Doxey: The New Jersey Chapter: Sisters Getaway- NYC

Now that I'm an instagrammer, I don't take as many pictures with my camera nor do I keep up with my Blog as well. But I'm getting ready to order our blog book for 2012 and am reminded how much I love the journaling aspect of our blog.

My sisters all planned a get away weekend in NYC, which was very kind of them to come closer to me, I wasn't able to make it to the last one (only six more months of this "student" status income).
The trip couldn't have been any more perfect. Well, it could have if Amber Lee were there and maybe if it were a bit warmer. Amber Lee was planning on coming but her Grandmother passed away the week leading up to it and she was able to attend the funeral and be with her family.

We had a blast! I love being with my mom and sisters, always up for some crazy fun and are so inspiring to be around. Each one of my sisters sets the best example of the woman I dream to be someday. And my Mom...simply amazing. I hope to turn out to be a fraction of the person she is.

And here's the highlights:
-Taking the bus. Didn't have to drive. I was so giddy driving into the city. Felt at home.
-Our apartment. Found it on Home Away vacation rentals. Two blocks from China Town, right in Hells Kitchen area. Sweet location. Clean and super cheap because it was January!
-Meeting up with everyone. So much luggage to carry through the city.
-Public Transportation. Miss it. Love it.
-Staying up late talking and then talking/laughing in bed until we fall asleep.
-Celebrating Mariam's 18th birthday.
-China Town (both touristy part and real china town)- the first time I've shopped there without kids and I actually enjoyed it! My Mom kept screaming "I'm back in Japan. This is exactly how it is!"
-Little Italy...lobster tails and canoli's.
-911 Memorial. Very rejuvenating to remember the patriotism we felt as a country after 911. Gave me a little hope that we still stand strong.
-Winning Annie lottery tickets. Seriously, our family is lucky. Liz, Mom, and Laura each one so that's six tickets!
-I stayed home with baby James while the others went to Annie, enjoyed that sweet boy all night. He fell asleep on my chest, is there anything more peaceful?
-Dancing in Times Square, starting a train through the crowd.
-Forever 21. 75% off sale- $5 coats...so much fun!
-NYC Ballet- I found free tickets to a demo...it was perfect.
-Attending church at my old ward (getting there was a joke, always love the Sunday MTA changes). I will always have a special place in my heart for the Astoria ward. I love my Astoria family.
-Video chat with our Dad, who was in Saudi Arabia for work for a month.
-Favorite things swap
-Running in central park. Felt like I was in a race, six miles has never gone so fast.
-Running with Liz along the Hudson. Running just connects you to people.
-Exploring Central park and Erika trying to get us to jump in a frozen pond for $300. Debating if it were worth it. No one took her up on it.
-United Nations building.
-Crumbs cupcakes. I lived there four years and never tried one. Finally did.
-Max Brenners.
-Riding Bus home with Liz. Talking one-on-one for two hours.
-Reuniting with my husband and girls. And their excitement to finally see snow!

Can't wait for our next trip. It was a hoot!

*All these pictures were taken with my phone, not the best quality.

Could this picture be more classic? My mother is a prude so the fact that she got
so close to this naked cowboy was ridiculously hilarious.

The Reservoir in Central park. I could run there every day.

Astoria Ward- The red and orange coats were all $5-$6 from Forever 21...we totally scored.

My mom passed on this ridiculous love for sweets to each of us. She ate her greek salad with a
little peanut butter ganache...why not! Love Lizzie's disgusted look in the background.

Times Square.

Hate this picture but good memory. The toilet backed up- we found tin foil balls stuck in the pipes. Nice.

Max Brenner's. Sick, right?

One of the new Freedom Towers. I just loved it down there.

Little Italy. I have a crazy love for Italian pastries. Isn't that Mariam girl just beautiful?

Horrible picture quality. Saying goodbye. So glad the ladies helped us get to our bus stop. Poor Mariam and Mom barely missed their flight and had a very long day getting back to Houston.