DCCCLXXXVII

After 887 days of living in New York City a very monumental day happened – last Friday my parents came to visit. After two and a half years of harping on my parents about going to visit everyone except me, they finally came. Although the trip did begin as a trip to see Shannan play in Jersey, I think my dad was tired of having to take the ridicule and it was a Kristan weekend. Dad, Mom, Gdog and Bubba J all came – and of course Kelli couldn’t miss out on an opportunity to see me, so she came up too. We walked, walked, ate, shopped and walked some more. Good times playing Tour Guide Barbie.

Kelli and I met Dad, Mom, Grandma and Sam at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square on Friday. Their room had a great view of Times Square which was fun to see from that angle.

We started by heading to Brooklyn for lunch at Grimaldi’s. I’ve never had their calzones before, and mmmmmm, boy was it good. Seriously, I think it’s better than the pizza. It was an absolutely gorgeous day – we couldn’t have asked for better weather all weekend! After lunch we walked down to the pier and then across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Dad decided that The River Cafe was the perfect wedding reception spot - when you have five daughters you think of things like that :) And hey, I wouldn't object to that location!

Then we walked down to Wall Street, Ground Zero and took the Staten Island Ferry.

I love this picture because Sam really didn't care to have her picture taken, and none of us noticed until it was too late that there was a mini line of tourists waiting for their turn to take their picture. Sam gave into the Kodak moment, jumped right in, took the picture and walked off - and there we are in the other guy's picture.

I think Grandma’s legs were about to fall off. I never remember just how much walking I do in the city until I have visitors. They would always ask how far away things were and I'd respond, "Oh, just a few blocks." By Saturday, my dad was always joking about everything always being "just one block away" but actually 3 miles! It's amazing to think how I never used to walk anywhere - in fact I whined about having to walk up to campus in Provo - and now I just love it. Oh, and Sam's first trip on the Subway was classic. Granted we did take one of the dirtier lines for our first trip, but after that Sam would always ask if we were taking a "clean" or "dirty" subway. The A being her opinion of dirty, and the 4/5/6 and 1/2/3 as clean. Priceless.

We finished Friday off with a quick trip to the Met and then Serendipity. Really, you can't go wrong with the Frozen Hot Chocolate and Forbidden Broadway Sundae. Divine. It's a good thing it's all the way over on the east side :)


Saturday we had a delicious brunch at Norma’s, and then walked down Fifth Ave and went to the Top of the Rock.


And then Sam, of course, had to go to Canal St. Gosh I despise that place. Then we walked up to SoHo – made a stop at Pinkberry, of course (which Sam loved because, "Lauren goes there all the time. Oh, and so do Zac and Vanessa." Yes, she is on a first name basis with them) – and then had dinner in Little Italy. We ended the night with Wicked. A good show, but I have to admit, I didn’t love it as much the second time.

Then Sunday they came to see my apartment, we walked through Central Park, went to church and then they were off to the airport.

It was a whirlwind weekend, but so much fun to see them. And, yes dad, everything is just a few blocks away!