Fall In The Big Apple 2010

My 10th Trip To New York City

I LOVE the Big Apple!!!!

This time it was even more special because my two granddaughters Anna Caroline and Camille Palmer took their first trip there.

On October 9, 2010 we flew to New York City to take Kendall's girls.  Kendall has been before with me, but this was the girl's first flight and trip to the big city.

Sara Kate, Allison, Anna Caroline and Camille

Ready for their first flight! 

Someone stopped these three beautiful ladies at the airport and asked them if they were in beauty pageants.  She commented that they should be because they were so pretty.  I agree!

Regina Howard, Kendall Palmer, and Lee Ann Murray

 They were a little nervous about the flight.

It's only an hour and 45 minute flight girls.  

 Wishing we were in first class like Allison and Regina.

The Circle Line Harbor Cruise Around Manhattan

Sat.  Oct. 9, 2010

 The first hour we had daylight and the second hour was dark.

 The Empire State Building towers above the other buildings.

The Brooklyn Bridge at night on the Harbor Light Cruise

The area of the World Trade Center.  When we went to ground zero we were at the Winter Garden.  In the picture it is a little to the right of the middle of the picture between the buildings.

We had fabulous rhuben at Roxy Deli after the Harbor Light Cruise.  I love to eat here!

Touring The Empire State Building.

Sunday, Oct. 10

On Sunday, Jan and I went to Brooklyn to the church service at the Brooklyn Tabernacle.  All the others went to the Empire State Building and then on to American Girl.

 At the top of the Empire State Building.  They all did an audio tour which gave them an orientation of the city from above.

A view of Central Park.

American Girl Store

 Camille got Rebecca.

 Anna Caroline got Lanie.

 Sunday lunch at American Girl Store with their dolls.

They saved their money for about 6 months and had fun spending it here.  They got their dolls ears pierced and bought clothes for them. 

Rockefeller Center

The ice skating rink opened the day we arrived in NYC.

The girls had planned to ice skate, but time did not permit.  Maybe next trip.

Pretty mums at Rockefeller Center.

Ready to ride the subway to the Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Monday, Sept. 11

A Columbus Day Holiday

Breakfast at McDonalds.

Ready to ride the subway to the museums on 81st street.

Museum of Natural History

Anna Caroline learns about dinosaurs.

Walking Through Central Park

Today was the Columbus Day Holiday so there were many kids playing in the park. 

 Kendall decides to try tree hugging.

Camille found a stick and named it Sticky.  She held on to it all day and took it back to the hotel that night.  A strange thing happened though.  When we got to the airport, she realized that she did not have Sticky.  When packing the night before he disappeared.  She cried when she realize she did not have Sticky.

It was a beautiful day.  The reflections of the building in the water were beautiful.

When I was here last Dec. it snowed several inches and this park was covered in beautiful snow.

The Carousel at Central Park.  The girls all rode it.

I don't care if I am a grownup.  I still love FAO Schwarz!

The Naked Cowboy at Times Square.  One of the times I saw him he was being interviewed by a TV station.  He was apparently running for Mayor of New York.

Toys R Us Ferris Wheel

 Anna Caroline, Alli, and Sara Kate ride the Little Tikes car.

Hannah was so sweet to ride the Barbie car with Camille. 

The view from our room at the Marriott Marquis.  I love staying here.  I feel like I own part of it.  I have stayed here 7 times.

Going to the Statue of Liberty

Tuesday, Oct. 12

We rode the subway down to Battery Park and boarded the Ferry to the Statue of Liberty.  Kendall had purchased our tickets last April and we got crown tickets.  They only issue a certain number of these each day.  We were excited about getting to go up in the crown.

 A view of the statue from the ferry.

 The original crown.  Me, Regina, Kendall, Lee Ann, and Jan.  We had to wait here before we began climbing the 352 steps to the top.

 Anna Caroline, Camille, and I pose for a pic together while we wait.  We were not allowed to take anything up with us except our camera.  Everything else had to be locked up in a locker outside.

 This was the spiral staircase we climbed up.

 We made it to the top!!!  The windows were not as big as they looked from outside.  They were a little cloudy too.

 Looking up from one of the observation decks outside.

 Here we all are up in the crown!

Camille got this so she could be the Statue of Liberty at Halloween.

Ground Zero

This cross was made from steel from the Twin Towers.  It has a temporary place, but will be placed at the new memorial when it is completed.

 A New Discovery For Me On This Trip!

Ellen's Stardust Diner On The Corner of Broadway And 51st!

My friend Marilyn had told me about this before I went.  The last night we were there the others went to see Lion King and since I had seen it 3 times I decided not to go see it. I opted to go to the diner and I loved it!!!!   

 The decor was done in 50s memorabilia and the waiters and waitresses were all singers.  They took turns singing and entertaining.  All the workers are aspiring Broadway singers.  The owner helps them by passing a bucket around periodically and having patrons give donations to be used for private lessons for those working at the diner.  It was wonderful entertainment!  They sang lots of oldies, country, and pop songs.  I ordered a malt and sat there for an hour and a half.

 My malt I ordered.   It was so good, but I only drank about half.  It was so rich.

This girls was wonderful.  She sang Hopelessly Devoted as well as Olivia Newton John!

Times Square

Right Outside Our Hotel

The M&M Store

 I saw Million Dollar Quartet while they went to Mary Poppins.  I had seen it so I decided to see something different and it was great.  It was about Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.

Everyone LOVED Mary Poppins.  It is a wonderful play.  But, Lion King is too.  I LOVE Broadway.

On Wednesday before we were to leave to come home Camille and I walked down to The Today Show and stayed for about 15 minutes.  While we were standing there the camera put us on 2 different times.  I told her she just got on TV all over the US!

On Wednesday, Oct. 13, we taxied back to LGA and flew back home.  All the girls enjoyed the Big Apple and are ready to go back.  Maybe in a few years at Christmas???????