the park.

Leaving one of the gazillion playgrounds at Central Park.



Barbie world at Toys R Us.


Riding the Ferris wheel at Toys R Us.


Taking it all in at times Square. Sadie points at EVERYTHING and everyone. Things that especially attract her attention (aka double takes and loooong stares) dogs, pigeons, birds, lights, big buildings, and some of the weird people here.

So far Sadie isn't much of a talker, and when she does she is pretty quiet. Her scream on the other hand is the exact opposite. Anyway I think on day 2 here she added to her small vocabulary; "WOW" That sums up our life here so far. Things are very different adjusting to this big city living but we are enjoying it.