Although we've been here for 6 months now we still hadn't been in New York City as a family. Ry and I decided it would be a fun family trip if we went in at Christmas. We planned out the day and the boys were so excited for the adventure. We decided to drive in. Our first mishap of the day was our stupid GPS that doesn't get Manhattan addresses so it led us to an address in Queens. We didn't realize it until we were on the bridge headed into Queens. Luckily the traffic was light so we drove on through battery tunnel and into Manhattan. We just happened to drive by ground zero which was on both of Ry and I's "must see" list. We finally made it to 34th street and Macy's. But first we stopped to eat lunch. As you can see it was a little chilly.
Jack and Nate were crazy with excitement.
That is the view when you first come in. There were mobs of people and it didn't feel so magical as it did crazy. We weaved through the store with our stroller and four boys and finally made it to the 8th floor to Santa Land. When we finally got there an elf told us the wait to see Santa was 1 1/2 hours. Ry said "Forget that." so we decided to do a quick peak through a window. When we got up to the window another elf offered to let us cut in line and so we did. It meant it took us 5 minutes to get into Santa Land. What a sweet elf.
The boys were totally enchanted by Santa Land and Mack and Ben had the look of wonder on their faces the entire time. Its too bad we had an elf at every turn telling us to "keep moving" and "hurry along." It seemed we barely had time to enjoy it and I was glad we hadn't waited the long wait just to be rushed. They have it well planned though because they have 4 small cottages that each have a Santa. It meant our family had a personal encounter with the big guy and got to take pictures. Ben wasn't so sure about Santa but Mack had the biggest smile on his face the whole time. He just had no clue what to say when Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas.
In every family picture it amazes me how big our family looks now. Nate kept asking if Santa's beard was real and I was so worried he would try tugging on it to find out. Luckily he didn't.
The whole time we were there we kept thinking about the movie "Elf." When the elf in Santa Land started singing we sang along for Christmas spirit, but people looked at us like we were a little weird. When we hit the revolving doors on the way out Jack and Nate just had to go around and around and around.
This is our view when we stepped back out onto the street - The Empire State Building. Ry and I have a goal of going to the top together to see the view. Our favorite movies are An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle so we've romanticized what it would be like.
We loved seeing the window displays. Each window was sponsored by a celebrity. They were amazing.
Nate's eyes say it all. This is my favorite picture of the day.
That sign back there says, Biggest store in the World. There were 9 floors to Macy's. Funny thing was I didn't have the slightest desire to stay and shop. Too many people and too much noise. I did love the group of carolers standing on the corner singing loud and clear beautiful Christ-Centered Christmas songs. It was beautiful. I made eye contact with one caroler and tried to say with my smile - - "Christ is the real reason for the season."
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