An Empire State of Mind

Our long awaited vacation to New York finally came and we loved every minute of it! Chad's 10 year West Point reunion was this past weekend. Not only did we get to take our sweet baby boy to the place where his mommy and daddy got married (and engaged!) but MY mommy and daddy came too so we could have babysitters for the weekend. It was a pretty near perfect weekend. I say near perfect because Saturday started out raining and cold and Gavin was not too thrilled about the cannons going off every time Army scored. But other than that, it was great.

We got there on Thursday afternoon. In a monsoon I might add, but we got there. My childhood and through everything in between best friend, Marie, lives in New Jersey and she drove over to spend the night with us at our hotel. We have not seen each other since both of us had our babies so it was a thrilling moment in deed. Emmalyn and Gavin had a ball together. Ok, so really Marie and I had a ball snapping a million pictures of them together but they were smiling through the whole thing.

Holding hands- SO SWEET!

Friday we went to West Point and strolled around the campus. Mom and Dad have not been there besides the crazy, busy filled wedding weekend, so it was nice being able to walk around and just enjoy the moment. We got to take Gavin to the Cadet Chapel where we got married. It was so neat standing right where we were first husband and wife with our baby boy.

Sitting outside of Cadet Chapel

Friday night we went to a banquet and had a blast. All I can say is, at the end of the night our sides hurt from laughing and my shoes came off before we even got to the room. My calves hurt so bad the next day from wearing high heels for four hours. Being a house wife doesn't require such sassy shoes!

Saturday was the Army football game. It was quite a packed event and by the time we finally got into the stadium and settled in our seats, my poor son was not having it. He needed to take a nap so bad and every time he would fall asleep this incredibly loud cannon would go off and scare the day lights out of him. We did manage to catch a picture of him in a good mood moment but that was about it. Mom and Dad had to take him and go back to the hotel. I felt so bad for him!

Such a sweet smile. He totally makes this picture.

But this mom and dad had a great time at the game and at the amazing tailgate they put on for us afterwards. It was in the brand new indoor practice field, free food and bar and lots of great friends. Chad and I really enjoyed ourselves and it was so nice knowing Gavin was being loved on and spoiled rotten while we were out being adults. I only called and checked on him twice :)

Enjoying an Army win! I was cold so I am assuming that is the reason for the stressed smile on my face???

The next day was a family fun day and this was seriously my favorite part of the whole trip. Me, Chad, Mom, Dad and Gavin went to the Big Apple! We spent the whole day just walking around downtown NYC. The weather was perfect, Gavin was in the best mood and it was just so much fun. My mom had never been there so it was extra special for her. It was the perfect way to end our vacation.

In Times Square

The same spot where we got engaged!

Dad and I made it on a billboard in Times Square! I know you can't really see us but there we are!

Central Park. Gavin is cheesing so big. He was having a blast.

I heart! The first present Chad ever bought me was a Tiffany bracelet. He started off making me have high standards!

Gavin was thrilled with Rockefeller Plaza

My sweet monster

Crossing the George Washington Bridge- leaving NYC

So we are home now and trying to get back into reality. Gavin hardly even made it to 7:30 this evening. He was so tired from all of the traveling and excitement of the big city life. We had a short delay coming home so by the time we got in the door, we hardly had him in his pj's after his bath and he wanted his evening bottle and to drift off to the Land of Nod. I am sure he is dreaming of Broadway and taxi horns right now. I really love visiting New York City with all of its history and energy. It holds such a special place in my heart but I never ever want to live there! I will take my trees and quite nights any day of the week.

A big, unbelievably huge THANK YOU to my parents for coming along with us and helping out with Gavin and allowing Chad and I to enjoy ourselves during Chad's reunion festivities. You do not know how much we appreciated it and what a great time we had not having to worry about Gavin. (Too much!) We were so glad you came along to spend a vacation with us. Now it is back to laundry, dirty dishes and dusting. At least I can do all of them with my diamond ring and Tiffany bracelet on!