We knew that Brad was going to be gone most of the month of January for work trips and so we decided that I would go on his first trip with him to New York! We didn't think that we would be able to make it work since my parents work and Brad's parents were on their mission. We didn't really know who would watch Aleah and Cade. This was Brad's third year going to New York and we both really wanted me to go with him.
One of my friends went out to New York in December. She posted pictures on FaceBook which only made me want to go with Brad even more. At her Christmas party I was tell her about our situation and how much I want to go to New York. She said, "You have to go! Just get Sabrina to watch them." I'm so glad that she said that. Sabrina is a young woman in our ward who is just waiting to go on her mission in March. She has been my visiting teacher since we moved in. She is so cute and wonderful!
I went right over to Sabrina's mom and told her what I was thinking. She went home and talked to Sabrina. The next day at church I talked to Sabrina and she said that she would love to watch Aleah and Cade! I could not believe that it was all coming together! That night Brad and I bought my plane tickets which were only $5! Brad had enough miles for my tickets. I was so excited, but also a little nervous. I had never been away from Aleah and Cade for more than one night.
Before I new it, it was January 10th and Brad and I were on our way to the airport. After I said bye to Aleah and Cade I had to run out to the car because I started crying. I cried all the way up to the airport, and most of the way through the airport (it would come and go at the airport). I had a frustrating experience with the TSA lady and ended up choosing to have a pat down. After that I started really crying! Once we were in the air I realized that I had two choices, cry my entire vacation, or let it go and have fun with Brad. I missed Aleah and Cade like crazy either way. So I calmed down and ended up having a fun flight with Brad playing games, laughing, talking, and watching a movie.
Going on work trips with Brad is great because the hotel is paid for, Brad's plane tickets are paid for, plus he had miles for my tickets, and Brad's food is paid for! We stayed at a really nice hotel only a block from Time Square. It was wonderful!
Our first day in New York, it rained the entire day. But, it was in the low 50's so we just put on our hoods and went touring.
Brad didn't have to work very much so he went with me to meet my friend Rachel for lunch at The Shake Shack. Rachel and I have been friends since we were 11 years old. She feels more like a sister to me, I love her so much! I was so excited to get to visit with her and have her show me around New York.
After lunch we walked and walked. We went to Time Square. I love that there is a heart on the screen behind us! It was refreshing and magical to walk around and spend time with Brad. I think that it is so perfect that there is a heart behind us!
We got some delicious banana cream pudding from Magnolia Bakery!
Checked out Rockefeller Center and watched some people ice skate.
Later that night we decided to go to see Matilda. My friend Rachel told us that we could try to win lottery tickets which would get us good seats for a really low price, $27.00! We looked into it and the website said that you have a really good change at winning during the winter months and when it is raining or snowing. It was definitely raining and a winter month so we thought that we would be able to win for sure.
We we showed up 2 hours before the show for the lottery and there were tons of people there. I kept thinking, "What is going on? Where are all these people coming from?" I was not alone. The guys doing the lottery said that they have never seen this many people before. I was a little disappointed and started talking to Brad about what we were going to do if we didn't win. We decided that we would have to just buy tickets at the full price since we wouldn't have time to stand in line for discount tickets and get dinner before the show started.
As they started calling out names I started praying! I prayed and prayed. Then I thought, "If they are going to call my name it will probably be this time." Right after that thought I heard, "Shaylin Godfrey" I started jumping and screaming! I couldn't believe it. It was such a blessing! I'm in the middle by the wall, holding up my winning ticket.
After getting our tickets we went across the street for some barbecue. We got seated in a cute little corner booth for two right by a big window. At first I thought, "Oh, we can't sit here. It's not big enough." Haha, it was a perfect booth for the two of us!
It was a wonderful meal!
We really enjoyed Matilda. It was cute and funny. Our seats were good, not the best, but for the price they were awesome. We were a few rows back and on the side. What a wonderful first day it was!
Brad spent most of the second day working. He had to get everything set up and working.
I spent the day with my friend Rachel, her family, and her Mom. We went for a walk through Central Park, listened to some people singing under a beautiful bridge, and attended church at the same building as the temple. That evening Brad met up with us at my friend's apartment for dinner. We had a wonderful meal and great time visiting.
The third day Brad had to work in the morning. I went with my friend Rachel, her kids, and her Mom to see the 9/11 Memorial. I got my first Metro Card.
Rachel's son Liam and I were walking buddies. He is only 8 months older than Aleah, so it was fun to have him for my buddy.
The memorial was beautiful! It felt like a very sacred place. It brought back all the memories of that day and brought to life how terrible and devastating it was. I'm thankful that it is so beautiful now. I feel like it allows us to honor those who died so tragically. It is peaceful and beautiful.
This is the only tree that survive. They found it buried under all the debris, sent it to a nursery, and it lived. It was amazing to hear the story of this tree!
We stopped for some lunch at an Italian place. I had some pizza that was so good and an amazing kale bean soup. It was so incredibly good!
Brad was able to break away from work for the rest of the day. He joined us for our trip to see the Statue of Liberty. We walked past the Bull. There was a big line, so we just got a picture from the distance.
We took the ferry to Ellis Island.
It went past the Statue of liberty.
Then we took the ferry back.
It was fun to see the Statue of Liberty. It looks just like it does in the movies.
That night we were going to go to the top of the Empire State Building. After walking around the entire day, we decided to go to dinner and then call it a night. It was a beautiful night. It was warm, clear, and perfect! We had a wonderful time at dinner with our friends Rachel and Bryant and their cute kids.
The fourth day I got to spend the morning sitting on the couch relaxing and visiting with my friend Rachel. I miss her so much! It was such a blessing to get to sit and visit with her. I didn't want it to end. She means so much to me and has always been a good example and friend to me. I'm thankful that she would put her life on hold to spend time with me!
Brad broke away from work so that he could have lunch with me and then ride all the way to the airport with me. He is such a great husband! I didn't want to leave him! I was so excited to get home to see Aleah and Cade, but sad to leave Brad. I loved every minute of my vacation with him!
I got to see a beautiful sunset out my window.
Aleah and Cade had a lot of fun while I was gone. They got to watch Frozen, two times! They LOVE the movie Frozen. They also had a fun time at the Dinosaur Museum. We did FaceTime with them every night. It was nice to see them for a minute and talk to them.
Sabrina, Aleah, and Cade picked me up from the airport. I'm so glad that I was able to see them as soon as I got off the air plane. I hugged them and hugged them! It was fun to ride home and hear all about the things that they did while I was gone. I missed them so so much!
As soon as Brad dropped me off he met up with his friend and coworker for some cheesecake. I don't like cheesecake so this was his chance to get some cheesecake.
After New York Brad headed up to Canada for a couple of days and then he came home for a couple of days. He flew over Bear Lake and got a good picture from his window.
I am so thankful to all the family and friends who made this trip possible for me! I was such a blessing in my life.
