Bryant and Rockefeller

Happy New Year to everyone! I apologize that it's been a long time since we last wrote. We had a wonderful, fun, exciting Christmas and beginning of 2009 and we hope you had the same.

Now, to recount our escapades of this past Saturday. P had wanted to see the "huge Christmas tree in New York City" (a.k.a. the tree at Rockefeller Center) for a while. So we had planned a trip to see "the tree" and also take advantage of ice skating in NYC; however, due to wintry weather, we never were able to go in December. So on January 2nd we made the trek 'into the city', with ice skates loaded in backpacks that A and I carried like pack mules.






We stopped first at Bryant Park, which has a free rink during the winter months. We didn't have to wait long in line, but when we got onto the ice, it was very choppy and there was at least an inch of "snow" scraped up from the many ice skaters. A, P and D braved the masses, but I took a few laps and then decided it was best that I take the photos for documentation. We didn't end up staying long, the crowds were too much for us country folk. At least we can say that "we did it!"



After some food, warmth and rest, we headed over to Rockefeller Center to check out "the tree". It was a lovely tree with many lights, but not what P was expecting. She thought it would be much taller and decorated with ornaments. I must agree, it did look small in proportion to "30 Rock" towering behind it. We later heard that the tree was planted in the 1930's with the intention that it would be used at Rockefeller Center.



We then lined up for a long wait to skate at the rink at Rockefeller Center. A and I were tired by that point and ready to call it quits but the girls were excited and willing to endure. After about 90 minutes in freezing weather A, P and D hit the ice and had a blast! There weren't as many people as we had encountered at Bryant Park, the ice was smoother, and just the cool factor of skating at the Rock! The night ended all too soon, and as we ran for the train (which is an all too common occurrence for us) we all agreed this was a great trip 'into the city'.