New York, New York!

Pull up a chair, take a load off; you're in for a long post!

As most of you know, Kevin and I took off last week for the Big Apple, leaving Bitsy Girl behind with Grandma and Grandpa.

It was amazing to have so much one-on-one time together.  (I can't imagine bringing Abigail at this age)

The reason for the trip was to see A Christmas Story.  My Brother-in-Law Ian and his colleges created this musical a few years back and the show went to Broadway this year (!!), so Ian, Anne, and the kids left Seattle and headed to Broadway!  (more specifically, a 3 bedroom apartment in Hell's Kitchen for 4 months- what an experience!)

We took a red-eye on Tuesday night and arrived Wednesday morning. There was so much to do and see (Kevin's first "official" trip to the city), so we hit the ground running.

Wednesday kicked off with a big walking loop of Park Ave, Grand Central, Central Park, 5th Ave (to see the window displays!), Rockefeller Center, and Time Square.  Then after a full day exploring, we met up with the family to celebrate Anne's birthday (dinner at John's Pizzeria, followed by Shake Shack for dessert!)

Standing outside Grand Central

High heel and purse shaped macaroons!

Bvlgari Christmas swag

A Microsoft Man these days, he still let me take a picture of him next to the Apple store

On sale- what a deal!

Susie and I have a picture take 20 years ago in this exact spot, hugging two FAO Schwartz ducks 

Wandering the park

Bergdorf's sure knows how to make a gingerbread house

Three amazing Bergdorf Goodman window displays

Kevin gets into East coast fashion with the purchase of his first scarf

FENDI

Cartier

Rock Center

Catching up with the kids!!

Lucy and Oscar played a few hits from their band "Anger Management"

Extra large Manhattan, please!

Anne's birthday dessert at Shake Shack

Day 1 night cap

Post night cap: midnight munchies at Korea Spoon

Thursday we spent the day in Williamsburg (Brooklyn), enjoying brunch at Wythe Hotel, shopping at Beacon's Closet, a ferry ride to Dumbo (on the East River Ferry), and a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge!

Kevin's first NYC train ride!

The streets of Williamsburg

We stopped to watch the filming of Orange is the new Black (a new series coming to Netflix)

Beacon's closet- best vintage shopping around!

Standing in Brooklyn, looking at Manhattan

Waiting for the ferry

A view of downtown Manhattan

Roaming the streets of Dumbo 

Brooklyn Bridge

Walking over the bridge, looking north to the Manhattan bridge

After we got back to the city, we met John and Carolyn for drinks in Greenwich Village, then to dinner in Little Italy, followed by Rockefeller Center to see the lights, and finally to Hell's Kitchen for drinks with Anne and Ian!

The adorable restaurant where we ate in Little Italy

Rock Center bound

John feeding Carolyn a cannoli (not to be confused with cantollini!) from Cafe Palermo

Time Square

Our 96oz "beer bong"

By Friday morning my feet and legs were aching, but I was bound and determined to get to SOHO: the  shopping Mecca of NYC, and take a stroll down Canal Street.

Minus the fury with which I shop, it was a pretty low key afternoon; we were resting up for the show that night!...

Kevin in shoe heaven

The streets of SOHO

That evening we headed to dinner in Chinatown (keeping with the theme of A Christmas Story), then up to Time Square for the show.

Friday night was the highlight of our trip!

Deck the harrs with boughs of horry, fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra. 

The whole gang at dinner

getting excited...!

Backstage after the show

On stage at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre!

Mother's dressing room (which overlooked Time Square)

The view from her dressing room!

Hanging out in Ian's dressing room

Dan Laria (the Dad from the Wonder Years) was the narrator, adding the perfect touch of nostalgia

It was the perfect night!  

From our Chinese dinner (complete with duck, mini-cockroaches, and a few "6 packs" of Diet Coke), to meeting the cast of A Christmas Story, and dessert at Juniors, the evening will go down in Grand Slam history.

And just when we thought we were traveled out, along came Saturday...

It started with lunch at Katz deli, happy hour at Grand Central Oyster Bar, a Spiderman themed birthday party for Oscar (happy birthday, Oscar!), and ended with the ultimate NYC date night: a carriage ride through Central Park, dinner on the Upper Eastside, and drinks at Bull and Bear.

The table where the "When Harry Met Sally" scene was filmed.  "I'll have what she's having"

Our tickets.  You lose one, you pay $50

Matzo ball soup and a pastrami sandwich (to DIE for)

The soft salami sandwich!

Hangin with Susie in her adorable midtown apartment!

Champagne and oysters at Grand Central Oyster Bar

Oyster time!  

Dinner at Brinkley's Station

Our trip to New York was amazing, and I am beyond grateful to everyone who made it so perfectly special.

To Kevin, the husband who puts up with it all: thank you for making time for "us".  You'll never know how much I needed that.

Kirk and Amy: you were beyond generous!  Thank you for the tickets and countless "slam" meals.

John and Carolyn:  This trip wouldn't have been the same without you- for so many reason! We love you guys so much.

Anne and Ian: Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing us to the show, letting us lose backstage, and opening up your life in NYC to us.  Now get home already!

Mom and Dad: for the countless ways you help me to be a better Mom, this one was huge.  Knowing Abigail was in caring hands made everything feel right.

and to you, my beautiful NYC:  thank you for being perfectly chaotic, un-apologizing you.  I adore you.