This summer for our vacation we decided to go to New Jersey to see Stephen, Afton, Brooks and new baby Zoey. It was a long dive but totally worth it. Since Merilee was staying with us she drove with us then flew home with my parents.
Merilee and Cohen watching a movie in the back seat
1st Trip to the City
My parents weren't getting in till the night after we got there so we had a day to kill and decided to make our first trek into the city. Stephen had a work party at Dave and Busters so the rest of us hopped on the train to meet him there.
Cohen waiting for the train
While Stephen and Afton went to his work party we had all three kids. 3 adults + 3 kids + 1 big unfamiliar city = a little craziness and lots of fun. We didn't really know where we were going but we just started walking. We hit Time Square and the most amazing toys r us I have ever seen complete with 3 stories and its very own ferris wheel inside.
Once we got to Toys R Us we pretty much just wondered around there because we were afraid to go anywhere else on our own and get lost with 3 children. Stephen and Afton called us a little while later and said there was a bunch of no-shows to Stephens party so we went and had some delicious free food and played games.
Jersey Shore
Our next adventure was to swim in the Ocean. Unfortunately we were unable to do so because of hurricane season and strong rip tides. We enjoyed the sand and sun anyway, and Stephen and Afton brought their baby pool to feel with water. I'm pretty sure it ended up with mostly sand in it though.
After catching some sweet rays and most of us getting all freckled out instead of tanned we headed to the Jersey shore outlet mall then to a yummy burger joint.
Play Group
For Afton's play group that week one of the girls in her ward had set up an appointment to go see the local firehouse and fire engine/trucks. It was so fun and the kids absolutely loved it. We learned all about the fire trunks and engines...did you know there is a difference....I didn't. We also got to take rides around town in the fire engine and each of the kids received a plastic fire hat and coloring book with crayons.
Library and Bakery
On Saturday there was supposed to be a farmers market at the library but for some reason they didn't have it that week so we just went in the library and hung out in the kids section for awhile. Then we walked over to a nearby bakery and had the most amazing pastries I've ever tasted.
Merilee with her delicious HUGE lobster tail
2nd Trip to the City
Our 2nd trip to the city was very jam-packed and involved over 10 miles of walking, lots of confusing subways (confusing for me, stephen "totally knew where he was going"), 3 ferry rides, and 1 bus ride.
We started of the day by driving to freedom park and catching the ferry there to Ellis Island then on to the Statue of Liberty.
NYC Skyline from the Ferry
Ferry Station on the NJ side of the Hudson
Ellis Island was amazing and I wish we would've had more time to spend there. It was fascinating to me the scarifies and challenges people endured to get to this great country.
Cohen enjoying a little ferry ride
After seeing the statue of Liberty we took the ferry over to the city. The first thing we saw while there was this statue of a globe. This statue was between the two world trade centers and this is what remained of it after 9/11. Pretty cool looking. They also have a flame you can see in the bottom right had corner of the picture that constantly stays lit for the victims of 9/11
NY Stock Exchange and Trinity Church
Ground Zero. Much different than 2002 when I last visited the city. There is till a very reverent feeling around this ground though. It was good to see progress and growth though and the new freedom tower and it's grounds will be amazing.
After seeing ground zero we hopped on a subway to canal street/china town. We then had lunch at a fabulous restaurant in little Italy then went back down Canal Street where I scored $5 sunglasses and my parents bought me a cute new bag. Back to the subway, we headed to the museum of natural history(where Night at the Museum is filmed). It was amazing and another place I wish we could have spent more time. We then walked to the Temple, stayed long enough to rest our feet, then walked to the subway. Took the subway to the bus station then rode the bus home. Long day, sore feet, and loads of great memories.
Zoey's Blessing
We are so excited to have a new beautiful niece/cousin in our family. Stephen gave a great blessing and Zoey looked flawless. We love her. It was so fun to hold a cuddly new born again.
Old Town Philly
Our next adventure was to Philadelphia. We first saw the liberty bell then took a tour of independence hall. You also can't visit Philly without having an amazing philly cheese steak and some good ol' birch beer. After a yummy lunch we headed over for a tour of the US mint to see how and where our money is made...pretty cool but I was hoping they would give us some money at the end...no such luck. After that we let the kids run around and swing at the park for a little bit, walked around Philly's China town (which was actually bigger then NYC's), then headed home.
Cake Boss
You can't go to Hoboken, NJ with out hitting Carlo's bakery. TLC's show Cake Boss is filmed here and we just had to try one of Buddy's lobster tails and conoli's for ourselves. We even caught a glimpse of the boss himself on his way upstairs.
After waiting and hour in line we finally got our yummy pastries. Then it was time for my parents and Merilee to leave. We were so sad to say goodbye but so glad for the fun week we had to spend with them. Later that night we went back to Hoboken and had some yummy Thai food. It was a little chaotic but totally worth it. We then walked to an Italian Ice store that was amazing then headed home. The next morning we packed up and started our trek home. Thanks Stephen and Afton for entertaining us. We loved getting to spend the week with you.
Visiting Old Friends
The trip home was made a little more bearable by getting to stop and see my old high school friend Stephanie. She lives in Ohio now and she was at about the half way mark for our trip home. She was kind enough to let us stay the night with her so we could break our trip up a little. Cohen loved chasing Eden around and Steph and I had lots of fun catching up. Below is an attempt to get a picture of our kids together. Can you tell their busy bodies? Thanks again Steph and Lon for letting us stay!
