Timpanogos Cave

This year the 24th was completely different for our fam. We usually go to Idaho and celebrate up there with the big parade and fireworks, but this year we stayed here and just kind of did our own thing.
Spence had never been to the cave before, and I had been with my family but I think it may have been about 15 years ago (I still think it is crazy that I can say something was 15 years ago and I was like 15 - ugh) and I remember it being really fun - so we decided to go up. We got there and ended up having to wait for a bit, but we just went to Cabela's (Spence's dream store) and then took the kids to lunch. We stared hiking around 12:30pm and the kids did great. Spence had Grady in the backpack and the girls drank water about every 10 seconds with only the occasional complaints. They loved being in the cave and it was fun to see it all again for me. Grady was a bit of a struggle, but once he got back on the trail we were good. Good thing there was an outhouse at the top as well, because you can imagine where all of that water they were drinking went:) All in all, a really fun day and definitely something we will do again..

So Long PRIVATE!!

I was getting SUPER annoyed at having a private blog - I know, I made a HUGE deal about the danger and bad things about not being private, but I find it super annoying not to have it updated on the blog roll. Seriously blogger - you need to figure that one out! Anyway, I think you might have to re-add me to your blog roll(if you want to:) so that my blog will show when last updated! Thanks...

NYC - LOVE this Place...

Okay, it's taken me a few days, but here is New York '09!! We honestly had THE BEST TIME! We saw shows, went to live tapings of shows and to be really honest - ATE our way through the city. I have been compiling a "list" of things to do in NY for the last two years through the help of my brother Brent (lived there for a few years) and through blogging, the Food Network, Travel Channel, and other web sites. The last time we went, we did all of the really touristy things, but this time, it was pure city stuff (along with a few touristy things). We crossed off almost everything on the list - it was great. We took a ton of pics, so I will do it by day - it is super long so keep scrolling - enjoy - and if you ever go, call me for a copy of the "list"!!

Monday

On the Plane - Spence thinks I'm a little picture crazy - but I always have blogging on the mind..

The famous Shake Shack - in Madison Square Park..
Yep - super yum!!
Me, hiding a spot on my shirt that I spilled ice cream on - just keeping it real folks
In front of the Flat Iron Building - so unique..
After our fab meal we just walked around the Village for awile. We saw a movie being shot - no idea what it was, but it had kids and a ton of balloons. Great shops and tons of people watching to do.

Tuesday

This is Madame Tussauds Wax Museum which we had a blast at. I know it's weird, but I have always wanted to go - can you tell who they all are???








David Letterman - okay, this picture is from two years ago but Spence didn't seem to see the need in taking yet another pic (slacker)..We had a great show with Sasha Baron Cohen on it - he was not in character. Rob Thomas was supposed to be on, but cancelled at the last minute - boo - we were sad, but it was still fun.

Wicked - loved it, loved it, loved it!!! This was my third time and Spence's second time and it was by far my favorite - the cast was so AMAZING..

Wednesday

Regis and Kelly - super fun and we had front row seats! We were only on t.v. for a brief second, and you could only see hair - but still... They did another taping after the first and it will air August 25th - set your tivos, because this time we are on..




Katz's Deli - we saw it featured on the travel channel and decided we couldn't pass it up. Pastrami on thin bread with spicy mustard - YUM!!


Grand Central Station - it is really beautiful and crazy busy..

Serendipity - yes it lives up to all of the hype - it was FABULOUS! Spence went against the grain and ordered the pina colada instead, but he LOVED it, he actually can't stop talking about it. My Frozen Hot Chocolate was absolutely the best I have ever had - definitely a hot spot though, go between 3 and 5 to avoid LONG lines...



The Apollo Theatre was a last minute but very fun idea from Brent. We went with his old roomate, Mike Mathews (we love him and have known him awhile) and his date Abby. The Apollo is in Harlem (just a bit scary for us:) and it is where Chris Rock and a few other comedians got there start. Michael Jackson also performed there, so you can imagine the craziness surrounding the theatre. There was a wall of tribute outside and I signed it - too funny. Anyway, it was Amateur Night, and people get up to perform (sing, dance, poetry, rap) and you can either cheer them on if you like them, or boo them off - it was hilarious and so fun!


The Mickael Jackson Memorial - I just had to get pics of this.
More lovin for MJ..

Thursday

Statten Island Ferry - we took this to see the Statue of Liberty. It is free and it leaves every 1/2 hour and you don't get off, so it doesn't take hours - we LOVED it. I have done a Harbor Cruise before, but Spence hadn't seen the Statue up close, so it was a fun thing to do.






Max Brenner - can you say CHOCOLATE? They have a separate Chocolate Menu here and it was SO hard to choose and since Spence just isn't too keen on the stuff, I ordered a chocolate shake. What I really wanted was the Fondue for TWO, but I knew I would eat the whole thing myself so there you go. It was really good and Spence had the Oreo Cookie shake - also very good. A VERY fun place to go visit and see..



Cafe Lalo - made famous on You've Got Mail - we had dessert there with Mike and some friends and it was so good. We didn't get a picture but Mike and Spence had the waffle with cinnamon whip cream, strawberrys and real maple syrup - wow - I would definitely get that again..

I had a lemon angel food cake - super good, but didn't top the waffle. Just ignor the goofy picture - I'm not a model okay:)