The Big Apple!

Last weekend we spent two days in New York City with Keith's brother and his wife and his younger sister. Friday we spent at the Manhattan Temple, walking around NYC and going out to eat at Dallas BBQ (Keith's favorite restaurant). It took so long to get into Manhattan because of traffic so we just went back to the hotel afterwards. Saturday, we got up and grabbed something to eat then took the bus in instead of driving in, once we got to Grand Central Station we headed to buy our Broadway Play tickets in the Times Square area. We decided on Annie since there were only a handful of shows that were 50% off and that was one of them. We had a little time to kill before the show so we just walked around NYC, went into stores etc. We all loved the play, the girl who played Annie had a phenomenal voice and the set was amazing! Afterwards we decided to walk to Central Park since I was the only one who hadn't seen it. It was a bit of a walk but it was definitely worth it, that park is awesome! Course I didn't see the whole park, mostly just the kids playground area and the huge rocks. It was starting to get late and we still had over an hour drive home so we decided to walk back to Grand Central Station, all along the way seeing dancers, a flash mob, tons and tons of people everywhere, lots of souvenir shops which we stopped inside, huge buildings, lights, and billboards everywhere! 

Back in 2007 when Keith and I were dating we came to NYC for a visit and I was able to see the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Ellis Island, Times Square, Serendipity (eat at), ride a ferry, see the area where the twin towers were (now they have a huge building there), etc...so our main purpose this trip was to see a Broadway Play, go to the Manhattan Temple, and Central Park, which we were able to do all of those so I was super happy! NYC is way too huge to do everything in one day so you have to have a plan. Keith was probably mostly excited about eating at Dallas BBQ. We had such a great time and I can't wait for out next trip to NYC.

Temple time!

Eating at Dallas BBQ

Whoa! Close up!

On the bus

For Carson

Keith's one and only favorite restaurant in NYC.

We saw JT! Outside the wax museum, it looked so real.

Something going on in Times Square

We always have to get Nuts 4 Nuts. Excuse Aaron's facial expression.

Waiting for the show to start!

Not sure why this is blurry but it's the only pic of all of us but Keith in the theater.

Little kid break dancing for tips, he was sooo cute!

They had the sweetest playground for kids!

Huge rocks everywhere!

Krista!

Central Park!

Times Square is crazy but I love it!

AC!

Last week Keith and I went on a date to Atlantic City while Carson spent some quality time with his Grandma and Grandpa Penrod. AC is like the Vegas of the East Coast, but I like that it's a lot cleaner and right next to the ocean so you can walk along the boardwalk and the beach. There are fun little shops, casinos, and restaurants all along the boardwalk. We have fun every time we come to AC, it's about a 20 minute drive from Keith's parents house. There was a Chalk Art Festival going on so I was super excited to go, but it had just barely begun so there were only a few designs that we were able to look at. We spent our time just chatting, shopping- (trying to find some Fall boots for my birthday present),walking along the boardwalk and beach, then ate at Tony Lukes. We had to get a cheese steak while we're out here, although it's not the same as getting it in Philly, they're still good.

Getting ready to head out....

Caesars! I love the tall buildings.

Someone built a sweet sand castle.

Perfect day on the boardwalk.

He loves these things.

Feet on the beach.

We always come to this candy store in the mall there.

His favorite candy, everything was super sized!

Sister

Happy Birthday to one of the most incredible girls I know--my sister, my best friend, Misti. I can't believe you're 24, that means I'll be 26 in exactly three weeks to the day. I don't think you know the impact you've had in my life, you see usually it's the older sibling who's the role model, the example, but not in this case--you are. You've been such a shining example of Christ, a true follower of the gospel, one who shines bright inside and out. You make it to the temple more times in one week then I sometimes make in one month. I love hearing your dating adventures and stories, the good and bad. Your future husband is going to be one lucky man. Carson adores you, his "Bippy," I think you became his new favorite person in those six weeks you spent with us this summer. I so wish we could surprise you and show up at your apartment in Rexburg, like last year, man would that be sweet, two years in a row, but yah I'm a couple thousand miles away.  You are going to make one amazing teacher, as you have already taught me a lot. I have so many childhood memories I could list and make this post about a mile long but I'll spare everyone. Mostly, I just want to thank you for being you, for being my sister and best friend.

What I wish Idaho had....

We've been here in New Jersey on our vacation a little over a week now. After a long red-eye flight and a layover in Charlotte, we made it to NJ on the 7th. Last week we spent most of our time at the beach, oh yes the beach in September! The water was perfect and the beach wasn't as crowded since most everyone was back in school. The beach is one thing I wish Idaho had, if it did then Idaho would be complete :). Carson loved the waves and the sand, the seagulls ate one too many of his cheese nips so he wasn't too fond of them. I seriously could have spent all day every day there, my ear is still plugged with ocean water from Keith trying to teach me how to "ride the wave in." One thing I'll probably never get used to is the salt water. Since I grew up swimming in lakes and rivers I am used to the freshwater taste, I couldn't stop spitting the salt water out of my mouth. haha. I'm hoping Wednesday will be nice enough to make it to the beach one last time, or the lake so we can take Nala, Keith's parents dog. Either way I'm just glad we were able to make it to the beach a few times before Fall sets in, since some days are already starting to feel like Fall.

These were the only pics I got on my phone since I broke my camera like two weeks before our vacay. argh! Keith's sis is kind enough to let me use hers for the next couple weeks.

UP NEXT: Atlantic City, NJ for date night