On our bucket list for this summer was a road trip down to NYC to see Uncles and friends and very tall skyscrapers. Summer was very quickly getting away from us, so we picked a weekend, braved the traffic and went on down! The boys love everything about NYC, but were especially excited about the sightseeing we were doing this trip. Bronx Zoo, Intrepid (and the Space Shuttle!) and lots of rides on the subway.
We arrived late Thursday night to the very gracious Russ and Ed who insisted it was okay it was nearly midnight... Then up early Friday to meet up with Toni, Will and Madeline at the Bronx Zoo! The last time Nathan and Maddie saw each other, they were teeny tiny infants...
The original front gates to the zoo.
Alex Nathan and Madeline check out the exhibits!
Reptiles were a favorite.
Well, hello!
The Bug Carousel was a fun way to start the day. Nathan picked the ladybug of course, and Alex just wanted to be next to Nathan :)
All in a row!
Alex giving the turtle some love.
Cool architecture all around...
And lots of pea hens (female peacocks).
We had lunch by the baboon exhibits, and they showed off their flowing locks by running around!
Alex's favorite, the giraffes!
Nathan all ready for Ice Age 4-D.
Alex, Nathan and Maddie checking out the Koi in the Butterfly House.
Alex (and Will) photobomb!
Alex as a Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly.
Nathan insisted on looking very bored/depressed for this photo.
Monorail! Monorail! Monorail! (Simpson's reference) All around the Asia Exhibit, a great way to see those animals.
The last part of the day we went on a dinosaur safari. Nathan loved it (parents weren't so impressed).
Animitronic dinosaur!
Look out!
Alex walking in the tracks of dinosaurs.
Back at Russ and Ed's, we spent lots of time just enjoying their space. Coloring, eating on the roof deck, helping them tend the garden, acting as alarm clocks at 6am...
Nathan and Alex doing some craft time in the dining room.
Nathan helping Russ prep dinner on Friday night.
Saturday morning breakfast on the roof deck.
Playing ball on the roof deck...
Michael taking a nap on the pergola.
Until he was joined was everyone else!
Saturday morning we went over to see the Intrepid, a floating museum on a decommissioned aircraft carrier. The boys were so thrilled to see so many planes/helicopters/space shuttles up close that they had read about and seen pictures of.
So big!
Nathan was so excited to see the Blackbird. He had read all about it in a airplane book at home, and he and Michael had built a model of the plane.
Can't wait for Blue Angels in September 2015 in Brunswick!
Nathan's favorite of the day, the Polish tiger airplane (his nickname is Tiger).
Inside the Space Shuttle Pavilion. It was amazing to see it so up close.
Alex and Nathan as space shuttles.
A picture of the piggyback of the space shuttle to NYC recreated in Legos.
Heading up to the Captain's Bridge.
Driving the carrier!
Checking out the exhibits down below.
Learning how to fly a helicopter (Michael and Nathan also built a model of this helicopter).
Last item to check out was the Concorde.
On the way home we stopped for some amazing ice cream.
On our way out to dinner!
Ed teaching Nathan about Chinese characters.
Nathan and Daddy on the way home.
Sunday we had a super early trip to the Empire State Building planned, but we decided to cancel. We joked that everything in NYC costs $100, and we had had enough be adventures. We hung around the apartment for the first part of the morning, and then headed out to Central Park to meet up with my friend Mary and her daughter Eris.
Russ and Nathan on the bus ride down.
Eris, Nathan and Alex enjoying their $0.25 boxes of candy (apparently a uniquely NYC experience).
Nathan going down the big slide at the playground.
Nathan and Alex loving the slide!
Such a fun weekend! Thank you Russ and Ed for being such great hosts!!
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