Siblings Trip Where Mom and Dad Tag Along

We like New York so much we just photograph it with our minds and don't document our time there... I guess.

When Courtney, Nick and Chris decided they needed a siblings trip in New York, we thought a great time for that to happen would be UEA. And it would be fun for Dan and I to have some time alone. And then we thought, "If we're going to be alone, we'd rather be in New York than in Utah." So we all flew out together.

Except that last minute Chris realized he needed to work on Wednesday so he actually couldn't go on our flight. So he and Dan switched to the red-eye. Nick and I flew out after school. I dropped Nick off at Courtney's apartment and we made such great time from JFK we were there by midnight. So I went up to see my daughter and quickly catch-up.

How I love being with her and seeing in person the things we'd been talking about recently -- her new posters and art hung. Her new shoe insoles. Her mini freezer that we brainstormed a location and realized it would fit perfectly in the coat closet. A new collage of photos she took and printed (that are so artistic that I want a collage of those photos for my house!)

When teenagers come to town.

Then I thought I better get to my hotel, so I left Nick in the good hands of his sister. And I left Courtney with a pile of Nick's belongings (shoes, socks, sweatshirt, suitcase all dumped in a pile on her floor -- he settled in right well...).

I checked into my hotel but instantly knew we'd be checking out the next day because the room was very old with paint chipping and carpet fraying and the walls were green, the bedspread was green, the nightstands were green, the coffee table was green, the carpet was green and the couch, chairs and pillows were all different shades of green.

Dan arrived at 7 a.m. from the red-eye and went to sleep. I got up and took a jog in Central Park. It was warm and beautiful -- almost hot even. After I got home and showered and dressed for the day, I read my scriptures and then went back to sleep waiting for Dan to wake up. And when we were both awake at the same time, he said, "We're checking out of this hotel." Which I knew he would.

So we got a place closer to midtown that was even cheaper and much nicer. We dropped off our bags and then went off to have the entire day together to do whatever we wanted! We visited the MoMA and the Frick. Loved the Frick especially as the museum is actually in the Frick home -- his personal art collection that went on display to the public in his own home after he died. Super cool.

That evening we had the kids meet us at an Italian restaurant in the theater district. We also got to meet Courtney's friend Sarah at dinner. Yay for friends! And then we saw Hamilton. It was fabulous, fast-paced, loud and non-stop action. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Only Nick was familiar with the music, and while I generally like to know the songs ahead of time, it didn't lessen the experience at all because I didn't. I just had to listen harder to follow. It was great.

Although we did have to laugh because we saw this incredible show which the whole world is dying to have a chance to see, and when it was over, the first thing we all did was turn on our phones and check the score of the Dodgers/Cubs game. Courtney noticed that when we all met up, the first comment was, "The show was great! But did you see the Dodgers are winning!" Go Blue!

We shopped around Times Square after, including the store, Uniqlo, which is a Japanese brand, so we had a little bit of Marty with us. We headed back uptown just in time to get shakes at a fun diner. BUT, the diner closed an hour earlier because it wasn't the weekend yet! Dang! Fortunately across the street was another diner with shakes and fries! Thank you, NYC!

Friday morning Dan and I ran in Central Park again and then went to the Temple. I'd been looking forward to doing our October session in New York. It was small and intimate (only 10 people in our whole session). Loved it.

A remnant of the actual track-turned garden.

That afternoon we walked along the High Line -- a new(ish?) west side Chelsea walking path created on the old elevated train track. It was a great way to see the city walking a few stories up along the backsides of some buildings. 

The Chelsea Market at the end of the line is an indoor marketplace chock full of food options and a large room of vendor booths with crafts, clothes and souvenirs.

While in Chelsea, we walked up and down several blocks checking out dozens of Art Galleries. And we only peeked in the ones on the main level! There were many, many more on the upper levels of the loft-style buildings. We found lots of art we loved and all waayyyy out of our price range.

We came across a building with super artistic graffiti. And a short tunnel. And at the end of the tunnel, an oval-shaped glass door. It was impossible not to walk in. It was the clothing store, Commes des Garcon, which the sales staff, was kind enough to explain to us. Because it was clear we didn't belong there. But we had fun browsing!

Entrance to Commes des Garcon in Chelsea.

Back in Times Square, we ate dinner at a Peruvian restaurant with dishes Dan fell in love with while in Peru with Nick and Marty. I had the Paella which was much better than any Paella I had in Spain. Sad, but true.

Our show that evening was "Dear Evan Hansen," starring Ben Platt. We'd heard it was amazing from many friends and I was prepared to cry throughout based on what they told me. However, although it was fantastic acting and great music, I only teared up a couple of times. I think I was too nervous because the premise of the story is based on a teenager's well-intended lie which is blown completely out of proportion. I was totally preoccupied with what the consequences would be and how he'd be able to manage them. But it was a great show and I'm really glad we got to see Ben Platt starring.

We went to Grom at Columbus Circle for gelato after the show. I usually like the creamy flavors, but I got a second flavor this time on a whim (Crazy! I know!). Blueberry. And it was the most amazing blueberry ever! So delicious! They said their Mango is also amazing, so Courtney needs to go give it a try, because she loves mango.

Saturday morning we started out walking through a street fair near our hotel. Dan wasn't too interested, so he left to go for his run in Central Park.

Sidenote: My hip has been really hurting. It seems aggravated by sitting for long periods of time. It feels fine sitting, but when I stand I have to carefully unfold myself and not put too much weight on it for a few seconds. I suppose it's also become aggravated by my newly running 3 miles. Which is really crappy that I finally achieved a goal but I'm not sure I can keep up with it if my hip is unhappy.

We had no plans that day, so Dan started surfing for more shows. We had considered "Hello, Dolly!" because Bette Midler (!) was starring! 

But we were also interested in "Come From Away." We had both read a book based on the same events as the premise of the show. When the US closed their airspace on 9-11, 38 international flights were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland. A town of only 9,000 residents nearly doubled their size when over 7,000 people arrived in that town for an unknown amount of time. It's very inspiring.

We decide to see Come From Away, and were so glad we did! I was either laughing or crying the whole time. The music was catchy and strong. The actors were phenomenal as they each played different characters with varied accents and styles. The directing was great how they portrayed being on a plane, a bus, a bar. And in addition, the story was inspiring and uplifting.

We met the kids at my cousin's restaurant Black Barn in Chelsea. The weather was so perfect we were able to eat outside and the food at Black Barn is delicious. After, we walked over to the Empire State Building (no lines!) and went up to the 86th and 102nd floor. So fun to see New York from high above the city and with the night lights.

We did some final shopping at H&M then rode the subway back uptown to Courtney's neighborhood for ice cream.

Because that's what we do.

Japanese store next to The Martin Building. Hi Marty!

Sunday morning Dan and I went to church and coincidentally sat behind the Lunts and next to the Hoole's. The entire cultural hall was filled with visitors (they had us raise our hands!) and I'm sure they were all from Utah on Fall Break.

Three rows in front of us was a man with in a jean jacket with a do-rag on his head. I was imagining in my head what his story might be -- that he felt comfortable coming to church in his comfortable clothes. But just when the last speaker was closing, he stood up and kept standing. And when the bishop went to the pulpit to close the meeting, the man started shouting out things that Mormons need to do better. The bishop said he would be happy to meet with the man to discuss his concerns but now we needed to close the meeting. But the man kept loudly talking about... I don't even know what. A couple of members helped to escort him out. They were unfazed when he started standing and talking, so I think he might be a frequent guest.

After we checked out of our hotel, we met at Courtney's and had brunch at The Mermaid Inn, a place Dan has been wanting to try the last 2 times he was there. It was delicious! We also shopped at a flea market by the Natural History Museum until we had to go.

Back at Courtney's apartment we helped get it cleaned up and back to livable condition after two teenagers descended for a long weekend! Thanks for letting us tag along kids!