A very romantic dinner for two......

A big thanks to my friend Cindy who went all out picking/loaning dress combinations complete with jewelry and shoes I was able to get all fancied up for the night.  James chose the black dress.  It was my first choice too but I really liked them all.  So nice to have friends the same size.  

James and I decided to stay on the New Jersey side for dinner.  We were able to eat at a very nice restaurant in the Hyatt Hotel over looking lower Manhattan.  

We started off at a table just a few feet from the window but as soon as a couple left they moved us up so that we could be right on the water.

Our view was beautiful.  

Dinner by candlelight, complimentary champagne, and even a complimentary dessert.  (James told them we were celebrating our ten year anniversary). 

It was an amazing night.  

I'm so thankful for this man I can call my husband.  And so thankful that I get to spend the rest of my life with him.

This picture is more for Cindy than anyone else. (I think I look a little hefty but oh well) 

Thank you Cindy for being so generous and making me feel beautiful.

Our View

Coming back to the hotel to get ready for dinner we stopped to look at the city.

Empire State Building #2

The Empire State Building was such a nice time.  We were so high up I tried not to imagine what it would be like if I fell down.  It was busy but still romantic looking out at the city with my hubby.

James took pictures of each of the views.  I don't know them  except obviously where you see central park.

Central Park really is amazing and so nice for those that live in the city to have a place like this to go to relax.

I'm very happy we kept The Empire State Building on our list.  Maybe next time James and I will come at night and reenact the scene from Sleepless In Seattle.

Empire State Building

James did his research before we bought our tickets that the 86th floor was where Sleepless In Seattle was filmed on the outdoor observation deck.  Have I mentioned yet that we are really enjoying our time together?  Because we are.  This already has been such a wonderful time for just the two of us.  

A couple pictures of us in front of the Empire State Building.

We just walked in and are about to take the elevator to the 86th floor.

Times Square

We didn't spend too much time in Times Square.  For one it was 90 degree's and hot, and two we wanted to get to the Empire State Building.  We were going to check out some discount tickets on Broadway musicals but the line was so long and it hadn't opened yet and it was directly in the sun.  If you know me you know I love he sun but this was just too hot to not be in your swimsuit by the water.  Everywhere I looked there were people dressed in jeans and long sleeved shirts, and almost all of them were sweating like crazy.

I took a picture of Woody and Papa Smurf for the kids.

Stardust Diner

For lunch after the memorial we went to the Stardust Diner.  The diner is located right next to one of the large theater's.  This is a diner where the waitresses sing to you while they serve you.  The diner was packed but we didn't even have to wait to be seated.  And I think we got the best seat in the house.  Lucky for James we were sitting right next to a divider that the girls would climb up and sing their tune.

So who suggested this place???  I'll give you one guess.  Erin!  Of course.  I could totally see her enjoying her time here and maybe consider putting in an application.

James and I had a good time.  Sang along with some of the performers, and enjoyed good food.  Thanks for  the suggestion Erin :)

9/11Memorial

Outside the hotel ready for our first day!

Standing outside the memorial it was easy to smile for the camera.  Behind us are the tallest of the three new skyscrapers being built to replace the twin towers.

When the construction is done all of this will be open to the public to walk right up to.  For now you had to get tickets (free) to walk through.

The two large fountains are beautiful.  They both sit exactly where the twin towers once were.  Around each fountain there are many names of those that died.  I remember standing at a spot and reading the names of some of the firemen and noticing that a couple of them had the same last name.  To think of how many families were affected by this and to think of those that lost more than one loved one.  It was very hard to take in.

It didn't seem right to smile for the camera.  I could hardly pull one off.  There was such a sadness and heaviness that I felt.

Unfortunately the museum isn't open yet.  We took a picture of our reflection.  We did go to the 9/11 Memorial store and inside they were showing video's.  While each video played every one was completely silent.  I'm glad we did this first.  Afterwards I really wanted to do something that would make me laugh and have fun.  Something to take away the sad feelings.  But it was hard to forget about those people who would never have those sad feelings taken away.

Our Hotel

This video was taken a little later in our trip but I wanted to include it in this post.  We were very happy with our hotel.  We decided to go a little cheaper, and stay on the New Jersey side.  We didn't want to spend all of our money just on a hotel.  We were pleased with the Comfort Inn and Suites.  It provided everything we needed...and had just been remodeled so it seemed new.  I have a feeling that this is a place many out of town business people come to stay and then just travel over to New York.  We were about two blocks from the Path Shuttle that took us to New York.  And the best part was James sweet talked the hotel staff and they put us in the one room that has a view of New York. 

View of the room from the door.

Kitchen that we didn't use, but nice.

View of the room from the door.

Bathroom (all new and CLEAN), that we did use :)

....and I probably don't have to mention what happened here!!!  Uh huh!

And all of my dreams came true when I saw this!  A newly remodeled fitness room.  I got a run in every morning...it was awesome!  The first night we came James actually sat on the bike behind me while I ran and ate animal crackers.  I thought he was hilarious...he could have at least peddled.

Off To New York!

First we were going to New York.  Then we were not.  Then we were again (just for a shorter time).  I am glad we changed our minds and just cut out a few things.  You only celebrate ten years together once.

James drove the whole way.  I am impressed at how quickly you can get somewhere with only two people in the car.  We drove the Grand Prix because we didn't want to put miles on the van (must save them for Florida).  But there was one draw back....there was no air conditioning!  And it was one of the hottest weekends!  With both windows down it wasn't that bad.  I even took a nap because I was so exhausted from riding all day :)

And we made it!  New Jersey tonight...New York tomorrow!

Periodically we make videos for the kids.  You don't have to watch this, it's kind of boring, we just say what we're doing and tell the kids we love them.

Watch us grow....

For the next eight years we will be taking pictures in front of this sign.....

First grade here we come.........