Kid Free In NYC

Kid free in NYC!

Last week my precious, generous, adorable, fun, wonderful parents took Amanda and I to the Big Apple for an (much needed) adult vacation.  We arrived in NYC early morning Wednesday and quickly checked in our hotel before heading out to explore. 

 The rain didn't stop us from enjoying time outside.

My mom and I were dressed identical majority of the trip. 

Amanda looking stylish in the rain. 

 One of my favorite parts of NYC is Bryant Park.  It was one of our first (of many) stops. 

I love this picture of my mom taking in the beautiful park. 

 Saint Patrick's is another classic NYC stop that we couldn't resist. It is so incredible to step off the dirty, loud streets and enter into such a peaceful place.  

The Gang

Yes, we are in bed.  Yes, it was 3:30.  Yes, it was nice to relax without watching a monitor. 

After a short nap, we headed out for a yummy Italian dinner.  Amanda quickly spotted Jin from Lost and boldly asked to take a picture with him. 

Thursday we woke up and enjoyed a nice cup of coffee in the hotel lounge.  The lounge is located a few stories up off of Times Square and had incredible views/people watching.  

After coffee, we walked to Penelope's and devoured a life-changing brunch filled with fresh squeezed orange juice, scrambled eggs sandwiches, and strawberry coconut waffles.  

To. Die. For.

After stuffing our faces with syrup and dough, we walked a few miles to the 9/11 Memorial.  It was so moving and something every American should experience. It made me proud to be an American and even prouder to be a Veterans wife. 

 After a long day of walking it felt AMAZING to soak our toes in a hot bath. 

While waiting in line to buy musical tickets we sucked down milk chocolate shakes and were entertained by girls promoting Chicago.  

Wow. They were bad and it was funny! 

For dinner we ate at Bobby Flay's (incredible) Bar Americain before heading to see Sister Act. 

 The next day we were up with the sun to go see Live with Kelly! 

It is hard to believe it but she is tinier in person.

 After the show we spent hours walking around and exploring NYC.

For dinner we ate at Alex Guarnaschelli's restaurant Butter. We had a great time eating through her entire menu.  We literally had to be rolled out of the doors. :)

NYC = Gibson City

Mom looking cute hailing a taxi.

On our final day we walked out of our hotel only to find a huge marathon taking place in Times Square.  

While we watched people run we downed a (life-changing coconut creme filled) Planet Donut donuts. 

Oh yeah and a goat walked by... only in NYC.

After our life-changing donut experience, we hopped on a bus and enjoyed a tour of the city.

 It is so amazing to see how different every street is in NYC. 

 After the bus tour we stumbled on the mecca of food cart events.

We ate Greek. We ate Italian. We ate Mexican.

We ate savory. We ate sweet.

Chelsea market is another favorite NYC stop of mine.  My sweet parents bought Amanda and I beautiful rings to remember our trip.

If you know me, you know I enjoy a good celebrity.  Being in NYC I couldn't resist a little stalking adventure.  So I goggled Bethenny Frankel, found her address, and took a picture on her doorstep. 

Is that strange? 

Bucket List.

Enjoy a glass (or two) of wine in the middle of the afternoon in Little Italy with three of my favorites. CHECK.

 I love all the fresh veggy stands randomly placed throughout the city.

What famous people did we spot in the Big Apple? 

They were all random. They were all D-listers. They were counted.

Billy Crudup from Big Fish

Jin from Lost

Perez Hilton

Raven Symone

Stephanie March (Bobby Flay's wife)

Amanda Knox

We started and ended our trip in Bryant Park.

Thanks Mom and Dad for an incredible vacation that I will remember forever.

See you again someday New York.

 Where was Benjamin during this trip?!?!
Well... don't worry about him because he was sitting pretty at Miss E and Boots taking sink baths, eating yummy food, and being spoiled every second.

The Future Mrs. Riddell

 This past weekend I enjoyed a weekend at the lake celebrating my favorite brunette pal the future Mrs. Riddell.  We arrived early evening Friday and sipped a few lake-side beverages while watching the sunset. 

We woke up and enjoyed an amazing NYC styled brunch filled with Kristen's favorites from her days living in the big apple. Tiffany, Kristen's sister, made sure the bride felt super loved!

Mimosa. Nutella French Toast. Banana Pudding. Yes please!

The gang.

What do you do after filling your bellies with pastries and sugar... 

Duh!... get into you bikinis and go lay out!

It was so wonderful to kick back, read a magazine, and girl talk with old college roommates and new friends.

Taking a break from the sun.

After a fun day in the sun, we gussied up for a yummy dinner at a local vineyard.

After enjoying some vino we came back to the house for some red velvet cake balls and gifts.

We all had a great weekend and Kristen felt super loved ... tiny upside down tiara and all. :)  

It's The Simple Things In Life

This week Benjamin and I traveled to Mckinney for a quick visit before my sister, parents and I are off to NYC (heck yeah!) next week.  My sister offered to play with Ben while I snuck in some quality aunt time with my favorite 2 year old.  Luke is at such a fun age filled with pirates, cowboys, dress up, and so much imagination. 

Kids cone + Luke = a little piece of heaven.  

It's the simple things in life.

Cheese!

Love those baby blues.

Don't tell your Mom I ordered you onion rings too. :)

 Luke was watching me play with Audrey yesterday and quickly ran up to me and said, 'Aunt Ali loves Luke."  Is it bad that I liked to see him a little jealous? It made me feel so loved. 

Don't worry kid... I love you to the moon and back... tiny tattoo and all!

I can't do a post without a picture of my precious Benjamin.

He turned 15 months this week and it getting so big! I will do another post after we go to the doctor but till then enjoy this little cutie...

Great Expectations

Great expectations is exactly what I had Saturday morning.  Ben was camera ready and the weather was perfect, overcast with little sun.  I have seen 100's of adorable bluebonnet pictures on facebook/other blogs and was determined to re-create my very own Texas tradition picture.  

Benjamin had other plans...

"Really Mom!?! A field of weeds? I am not too sure about this..."

"Hello? Dad, can I get some help?!"

"No, really people.  I'm not liking this one bit."

"Dad, that isn't funny! Your hat isn't going to make it better this time!"

"I HATE BLUEBONNETS!"