Raindrops kept falling on our heads....

Tuesday we didn't let a rainy forecast deter us, no, not us!  We tramped through the streets of NYC making our way to the two favorite stores of chocolate lovers most anywhere - M&M World and the Hershey Store!  The kids were excited to compile their own bags of the delicious little colored morsels and take in all the various items with the characters on them.  At the Hershey store, first thing we noticed was the overwhelming scent of chocolate!  It was heavenly - unfortunately, the extra-large crowd in the super-tiny store kept us from spending too long in there!

After spending time getting our chocolate fix, we set out to visit one of the FDNY stations - we figured that we'd rather support a local fire house and buy one of their t-shirts that just some vendor....so we visited "the pride of Midtown" - Station 54 -- officially known as Engine 54 Ladder 4 Battalion 9.  We found them preparing dinner...but did not ask if we could stay!  One of the guys we met at Station 54 actually worked at Station 23 - the Lion's Den - the truck we saw on our first day here.

After leaving station 54, we made our way back to Times Square and rode the City Sights bus on our Night Tour of NYC.  One of the stops was Grand Central Terminal where we saw the beautiful clock shown below.  The second picture below is an eagle on the outside of the terminal.  We were also shown the "Whispering Corners" in the terminal as well as the "Kissing Hall" and told about the legend of Track 41.

Wednesday we slept in and let our legs rest a bit and got a late start.  We made our way (in the rain again!) to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum where we got to see the Enterprise, the prototype space shuttle that was awarded to New York by NASA.  She's a mighty fine bird.  Rachel made the comment that she felt like she was in science class when we were looking at the exhibits of the tools used in space!

Ryan enjoyed seeing the older war birds on the flight deck of Intrepid, and then we toured the inside again.  After closing the museum down, we made our way back toward the all-so-familiar Port Authority Bus terminal.  We're getting pretty good at finding restaurants that the locals frequent and have enjoyed them. After dinner, we made our way back to our hotel to tackle the dirty laundry...we hate to go home with dirty clothes!

We still have the Top of the Rock, Empire State Building and the 9/11 Memorial Museum to go!

Here's a link to the updated album - I've added more photos!

https://featherstonfamilyfrolics.shutterfly.com/pictures/965

Merry Christmas everyone - we're having a blast!

The Frolicking Featherstons

Lots of Legs and Lady Liberty too!

Sunday we had tickets to see the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes - and what a show!  (Getting tickets four months in advance has more than just the advantage of having something to look forward to....you can actually get really great seats when you buy them that early!)   We'd kept the show a surprise for the kids until just before we left for the trip, but they had both seen Radio City Music Hall on the television, so they recognized the neon when they saw it, and knew that they had seen it on our previous trip to NYC.  We loved the show - I think my favorite parts were Santa and the Rockettes dressed as reindeer, and then when the girls were dressed as shiny, sparkly, snowflakes!

After leaving the show, we made our way to Macy's to see their Christmas window displays, strolled the eight stories at the Herald Square store, then made our way to Fifth Avenue and saw the sights and lights on our way to FAO Schwartz!  I think Chuck and I had as much with the various stuffed animals and toys as the kids did.

Making our way back to the subway, old-pros at this game by now you know!, we got back to the hotel and readied for day two -- a boat ride to Lady Liberty and Ellis Island!

Okay -- so I ride to work every morning during rush hour in Houston.....most of you know this, and you would think that I would keep this in mind as I purchased tickets for our excursion....but did I?  Heck no, we would be on VACATION....so why would we need to worry about RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC in the most populous area of our country?  HEEEEELLLLLLLOOOOO?????  What a dork!  Chuck and I just looked at each other when we heard the words "standing room only" come out of the bus driver's mouth as we tried to board the bus into the city....then we understood.  Today was a MONDAY, a work day for the rest of the world.  So, we impatiently waited in the 36 degree weather for the next bus that was "right behind this one" according to the driver, just don't loan him a few bucks, okay?  25 minutes later, the next bus comes, and, yes, it is full as well.  We don't care that we have to stand, we get on and take the 35-40 minute ride into the city, then hop off bus, run to subway, then make it to the Statue Cruises place about 20 minutes late.  No worries, we're happy, we can catch the next boat!  Whew!  What a day already - and it's only 9:30!

We rode the ferry to see that grand Lady -- we went up in to the pedestal but were not brave enough to ascend the 188 additional stairs to the crown....there is not an EMS station on the island!  But, I did get some great shots of Liberty, we toured the museum, and then went through Ellis Island and then came back to Manhattan.  Having still several hours of daylight left, we made our way to the 9/11 Tribute Museum.

The 9/11 Tribute Museum is staffed by survivors and family members of survivors of the tragedy.  I was not prepared to turn the first corner and see the images of the twin towers in smoke.....I teared up immediately.  The images, artifacts, and exhibits as well as the notes left by visitors in this museum touched me.  Chuck and I had visited the Memorial Pools on our visit of July 2012, but this was more personal.  It is hard to explain.  We will go back for a tour of the Memorial Pools one day later this week and will have a guide that be with us to offer a "first-hand" view....

After drying our eyes, we decide we wanted to visit the South Street Seaport for some delicious seafood for dinner.  Unfortunately, after arriving there, we saw the signs notifying all that Pier 17 is currently under construction ... best laid plans of mice, men and Marie!  Plan B -- Texas Rotisserie Grill!  Pretty decent fare overall!  Once again we brave rush hour travel on subway and bus and make it back to hotel in time for kids to go swimming this evening.

Appears that NYC will be warmer the next two days than Houston will be....we'll be having fun up here - y'all have fun down there and keep warm!

I've uploaded some pics that I took....here's a link to the album:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=wEbNm7Vu5as2rlA

The kids got new cameras for Christmas - we gave them to them before we left Houston.  They shot lots of pictures, and I will upload them to their own albums and post the links soon, just have to cull through those photos and get the best ones....

It's quite interesting to see what photos they take versus what I take....my parents were photographers, I love it, and now they enjoy it as well.  Three generations.....my parents would be proud!

The Frolicking Featherston's
Chuck, Marie, Rachel & Ryan

Our first bite out of The Big Apple - Take Two!

Well, the day finally arrived....we caught the early morning flight out of Houston and made our way on the airline we luv to our holiday destination!  Pleasant flight, long wait for luggage, bumpy cab ride, lots of traffic, finally got to the hotel, ditched the luggage, grabbed the camera and headed out to tackle the core!

So the last time we were here, there were only 8.6 million of our closest friends.  Well, they were still here, but their relatives were here with them -- all 10.2 million of them -- or so it seemed!  We found them all at The American Girl store, then again at Rockefeller Center and the Lego store....whew!

No matter what city I visit, I see a fire truck - and this trip is no exception.  Right as we approached Rockefeller Center to take in the beautiful tree, what to our wondering ears do we hear, but the peals of the sirens of those brave men and women from FDNY Station 23 - the Lion's Den.  We loved their decorated engine.

After braving the masses at Rockefeller Center, we proved that we could be veterans at spending a day in the city and returning to the outlying areas ... all without missing too many heartbeats!  Tomorrow it is on to see those leggy ladies known as The Rockettes.  Just as we made our way past Radio City Music Hall tonight, a large black custom coach came down the road and was stopped by a crowd of screaming young ladies.  By the way the young ladies were beating on the glass and screaming, I would think that the guys inside were truly glad they were on the inside while the "wild beasts" were on the outside of the glass!  Rumors were that it was members of the band One Direction....but who knows!

As we wind down our first day, we look forward to sharing the memories and photos with you .... stay tuned as we frolic along!

The Frolicking Featherstons

2014 - Where did the time go?

Here we sit in December -- but what happened to (in ?) April, June and November?

Can't say that I like speeding through life -- but looking back at the pictures I took, it sure does seem like we had a good time!

In April, we took our annual Bluebonnet photos --

In July we went to Baton Rouge for my 30 year high school reunion....and August we started 5th grade at Epiphany Lutheran School.

September we enjoyed volleyball games....

and I traveled to Wilmington DE for another trial.  While there, coworkers and I visited Winterthur, the duPont family retreat.  What a gorgeous place...

In October I spent most of the month in Wisconsin ... got to see the beautiful fall colors!

In November we made our annual trek to Fredericksburg, TX to Wildseed Farms.  We buy wild flower seeds and throw them out at our Huntsville place in hopes of seeing them in the spring....but we've not had much luck.  Try, try again, right?  Anyway, last year we found this quaint little settlement owned by San Antonio Shoes and I was able to take a few pics of the kids there...

We will spend a week in NYC soon - stay tuned for pics of that wonderful time!  Here's to 2015 -- it's coming whether we want it to or not!  Let's make the best of it!

The Frolicking Featherston Family....