Go Go Go

 Today was our cram in all the tourist sites day...

Wall Street, the Bull, Statue of Liberty via Staten Island Ferry,

9-11 Memorial, the Oculus, Chinatown, Little Italy, shopping in SoHo,

culminating with the Petersens going to the Knicks game,

Lizzie & I going to the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular,

and surprisingly the Shaeffer boys going shopping. 

After a beautiful last two days and Thanksgiving being almost warm (high 50's), today got A LOT colder, even raining in the morning. 

Started with breakfast at Clinton Street Bakery which is known for their pancakes. 

They were definitely the best thing on the menu and so good. But if you don't have a large group like we did, you can't make a reservation and can wait two hours to get in!

A walk through Wall Street on the way to the ferry. 

I'll save you from the photo of Chris and Nick holding the Wall Street Bull's backside ornaments. 

They certainly weren't the only ones who thought it was hilarious. 

We took the free Staten Island Ferry for a good view of the Statue of Liberty 

and view of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.

9-11 Memorial and Oculus

Chinatown

Courtney's favorite dim sum place, Nom Wah had a long wait so we went to another highly rated spot.

It was... very authentic. Not sure we'll go back. But we'll always remember it! 

After all our walking the last few days, we were looking forward to Chinatown foot massages.

The first spot was eager to accommodate all of us, if a couple of people could take back massages. Courtney and Lizzie volunteered. Nick and I sat in the two comfy chairs not sure where Marty and Michael were going. Not to worry, within seconds a man opened up two metal folding chairs for them. 

It was clear they didn't have enough spots after all, so Dan and I left to look for another salon.

Found one around the corner with seven big chairs lined up. A much better set-up, but by now the kids were already mid-massage. Except it turns out Chris who was just sitting waiting. So he joined us.

In spite of not being comfy, Marty still fell asleep in his folding chair, so that was good.

And Courtney's back rub was kind of strange with the guy bending her leg at the hip backward farther than what would traditionally be normal. Especially during a massage. Needless when we met up afterward to eat Japanese donuts, we had some good laughs.

Chris and Nick each bartered for a "Rolex." 

Shopping in SoHo at Uniqlo, then separating to different stores -- Madewell, Rag & Bone & Foot Locker.

Then we all headed back to the hotel to drop off packages and head out for the evening.

Petersens to the Knicks game, Chris met up with his high school friend, Maci, who works in New York, Lizzie and I to Christmas Spectacular and Dan and other boys to Nordstrom for work clothes for Marty. 

The Spectacular never disappoints. 

Met up with the boys at Quality Italian afterward which sounded like a street shop and turned out to be super fancy and delicious. Whew! What a day!