We made it to The Big Apple!

As if what we've all ready experienced wouldn't have made it's own fabulous vacation in itself, we finally made it to our destination, New York City. We were anxious to meet up with the others & see what this city is all about! We came into Penn Station & got that NY feel right away. We stayed at The Hilton Garden Inn, just off Times Square. Despite having a subway underneath us, where you could hear/feel the subway cars going every 8 min. or so, it was a perfect location to be near to it all! As as hard as we tried to see it all, that just isn't possible to do in 4 days; but, we did our best & saw quite a bit! Yes, we did experience the "typical New Yorkers" that people joke about...some people were just a bit edgy & impatient; but, can understand being in a crazy busy city. But, we also met some wonderful people along the way too & know it also is a place that everyone must experience in their lifetime!! Daniella was excited to join us & get to show us her old home town (she has now moved from SLC to Jacksonville, FL). There was 14 of us total. Though we all had different schedules & agendas, we shared different moments & experiences together at different times.

Our one night all together was our night at the Broadway Show, Mamma Mia! Oh, what a FANTABULOUS night! (that's my new word for extra fabulous! :}).

That was just a fun show & perfect for all us girls! We took up most of the row, had great seats & just loved the experience of finally seeing a Broadway Show (my first at least). Though we were some of the few to actually get up & dance at the end, we didn't care...it was too good not too! And I must say, this Broadway Soundtrack I got there has to be one of my most favorite CD's now...I can't get enough of it this week!! Who doesn't like ABBA music, c'mon?! :} Dancing Queen, Take A Chance On Me, The Winner Takes It All, S.O.S., The Name Of The Game, Mamma Mia...you know you love it! :} I bet you're singing one of them in your head right now, aren't you?! :} So glad we made sure to do that...worth every penny! Now I still need to see the movie; but, plan on joining Maryanne and some others at the Mamma Mia! DVD release party that she will be having. Since that will involve a weekend in St. George, hopefully that will work out! :}

It was also great to get to see my cousin, Wendy, who has now lived there for over 20 years.Wendy and I are the same age, she was just the class ahead of me. We all did a lot together growing up, with all the family activities we'd have. She's done very well for herself & proud of her for getting out there & living life to the fullest. She has a gorgeous home just within blocks of Central Park. It's quite a different lifestyle than what we're used to in Salt Lake; but, perfect for her & she fits right in! She's very down to earth & doesn't take it for granted, I appreciate that about her. I again hope to take my family back there someday & spend more time with her & her family. For now, just getting to see her & what her life is about was awesome! Speaking of Central Park, what an amazing place! And in the midst of the crazy busy city, it creates a wonderful place to get away from the madness. I did walk through from end to end, though I know there's much more within the park that I didn't get to see. It really is huge...it's everything people chalk it up to be!

Getting to see Washington D.C.

Though we knew we were taking the train out of Union Station, we really didn't think we were going to have time to tour the city (with getting 8 girls out the door by 8 am all packed & ready to go...yea, weren't counting on it); but, we did & got there faster than expected (despite possibly getting a ticket in the mail for the toll booth $ that didn't make it in the bin when she threw it. Alarms going off, she couldn't back up since another car was all ready there, so she just hit the gas...oh that was a funny moment! :}). So we got the chance to check it out. Oh wow, what a neat place to see!! The history & architecture all around you is spectacular! And as a bonus, we had Carmon, our tour guide, on speaker phone in the truck in front of us. He is a hoot...this could be another job for him if he needed one! I'm sure no one has gotten a tour guide quite like ours. Really though, for not even expecting to get to see all these places, it was all a bonus!! I hope to take my family there someday, it's definately a place for all to see. And I would of course like to actually go into these places & know there's more to see. We did the quick drivebys & took in what we could in our short time. And with this being the time of election, there couldn't be a better place to truly make you appreciate the country we live in!!

Our time in Virginia.....

As if just having a day to lounge, hanging out & chattin' with the girls, wasn't good enough....we got out & toured the local wineries while we were there. It was like having a flashback of our trip to Sonoma Valley earlier this year. We couldn't have asked for a nicer day, and with the fall season in full gear, it was a perfect time to view the area.

The first stop...Hidden Brook Winery. I felt right at home with the log cabin feel & up in the mountainous area.

Next stop up the road, Lost Creek Winery. We enjoyed sitting outside & taking in the fresh air without anything we HAD to do (aaahhh...it's been a long time since I've had a day like that!)
Out last stop, the most beautiful one of all, Tarara Winery, which is alongside the Potomac River. It was just absolutely gorgeous country! Once we were done, it was time to head back to the house so Millie could cook us up an extravagent dinner. If you know Millie, you know she likes to cook for a whole clan...she doesn't know how to do anything small! (must be that being from Utah & having a big family thing!). She had a feast of steak, fresh lobster, funeral pototoes (which again, made me feel right at home! :}), brussel sprouts (which I actually enjoyed...didn't think I liked those, been a while since I've tried them). Then of course dessert to top it off. It was so tasty! We spent the rest of the night just talking, laughing, singing, Suz & I trying to make up some choreography to "Low" & "Soldier Boy" :}, and just enjoying every moment of our time together. I know it's hard for Millie to be so far from home; but, we were so glad to be able to share her world with her & let her know she is still, and always will be, one of the gang! They made wonderful hosts & started our vacation off with a bang!

Listening to the tunes, singing "Only You" by YAZ (lovethat song!)

Carmon & Duran taking a little break for a minute!

Cute little Scooter...she loved us! :}

Happy Birthday To Me....

So we flew out the day of my birthday (lucky for me it just worked out that way! :}). We were pleasantly greeted by Kamille & Carmon at Dulles airport with a whole bunch of birthday gifts/gadgets to remind me exactly how old I am now! She went overboard, as Kamille likes to do...but, sure made it fun!!


So good to see Millie again!

And Carmon...he's a crackup. Great guy, was a wonderful host...we approve! :}

I had to wear my crown all night. Hey, you can't fight it...you might as well play along, right?!

While we were waiting for Maryanne to fly in, we hit a town nearby, Reston. What a fun little town! We enjoyed hanging out on this fun street full of restaurants/clubs.

Once Maryanne flew in, we then headed back to their beautiful home. Millie was a bit modest when she says she has a nice home on a good amount of land. Yea, you could say that! It was out in the country; but, close enough to many places...they have the best of both worlds there! It was sad to see a bunch of homes in Foreclosure, with the current crazy economy. So wish I could buy one of those homes...I'd be there in a flash! There's not many places I think I could live; but, this one I could!

She even had the cake...thanks again Milie!
I will absolutely have to say that was THE best birthday yet! (of course we can do our best to try & out-do it! :} Better start thinking of where I want to be at 50. Italy? Greece? Of course, just going to the Ellen Show sounds fabulous too. Big dreams & plenty of places to see! :})