Dreams and Fantasies

 Decorated for Christmas all day yesterday and let the soundtrack of Wicked run on repeat.
Got through the whole thing five times. At least. 

Nick and friends didn't have school so went skiing at Alta. Bluebird day, they said. 

They brought home pizza and we chatted while they ate. 

I asked Nick if he liked seeing Wicked. He did. 
I asked his friends if they'd seen it. They hadn't. 

As I walked into the pantry, I heard Nick say, "I really liked the songs."

I spun around barely containing my glee at hearing his enthusiasm,

"You liked the songs?!"

He took a huge bite and pointing at his pizza he responded with his mouth full, 

"No, Mom. I said, 'I really like this sauce.'"

I guess I can't expect that all of my dreams come true.

Orman and Phyllis

 While we were in New York, Orman and Phyllis, their kids and their extended family stayed at our home in Salt Lake. When we arrived home on Sunday night, everyone had left except for Orman and Phyllis.

 
It's been a long time since we've been together and I realized just how much I missed being with them after sitting next to each other catching up for a few hours and wishing it didn't have to end so soon. 

We had a couple more hours this morning at breakfast before they had to leave. 

But still, not enough time.

I wanted to make cherry pies with Phyllis or fail at toffee together 

and eat it out of the cookie sheet with a fork while watching a good movie again. 

I wanted to laugh so hard I pee'd my pants at a story she told and was always 

willing to laugh at herself and the situations she ended up in.

To go shopping together where she would always convince me 

I had to buy the outfit I'd tried on because it looked too good to pass up.

Go walking in the morning at her extra speedy pace. 

I wondered if she still swam every morning, but I forgot to ask. 

To get her expertise on nutrition, vitamins, supplements, the body, the brain and everything she's learned over the years in an effort to help heal herself and her children.

I still drink the green drink she recommended a million years ago.

Do a puzzle together.

Since our trip to Rosemary Beach in 2014, we've only seen each other a couple of times. 
They flew to New Mexico for Dan's Dad's funeral and we had a night together in Utah over a holiday. 

I called her once to get her help deciphering Strategene.

But those times we didn't have very long together and were with a lot of other people so it wasn't one-on-one. Being together brought back so many memories over the years combined with disappointment that I've let too many go by without making time together a priority. 

There was a time when the Shaeffers, Andersons and Wickhams 

always had a trip on the books -- whole families or just girls trips. 

Our paths have been so aligned with husbands getting accounting degrees, living in Dallas together, going to business school, living in New York together, 

our kids being born within months of each other, moving so often. 

There was a time that we stopped in Dallas on our way home 

to Utah or New Mexico so we didn't miss seeing them.

All my siblings and most of my friends in Utah know the names of our good friends, "Orman and Phyllis & Kurt and Tiffany" because we've talked about them so much.

 We've laughed harder with them than anyone and s

o, so many years ago speculated about our futures... and now here we are. 

It's been too long since we've spent meaningful time together. It's time to remedy that. 

Time to Go

It's been a great Thanksgiving.

We had brunch at The Milling Room then walked down to the flea market before we said goodbye.

When we arrived, Marty said he wanted a hot dog or NY pretzel from a food truck sometime while we were here, so fortunately he got one just before we headed to the airport.

We had such a pretty view from our hotel at night, it was almost a shame we weren't there more to enjoy it. But on the other hand, you don't go on a trip to New York to sit in your hotel room. 

Guess we'll just have to buy something!

Once in a Lifetime (Hopefully)

Nick asked if we could go to the Intrepid and museum this morning, 

but in the end everyone wanted a day to sleep in. Next time, for sure, Nick!

Skipped breakfast for sleep and started the day with lunch at Tonchin Ramen -- 

Michelin rated, and well deserved!

I'm not a fan of ramen because everyone finishes before me so I never feel like I've had enough to eat. 

And slopping noodles on my chin after every bite is annoying. 

But wow! I loved my meal! Spicy Miso and Ginger (vegetarian -- not a fan of the pork in ramen either), was so delicious! Topped off with the lightest, tastiest strawberry and mango shaved ice.

I'm actually craving going back! And wishing to buy the $1700 shaved ice machine...

Walked over to see the matinee of Wicked. 

We were on the third row. Being so close was thrilling. I loved being able to see the expressions of the actors. I'd forgotten some key plot elements so I was surprised and engaged in the story all over again, and my only regret was that it wasn't sing-along. It was so fantastic!

We walked through Rockefeller Center to 5th Avenue for another pass at Uniqlo and Zara

and an attempt at FAO Schwarz which we skipped because the line was too long. 

After shopping, the boys relaxed at the hotel before dinner, but Courtney, Lizzie and I went downtown to Union Square Christmas Market. We debated going back to the hotel for a minute, but Lizzie suggested just staying out so we didn't get home and crash. Good idea. Crashing would have been tempting!

Union Christmas Market is always a highlight! Such fun unique things to look at -- 

I'm regretting not buying a cute pillow cover I saw.

Courtney introduced us to the best chocolate truffles I've ever had.

So good in fact we bought bags of one of each of the six flavors for everyone in our group.

Korean BBQ at Gaonurri for dinner (the same place from Courtney & Michael's sealing)

because it was so good and we wanted Marty & Lizzie to get a chance to try it.

So delicious all over again!

And to finish off the night, we went to the top of the Empire State Building. 

We bought tickets to the viewing deck on the 86th floor, then paid additional to go all the way up the slim top tower to the 102nd.

After a lap around the viewing deck, it was 11:00 p.m. and got in line to go up to 102.

A couple was first, then the ten of us were going in. The parents were the only ones not on, but the car elevator was looking pretty crowded with eight on. The attendant was a kind old man who encouraged us to cram on. (I think he wanted us to be able to maximize our time up top.) But we decided to wait for the next car -- especially considering another couple was already on and might not want to be squished with all of us. Courtney decided to get off too and go up with us to make more room. 

And then I said, "Uh oh, when couples get split up, that's when something bad happens."

We waited for the elevator to return. And waited. 

We joked about them possibly being stuck. 

The attendant said they had definitely made it to the top, but in the group coming down someone had probably hit all the buttons. (There are a few, apparently. Not 102. Just three.)

And pretty soon there were six or seven more people waiting behind us. 

 He got on his walkie talkie to let *someone* know a line was forming. 

At the back of the line a man asked if the elevator wasn't working.

And then we got a text from Nick saying, "We're stuck."

And suddenly there were several staff figuring out a plan. Our friendly attendant mentioned that one tine a group of high school kids had to be rescued by fire fighters and harnessed from the elevator to safety one by one. He said their parents were panicking, but the kids loved it. 

He also said he was really glad we hadn't all gotten on the elevator. 

I said, "You might have felt a little guilty."

And he said, "No, I would have gotten in big trouble. The max is nine!"

Our crew stuck inside were able to text with updates. 

Including a text from Lizzie saying we should watch her Instagram story. 

Chris was narrating their experience for all of Lizzie's followers to enjoy!

The five of us not stuck walked outside and took more pictures.

After 30 minutes they emerged. As it turned out, the elevator was only a few feet off the ground.

But each time it lurched, they didn't know that! 

It had started up, then stopped short, then dropped a bit. 

At first they thought it was "part of the experience." A little Tower of Terror to make it more exciting. 

But after a while, they realized they were probably stuck. So Michael hit the call button.

It was the first any employee knew the elevator had stopped working.

Emerging from Empire State Building elevator captivity

The guy who was talking to them while they were in the elevator. 
Our attendant who was hoping not to get fired is behind.

Not only did everyone who was stuck get gift bags (a string backpack and teddy bears dressed in Empire State Building elevator attendant uniforms and a history book of the building), but we got refunded for our tickets and 10 more tickets to come back! (Which we gave to Courtney and Michael.) 

Best of all is being able to say you were stuck in an elevator for 30 minutes

on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building.

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!

Thanksgiving All Together!

No-Cook, No-Stress Thanksgiving Day! Yippee!

Also, so fun to wake up in New York and enjoy the Macy's parade live.
We could actually see balloons from our suite (at least those of us who woke up could), 
so we enjoyed both the TV and Dan narrating throughout. 

Just before the end, Dan, Lizzie and I walked down to watch in person. 

Crowded, but not overly so and fun to see the parade up close.

Courtney, Michael, Bob & Rhonda watched the whole thing in person on the upper west side and Courtney came down after to hang out until it was time to get dressed up 

for our Thanksgiving meal at Maison Pickle.

Lizzie's oldest brother, Dave, and his wife and baby, Steph and Ingrid travelled the three hour train trip from Hershey, Pennsylvania to join us on their first Thanksgiving back east (in residency). 

JD & his fiance, Mary Ellen, live in New York and were here for the holiday so they could join us too.

Michael's parents are so fun to spend time with we kept saying how lucky we were to have friends we look forward to seeing and being with who also happen to be Michael's parents!

Having extra family with us was such a treat -- the more the merrier!

The food was AMAZING! We were so glad that Carmine's reservations weren't panning out so we were forced to try something new. The ambiance was cheery and the food delicious and we had tons of leftovers. We even had our own private area in a loft-like section above the main restaurant. 

After our Thanksgiving lunch, we went to Michael & Courtney's so everyone could see their apartment and their rooftop deck. Then walked over to the park and through a few blocks so Dave & Steph could get a taste of Central Park before heading back home on the train.

The rest of us took the subway back to our hotel. When we got on it was light, and when we got off just 20 minutes later, it was dark! It's so weird that it gets dark here by 5:00. However, we were able to enjoy the lights on 5th Avenue as we made our way back home.

Got comfortable for an evening in at our hotel to watch the Cowboys game.

The Critchfield's were in town for Thanksgiving as well, but Marty hadn't heard me mention they were coming over. So he was super surprised when one of his best friends suddenly showed up.

Dave & Steph Rosen brought Hershey's candy that can only be purchased in Hershey -- Reese's peanut butter cups mixed with potato chips or pretzels, fruity pebble flavored Kit Kat, marshmallow centered Hershey kisses! So the girls noshed on treats and gabbed while the boys watched the game right up until the game went into overtime and captured everyone's attention. 

Michael & Courtney spent the night and we had another late night talking.

So grateful to have my family all together for extended togetherness this Thanksgiving.
So grateful for our daughter and son-in-law and their families who we not only love, but enjoy spending time with which extends our group of loved ones that much more.

Love them all so, so, so much!