Christmas, Shopping, and a Show

Today we thought we’d start with the Empire State Building since it was one of the few ‘attractions’ that were open. We walked there from our hotel, about 10 blocks or so.

A few pics on the way:

When we arrived the line-up was around the corner, so we decided to forego it for today and instead come back nice and early one day to avoid the crowds. We decided just to walk the 10 or more blocks to FAO Schwartz, the toy store. We thought a great Christmas Day activity for the kids would be to go to a giant toy store and spend some money.

As we were leaving, someone important showed up, as indicated by the armed entourage:

Word up…this would never happen here. No one gets a taxpayer-paid armed escort. You’re on your own for bodily protection up here, no matter who you are.

More various city shots:

I couldn’t stop photographing this city, it was awesome!!

Can you see what we spotted across the street?

Jorden decided to do a present-day translation of Madame Liberty:

iPod, Starbucks and raybans. Heh.

As we walked along I got some terrific shots of the city.

We wandered around and passed many great sites, including Saks (wow, we are standing in front of sAks!!!):

The old Public Library building which was fantastic:

There were a couple of desk chairs out front, so the kids sat for a photo:

Lord and TAylors:

Kelsey was imitating the window scenes:

And on almost every corner in New York are hot dogs:

pretzels and nuts:

and handbags:

(*gasp* I just said handbag! Instead of purse…New York rubbed off on me. )

This was a window in Saks, I don’t quote get what they were going for with the caveman holding a pretzel, the Hornet, etc.

I think this is Rockefeller:

Then we came upon the beautiful gothic church we had seen from our buses, I believe it is called St.Thomas, but there are so many architecturally beautiful churches in New York it’s hard to keep them all straight.

It was almost time for their Christmas Day Mass, and folks were both filing in, and filing in and out just for a look, which was our choice. The architecture of this church is just breathtaking, and I would love to get back in a time when it is less busy for some better photographs.

Of course, Kelsey had to have her Hammy photo, which garnered some strange glances from onlookers:

We passed Trump Tower:

Cartier and Tiffany’s store fronts are very similar:

Land of the plenty, I guess:

We admired Bergdorf Goodman from the outside, the only side we can afford to admire her from:

The Plaza:

Leave it to Apple to design the most forwardly artistic building in the city:

Then we arrived at FAO Schwartz. This is a fairly large toy store, and the staff all dress up in coresponding costumes to the area they work in. The first thing we (I) notice is the Nutcracker Prince made from jelly beans. Yum!

We actuall find a whole section of retro-candy which I spent awhile reminiscing in, and I bought a few items.

Lots of toys of every kind here.

Every natural redhead’s nemesis:

These dolls felt like real newborns, but don’t pick one up or a “nurse” will quickly scold you. yeesh.

Kelsey bought one of these baby seals:

I asked her if she was going to club it.

Sorry, bad Canadian joke.

I wanted this little guy:

Doesn’t JOhn look sooo happy to be here?

Hammy and Santa:

Kelsey is looking a little too comfortalble with this wookie for my liking:

More great lego sculptures:

We spent an hour or two in the store, then decided it was time to move on. Got our picture with a doorman on the way out:

Me and my candy:

Jorden wanted a photo with this 9 for some reason:

We walked a bit to the closest stop for one of the buses.

Turns out we arrived at Carnegie Hall:

soon a bus came, and we got on the open topped one this time, thinking it would be cool to be in the open this time. Wrongo!

I did get some great photos while my hands worked, before they were rendered useless by the frigid air:

I like this one:

A few more:

This is one the last remaining buildings where the ads are painted on:

Flatiron building:

We got off the bus soon enough because we were all freezing our arses off.

At some point in the day, can’t remember when, Jorden spots this subway entrance and runs over, mocking me, yells “Oh my god! It’s the New York Subway!!!”. Wanker.

We did some shopping in China Town, grabbed a faux-meal at McDonald’s, and then boarded a COVERED bus to Battery Park.

Big stretch!

These guys are all over this park:

This ball is very moving:

here’s what it’s all about:

What a beautiful day!

These birds were having a bath:

Ever since Kelsey could walk she has enjoyed a game of Bird Chasing. She would find birds – even better, groups of birds – and chase them until they flew away. Well, to this day she STILL does this!

These birds wouldn’t fly tho, they’d just run.

Her in mid jump, the bird in flight:

A neat sculpture on the dock:

Lady Liberty:

The memorial:

A very photogenic building:

There were lots of squirrels, and I took this photo of a lady feeding one. Yup, that would be a MENTO she is trying to feed him. Wow.

Some more buildings:

We decided to catch the subway home since it was right here. Can you guess what I said when we got on?? (Oh my god, we’re on the NYC subway!!!)

Hammy:

Unfortunately, this was the last known spotting of Hammy. His whereabouts are now unknown. If you spot little Hammy anywhere, please return him to his owner. So sad.

The subway station:

I’m not sure what this billboard was getting at, other than I make good clothes.

When we arrived back at our hotel room, the fridge we had only asked for 6 times had finally arrived. Fully stocked! And also a complimentary bottle of wine and a cheese/fruit plate with a note of apology. Wonderful.

Time to get gussied up for our fancy Christmas dinner at Shula’s and then to broadway to see Chicago.

I think we all clean up nice:

*sigh* Jorden. Gotta’ love him.

Kelsey and her appy:

Jorden:

Dinner was quite nice, I had the prix fixe and so did Kelsey. I had lobster bisque, a salad, steak, and cheesecake. Kelsey had the same except with shrimp cocktail. Desert was the best part! Here’s JOrden’s:

Then it was time to go to:

The show was spectacular. We had really good seats near the stage. I wondered if Jorden was going to like it, but I think he enjoyed it the most (I’m sure it had nothing to do with the scantily clad women, either.) IT was fun just to watch him and see the look on his face, he was very into the show and enjoyed it very much.

We walked around a bit after, and then back to the hotel. WAtched TV and read until about midnight, and we all went to bed.