Halloween in NYC

We spent the day exploring New York City and saw lots of cool things. We went in to fun stores like FAO Schwartz and the Lego Store. And we went and saw lots of landmarks like Rockafeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral. We spent some time in Central park too. There were also some cool displays for the Day of the Dead. We also saw the temple and went inside the chapel that is below it. A really interesting and unique design that blend in with the buildings around it.

Eleanor wasn't too happy about us being away from home for Halloween but we brought her costume with us so she could go trick or treating. We went to a really cool neighborhood to do some trick or treating. All of the brownstones were totally decked out with decorations and there were tons of people there. Definitely a different experience.

After trick or treating we went to the Halloween parade. It was quite the spectacle.

I started not feeling well during the parade and we made a quick exit on the subway back to our place. I was really not feeling well and was worried I wouldn't make it back to the hotel. We made it though and I was afraid that maybe I had appendicitis. So we spent a while trying to decide whether or not to go to the hospital. Finally I decided to go to sleep and see if that helped. Thankfully, I felt better in the morning and we could leave the city. I think the kids were done with the crowds and dirtiness of the city, and they were creeped out by all of the rats running around. We were ready for quieter places. Glad we could check out and get on our way the next morning. But it certainly was a very unique Halloween.

New York Day Two

We got up the next morning and took the ferry out to Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty. It was a beautiful sunny day and we enjoyed walking all around there. We even stopped and we watched church online in front of the Statue of Liberty. A unique place to attend church virtually. We had a lot of fun posing in different ways in front of the statue.

After that, we went to the 9/11 memorial.  It was beautiful and somber to remember what happened there.

Then we went to Grand Central Station and it was very grand.

Then we went to see the Empire State Building all lit up at night.

It was a fun filled day!

New York Day One

We had a long flight to New York and as soon as we hit the ground, we were running! We got our rental car and then we were off to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I had won the lottery for getting discounted seats so we went for it. We got a little lost on the way there and there of course was tons of traffic, but we made it JUST in time for the play. I am truly amazed that we made it. It was a really fun play. I'm so glad we went.

After the play we walked to Time Square to see all the lights and billboards. It's bright at night!

We ran across a giant candy store. Of course we had to go in and check it out for Eleanor! (Even though she chose not to smile for the picture - and nice photo bomb Corban!) She was like... a kid in a candy shop!

We were tired after a long day of travel, so we went off to our hotel for a good night's sleep.

Ward Halloween Party

We had the ward Halloween party and it was fun. Zaron decided to make a candy dispensing pinball machine and it was a huge hit with the kids. It was really impressive. Zaron is so creative and brilliant! Eleanor decided that she wanted to be a pirate for Halloween this year.  The cutest pirate ever!