NYC {Instagram Edition}

If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably already seen all of these pictures, so sorry, but I decided to post them anyway to include a different perspective of our trip.

 Our first view of Times Square.  I was always amazed at how many people where always there, no matter what time of day, there were people everywhere.

 The street performers were also everywhere.  We took this picture of Minnie for Leah, we were too cheap and embarrassed to actually pose for a picture with her.

 View of Times Square from our hotel room.

 We relied pretty heavily on the subway system to get around.  This was one of the tile signs at a subway station.  Tim loves public transportation, so he was great about figuring out how to get around.  Using the subway just confused me and I ended up more turned around than ever.  (I think it has something to do with going underground, at least I'm going to say it does. :)

 Lady Liberty

 This was our Brooklyn pizza, yum!

 Wicked~ Awesome!

 We stopped for a hot dog for lunch at Gray's Papaya one afternoon.  I may have laughed at Tim when he told me he wanted to eat at a placed named Gray's Papaya, but they are known for their good, cheap hot dogs.

 One of the things on my NYC to-do list was have some Mr. Softee ice cream from an ice cream truck.  It didn't disappoint.

 We made several trips to M&M world and even brought home a few souvenirs from there.

 Grand Central Terminal

 A few of our favorites from the Museum of Modern Art

Kids in a toy store- FAO Schwartz was such a new store to look around it, giant candy, the Big Piano.

Start Spreading the News... {Days 3&4}

Sunday we got up and headed to Central Park.
Central Park was another place I loved.  I'm not quite sure what I was thinking when I picked out my outfit for the day, but our stroll through Central Park made me wish I had brought my running clothes.  I can see why so many people like to run there, it's the perfect park.  I also thought it was exactly like you see in the books and the movies.

 After our trip through Central Park, we headed to the Museum of Natural History.  We weren't too impressed with this place, but it was included in our City Pass, so at least it didn't cost us a thing.  I'm not sure if we didn't like it because we hit all the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. or the fact that it had lots of stuffed (I'm sure that's not the right word, but you get the idea) animals and we have the St. Louis zoo so close, or the fact that it was so crowded.  At least we can say we've been there.

 After the museum, we headed back to the hotel to regroup and ended up buying a Grayline hop-on, hop-off tour.  While the commentary (which could be another post in it's self) of the bus tour left a little to be desired, the sitting was a much needed break for our feet.  We were also able to see several sights that we wouldn't have been able to (Harlem, etc) and gave us a different perspective on the city.

 The Guggenheim Museum, bonus points to anyone who knows the architect.

 After our Grayline tour, we headed over to the World Trade Center site on Sunday night.

 First thing Monday morning, we headed to the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center.  While I've always had dreams of seeing the Today Show, we were out of luck as everyone was in London for the Olympics (talk about bad trip timing).  Once again, I loved the views from the Top of the Rock.

 After some more walking at a few random stops along 5th Ave, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Grand Central Terminal, and the New York City Public Library, we headed the the Museum of Modern Art.

 Van Gogh's "Starry Night"

 A Jackson Pollack painting.

Side Note: I recognized this painting from Leah's book "Olivia".   I'm amazed at how many children's books include references to things in New York City.

We sort of rushed through the Museum of Modern Art and only stopped long enough to see the popular items, Andy Warhol, Van Gogh, etc. just to say we've seen them.  We rushed through the museum because we wanted to take the nighttime Harbor Cruise around Manhattan.  

 The nighttime views of the city were worth it!  I loved the views!  Our harbor cruise also included a slight delay for President Obama's helicopter to take off.

That pretty much wraps up our NYC trip.  Tuesday we walked around 5th Ave. some more, hit up FAO Schwartz  and headed home.  Although I was so glad to be home, I'm so glad we went to NYC.  Our trip was the perfect length, and I can't wait to go back again someday.  I've already started making my trip itinerary for next time: Run in Central Park, Broadway show, Today Show, who's going with me??
I can't say enough how much I loved New York and I can see why so many people like it, what a great vacation!

Start Spreading the News... {Day 1}

We're leaving today,

I want to see it all, New York, New York...*

It's been so long since our New York trip, I hardly remember what to write.  I won't bore you with a ton of pictures or commentary, and try to include some of the highlights.

We were originally supposed to leave on Thursday, but due to a round of cancelled flights**, we ended up leaving early Friday morning.  

Once we arrived in NYC on Friday, we headed to our hotel in Times Square to freshen up and then headed out to explore the city.  Most of our vacations involve A LOT of walking and this vacation was no exception. 

 The view from our hotel window.  I loved all the taxis in this picture. 

 Times Square

While we didn't necessarily mind staying in Times Square, Tim and I both agreed we'd stay some place different next time.  It was a little overwhelming walking right outside the hotel door to all those people, not to mention, it seemed like daytime in our room all the time because of all the lights from Times Square.  

We also wondered around in the largest Macy's in the world.  

 We stopped for a quick view of Rockefeller Center

After a brief viewing of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics, we headed to the Empire State Building.  

I loved the views from the city up there and I loved how quiet is was.  

 I love New York City at night time.  I took a ton of pictures on the Empire State Building and also a bunch on our nighttime cruise, more to come later. 

  

* Anyone guess the artist of the song?  The only reason I know that is because we performed it as part of our sorority recruitment one year, not because I'm a Sinatra fan. 

**I did find it a little ironic that during the summer of one of the worst droughts in St. Louis history, the one thing that prevented us from leaving on our vacation on time was rain/ thunderstorms.  

A "Vacation"

Tim has been traveling to Des Moines for work the last few weeks and last week I decided to tag along. I figured Des Moines had to be better than a week home by myself with nothing to do. While I was there, the teacher in me came out and I decided to visit the Iowa State Capitol.
Before I visited the Capitol, I did a little research and found out that it is the second prettiest capitol (I'm not sure what is the first).
Here is a little bit of what I saw...

Here is the front of the capitol, check out the gold dome! It was really pretty!
Here is a picture of the dome from the bottom floor. If you take a guided tour they let you climb to the top, I decided to stick with the first two floors.
Both of the people I talked to at the capitol told me not to miss the library, they were right! Check out the spiral staircase, they had one on each side.
The senate
This was the view of Downtown Des Moines from the steps of the Capitol.

I enjoyed my visit to the capitol, however, don't let this post fool you, I also spent plenty of time here...

This mall was wonderful! It had about every store a girl could need or want, if only I had an unlimited budget!
I also spent plenty of time here, it wasn't quite as nice as Jordan Creek, but was still nice.
I managed to entertain myself in Des Moines for the week and even found some great new back-to-school clothes.

Two Years Ago...

We looked like this...

And were getting ready to embark on our three week trip to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Oh how we wish we could go back. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland we will meet again! Here are a few pictures of our trip, for more info click on the travel label or go here.

Tim in Luzern, Switzerland

Jody in the Ice Palace at the Jungfraujoch
Hiking in the Swiss Alps
Jody at Schobrunn Palace in Vienna
Tim at the border of Poland
Jody at the Berlin Wall