She was most happy with her Seahawks Stuff and an Oliver Blanket!

Had our second Christmas Morning in the St Paul Hotel... Ordered breakfast and Halley proceeded to open her presents... She seemed most happy!  She had some sweet gifts for us too!  A great morning!

Christmas #2 in Minneapolis with Halley!

After Christmas in Fircrest, next on the list was Christmas in Minneapolis with Halley.  Brought my new ruana... love it!  Got a special angel who made it for me!!!!  We settled in for our trip on board the wagon train in the sky.... was a bumpy ride but we made it here safe and sound!  Books were read, puzzles completed and a great movie watched.... "One Hundred Foot Journey!"  Landed, got our car... and it began to snow... there's a couple inches on the ground now.. very pretty... temp should be below freezing the whole time we are here.  Out hotel is across the street from Rice Park... With the lights and the snow... well, let's just say it's perfect!

Sista's together... November 2014

Yipee... Patti's in town visiting... Always a fun time and adventurous...  Lots of meals out and also, just sitting around which feels decadent!

Headed out for Alderbrook Resort on Monday... three nights... some pampering... and more than enough snacks, wine and more wine!  The weather has been forgiving and we even have had some sun. Patti and Jean went geocaching... didn't find the cache... but they did find some stinging nettles... dang... those feel weird on you hands as in our case.  We generally wear gloves, but forgot them that morning... stupid... don't think that will happen again for a while... 

We have one more day left here at the resort... than back home tomorrow...

Lunch at The Tides in Gig Harbor

 Doing our best to look scary in our room with our super duper flashlights!

View from our room... 

A suspended leaf while out exploring! 

Beautiful Waterwheel.... 

Dang... no cache 

Sailboat for rent... 

Getting our pictures...  

Clouds were gorgeous! 

Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting?

Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting?
Autumn in New York, it spells the thrill of first knighting
Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds in canyons of steel......
I have always loved that song... and here we are.... in NYC... It's Autumn... but alas, the trees are all still green... But... It's still lovely and I find myself humming that tune!

Long day today... up at 6 to walk down to the ABC studio at 67th and Columbus for the taping of Kelly and Michael.  So nice to be in the VIP section cuz of my cousin... get's us in sooner.

After the show, we found a nice spot for a late breakfast (the show was over at 10, and then they filmed a few promos...)  Bid our adieus and we headed back to our hotel for about an hour... then off to Central Park to meet up with Judy Lynn... formerly of Tacoma... now living in the Azores... and here we meet in Central Park.  Spent a few hours walking around... sitting a spot... and catching up.  We also showed her how to geocache... Found one and, unfortunately, there also was one that had us stumped and we never did find it.  Oh well, next time!

As the afternoon progressed it was time for us to get back to our digs... Said goodbye to Judy and headed home.  The weather was perfect today... Sunny the whole time.  Jerry and I figured by the end of the day we'd logged 6 miles walking around... NYC is such an easy city to figure your way around.  No subways or taxis for us today... Love that!

Cousins John and Margaret!

 Matthew Brodrick

 Commercial Break

 Rolls Royce outside our hotel,,, Chrome Plated...

 Trump Plaza Daytime

 The trees are still green in Central Park

Judy and I at Strawberry Fields...

 The bugger of a geocache... and no, that little door in the tree was not it....

A really early good morning to NYC!!!!

Set my alarm so I could see the lights of the city as we were coming into port about 5:30am... Took a couple then headed back to bed... so nice to laz around while someone else is getting you to your destination!  What a surprise to see were docked next to the "Intrepid";  but, still I'm a bit ticked off they got the Space Shuttle (the big covering on the back of the boat) and the Boeing Museum of Flight didn't!  Although Gary did tell us we got the training one and he said it was better cuz you can go in it, etc... hmmmm...

A drizzly and then pouring day welcomed us.  Getting off the boat, etc, no problem... but, looking across the street... the taxi line was humongous and with no covering... Note to self, always order a car... nice to see your name being waved and all you do is walk to it!  Back to the line, we were headed to it when a gentleman gave us a price and said he would take us... I know, dicey to do it, but we did... He took my suitcases, gave me an umbrella, we walked less than a 1/2 block to the car and we were at our destination at no time.  While in our hotel, NYLO, we ran into someone from our ship... they waited 90 minutes for a cab and everything in their suitcases was damp.  Think we made the better choice even though I'm sure that guy wasn't 'legal' and was just making a few bucks on his Saturday morning.

We were at the hotel pretty early (like 10:30am), so our room wasn't ready yet.  Nice lobby with comfy chairs, a coffee and liquor bar... so was not so hard to wait. The rain stopped so we went for a walk in our neighborhood (upper west side near 77th and Broadway) and had a bite to eat.  Made plans with Liz and Gary for the evening (and missing Julie and Jens).  By 3, the sun was out and the damp streets began to dry.  A nice evening was in store!

So fun watching the Liz & Gary see NYC for the first time!  Times Square was in her glory!  Horns honking, police whistles, and, of course, all the buildings with the huge electric signage!  Yup, baby, you're in the big apple!  Grabbed a good BBQ dinner at Virgils, then headed out for a walk.  Finally, ended up back at their hotel and bid them adieu!  Till the next time!

 5:50 am.... then back to sleep!

Can you see the red beacon... that's the top of the WTC building... 

Space Shuttle inside that permanent tented area on the back of the Intrepid

Wacky looking sub 

Walking around the neighborhood we are in.. 

Central Park to the East outside our room balcony 

Hudson River to the West 

Creepy guy... 

Ahhhh... two of the Diva's minus Julie (Cyn and Christy too) 

The Rock 

The St Regis...