While my parents were here and before Clint started school, we decided to go see some sites.  Getting around with 2 kids in a giant stroller is not easy in the city, unless you are planning on walking everywhere.  We took the subway to go see most things and much to our surprise, VERY FEW subway stations are handicap accessible.  This meant that Dad and Clint were constantly carrying the stroller up and down several flights of stairs.  Anyways, they suffered through and we were able to see a lot of cool things.

First stop-Time Square.  It wasn't as big as I thought it was going to be, but it was packed with people!  And lots of people in costumes!

Dad's a huge Mickey Mouse and Elmo fan! HA!  For those of you that know him well, you can probably tell he doesn't look very comfortable.  If you give these people the tiniest bit of attention, they will run up to you, and suggest you take a picture together and then somehow require money.  Poor dad was going "oh hey Malia, look who it is!"  Well she was asleep, and this is what happened.  My advice... ignore them and if you really want a picture of them, wait until they are posing with someone else, snap a picture and quickly walk away.

Next stop-Central Park.  This park is HUGE!  I don't think we saw 1/10th of the park!  

 Grandpa and Malia hiking over the rock mound

Carousel! 

Next we went down 5th avenue.  Once again, so many people!  We were going around 5pm so there was a lot of traffic too.  There were several times that there would be an ambulance with sirens going that couldn't get through.  I wonder how many people have died because of traffic.....  Driving here in New York is a very selfish game.  You don't worry about the people around you.  If you need in, you cut people off, wedge your nose between cars.  But people are okay with that here so once you get used to it, its not too bad.  

 Apple store!  The store is actually underground, but this is the entrance.

 This is a picture of the organ in St. Patrick's Cathedral

 The main chapel.  So beautiful!  I've only been in Spanish and Mexican cathedrals which are gory and creepy.  This was a whole different story.  Many famous people have been married, and buried here.

 The Empire State Building!  We were there exactly a week before the shooting happened. -CRAZY! This was one of our last stops on 5th avenue.  It was going to cost about $50/person to go up to the top, and there was a 45 minute elevator wait, so we just touched the building, and took a picture.  Later in the week, my parents went to the "Top of the Rock"(top of the Rockefeller Center).  They only had to pay $25/person and they said they had a great view! 

Softie for the little lady!  There are several "Softie" trucks around NYC.  Some of them have prices, others don't.  BEWARE- we paid $3 for this cone which in this picture is already partially consumed.  My parents on the other hand, wend to a truck that didn't have prices and ended up paying $14 for 2 cones!  

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island-

 Here is Lady Liberty!  When you go to Liberty and Ellis Island, you buy your ticket and then take a ferry ride over to the Islands.  We went one morning when it was rainy, but then the sun came out and it was a perfect day to be outside!

 Malia's favorite part of the day!

 Cheeto hands!

Always a happy little guy!

The Museum of Natural History!  This Museum is also Huge!  We spent most of the day here, and only saw 1/2 of what was in there!

 Dinosaur claw!

 T-Rex!

Owen checking out a fossil!

 Malia loved seeing all of the animal displays!

 Just a few blocks up from the museum is the Temple!

 This was crazy!  When we were walking back to the museum after lunch we ran into one of the missionaries from Clint's mission!  Matt and his brother were in the city to see the Yankees play and even though the streets are packed with people, these two were still able to run into each other!  Its a small world after all!

Coney Island!- There are so many things that are so close to our apartment it is crazy!  We are just a 20 minute subway ride to the beach!  The night before my parents left, we headed out to Coney Island to check it out!  There's a long beach, warm water, great boardwalk, rides, and hot dogs!  There is a hot dog stand on Coney Island called Nathan's that is known for their hot dogs.  We decided that was the place to go for dinner!  Dad was the only one who had a dog though.  We got one from a stand in Central Park that was pretty pitiful...so I think we were hot dogged out.  Our burgers and sandwiches were good though!

 Owen's first swim in the ocean!

 Mom is in the water! (this doesn't happen often)

Malia went on 3 "rolly coaster" rides!  She loved them!

Well that week was packed full of adventures.  This post is long, and I can assure you that now that Clint has started school things wont be this exciting for a while.  We love and miss all of you!