Summer Vacation 2012 - Day 12

We slept in just a little, had breakfast at the hotel, then headed off to the ferry to take us to Ellis Island and to Liberty Island.

Another highlight for the kids to get to ride on a ferry!

I know, great picture of me...  but it was the only picture we got of the building that our ancestors came through.  Had to post it anyway!

We picked up the headsets and loved the tour telling us about all the people that came through, how hard it was to get through once you got that far, what happened to you if you had to stay on the island and such.  TOTALLY recommend going to Ellis Island.  It was well worth the time and the expense to see that place! Meant even more knowing that we had family members who came through!  The happy coincidence was that one of the books on CD I had gotten for the trip, was an American Girl book, Rebecca, all about life in New York, immigrating through Ellis Island, sweatshops, and what it was like in the early 1900's.  You would have thought I picked it out on purpose!!!  I didn't and it was great for the kids to bring up connections and see what it was the little girl in the story was talking about.

After not nearly enough time at Ellis Island, we headed to Liberty Island.  

Once again we picked up the headsets to learn about The Statue of Liberty, but sadly mine and Missy's died about halfway through.  :(

One thing I remember is what my dad told me about coming home from his mission.  He and his fellow missionaries, opted to take the boat home from England instead of flying.  It was a pretty miserable trip for my dad due to seasickness.  But he did come on deck to see the Statue and it made an impression on him.  I am proud to be an American.  I am so grateful for all those who have fought to get our freedom, keep our freedom, and help others gain and keep their freedom as well.  This is a symbol of all that and it is beautiful.  So glad I was able to take my family there to experience those patriotic feelings.

After a quick tour, it was back to the ferry, to the car and on our way again!

We headed off to my friend from BYU Marching Band days, Beverly's, home.  Last summer she was out in Utah and mentioned she would love people to come out.  I mentioned that I might actually take her up on that and she was willing enough to let us come, feed us dinner, breakfast, and let us sleep at her beautiful home!

I hope her boys enjoyed it, because my kids did.  Alli especially like talking to Beverly and playing with the boys.

I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life.  We would return the favor anytime!  We love having guests and don't really have very many come.  So if you are planning a trip to Utah, our doors are open!

Summer Vacation 2012 - Day 11

I think everyday was my favorite day because we did so many different things, but I think this definitely ranks up there with one of the highlights!!!! 

My Grandpa's parents immigrated to America from Italy when they were young.  My grandpa was born and raised in America.  His father died when he was young and his mother remarried and his step father is where our Seeley name comes from.  

Anyway, his first cousin, Daisy, still lives on Long Island, along with her daughter Alice.  When I lived in New Jersey as a child (for 6 months), we visited Daisy and Alice a few times and they visited us.  I remember just loving them and their Italian/New Yorker hospitality!  The best memories were of the food.  "Eat more, there is no room in the fridge for the leftovers!"  Or the delicious chocolate turkey they gave each of us for Thanksgiving.  Visiting them was VERY high on my list.  In fact we weren't sure it was going to happen when they had to change days because of a funeral they had to attend.  It did work out and I am so glad!  It was really important to me that my family meet these delightful women!

They were true to my memories and had food out on a table and kept checking to make sure we had enough.  Then the kids taught Alice a new card game and we just visited. (Yes that is an autographed picture of Hugh Laurie on the end table!)

Me with my lovely cousins.  I was 4 years old the last time I saw them.  What a wonderful morning!

After leaving their home, we took off to find the Manhattan Temple.  We parked right around the corner from it and all of a sudden, there it was!!!

We went inside to ask if there was a visitors center.  The guard at the front desk told us there was on the third floor.  We rode the elevator up and found a meetinghouse!  Hahaha, I guess that is sort of a visitors center!  Missionaries were playing ball in the gym, we saw the Relief Society Room, Bishop's offices, class rooms, and everything else you would find at home in a building.  It was so great for us all to see that things were the same there!  We also found bathrooms and a drinking fountain!!  Tough things to find in the city!!!

After we left, we found a corner deli to grab some lunch at and ate lunch on these benches in the middle of the road.  Delicious once again!

We walked by Central Park

Carnegie Hall

Radio City Music Hall

Rockefeller Center

The American Girl Store where we bought the new McKenna movie.  It is so cute!

The Library

After 30+ blocks of walking, we went souvenir shopping.

Then to the Empire State Building

The line was a bit long to get in

The price was a bit high to go up

But totally worth it all to see the sites from up there and kiss my husband on top of the Empire State Building!

What an adventure we had!  After that, we walked around a bit more, bought dinner from another cart, it was OK.

Then road the subway back to the car.  Big on the kids' lists of the things they wanted to do in NYC! We got back to the hotel, tired and happy again!