We did something very fun and very non-traditional for Thanksgiving this year. We went with our friends, the Wildings, to NYC!!!
My BFF, Jodi, got us a great deal on a hotel in NJ, right across the Hudson from Manhattan, so that is where we stayed.
There was a convenient city bus that picked us up and dropped us off right in front of the hotel (you can see it in the background) and took us straight into the heart of Manhattan. The first day we had tickets to go see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. It was pouring rain, but we bundled ourselves up and headed to the city. Even though it was rainy it was actually around 60 degrees and we were too warm.
Radio City Music Hall is an amazing building. I couldn't believe how big it was inside!
The show was SPECTACULAR, just like the name says! On top of the amazing dancing and costumes and set pieces they had live animals!! SO COOL!
Afterwards we found a lunch spot that had something for everybody - pizza, salads, sandwiches, etc. Matt even got some traditional Japanese yaki soba.
Next we walked to the Toys R Us store in Times Square.
We even rode the big ferris wheel.
While walking back to the bus depot we spotted the New Years ball, can you see it up on top of the 2013? We went back to the hotel for dinner and a dip in the swimming pool.
On Thanksgiving day we dared to see the Macy's Day Parade. This day it was nice and sunny, but the temperature hovered around 32 all day. Brrr! But we were prepared with many layers on, as well as hot chocolate and pocket hand warmers.
With the freezing temperatures and plethora of kiddos we didn't attempt anything crazy, like getting there hours early to get a spot on the parade route, we left our hotel after the parade started with the intention of just seeing what we can see. We ended up down a side street with hundreds of people ahead of us but we were able to see the balloons go by, and the kids enjoyed that. They only lasted about an hour before they were too cold and hungry.
After ditching the outdoor parade we were able to watch the rest of it on the big screen TV's at Planet Hollywood. We decided on as non-traditional Thanksgiving lunch as we could think of although they offered a Thanksgiving menu that most of us ordered from.
They gave us all minion hats, which everyone loved and wore the rest of the trip.
L & L were cute buddies.
After lunch we did some more sight seeing.
Rockefeller Plaza
And back by Radio City
We found the Cake Boss bakery and we all enjoyed our goodies while waiting for the bus.
After a little rest at the hotel we went to a movie theater with comfy reclining seats to see "Frozen." Everybody enjoyed it and all of the kids said "eeeeww!" during the kissing part. :-)
Before heading home on Friday we had bunch with Aunt Jodi and then a final swim in the pool.
It was such a great trip. Everything turned out better and went smoother than I could have imagined. Every time I think about the trip I get a smile on my face ... except I am missing the leftover thanksgiving turkey.
