Thanksgiving in New York City

This Thanksgiving, we ventured back to the East Coast to spend the holiday with Jim's family in New York City. Jim's parents have been living in Manhattan for 7 years now, and it's a fun place to go back and visit. New York has so much to do, and we kept ourselves busy the entire week we were there.

We arrived the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and enjoyed a great home cooked meal from Jim's sister Mary. She's becoming quite a good cook! Jim's other sister, Meg and her husband Steve all came over to welcome us and enjoy some laughs.

On Sunday, we did a lot of walking around the city to see some of the holiday decorations already up. Jim's older sister Kirsten drove up from Pennsylvania to hang out with us. At Rockefeller Center the Christmas tree was already up, but unfortunately it was covered with scaffolding, as they were decorating it with lights. We could still see how huge it is though, and can't wait to see it all lit up. After walking around for a while we went to The Yale Club for some lunch, where Meg, Mary and Steve all joined us. After lunch we went back to Meg and Steve's apartment to watch the Giants game and relax. It was a busy day to start our trip!

At Rockefeller Center with Dad, Kirsten, & Mom


Quick family picture after lunch at The Yale Club

On Monday, we already had plans to go to the Late Show with David Letterman, which they tape at night. During the day we did some more exploring around the city and made our way to Times Square. As always, the city was bustling, so we got worn out pretty fast. We made our way down to the taping of the Late Show where we saw Tom Arnold and Faith Hill. It was a fun experience, and we loved it! After the show, we went to The Oak Room which is a nice restaurant/bar in The Plaza Hotel.

Waiting to enter The Late Show


Christine in front of The Plaza Hotel

Jim hadn't seen his grandmother in a couple years, so on Tuesday we took a trip down to New Jersey to visit her. She had only met Christine once, before we were married, and this time, she's pregnant!

Outside Jim's Grandmother's house

With Jim's Grandmother

We were determined to experience the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but we were hesitant to go stand out in the freezing weather, fighting the crowds on Thanksgiving morning. So, instead, on Wednesday, we walked through Central Park, over to where they blow up the huge balloons for the parade. It was a blast! Some say it's more fun than the parade itself. It's true! We got to see so many of the balloons being blow up, and were amazed at how huge they were. That night, Jim went to see some college basketball games at Madison Square Garden with his Dad, while Christine enjoyed a girls night out with Jim's mom and sisters.

Buzz Lightyear (from Toy Story)
This was his first year in the parade and led the parade

Horton and Shrek being blown up behind us

Christine, Mary, Mom, & Meg at the top of Rockefeller Center

On Thanksgiving, Mary, Meg and Steve all came over to Jim's parents apartment where we enjoyed Thanksgiving lunch. As always it was delicious and we gourged ourselves full!

In the few trips we've been back to NYC, we've tried to get into Serenditiy, a popular restaurant, about 4 times. On Friday, we were determined to get in, so we waited over an hour, and we can say that it was worth the wait. The food was great, and the place was wildly decorated. After lunch, we went to a bar in Union Square where we met up with one of Jim's college friends to watch the Colorado-Nebraska game. It was a disappointing loss for the Buffs, but a fun time regardless, and good to see an old friend again.

Waiting outside Serendipity...4th times a charm!

We ordered the very popular "Frozen Hot Chocloate"

At Side Bar in Union Square with Jim's friend John and his girlfriend

Jim's family had planned a baby shower for us while we were back East, so on Saturday, we gathered at Monte's in Greenwich Village for a delicious lunch! Some of Jim's relatives, who he hasn't seen in a few years, came, and it was a really fun time!

Jim's cousin Andrew, brother-in-law Steve, and sister Meg

With Jim's neices & nephew (Corbin, Will, Avery)

With Jim's cousin Caroline and her husband Ralph

Walking around Greenwich Village after lunch with Jim's family

Drinks at Monte's after the baby shower with Meg & Steve

Sunday was our last day in New York, and before we got back on a plane to the West Coast, we spent it running around looking for a few souvenirs. We were both exhausted as we got on the plane, but we enjoyed every moment we had with our family, and loved being tourists in NYC for a week.

Jim with The Rock in front of Madame Tussaud's

Thank you to all of our family that we got to spend our holiday with, and thank you to everyone for your wonderful shower gifts! It was so great to see everyone again, and we realize everyday how much we have to be thankful for. We look forward to seeing you again soon when we'll be plus a baby boy!