Monday, November 15, 2010

The Best Birthday Trip Ever!

I was so excited to carry on the tradition of taking the last child on a NYC trip for the 12th birthday celebration. Grayson and I left Thursday morning and started our exploration of NYC via subway--one of almost 100 subway trips we made during our 4-day trip.

First stop--Time Square--had to make sure he was "wowed" right off the bat...

Went up to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building...

...and enjoyed the view!

We stopped off at the best toy store ever...

...and Grayson promised he wouldn't complain about practicing if he had one of these ($250,000 price tag won't cut it for one of his Christmas gifts)

Couldn't miss stopping off at Mr. Trump's place since Grayson enjoys watching The Apprentice.

Spent a couple of hours in the amazing Sony Wonder Technology Lab...

Climbed to the top of the Statue of Liberty and visited Ellis Island...

Took a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge...

Went to dinner with my nephew Cameron King, his beautiful wife Erin and darling boys Hudson and Sawyer...

Played a little after dinner at the fun stores in Times Square...

The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center arrived just that morning via truck and the decorating will begin so the tree can be lit after Thanksgiving...

Celebrated Grayson's actual birthday (FINALLY!) on Saturday morning performing baptisms at the Manhattan Temple--I LOVE how Angel Moroni is just there in the middle of Manhattan!

Found great finds in Chinatown, visited Little Italy and stopped at the World Trade Center where they're working on new buildings to replace the twin towers...

OK. Favorite place. Dylan's Candy Bar. 5 pound sundae for $10. Grayson a bit embarrassed. We both couldn't finish it. Heaven.

Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum with my favorite actress of all time...

Grayson loved every minute of The Lion King and enjoyed the best birthday of his life (so far)!

After church in the Manhattan 1st Ward with Cameron and his family, we made our last stops at the Museum of Natural History...

...and beautiful Central Park in 65-degree weather before heading back to Utah. Brrr....


7 comments:

Misty said...

I am on my laptop and can actually comment! Looks like fun. What a neat tradition. I have never been to New York, but someday...

~Love Lis said...

Awesome!!! I absolutely LOVE Dylan's Candy Bar, so I'm glad that you stopped there. Glad you had a fun vacation!

Shauna said...

Could you have done ANYTHING MORE?!!!! You two were on the go! K, what about La Maison du Chocolat? Did you get there? Dylan's candy bar is my first stop next time I visit the big city! What a great memory for you both!

Courtnie said...

Jealous! I miss my family!

I've never heard of Dylan's (am I out of it?) so I'll have to try it next time we go.

Karen said...

Can I celebrate my next 12th bday with you???

Mrs. O said...

What a fun tradition! I need to take Blaine to New York and you and John need to come with us.

The Huntsville Dunns said...

Holy cow!!! That is sooo awesome for Grayson to do all of that fun stuff with his wonderful mother :). I have to admit, I think the coolest thing for my kids would be going to Trump Towers!!! They love that show too!!