NYC!!

I have needed a break... for a LONG time (what mom hasn't!).  Honestly, though, I've survived three years of Brad's grad school (playing single mom for most of it).  In the 9 months since he's finished we have traveled to China, adopted Cadence, endured 2 surgeries with her, bought new land, sold our home, built a home, moved into a rental, moved into our new home, all while working full-time - whew!  If that doesn't deserve a vacation, I don't know what does.

Two of my favorite girls and I headed to New York City!  I've never really spent any time there and we definitely made the best of it.  We stayed in Midtown, just blocks away from Time Square and Rockefeller Center.  We woke up leisurely each morning and approached each day with things we'd like to do, but no strict timeline or pressure to get them done - so unlike my day to day life!  We stayed out til 2am and were serenaded by some Irish boys.  We shared lots of laughs, a few tears, many cocktails, and an epiphany or two (yes, probably cocktail induced)!  Not only was the break away from home and all of my responsibilities what I needed, but also time with my girlfriends.  These fabulous women care not only for me but also for my kids and my family.  I know that I can count on them for anything and that can be hard to come by nowadays.  The whole extended weekend was so wonderful that it's hard to pick out my favorite thing, but I'll say my favorite epiphany was "We MUST do this more often!".

It's this way... or that way...

Loved the mariachi band that hoped on the subway... they were worth the $1 donation!

'Nuff said!

Lit a candle for a very special little girl in St.Patrick's Cathedral (I think God will forgive me that I'm not Catholic - right?!)

Breathtaking

Went to see "Chicago" with Christie Brinkley

Yummy, yummy bite sized cupcakes!

Kelli claimed they had a foreign accent, I thought they were just inebriated.  Regardless, these Irish boys ended up serenading us (if you can call it that!)

Best buds at Time Square

Until they couldn't agree about taking the subway at night!  Kelli won!

Episode of "Sandblast" being filmed

We rode the ferris wheel at Toys-R-Us... at 10:30pm.  Shouldn't these kids all be in bed!

I've always wanted a random "free hug"!  Maybe you'll see it on Youtube!

Central Park

Central Park cocktails at The Boathouse

Cocktails on top of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Candy Shop!

Last cocktails in NYC... do you see a trend?!

I love New York!