Celebrating Two Years

I admit I’m a little behind on my blogging but better late than never, right? I truly love this time of year but sure do wish it would sloooow down. It seems like yesterday I was in NYC and Christmas was still weeks away. I miss NYC already! I’m technically “half yankee” so I have the city crave in my blood stream. Thankfully, I married a handsome southern gentleman, a good ole’ Georgia boy, who despite his southern roots has a big love for the city as well. We celebrated our 2nd anniversary touring New York City with friends. The weather was (very) cold, the company was great and the days full of activities were a blast.

 To avoid boring you, I will only post a "few" pictures.

We took over 300 (at least!).

 One of the many beautiful trees in the Waldorf Astoria

Billy & Mrs. Clause at Macy's - Santa's line was too long

Posing for Billy :)

 Broadway

 M&M store

 Rockefeller Center - the tree was gorgeous!

 St. Paul's Cathedral

 Times Square

View of the Empire State Building from Macy's

I’m so-so blessed and happy to be married to my best friend.

These two years have been the best two years of my life,

I love being Billy’s wife. Each day is sweeter!

And I cannot forget a big thank you to my Aunt Donna & Uncle Jimmy for taking Mr. Bird and I to and from the airport and allowing us to stay at Casa' Boeri for our incoming and outgoing nights. We always enjoy our time with you and appreciate your over the top hospitality! xo

“Start Spreading the News…”

New York, New York by Frank Sinatra has such great memories for me. That song feels like home every time I hear it. As a kid my family would take vacations to New York to see my mom’s relatives. My parents would wake my brother and I up in the middle of the night singing the lyrics to New York, New York so we could get in the car and begin our journey. It was better than Disney to us! We would drive through the night and occasionally make a stop in D.C. We traveled with a cooler between my brother and I to try and avoid the bickering that would approach about the 9th hour of driving. You all know what I’m talking about, “He’s touching meeeee!!!!!” New York was one of my favorite places as a child. I remember seeing the city as a kid thinking, “there’s nothing like this”. So fast forward to today, my love for NYC hasn’t changed, it’s grown. I mean seriously, who doesn’t love the big apple? Recently, I had a week off with my husband and I knew where I wanted to go. I booked airfare and surprised Billy with a trip…throwing in a baseball game scored me many points. :) Billy himself found a love for NY last summer and we enjoyed this trip so much that we cannot wait to go again.

While there, we were able to spend time in the city and time at Aunt Donna & Uncle Jimmy’s house to see family. Seriously, staying the night with my Aunt Donna is better than booking a bed & breakfast. The Harry & David’s bedside chocolates were the kicker and Billy was ready to move in! The Mets were playing the Braves and we had a blast at the game. The Yankee Stadium tour was really neat for anyone who is in NYC for a day, especially a baseball fan, it’s worth getting the ticket. After “baseball” day was complete we took time to stroll Park Ave. and look for our next property investment (totally kidding). Shopped 5th Ave., walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, ate NY pizza (of course) and mastered the subway like pros. I already have a list of what I want to do next time we head to NYC! Here are a few pictures of our trip.

Billy in the hotel

Yankee Dugout - a highlight of the trip

Mets vs. Braves game (yes, I wore my yankee hat to a Mets game)

Times Square

Brooklyn Bridge - walked to Brooklyn

We have hundreds of photos but I won't bore you with those. :) Now that Billy & I have been to the city together in the summer and spring, I’d love to go in the winter together. There is nothing like the city at Christmas time! I hope everyone is having a great week!

Ten states in Seven days!

Billy and I had the last week of August off for vacation. We didn’t really have a plan, we just wanted to be off at the same time and enjoy each other. We decided to head to Atlanta for the weekend to visit with his sister, Peggy, and thought we’d catch a Braves game while we were there (a once a summer ‘must-do’ according to Billy). At the Sunday afternoon Braves game Billy said, “Wouldn’t it be fun to keep going and head north”. I wasn’t sure if he was serious so I told him not to tease me. We talked about doing this at some point, maybe next year, but never did I think we were going to take this trip now. He wasn’t kidding, he said it would be fun to just get in the car and see where we end up, start by heading to Washington D.C. So we did! I was excited; I love a good road trip and was SO thankful that we both had over packed. After the game we headed to Wal-mart, a necessary pit stop before any road trip! We got an oil change and shopped while we waited. It was fun loading up with water, cheez-its, candy, you know... fun car food. Shortly after saying goodbye to Peggy & Mark, whom I sure thought we were nuts, we were on the highway. We arrived in DC by Monday AM and immediately started touring (yes, with no sleep). It was Billy’s first trip to DC and I haven’t been since a kid so we both were looking forward to sightseeing. By late afternoon we found a hotel downtown and decided to clean up and find food – we had been living off of car goodies and needed serious nutrition! Monday evening we continued touring and saw the Washington monument, Lincoln memorial and the White House. Luckily, Obama was on his 25k vacation so we didn’t have any run-ins. :-) Tuesday we toured all the Smithsonian museums, exhausting but it was a blast. DC really is a wonderful place full of interesting sights, tons of history and free things to do.

Ha-ha! He was "blending in" with the display.

Former First Lady, Barbara Bush's, Inaugural Dress

Wednesday we decided to head north again, ending up in Baltimore for breakfast & to see the Orioles stadium. We made it to Philadelphia in time for lunch – a Philly Cheese steak was a must. I saw the Liberty Bell in college on a road trip but wanted Billy to see it as well – we walked around Philly and had a great time!

Liberty Bell

Isn't he the cutest?

New York City, my favorite place on earth, was our final destination. We arrived in NY for dinner and enjoyed a couple days in the big apple. Billy wanted to see the Yankee Stadium (if you haven’t noticed a theme, I have a major baseball fan on my hands!) and I wanted him to see all the touristy sights, Lady Liberty, Times Square, Macy’s, Central Park…you know, the good stuff! We had fun riding the subway and getting around Manhattan. I’m proud to say we didn’t get lost once – years of riding the subway, I think I finally “got it”. I love the fast pace and rush of the city, however, after the big city Billy said he was just about ready to head back to Georgia. He’s such a southern man but I love that about him. Thursday evening my Aunt Donna & Uncle Jimmy treated us to a boat ride to Fire Island (no cars allowed on the island!) for dinner and a sunset toast. We had a lot of fun and it was the perfect way to end our fun spontaneous summer vacation!

Central Park is beautiful

Lower Manhattan, near Wall Street

We were beat! Tons of walking the entire week and we were at the end of our journey.

(Subway)

Aunt Donna & I on Fire Island

Boat ride to Fire Island

Friday morning it was time to head home, we wanted to recoup before “life” hit again on Monday. We drove; correction…Billy drove, the entire 18 hours home! We hit traffic and bad weather on the drive home so it extended our trip by 3 hours. We arrived back home by 3:30 AM and I have NEVER been so excited nor thankful for my bed. It was such a fun trip and I’m glad we were able to have this adventure together. Five major cities: ATL, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, NYC; 2,300 miles; 450 pictures; $52.60 in toll fees; 10 states in 7 days and all with my best friend!