My trip to NY

I left on Monday morning for my flight to NY. I was excited to go, but am not a big traveller, so was a little intimidated going alone. I realized this was the first time that I had ever travelled alone. Ever! I had a co-worker drive me to the airport since it is relatively close to my office. I was at the airport at 9:35am for my 11:30am flight. I walked right up to security, no line at all, and then straight to my gate. My gate was oddly empty so I went to look at signs and grab a bite to eat. I brought my bagel back to the gate and sat down. I was alone for a while until 4 people showed up and then one other random passenger. They thought it was odd as well that we were alone. They did some investigating and we found out another AA flight was delayed from earlier in the morning and we were moved onto that flight. I couldn't believe we were never told about it and wonder what would have happened had they not inquired. would I have completely missed my flight to NY?

So, I waited at the other gate and we were being told that there were delays due to weather and to just hold tight. About an hour later, they said we could board the plane so I got on only to be told that LGA was now saying 1 hour delays. So, off the plane I went. I finally got back on and I think took off and landed in NY maybe only 2 hours later than originally planned.

I had a car service pick me up at the airport and my plan was to go straight to the hotel, drop my items, meet a few co-workers there and then off to the office. I of course had to take pictures of my hotel and experience so Sean could see everything. I wish he could have been there with me!

The hotel was really nice. Modern, fun, good location. Rooms were small, but it was just me so the size was fine. The bathtub shower had a transparent window next to the bed.

The hotel overlooked a little ice skating rink.

 The view from the bathroom.

The elevators played these cool little movies.

We stayed at the office briefly and then went to Park Bar for drinks and then to our dinner reservation. Dinner was at STK in the meatpacking district. It was amazing. Cool atmosphere, fantastic food and even better company. There were 8 of us and I had such a nice time.

 

the scallops

mini burgers

 My dinner- steak and filet. Amazing!

 lobster mac n cheese

 truffle fries

After dinner, one of my co-workers who lives in NY, went with me to see the tree. How could I not go to NY and see the tree and the ice skating rink at Christmastime?

The lego store at Rockefeller even had a display of the buildings and the rink. so cute.

 It was raining pretty consistently so we took a cab and dropped me off at the hotel. We drove through Times Square,

drove by Madison Square Garden,  and made it back to my hotel. The live it up person that I am was back in my room in time to watch Teen Mom 2.

The following morning, I went into the office and grabbed my co-worker and did a little more touristy things. We had some errands to run too, but first stop, go to the diner from Seinfeld.  

and we were hungry, so we ate there too. (different inside obviously then what was on the tv show but there were tons of pictures inside from the cast of the show) 

we did some shopping- Hermes, Bergdorf Goodman, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany

 hello pretty Kate Middleton inspired Tiffany ring...

I did some business items as well and then made it back to the airport for my 6:30pm flight. Got home about 8:30 and it was so nice to pull into the garage, see the door swing open with two little underpant only wearing kids standing in the doorway screaming my name. So nice to get away, and I had a blast, but so nice to come home!

He's on a plane!

OK- today is the day that I put my baby on an airplane to travel alone for the first time. He is a pretty seasoned traveler, thanks to my parents and constant trips to Florida and cruises with them. But this is the first time he's flying alone. Off to another state to visit his dad. I'm so proud of his independence, his courage, the man he is becoming.

This is the "are you kidding me? you're really taking a picture?" look. 

We woke up about 5am and we were out the door at 5:45. Got to the airport, parked, went to the ticket counter and then I stood in line with him as far as I could until he needed to go through security. I gave him a hug, told him I loved him and to be careful (voice cracking the whole time) and I was on my way. I came to work early and am now waiting for texts from him to say he got there safely. I have already been updated that he got breakfast and was at his gate. Prayers for a safe return and a great visit. Sunday cannot come soon enough when he's back on the ground with us!

And as an add-on to yesterday's post, Owen drew a few more things before bed. Too cute to not share and document.



This Owen described as "Germy. He got sick and puked". Germy looks pretty angry if you ask me. He must still be traumatized over his and Quinlin's recent bout with a stomach virus. 

This he described as "Owen with a rainbow and a sun"

His drawings are awesome. I can't wait to show them to him when he's older. Big weekend for the kids- Quinlin gets fitted for her dance uniform tonight, they have two birthday parties tomorrow (one inflatable jump zone place and one is bowling), Sean and I have date night tomorrow night, and then big shopping day on Sunday to get everything we need for thanksgiving. And of course, a trip to the airport to pick up Hunter. I think the kids will get a kick out of going there.

Family Vacation- Days 8, 9 and 10

June 29, 30 and July 1

When we returned from Great Wolf Lodge, all we wanted to do was chill out at home. We originally were going to go to Columbus and visit friends, go to the zoo and COSI and we decided about 2 weeks before the start of the vacation that it would be crazy to try and squeeze in too much. It was so smart to just make a staycation out of the rest of our time together.

On Friday, I actually got Quinlin into a dress (her "moo moo" dress as Sean affectionately termed it). She now actually wears it all the time and I have to tell her it's dirty so she seriously doesn't wear it everyday.

Sean took the boat out fishing so we just hung around at home. Quinlin blew bubbles... 

 And we watched a storm roll in...

 we watched from the window hoping daddy would come home soon.

 and set up our chairs and watched the rain from the garage. He made it home and we were in for the night.

 On Saturday, we got stuck in innertubes...

 And went to an engagement/birthday party at Sean's aunt's house for his cousin and his fiance. They just put a pool in and the kids had a blast swimming!

 Owen stuck to the stairs until he got really warmed up and comfortable in the water.

 And Quinlin is our little fish. She absolutely loves swimming!

 And Owen just looks adorable...

I just love this picture of Owen. Such a sweetness to his face. This picture actually reminds me a lot of Sean when we were in Mexico for our honeymoon.

LOL- got a little sidetracked... back to our end of vacation.

Looking cute in the tub...

 

Looking cute with a bow (I made her wear a bow as she decided that was a day she was wearing Owen's clothes). 

I was in the living room and heard "I'm stuck, I'm stuck" and there was Quinlin in the laundry basket. 

And if you ignore the broom in the kitchen, look at that tan line. Adorable. 

We really enjoyed our time off. It was so nice to pull the kids from daycare for a week and have some relaxing time with them. We get so busy with work that it was nice to just focus on our family.