"The Big Apple"

The last day we spent in Massachusetts was spent traveling up Cape Cod. We stopped at an old house along the way. It happened to be the oldest original house in the New England states. It was hard to imagine what life was like back then and crazy to think about how much things have changed. We decided to drive off the highway and into some small, quaint towns and went to a small sandwhich shop IN the town of Sandwhich. We then drove to swim at a cute little beach along the coast in the Atlantic Ocean and of course we had to shop(:
We woke up and drove the majority of the day Wednesday and arrived at our hotel in New Jersey just in time to take a short nap and head out to the American Idol concer at the "Nikon at Jones Beach" Theatre.
The concert was absolutly incredible. The setting of the theatre was perfect. An outdoor theatre right in the beach. A small venue for such a large show but it was amazing either way(: We had sooooo much fun. The brothers were upset with Alise and I for screaming so much and standing up. I guess we just got so into it(: The top 10: Didi, Andrew, Katie, Aaron, Tim, Sibohann, Big Mike, Casey, (and of course) Crystal and Lee preformed that night. (Go Lee!)
The next day we rode a train into the city and experienced the chaos of "NYC". We realized that the subways are completely crazy and you have to "Hurry up and Wait" practically everywhere. You have to be agressive and push your way through.
We went straight to the Staue of Liberty on the second day and proceeded through security. When we arrived on the island we realized the magnifcance and incredible height of Lady Liberty. We circled around the island, took pictures, and toured the gift shop.
Then we caught the ferry from Liberty Island and went to Ellis Island where all of the immigrants came through to get into the United States. It was crazy to think that some of our ancestors likely walked through that very building(: The trip to Ellis Island was interesting and educational. As a whole, I believe our family throughly enjoyed it(:
We then got back on land and went to the site of the Twin Towers.
Then we attempted to walk into China Town for dinner but quickly found out we werent in quite the right place for food and turned RIGHT back around and headed to Times Square to find a more... "welcoming" restaurant.
We walked through Wall Street, and then headed back to the hotel for some R&R before the next day.
Our 3rd day in New York we decided to sleep in and just stay in New Jersey for that day. We tried lunch at a new place and then went to a movie. The girls when to "Eclipse" and the boys went to "Despicable Me". Then we stopped off at Dunkin Doughnuts to make sure we had some breakfast for the following day and we actually ate one for our dinner... shhh! The family decided that we prefer Krispy Kreams over Dunkin Doughnuts any day(:
Our relaxing evening ended with an episode of "The Office" and one "Criminal Minds".
Our 4th and last day in The Empire State included doing just that.. going to the Empire State building. We saw Grand Central Station and experienced more New York.
While we were walking to find lunch we got a flier from a small, older man. He called himself "Little Jimmy". He gave us advice on where to go, what to see, and.. he also shared a secret. He said he was in our "favorite movie". Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. He played one of the Oompa Loompas. So we can say we met an Oompa Loompa... FOR REAL!(:
We said goodbye to Little Jimnmy and headed to see lunch, Rockefeller Plaza and then Alise, Mom and I headed off to our Broadway Showing of Mary Popping(: The show was amazing. Effects were great and it was so different from the original story. We loved it!
While the boys waited they went to Central Park to ride bikes and entertain themselves.
We met up at last and walked to try to find this "Twins Restaurant" which unfortunatly was not in business at the time so we found a nice little pizza shop and then went to Dylan's Candy Bar where there was every type of candy imaginable on it's 3 floors. Then we walked some more to hop on a subway and get to Times Square for some pictures with the city lights.
Our final Subway ride in New York was one to catch a train that would take us to New Jersey. The hotel shuttle picked us up and we all falling asleep quickly at the hotel... ready for the long day ahead of us.
Today we drive to Washington DC and stop at Hershey, Pennsylvania and other places along the way.
Mom is finally getting the hang of reading the map and the "are we there yet"'s have subsided for the most part.
Goodbye to the Big Apple and hello Home of the President(: