This year Christmas was in the Bronx at Einstein University where David is attending medical school. Patti, Caylah & I flew into LaGuardia Airport from Corpus Christi, TX on Sunday the 20th, John & Danika Flew into JFK from SLC, UT. Eric was able to fly in from Phoenix, AZ to JFK Christmas morning.
We traveled on the the subway and bus from the Bronx into Manhattan each day to our various destinations.
Monday the 21st we all went to Manhattan including the Grand kids, Breyton & Evie. Our first stop was FAO Schwartz toy store. We enjoyed walking through the many toy displays on hand. Then we walked through Central Park and enjoyed this oasis inside New York City.
Paparazzi at work.
Breyton is saying Calgon take me away.
John and Danika practicing parental responsibilities.In the background you can see Jana, Patti and Breyton.
Caylah contemplating a big snowball for her Dad.
At Big Nicks the menu is a 23 page book!This was a terrific place to eat. Great Hamburgers and Pizza along with many other choices. There's something to eat for everyone!
Standing room only on the sub ride home.The MTA NY Subway was a real experience. Often times it was standing room only. Then it would thin out and we would be able to sit. Occasionally there would be pan handlers asking for donations. Some people would hop on and play their guitar and sing a song then continue on to the next car while traveling 40 miles an hour or more. On one occasion an author jump on board offering to sell a book he wrote.
Patti was always generous and we gave her some singles $ so she could hand-out on behalf of all of us.
Intruder alert! She just had to jump into our picture...which one doesn't belong here, which one is not like the others.
City lights are too bright for Caylah.You can see the Time Square ball at the top of picture.
Chocolate any one?This was one of the places Danika wanted to visit... I'm sure glad we did. They handed out Chocolate Kisses at the door and had what you would expect... Lots of Chocolate.
Time Square complete with the New Years Ball.
Pedaling to power the New Years Ball. Seriously, we generated power that would contribute to the New Year's celebration of lights and the fall of the ball. AND we were paid in batteries for our efforts!
Dave's Rocky pose. I think he was carrying the back pack so long that he thought he earned the title of Rocky Balboa.
Caylah's favorite man in her life.
Does it look like we're cold? WE ARE!Radio City Music Hall in the background famous for the Christmas Spectacular and the Rockettes.
Merry Christmas!
The full view of the Christmas Tree!
A winter wonderland right next to the tree.
More of the Rockefeller square hustle and bustle.
Take a good look at this picture. John and Danika emulated a great pose in our family shot on the beam. Way to go guys!
At 70 floors up you see a 360 degree view. Even though this was a commercial picture, you will see one just like it that Dave took during the night.
John is asking his sweetheart for a date.
City lights of Manhattan.
Just to the "center/right" you can see a green light with a orange dot above it. The orange dot is Time Square's ball.
To the roof babe.
Caylah on top of the rock.
Breyton is convinced that being up so high might not be a good idea.
A laser light show on the ceiling we happened to be there at just the right time to see it.
John checking out the laser show.Grand Central Station 360
Did I tell you about our new dog we got?
Ok Caylah, just pretend there isn't a bear behind us.
The best place to eat in China Town thanks to the best tour guide!The Excellent Dumpling House. Delicious Chinese food and outstanding service.
Calling Pa Pa to see Breyton's Christmas toy, a swimming frog.
They shopped til they dropped.
Breyton held on to his red baby car the whole time and decided to take it out for a re-evaluation.
While on the sub we spotted these two carrying a loaded camera.
In the financial district we took a stroll down Wall Street. Notice it is closed off to traffic since 911.
The back door to the New York Stock exchange.
Now the front door.
Federal Hall. Wow this was a new piece of history that I learned. George Washington took his oath in this building as our first president.
John measures up quite nicely as his beautiful bride takes his picture next to the statue.
Jana carrying Evie all over Manhattan. Not one complaint and keeping a nice pace ahead of the rest of us so we didn't miss the Circle Line tour.
Oh! This really cool deli in the financial district where we got to hob nob with a couple of traders.
Breyton was only in it for the juice.We stopped here and picked up deli sandwiches and drinks and loaded up the backpack to eat later on the boat.
I think if I rub his head three times the market will come back. Only if you wear the UT hat though. Hook 'em horns!
Circle Line tour was a fabulous way to see the whole Manhattan Island while sitting in the comfort of a heated cabin. Little Evie got so warm and so comfortable that she relaxed on Pa Pa's lap and left him an early Christmas present that he will never forget. He tried to pull it off as mustard that must have dripped from his hot dog, but everyone knows he doesn't eat mustard. Euwwww.Jana found some coupons that gave us half off the purchase price.
This would have been a view of the twin towers of the world trade center behind the center sky scrapers.
New Jersey
Water side view of the Empire State building.
Tip of Manhattan
Ellis IslandThis is where the early emigrants were processed. Names of millions of emigrants are written on its walls. What a neat way to search for ancestors!
Only 10 people a day are allowed into the crown of the statue of Liberty since 911. They use a lottery to select visitors that can climb the stairs to the crown.
Much prettier to look at than the statue!
Caylah winding down. If you only knew all the things we fit into this day!
The Empire State Building on your left, the Chrysler building on your right. The Empire State building was lit up red and green for Christmas. Visit the Chrysler site to see how sneaky they were.
Oh man...captured by Amah again.
Waiting for our sub while watching others passing each other on both sides.
Breyton didn't quite make it home before crashing.
He barely made it home before Santa came. This was his favorite toy, the racing cars that you shake for the best performance.
Opening stockings.
A stethoscope that Breyton won't get in trouble for handling. He removed it from the box with the greatest of care while gasping with delight. A chip off the old block.
Breyton taking pictures of everyone with his very own digital camera.
Giving Caylah a shove. She discovered later that her jacket was a better sled.
Breyton making a snow ball to throw at Uncle Eric.
Jana and Breyton on a wipe-out.
Uncle Eric lending his assistance.
This is how you do it guys!
Caylah contemplating the launch, gloves-check scarf-check, now if only I can clear that tree.
This is the only time Jana will be able to push her big brother around.
Eric... "where's the steering wheel to this newfangled contraption."
One of Breyton's first attempts. You will see in the following video, that he discovered his snow suit made a better, faster sled.Breyton sledding
Eric giving us a push. We just had the funnest time EVER. We laughed til our sides hurt.
Jacobi Hospital is seen in the background where David walks to clinicals.
Eric giving us a push. We just had the funnest time EVER. We laughed til our sides hurt.Jacobi Hospital is seen in the background where David walks to clinicals.
Right before we played Mafia late into the night, Jana and David looking at a childhood picture of Jana while Eric does his family duties of making sure our electronics are optimized.
Wow, what a Christmas! It was a none stop week to get all our stops completed in 4 days and enjoy Christmas together as a family. We traveled by bus, subway, and walked in 15 degree wind chill all week. Jana and Mom cooked a nice pot roast Christmas dinner while we talked about the fast paced week we all had. Just awesome!
Thank you to All our family that made this week a memorable one for years to come.
Special thanks to Jana & David for hosting this Christmas event in their 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment on the Einstein Campus Dorms.
