New York Trip

We had the amazing opportunity to go on a trip to New York with Cambrie's dance group from Rhythm Works Dance Studio.  It was truly an incredible experience!  We had a blast and saw so many sites.  Cambrie danced at the Statue of Liberty which was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for her!  We were on the go non-stop and were completely exhausted by the end but we did so much in a short time and we are so glad for that..  We are so grateful we made the decision to go.  Even though it was tough financially, we have priceless memories!  We are thankful for Diane and Rhythm Works for putting this together, for my parents for watching the little ones so we could go, and for our incredible tour guides, Courtney and Carrie. 

Excited girls at the airport..Cambrie, Courtney, and Jaylee.  Our flight got delayed for several hours, then we had to wait after we boarded and also had to wait in the air before landing.  It was a very LONG day but we had fun anyway..  

On our way....

Cambrie and Brooklyn

We FINALLY arrived in the Big Apple!

 I Love this picture because it was just so fun to see the kids in awe at how Big and amazing New York is.

Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center was completely lined in American Flags in honor of Memorial Day.  It was really beautiful.

At the "Top of the Rock".  We could see a gorgeous view of the lights of the city from here.



The girls in the "light room" at Rockefeller Center.  The lights were motion sensored and they had a blast playing around in there.

Our subway experience.  The subways in New York are very dirty and dark and honestly a bit scary.  I wouldn't want to be there alone for sure.  On one of the rides a couple of young guys moved all the passengers and busted out an AMAZING break dance.  It was cool but we thought we were going to be robbed first.

All these gorgeous girls ready to get on the subway.

Central Park



This is where John Lennon and Yoko Ono lived (Yoko actually still lives there)



This is the "Imagine" memorial to John Lennon by Yoko Ono. 

Cam and Ashley at Strawberry Fields in Central Park

 Bethesda Fountain
This is the beautiful Bethesda Fountain in Central Park.  It was fun to see since we have seen it on many movies and T.V. Shows.

This has to be one of my favorite pictures from the trip..you can see why!!

Is this Better???

This pic is cute of some of the girls but if you look in the background there is a beautiful Model who was having a photo shoot while we were there...in the next pic the girls were doing their professional model poses.  Too cute!

Hailee, Cambrie, and Ashley posing like the model

My three sweeties in the Poets Walk at Central Park.  It was so cool!

Manhattan Rock.  They say that Manhattan was built on this rock.

Radio City Music Hall

We got to go on a backstage tour of the Historic Radio City Music Hall.  We learned about how it came to be and the history of it.  It has been restored to its original condition which was very cool.

Tessa and Cambrie in the "Powder Room"

Tessa, Hailee, and Cambrie with a Rockette Manequin in one of the outfits they wear in the show.

View from the top of the stage.  They are doing a major renovation so we didn't get to go down on the stage.

Cambrie with a Rockette.  We got to sit in a room with her and have her tell us what it was like to be a Rockette.  Sounds like a pretty good gig.  They only work in November and December and occasionally traveling shows throughout the year.  The do the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" which is their big show.



 


Times Square

This city is AMAZING!  Never ending hustle and bustle.  It is loud and exciting and a wonderful place to see but I like our quiet home.

Wicked!!
We had the incredible opportunity to see the play, "Wicked" on Broadway!  What an amazing show and an amazing opportunity!  It was Wonderful!!!

Cambrie and her amazing Coach, Diane who put this  trip together!!  Thanks Diane!  We Love You!

At a museum on the way to Ellis and Liberty Island



Liberty Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the Girls Dancing

Cambrie and Cooper on the Ferry over to the Statue of Liberty

A view of Manhattan from our Ferry boat..sorry about the wierd dude in the pic.

Cooper with the Liberty Bike.  He thought it was really cool!

Cambrie in her opening part of "42nd Street"  Its hard to tell but we are directly behind the Statue of Liberty.  Seriously and amazing and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Finale

Flash Mob

Finale

The girls on Liberty Island overlooking the Harbor (Cambrie is Far Right)

We didn't get to spend a lot of time at Ellis Island but it was nice just to be there to feel the history.

Wall Street

 

9/11 Memorial 

This is a very sacred place.  It is quiet and peaceful.  The museum wasn't open so we were a little sad we didn't get to see memorabilia and artifacts but it was a blessing to be there.  I tried to imagine what it was like that day and my mind can't even go there.  

In front of the Reflecting Pools.  These are the "footprints" of the two towers.  The names of all the victims of the attacks are etched into the edges of the pools.

This is one of the towers that is being rebuilt.  It is almost finished.  The black part at the top still needs the mirrored windows.  It is so beautiful!

 "Believe" and Wicked Workshop
We went to a one-woman show called Believe that was very inspiring about a girl who would not stop pursuing her dream to be on broadway.  It was really great.  Then the girls had an amazing opportunity to go to a studio and learn a part of one of the dances in "Wicked" which was taught by one of the dancers who is actually in the show. 

 

Etc.....

Cambrie in the Swarovski Crystal Store...pretty fancy!!

At the American Girl Doll store. It was amazing!!!  Cam just kept saying "I wish Conlie was here, she would LOVE it".  It was so sweet of her to think of her sister!

American Girl Doll store..

 Our Dining Experiences
We quite enjoyed the New York cuisine! Some of the most fun times we had were at our dinners.  It was a party no matter where we went!!

Puglia was a little Italian Restaurant in Little Italy.  It was delicious and one of the MOST fun times we had on the trip!

Coop and I at Puglia's.  Pay no attention to the lack of makeup and horrible hair...we were caught in a downpour while walking there.

The Napkin Song...I know it sounds weird but this was one of the MOST fun times we had there.  A man named Jorge entertained us while we ate and EVERYONE was up dancing and singing.  Who would have though that a napkin could be so fun???

Ellen's Stardust Diner.  This was a fun place where all the employees are aspiring to be on broadway so they entertained as they served.  Way fun!! 

The girls doing a Conga Line through the restaurant.

Cambrie, Ashley and Charlotte at the Hard Rock Cafe.

At the Hard Rock.  Again....it was a huge party.  We were having so much fun that random people were video recording our group singing and dancing.

We only had 3 brothers come on the trip and Cooper was one of them.  They were such great sports and our wonderful tour guides, Carrie and Courtney recognized that.  So right before we left on the last day, they suprised the 3 boys with a treat in recognition of them putting up with all those girls (but really, they liked putting up with all those girls :)

Coop and his "brother" award.

The End.....