the bailey's take a bite out of the big apple

Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today

I want to be a part of it - New York, New York

Brian & I spent last weekend in New York, for my Birthday & because B has never been. It was SUCH a great, just really fun trip. We checked off almost everything on our itinerary & actually added some things to it.

It all kicked off Wednesday night when Brian surprised me with a cookie cake & a few gifts, including the flip mino. It's a tiny video camera that records up to 60 minutes at a time & was perfect in NY!

my cake!

Friday afternoon we arrived in NY & took a cab to the Hilton. Upon checking in we were surprised with beautiful flowers & a gift basket (full of wine, cheese, crackers, apples & chocolate - yum) from my parents, sister & nephew (thank you guys). We spent the next few hours checking things out around the hotel - on 5th Avenue, the Apple Store, Trump Tower, FAO Schwartz, Tiffany's. Friday evening we had dinner reservations at Sushi Yasuda (yum!), then we went to the Rainbow Room (the top of the GE Building) for drinks & to check out the view. What a great start to our weekend in the Big Apple!

Saturday was my Birthday - my first birthday married! We got up "early" and caught the subway to Ground Zero. It's SO mind boggling to think of the tradgedy that happened almost 7 years ago. My college roommates & I visited the site in 2002, when it was much fresher, but still, to be there today & think about the events and how they played out was just insane.

We spent the rest of the day walking - went to the South Street Seaport, Brooklyn Bridge (amazing), Soho, the Empire State Building, Virgin Records Megastore. Brian wanted to hang out in a non-touristy bar, so we went to Connolly's for drinks on the way back to the hotel.

here's who we found in Soho - do you think it's a sign?

One highlight of the weekend was the Giants vs. Jets pre-season game. We took a bus into New Jersey, to the Meadowlands & Giant's Stadium, for the game. The seats couldn't have been better - we were right beside the tunnel that both teams used & in the first row. I took my good camera & snapped some great pics of Eli Manning & Brett Farve - very strange to see him in real life & in a Jets jersey!!

Sunday we slept in a little, then went to Central Park & had brunch at Tavern on the Green. The atmosphere was so fun! After brunch we went to the matinee of Wicked, which was SO good - both Brian & I loved it! It was a well told story, both funny & emotional - very entertaining!

In keeping with the busyness of the city, we hurried to the pier, after the play, for a dinner cruise on the World Yacht. If you go to NY, do this! It was one of the best things we did - such a GREAT way to see the city (and Statue of Liberty), eat dinner, and enjoy a very fun & romantic atmosphere. And, as a bonus, we met a very cute older couple - who befriended us and made sure to get our contact info. They were adorable, and had been married for 50+ years - how admirable! The Malone's (notice how B calls them the Miller's on the video) live in New Jersey & have Giant's season tickets, which they've offered to us to use! I really think B might take them up on it!

The weekend went by so quickly & it was Monday before we knew it! One last trip to Central Park & lunch in a cute little cafe called Pazza Notte, and we were off to the airport!

What a great way to spend a birthday - we had an amazing weekend! Here's a link all 206 pictures we took!

a little flip footage from the big apple (about 6 minutes of random tidbits)