Not like TV

     So we have now been in NYC for few weeks and I am still in a bit of a culture shock. Everything I ever knew about NYC was what I saw on tv and in movies. Let me tell you this, it is NOTHING LIKE TV!!!

     It is a lot dirtier than I thought it would be. I mean the streets, the buildings, and even the air. There is some sort of trash on the ground at all times. The buildings look old and run down and covered in dirt. The air is the worst. After spending anytime walking out side I feel like my skin is dirty. I feel like it is covered in a layer of car exhaust, second hand smoke, and over all pollution. Luckily a hot shower can clear that right up. Not so sure my lungs will ever feel clean again.

     The subway is not as scary as I thought it would be. I pictured dark, damp, cold and creepy. To my pleasant surprise it was the opposite. There is plenty of light, and it is actually warm down there. Most importantly it is not at all creepy. I was surprised by how much the kids and I enjoy riding the subway. It is not an easy system to "get to know" but I am sure by the time we leave we will be old pros. I was shocked by seeing kids ride the subway by themselves, but it turns out that is how they get to and from school. We took the school bus, these kids take the subway.

     The biggest difference from tv  that I have noticed is people here are a lot nicer than what their reputation is. New Yorkers have a reputation for being rude, we all know this. What you didn't know, is that they are really kind and helpful. Example: My mom, the kids and I were headed to Time Sq to do the tourist thing. We got off the subway and didn't know which end we should exit from (there is more that one exit from your stop to street level). We asked some guy which way we should go. Instead of just tell us the way he showed us. Not just showed us but walked us every step of the way. He showed us to the elevator (we had the stroller). He took the stairs up and waited for us to come out of the elevator, then we walked us to the next elevator as he took the stairs. He met us at street level and walked us out to the side walk. He pointed us in the right direction and gave us some tips on how best to navigate through Time Sq. We said our good byes and thank yous. I then watched him walk back into the subway station, from where he had just left to help us. He was such a blessing to us. We have not had any issues where people have been rude or unkind. It has been the complete opposite, they have gone out of there way to be helpful. The only exception to this is when people are driving. They are quick to honk their horn and whip around you if you are driving to slow or not crossing the street fast enough.

     Before we came out here a friend shared this link with me, NYC Tips and Etiquette. It is pretty much right on. I hope by the end of our 9 months here that I can earn the tile of "New Yorker".

Until next time. Love you C,M,B,C,E and L!

   

Our first New York pizza!!

took a picture to know what subway stop we had to
make it back to.

M and B on their first subway ride.

Colt and I on our first subway ride.

The only place I could find to let the kids run around while we
were waiting to for Colt at the doctor in Manhattan, was a cement
"court yard" above a parking garage.

Toll roads everywhere!

My mom excited to be standing kind of close to Nick Lachey in Time Sq!
FYI his arm brushed mine as he left this interview! ;)

   

From Place to Place

     On our way to New York City we made a few detours. Our first stop was Leeds, UT.

     On September 9th there was a huge rain storm and flash flood. It was so bad that portions along I-15 were completely washed out. Our 6 hour drive became a 10 hour drive with the detour through Valley of Fire. We had a wonderful time in UT. We visited family and prepared our luggage for our flights. After a few days we were headed to Las Vegas, luckily the freeway was reopened.

   Vegas was.....HOT! Colt and I were both raised there and we still hate the heat. We spent a few days with my sister and her cute family. We relaxed and spent time with our family that lives in Vegas. I helped my mom pack her bags as she was joining us on our trip to NYC!

    We flew out of Las Vegas on the 18th of September. We got to the airport what we thought was 2 hours before our flight but when we checked in the lady at the counter told us we might not make our flight. Turns out they moved up the flight time with out warning. After running to security and trying to get through there as fast as we could, then running to our gate and finally making it. We see they are not boarding and getting ready to close the gate like the rude lady at the counter said. They were still unloading the plane from the last flight. Not a fun way to start our travel day. At least we made it and then we were off to Colorado Springs!!!

     We were all so excited to go "home"! As much as we have enjoyed traveling and seeing the country there is no place like home. We only got to drive by our house, because we have renters in it, but it was nice to drive on those familiar roads. The most exciting part of our visit in Colorado was getting to see our friends! These aren't just friends they are more like family. First the Bess family. I have missed them so much, we all have. Tears of joy and sadness ran down my cheeks as my best friend and her now 6 beautiful children walked into the restaurant. Joy, because I was so happy to see them, and hug them. Sadness, because I have missed so much in the past 2 years and I knew 4 days was not going to be enough. Second Uncle Zach drove all the way from NM to see us. It was so nice to see him. We have missed him so much. He has been apart of our lives for the longer than we have been parents. He is Uncle Zach to our kids and  like a brother to Colt and I. Sadly our time in Colorado was up and it was time to head out.

   Our flight out of Denver was so easy. The flight to NYC went smoothly. The kids did great. Then we landed in NYC.... before we even left the airport we were all overwhelmed. The amount of people, the noise level, the mass confusion, and 5 very tired kids made for a rough start in NYC. We figured out where to go and a way to get to the hotel. As soon as we got to the hotel, checked in and settled we didn't leave the room for the rest of the day.

  We made it! It was a long couple weeks of traveling from place to place but we did enjoy our journey.

Until next time. I love you C,M,B,C,E, and L!

Bobby playing dress up in UT

Eva and Millie in Vegas.

Erica and I in Vegas

Swimming in Vegas with the kids plus Ethan

Zo and Gen together again!!

Lindy Lou and Ryny Roo in CO!

Some how we can still get them ALL around the table!

With Uncle Zach in CO!

Ryn was not happy that we were leaving. This made me cry.

At the Denver airport!

Waiting for our flight!

We actually got to sit together for the whole flight!