With only a month and a half of planning, I'd say we covered a lot of ground this trip. Eric had saved up airlines points on his credit card in hopes of going to Europe with his buddy this fall but it wasn't going to work for his friend. We have been wanting to take Kennedy to visit the Harvard campus for some time and figured there's no better time than the present. We used his airline points and our dear friend, James Hannum, offered up his high rise apartment in Jersey City (he was in Henderson for Thanksgiving week) and we booked an adventure to the East Coast.
We flew into Boston and started things appropriately with a Boston cream pie donut. Boston kept saying, "It's so weird seeing my name EVERYWHERE!" There was a time years ago when Boston was convinced his name was Boston Massachusetts Bateman. He fit right in.
We had reserved a mini van but this bus was the only thing available at midnight when we pulled into town. Eric drove it light the drivers ed instructor that he is. Everyone had space to spread their wings and breath. On occasion I would just go to the back and act like I was one of the kids sitting looking out the window with not a care in the world.
We paid for a guided tour around the Harvard campus and it was well worth it. It's a campus steeped in history with it's first building still standing from 1636.
It's said that if you touch the gold toe of the founders statue, you are sure to graduate. First things first, getting into Harvard. Then second, finding a way to pay the tuition. Kennedy current plan is to hopefully attend BYU Provo then finish with her law degree at Harvard. Someway, somehow, if she gets accepted, we'll find a way to make it happen.
We spent the second half of the day at Fanuel Park. We sampled clam chowder and good old Chinese food and enjoyed the street performers, lighting of the Christmas tree and the ambiance of people and the spirit of the season. Aside from the crowds of people, we really liked this area.
We even attended church while in Cambridge (Harvard location). It was a 25-30 aged ward but it was one of the most spiritually uplifting meetings I've been to in a long time. At the end of sacrament meeting the bishop made announcements and then asked all the visitors to stand and introduce themselves. Of course we stuck out like a sore thumb. Eric proudly announced we were there visiting Harvard where our daughter was planning to come to law school. We had friendly people coming up to us and asking all sorts of questions. Kennedy was able to meet a 2nd year law school student who was also planning to teach at Harvard. We exchanged numbers and plan to keep in touch. I told her Eric was pretty excited at the opportunity for his daughter to go there and might of been a a bit overzealous with his announcement. She assured me she had similar plans at Kennedy's age and that it starts with a plan and goal. Time will only tell:)
MIT is also located in Cambridge, MA, which is a big engineering school. Leighton hopes to be an engineer and was wide eyed as we drove through the campus. MIT would be an awesome school and again, we would find a way if he were to get into it.
Eric and the kids have been collecting United States license plates for a years and they hit the jackpot at a few antique stores around Boston and Rhode Island. Side note, we were able to visit 5 states - Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey and New York!
And the kids found all sorts of other treasures/junk. I kept telling them we didn't have extra space in our bags for that junk.
The bathroom provided some humor. We did have to purchase a plunger for James' toilet and after that the boys were told to go to floor 9 where there was a reenforced toilet.
This mural was painted on the outside of one of the antique stores. It had a quote that read something along the lines of...the animals can't speak for themselves so someone has to... So strange if you ask me.
Summer Shack came highly recommended from a friend that is from New Hampshire. We started out with 2 orders of fried half clams. They were gone in 10 seconds and cost $16 each. The price just rose from there. I didn't really look at the menu and figured Eric did. Kennedy I decided to share lobster as she had never tried it. The twins ordered hamburgers and Boston ordered a kids corn dog meal and Eric brought in his own salad (he's eating healthy at this point in the trip) and our bill was $170!!! I vowed to look at the menu after that.
We planned to tour Fenway baseball park but there was a big Irish festival going on a Hurling game being played so now tours that weekend. While standing to take a few pics, these cops came from behind and tried to photo bomb Boston's pic. They were the nicest guys. After chatting for a big, they offered us 2 tickets to the game (which were over $100 per ticket) and when we told them the rest of our family was waiting in the car, they asked if Boston wanted to see the inside and go take some pictures. We jumped at the opportunity. One of the police officers took the picture of Boston and I. It was a great to be in the baseball park (the oldest original still standing) but the treatment from the police officers topped it off.
While Boston and I were visiting Fenway, Leighton and Jackson were searching for a bathroom. They ran into a gas station with no luck. Across the street they found CVS. Each boy was running for the bathroom and Leighton slipped on the floor and hit a metal chair, sending it flying, all the while doing the splits and splitting his pants. Jackson said they made quite the scene.
Eric brought along his magic bullet and protein powder and chose pretty healthy things to eat. He's been going to the gym 5 days a week (at 5:45 am - takes Kennedy to seminary then goes to the gym so it's win-win for me) and it making healthier choices with his eating. He's down 25 pounds and hopes to lose 65 more.
We took in a little Boston history by visiting Paul Revere's home, checking out The Freedom Trail, Bunker Hill, and site of Boston Tea Party. Jackson, Kennedy, Boston and I climbed the 294 steps to the top of the Bunker Hill monument and when I got to the top (totally out of breath) I get a call from Leighton telling me that dad needs me. Our van is being towed (Eric stayed in the van because parking was a bear and he was pulled into an illegal spot). I immediately tell the kids we have to go and head back down. As I'm running to the van, I start thinking rationally and the thought crosses my mind that Leighton is pranking me. Sure enough, I get to where I can see the van and it's still sitting there with no tow truck in sight. Stinker! Eric was partly to blame as he was getting tired of us touring the monument and told Leighton to go get us. I'll get even some day.
We ate A LOT of pizza and Italian food. It was good but by the last day when Eric said, "let's go get a slice," there were complaints all the way around. This Italian joint was cozy and delicious. Eric had eaten here years ago when he drove out for the Jets. His buddy, Matt Cox, was headed to the Patriots and Matt was from Boston so they did a little eating and sighting before reporting to summer camps. Eric doesn't forget a good meal.
Another pizza place. We decided that nothing is as good as Grimaldi's. It's the best.
We've all been a little under the weather lately, taking turns. This part of the trip it was Jackson. He wasn't leaving the hotel room without these tissue boxes.
Just pushing a stalled car out of the intersection. Nothing like these 3 showing up to help. Made my heart swell and so I needed to take a picture. Kennedy was reading me the riot act saying it looked like they were just helping so I could record it and I was capitalizing on it. Oh my. Sometimes...
Blurry picture (lots of them are, sorry) of James apartment and eating yet again - pizza.
The view. It was on the 31st floor.
James' apartment is in Jersey City right off the Hudson River with the big apple right across the river. Everyday we would either board the ferry or take the subway that went under or through the river (that all blows my mind) to get to New York City (World Trade Center was our 1st stop) and start our day of sight seeing, activities, and walking. Lots of walking. There aren't very many overweight people in New York. You walk everywhere and are constantly going up and down stairs with the subway. A very different way of life. Although I did see a lots of people smoking. Maybe not healthy just not overweight.
The view from the Jersey side.
The ferry
The first stop in New York was a street vendor for a dirty dog.
Instead of getting metro cards for all of us to ride the subway, Eric would just get 2 so that in case we lost ours, we weren't out that much money. However, you could only swipe them 3 or 4 times before they wouldn't work, even if you had money on them. In most cases, we would get 5 of us through then Eric would have to go back and add money. This is Kennedy waiting patiently.
The kids picked up on the subway and fast pace rather quickly. I was always looking behind me or beside me or counting heads to make sure everyone was still with us. Leighton usually lagged behind with not a care in the world, taking it all in.
We did the 72 hour bus tour where you can get off and on at your leisure. You gotta love the tour guides. They were all pretty rude but that added to the New York experience. At one point this lady and her kids were yelling and fighting and Eric asked the tour guide to speak up and said, I can't hear anything over this yelling behind me. The tour guide laid into that lady and her kids and she didn't make another peep.
We acquired a $5 selfie stick which turned out to be our best purchase. We took all sorts of selfies. This guy wanted to join in on this one. He sold us the selfie stick.
Someone usually had food stuck in their teeth.
Kennedy wasn't about to wear this stocking cap so Eric modeled it for her. It takes a lot to embarrass him. Most of the time the weather was perfect with a slight chill in the air. The last day it was 60 degrees and a coat wasn't even needed.
Another selfie
Trying to get the Statue of Liberty in the picture but the sun wasn't cooperating.
There she is. She likes to stand alone:)
Taking a selfie on Wall Street and the butt of the Bull. There were golden balls hanging down and all sorts of people were grabbing them and taking pictures. Whatever floats your boat. Most of them were Asian so it must be some superstitious thing.
Spent lots of time waiting for the subway to arrive.
Boston held his own on the subway.
Eric loved this couple and their little Italian restaurant. Their chicken Parmesan was delightful.
All sorts of street/subway entertainment.
Enjoying Washington Park (right by NYU) on a gorgeous fall day eating our lunch that we picked up at the market across the street. Trying to blend in with the natives.
This native only blends with the pigeons.
This guy played a mean saxophone and provided our lunch time entertainment.
Eric had to duck going through the subway stairs and entrances and barely fit through the gates. I had claustrophobia for him. He didn't seem to mind.
Part of our bus tour included a bike rental. We hopped on these bikes and headed right into traffic and I just said a quick prayer that we would all be safe. Traffic is crazy to drive in let alone ride a bike. We rode them to Central Park where we found peace and refuge. That park is beautiful! There were horse drawn carriages everywhere, people walking, running, sitting, riding bikes. It was one of my favorite things we did while in New York. This picture above is Kennedy snapping her fingers at me telling me that it's too dangerous to ride a bike and take pictures. Who's the mom?
After the bike ride, Kennedy and I split ways with the guys to head to Wicked. The guys were headed to a hockey game that James had provided tickets for and it was back in New Jersey. Kennedy and I were on our own for the first time since hitting the city. Truth be told, she was better at navigating the streets and subway than me. Kennedy was so excited to see a Broadway musical and I was excited for her to see Wicked. I saw this in New York years ago when Eric and I came to New York with our friends, Nate and Michele Bell. It's still one of my favorites although I've only seen 3 musicals in my life time. Kennedy loved it and says it's one of the highlights for her.
The subway provided entertainment with their advertisements. This was my fav.
See Kennedy, is considering her options:)
The boys were in a suite at the hockey game and they each had a $20 food allowance with the seats. They were in heaven and had a grand time.
Just the view from the living quarters.
We did a little shopping and Leighton tried to convince me he needed this hat. I told him he's not a thug and that hat didn't fit his MIT persona.
Ah, more pizza. This was the most economic place to eat. Other than that, New York is way expensive!
Every times the boys saw a police man or fire fighter or military, they shook their hands and thanked them. These guys were gracious to pose in a picture with them. Nice, nice people in New York despite what we've all heard.
Selfie at Times Square. Eric's least favorite area. He's not into all the shopping and hoards of people. The vibe there is definitely electric.
Where else can you run into the Pope?
More shopping. Boston wanted a Yankee souvenir.
The lady in the back is the one that I was referring to earlier in this post. Her and her 2 kids took up the whole back row.
The window displays were magical. I didn't capture enough of them. They were dreamy.
Thanksgiving dinner was provided compliments of James at Wolfgang's Steak house. Eric told everyone there would be no sharing. Eric ordered all sorts of appetizers including - crab, clam shells, crab cake, shrimp cocktail, soup, bread and more. Then we all ordered steak and numerous sides, except Boston, he ordered a Caesar salad and plate of fries. He's the smart one. WAY TOO much food. Eric insisted we all try the clams and showed us that he would eat one first. He put it in his mouth and acted like it was yummy then swallowed as fast as he could and started laughing/gagging. If you've seen Mr. Bean's Holiday, it reminded us of that. After seeing what was before him, Leighton excused himself to the bathroom, hoping to avoid eating the clams. When he returned, Eric had dumped all the clams except one on his plate and told Leighton it was his turn. Jackson had his phone video recording and caught Leighton spitting it out in this fancy restaurant. Memorable. The food was good but Eric's eyes were bigger than our stomachs and taste in food for that matter. I will say the two bites I had of my filet mignon, were the best two bites of steak I've had. Kennedy kept saying our guilty she felt ordering all that food and then not eating it. We took a big doggy bag home and I assured her we would eat it the next day. Did we eat it? Nope. We didn't have the appetite for it even the next day and we were flying home.
My favorite part of the meal - the cute little bottle of Diet Coke.
The architecture was pretty cool.
We finished the night off with Rockefeller Center, light displays and a pecan pumpkin pie from Magnolia Bakery. Eric had to have a pumpkin pie. As you can tell, at this point in the vacation, his healthier eating had gone to the way side. Props to him though. He worked out every day on vacation. This is major.
The today show studio. I did see Savannah Guthrie one day while out on the streets of New York. She was pushing her baby in the stroller and dashed into Walgreens before I could stop her for a picture. Actually, I would never stop someone for a picture. That would embarrass the heck out of me. Well, except Paris Hilton one time when she showed up at the Bartlett Elementary sock hop. I don't know what came over me then. Savannah looked "normal" as in had a few wrinkles and blended in well with all the other New Yorkers.
Kennedy was really hoping to see Jimmy Fallen at the Tonight Show but we didn't put enough work into getting tickets. You have to go wait in line each day and hope someone doesn't show up for their reserved ticket. Also, we didn't get our butts up to get to the Macy's Day parade. I know lame. We did ride our bikes around where the parade was going to be and saw all the bleachers set up. It made me a bit nervous to be amongst crowds like that will the terrorist business that has been going on. Plus, getting up to be on the streets of New York by 6:30 am just wasn't in the cards.
One of the rats we came across running the subway tracks.
Our last day in New Jersey, we rode the train to Hoboken to see Carlo's original Bakery. The lines weren't too bad and they were very efficient with their service. The twins picked red velvet cupcakes, Kennedy a lobster tail and Boston and I cookies. Everything was delicious! I kinda liked the smaller town feel of Hoboken, a bit slower pace than New York. It seemed more like the kind of place you could live and raise a family. More affordable.
Jackson searched high and low for a Jets sweatshirt. He wanted something unique and soft. He found it and you'll probably find him living in it.
Kennedy had to eat the lobster tail in courses because she was still full from our Thanksgiving dinner.
I'll end with this post of us doing what we do best - eating... pizza (this is at Lombardi's - the oldest pizza joint in New York). Eric is behind the camera on this one because our selfie stick was confiscated at the hockey game due to the fact it could be a weapon. Apropos.
As usual, this trip was full of everything - laughter, fighting, eating, traveling, buying, walking, shopping, observing but most of all the LOVE of our family and experiencing it all together. It's work but so worth it.
