Drew & NYC

Last week my little brother called me up and said he wanted to come for a visit. He's been working in Tennessee and Alabama for the summer and figured Boston wasn't so far away so he might as well go east before he has to head west again. He was on our doorstep two days later. We already had a trip to New York planned for our niece's baptism and nephew's blessing so Drew came with us. He'd never been before so it was really perfect timing.

The Pope was in town the same weekend so the city was bustling. The first day we were there we headed down to the World Trade Center 9/11 Memorial and discovered the Pope had just left. We ate some pizza on the edge of a little park and watched a variety of religious leaders and spectators pour out of the memorial site. 

We walked down to Wall Street and then over to the Brooklyn Bridge. By then I was definitely feeling tired so I let the boys walk across the bridge and back while I sat under a tree and rested. I actually liked having some time to just sit and watch people.

One of the spots I really wanted to see on this trip to the city is a little yarn store called Purl Soho. They have the most amazing yarns in the brightest colors. It was a little slice of heaven. I don't think we've spent much time in Soho and we didn't have a lot this day either but from what I saw I love it! Next time we're in NYC I want to spend all of our time there!

After the my niece's baptism on Saturday (more on that later) we headed out to Governors Island. There was a street fair on the way down to the subway so naturally we had to grab a few snacks.

I'd never been to Governors Island before, it was a very short ferry ride from the city but with green grass and trees it felt much farther away. The views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan couldn't be beat! We had lunch from a variety of food trucks on the island including a burrito that I could eat again and again. I miss Mexican food!

We jumped off the train in Times Square and I think it blew Drew's mind a little bit. We were so tired of walking at this point and in desperate need of a bathroom. If there is one thing New York City doesn't have it's enough public bathrooms. We found one on the third floor of the Toys R Us so if you're ever in Times Square and need one- you're welcome. We ended up finding a little cafe table with three chairs and sat there for a good long while letting our legs rest and just watching all the madness swirl by. By the time we got back to my brother-in-law's apartment we were starving again so we popped across the street for some dinner at Tom's Restaurant (the one from Seinfeld). Drew loves that show so it was the perfect place to go.

After church on Sunday we headed for Rockefeller Center. This is one of my very favorite places in New York. We did the Top of the Rock tour which is always good- I think this makes my third time. We sat on top of the Rockefeller building for a good hour looking at the city and talking. I haven't spent an extended amount of time with my little brother since just after I got home from my mission and we lived in the same apartment complex so it's been really nice to just hang out again.

We left New York that night and got to watch the lunar eclipse from start to finish in the car. It was a very busy weekend and it might take me weeks to recover the regular use of my legs and back but it was so worth it.