new york city

Yes, I'm blogging again. Hopefully, this will recharge me.

But  I really do want to share the details of the most amazing girls trip ever!!!

Day 1

I flew into  JFK and waited for Ashley to land. Once we met up we went to go stand in the taxi line and tada! first (ok and only) celebrity sighting.

Ashley did the sneaky picture  thing of Jason Schwartzman.

We headed to the apartment my mom had rented for us. Perfect location, perfect space. I would highly recommend this apartment to anyone going to NYC. About 10 minutes later, everyone else arrived. We unpacked, freshened up and headed out to eat of course!

First meal was at a great little empanada restaurant I had heard about. So good! 

After dinner we walked over to Rockefeller Center and headed to Top of the Rock.

After we headed back home and of course made a stop at Magnolia Bakery for cupcakes, cake and banana   pudding. 

Day 2

 We headed downtown and rode the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.

 We also spent some time at Ellis Island. I won't lie, I've been there several times before so I pretty much sat on a bench while everyone else did the tour. Does that make me a bad person??

Then we had lunch at an Italian restaurant that had a great view of Liberty Island.

We headed back home to freshen up before NEWSIES!!!!

Group shot!

Newsies is AMAZING!!!! If you ever have a chance to see it...DO IT!!! If you are a fan of SYTYCD you would love it as I counted 3 alumni in the show.

Afterwards we met up with my cousin Sydnee and had dinner at the Shake Shack. Stacey claims that Shake Stack burger changed her life.

Day 3

Started the day at the MoMA. I love this Museum. It was such a great way to spend the morning.

Then  we met up with cousin Syd (taking the picture) at Todd English's  Food Hall at the Plaza. Delish! Quinn told me I had to get the risotto tater tots and he was right! So much good food!

Then a pit stop at FAO Schwartz

 Then we headed back to Rockefeller Center to get in line for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

It was so fun to go to a taping. When we got out and started walking to find a place to eat, we got stuck in a downpour with only two umbrellas so we quickly ducked into the nearest diner to eat and wait out the rain.

For dessert we headed to Momofuku's Milkbar for crack pie and cereal milk milk shakes!

 (finally a pic of Syd)

Afterwards, we were able to get one cab in the terrible storm but Stacey, Mal and I tried for about 25 minutes more before finally giving in and taking a pedicab ride of death. Definitely an experience. I'll laugh about it someday, but not yet.

Day 4

Brunch at Norma's at Le Parker Meridien. Go there! Look at the menu...to die for. So what if the orange juice alone was 54 dollars...it was worth it!

 We spent the next few hours walking through Central Park.  

We walked out of the park to go see the temple.

Then we headed back to Times Square. I should mention that we were stopped and asked to stand in the background while they filmed a bit for Extra! but I'm pretty sure our bit got cut from the episode because Lindsay Lohan had to go and hit someone.  Lame!

But then it was time for Wicked!

First-timers

Then we hurried back downtown to the 9/11 Memorial. It is such a beautiful and sacred place. I look forward to going back one day once the whole thing is finished.

That night we had dinner at a French-Thai restaurant near our apartment. Another meal that did not disappoint!

Day 5

Took the train to Brooklyn to meet up with my college friend/roommate Anna!

Anna and me

Anna took us down to the new Brooklyn promenade with great views of Manhattan.

Then we had lunch at Grimaldi's.

We walked through Brooklyn Heights, had cupcakes at Crumbs and then headed out for our trek over the bridge.

Halfway across.

Then we walked to Chinatown. We had successful sketchy backroom purchases of Chanel and Michael Kors knock off bags.

Next up was the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy. We had yummy Italian Ices and cannolis.

We walked through SoHo and window shopped and then walked some more over to Katz Deli for dinner. 

Day 6

We spent the morning in the West Village and in Washington Square park.

Then we headed to TriBeCa for lunch at The Odeon. Syd works here. We also met up with my other dear cousin Lacy (who was also in town) and her good friend Suzy. The Odeon must love Syd alot because they took really good care of us and sent out a ton of food. I think everyone agreed that it was one of the best meals we've ever had.

After lunch we headed uptown with Syd and Lacy and spent a few hours at the Met.

They had a really cool exhibit on the roof called Cloud City. Very cool

After the Met we said goodbye to Syd and Lacy. My mom and Dana went back to Central Park. The rest of us went to FAO Schwartz to do some shopping. We all met up later and had dinner at a yummy BBQ restaurant.

Day 7

We all got up and packed. We were able to leave our bags at the apartment and went out for some shopping at the Hell's  Kitchen Flea Market. 

I think all of us came away with some great jewelry.

Then we headed back to Empanada Mama's for lunch. Yes we loved it that much. 

After lunch we grabbed our bags, said our goodbyes and headed to the airport.

All of us were delayed for weather leaving  New York. When I finally made it home it was so great to see all  my boys again!

It was a truly fantastic trip. Thanks Mom for a great trip and great memories!

Thanks to Quinn and my wonderful mother-in-law for taking such great care of the boys and letting me have the best week ever!

Also, all pics were taken by Mallory our trip photographer!

last vacation

I figured before we leave on our next vacation coming up this week, I better blog about my last vacation (which I know is terribly overdue).

We started off our trip in Gilbert, AZ. We met up with my family and stayed at a lovely home my parents rented for us. Memorial Day Cameron had arranged for us to meet at my grandparents' grave to pay our respects.

Later that night many Arnett's descended on my Uncle Jeff's for his world famous tacos and frozen hot chocolate.

We spent the rest of our trip enjoying ourselves at a water park, getting massages and facials, and eating delicious food.

We packed up and headed back to Utah via Las Vegas.

We pit stopped at the Hoover Dam and took a walk over the ginormous bridge. I thought I would be terrified to be on that thing, but was really fine. I was actually surprised at who was afraid, I won't name names but the name does rhyme with Manny.

We made it to Vegas and since we had built up the whole volcano thing to Asher, we had to see it. I don't have any pictures of it, but he was completely captivated by the show. He had a smile on his face the entire time. Totally worth it.

Once we arrived back to Utah we were busy with the Shepherd family sealing festivities. I was able to attend the temple with Danny and Stacey and had such a great experience with them.

 Then we spent the next days prepping food for 75 people.  Oh and Beckham, Grandpa and I took a trip to the emergency room to stitch up his busted lip. He was such a trooper but I hated seeing him sedated like that. Very freaky! The next day his lip was a bit swollen but he was the same happy baby that he always is!

Then the big day arrived.

 Such a beautiful family and isn't Stacey's dress to die for? I love etsy!

I was so happy to be able to share this day with the Shepherd family!

Quinn flew in toward the end of the week after an exhausting week at E3 in Los Angeles. I was beyond excited to see him and so were the kids. We spent the next few days having fun with family! We made another quick trip back to the ER to have the stitches removed and then said our goodbyes and flew back to Raleigh.

Since we have been home the boys and I have been spending our days at the pool and prepping for a week at the beach. It's a tough life :)