Fri 4/9

Though we had gone to bed early that morning, we decided the sooner we woke up, the sooner we could be seeing all the fun things the city had to offer. Now I don't remember what time we woke up, I just remember feeling like I got a nap instead of rest and rejuvination.

We returned to Liberty Park and took to first Ferry to Ellis Island.

When planning the trip all the kids were excited about Ellis Island thinking Grandma Packard had gone through there, but while waiting for the Ferry Dad called Grandma in curiousity. And Grandma said??? She did not go through Ellis Island...... and there went most of the appeal. Yes, we still took a minute to think about the thousands of people who went through, but it wasn't as fascinating with no personal connection. So we got off the Ferry so we could say we were ON Ellis Island, then got back on and headed toward the Statue of Liberty.

There was a High School band on our boat..

So this was the funniest thing. Adam was a little bit.. let's say testy and didn't want anyone to talk to him. So he walked the the middle of the boat and sat down. Then he realized we could see him, so he shoved his hood down.

 He tried to shove sarah away, but she wouldn't budge. She was tired, he was tired, so they slept :)

After being about to go INSIDE and up a level of the Statue we got on Another Ferry and traveled to NYC. Here our adventure started again. This time: Subways. We went to Union square and Grand Central Station, where we ironically bought California Oranges and a Baguette to share. YUMMY! The oranges weren't as good as right off the tree but what is?

(On the subway) We get on quickly and they jump on these seats with Michelle sitting across from them. Two seconds later Michelle BUSTS up laughing.. Can you see why? IT WAS PERFECT!

We continued on to Central Park where one of my favorite things happened. Apparently when in college Alisha and her roommates were in Love with Enchanted the movie, and promised eachother if anyone of them ever went to Central Park they would sing "How Do You Know". So after walking in the park and finding an area with a limited amount of witnesses, she DID IT! It was SO HILARIOUS! Michelle video taped it as proof and hopefully the video will upload. If not, just imagine it. However hilarious it in your mind, it was even more hilarious.

After Alisha's ummm.. song, we kept walking and found some swings. The second we saw the swings the little kids in each of us SHOT out and ran. Luckily there were enough swings for all the "kids" (meaning Dad didn't get one, but he pushed us).

From the swings we found a playground and though the kid in all of us did not come out, we decide Adam needed his "kid time" so we found a bench and relaxed and planned the rest of the night while he got is play on. A good half an hour after later we were heading to the subway and on to China town for dinner. Adam once again was unwhiling to think he would like the chinese food in New York, so we stopped by a Mcdonalds for him, then continued on to find a good resturant. After walking around China town for a good 15 minutes, not really knowing where to look, we found a small little resturant, ordered our food and enjoyed. Now I ate a ton because that's what I do at Chinese resturants, and everyone else was quick to fill up, but Adam was hesitant. But to no surprise after taking a few bites he was hooked and fighting for as much as he was allowed. He reminded me of me.. I loved it.

After Chinese we decided we had seen enough and really just wanted to get into bed early so we headed back to the ferry. Michelle and Alisha took this opportunity to prove their Subway Skills. All day Dad had been deciding what subway and to where and had made one or two minor mistakes, so Michelle and Alisha wanted to take a whack at it. Within two minutes they had a perfect plan to get the family to the other side of town. After successful navigating through the system they smiled in their accomplishment. They were on top of the world: They had figured out the New York Subway System :)

Because of where the ferry was we still had to do some walking and were actually able to walk by Ground Zero. We weren't that close but you could see all the construction. Definetly close enough to take the time to remember all those who's lives were lost and who showed remarkable amounts of selflessness and bravery.

Though we were in our hotel by 7 we didn't fall asleep right away. Did we get to bed earlier than the night before? Yes. As soon as mom and our bodies would have liked? No

Oops