Gran's visit

My Gran came to visit! It was so nice to have her here and we did so much in her short visit. Derek and I will be professional tour guides by the time we move away.

She came in on Saturday and we just watched football and went out to eat at a local restaurant. Sunday we went into the city and explored downtown some, walked around Battery Park, and went to Ellis Island! It was such a gorgeous day. We were so lucky to have amazing weather all week.

Gran on the ferry to the island:

The Statue of Liberty:

Derek and the State of Liberty:

Aw...look how cute they are! I have so many pictures of Gran and Derek and like no pictures of me and Gran.

Hello really neat boat

Ellis Island - I didn't take too many pictures:

The receiving room (I think that is what it is called) - where all the immigrants where processed and recorded.

They had a nice view:

On the outside they had the eagle over the shield - thought it was cool

This was so bizarre - Its George Washington drawn as bunch of different nationalities.

Close up as George as a Frenchman - Derek liked his mustache

 

After that we went to eat at Katz's Deli. One word - YUMMY! Some of the best pastrami ever and delicious matzo ball soup. Gran fell in love with the pickles, but I wasn't a huge fan...to spicy for me. Katz's is one of the more famous deli's and definitely one of the oldest. Its been there since 1880 something and it is the diner from "When Harry Met Sally" where Meg Ryan had her famous fake orgasm scene. Definitely a place we'd eat again.

 

After that, I think we went down to see Chinatown and Little Italy and then it was time to go home. Oh - and the Empire State building finally changed its color - now its green.

 

Swans have been outside our apartment lately...so cool...

The next day, Monday, we went to Chelesa Market and had a delicious lunch and ice cream. Derek wasn't suppose to come with us but he ended up being able to, which was really  nice. Then Gran wanted to see some stuff we missed the day before, so we went back downtown, and saw the WTC, Trinity Church, and Wall Street. After that we went back uptown, walked around Central park, came home and made breakfast for dinner.

On Tuesday, Derek was in school most of the day so Gran and I were on our own. Gran wanted to see a show, so we decided we'd do the Times Square area that day, since you can get half price show tickets at a place there. We got off at Grand Central and explored there for a little while, walked to Times Square, and then stood in what must have been a record moving line for Broadway tickets....it went so fast! I know people have had to stand in that line for hours, but we only stood there for about 20 minutes max...not even enough time for Gran to decide what to see!

Gran in Times Square:

We got tickets to go see "Mamma Mia!" and then decided to head over to NBC area and see 30 Rock and let Gran do a little souvie shopping. We ended up backtracking after that, did some more souvie shopping in Times Square, and then going to Macys to kill some time and wait on Derek to get into the city. It was HUGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. We went up to the 5th floor and you could still go up higher! It is completely overwhelming and takes up like 2 or 3 blocks. We crashed at the Starbucks inside (yeah, they have a Starbucks, a Ben and Jerry's, a pizza place...it is like a mall), where I'm pretty sure we sat behind this girl who is in the new version of "Fame!" and was on "So You Think You Can Dance."

Derek found us and we went to eat at a little pizza place close to the theater...it was pretty yummy. Then we went to see the show! We all enjoyed it and had a lot of fun.

Derek and Gran in front of the sign

Me and Derek - Doesn't he look so cute? I don't now why he got so dressed up but he looked nice.

 

Then we went to Junior's to pick up some cheesecake and then rushed to the bus stop. The bus was pulling out as we were like a block away from the stop, so we ended up sitting by the bus stop for a really long hour waiting for the next one. Poor Derek had been up since 4:30 AM and it was 1:30 AM before we got home that night.

Gran had to leave the next day, so we just sat around and talked, picked Derek up from school, and went to the airport.It was sad to say goodbye, but we were both so glad she got to visit!

 

*Whew* Well that should be long enough to make up for all the missed post.

 

PS - Jessie turned 21 last Friday - Happy Birthday to her!