Deck the Halls...(and keep on running)...

Anya is getting so grown up these days.  She is still excited about Christmas (thankfully last year's revelation didn't kill it for her) and insisted on decorated the tree all on her own this year.

She was also old enough to appreciate some Christmas classic favorites for the first time this year. She particularly enjoyed Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life.

And at the end of the season, Clayton and I decided that after more than 15 years of marriage we should probably treat ourselves to a vacation that consisted of more than just one night away at Park City (our current record set for our 10th anniversary).  So, since Clayton had a conference he was presenting at in New York City, I tagged along and we had a great time.

Central Park

We made the obligatory trip through Central Park (I even insisted on a hot dog from a street vendor for lunch)... 

The original "Washington Crossing the Delaware" -- it's HUGE!

and toured The Museum of Natural History (Anya was jealous, even though we assured her we did not meet Rex or Dexter)...

and visited Time Square (though NOT on New Year's Eve -- it was CRAZY trying to fight against the throng of people headed that direction and we decided it would be more enjoyable to see it from a distance and try something else for the evening).

NYPD preparing for the New Year's celebration..
They were stationed like this at EVERY corner beginning at 9:00 in the morning.

Time Square on NOT December 31!
(Should we have invested in one of those selfie sticks?)

We spent New Year's Eve at the top of the Empire State Building instead.

The view was breathtaking -- the air was FREEZING!!!

At the base of Lady Liberty

We visited the Statue of Liberty (in the sleet and rain).  I spent a lot of time thinking about what it must have been like to have traveled in far more miserable conditions than a bit of cold rain and to finally see Lady Liberty welcoming you to the Land of the Free.  I also reminisced about one of my favorite teachers (and I've had some truly exceptional teachers!) -- Mrs. Beebe and how we, as second graders so many years ago, helped raise money to send to restore the Statue of Liberty.  We received a letter and a book about the White House from President Reagan thanking us for our contribution.  I remember watching the Fourth of July Fireworks the year they reopened the statue and feeling proud that I had had a part in something so big.  I know now what a small part that was, but to a little seven year old girl, it made me feel an important, proud part of the world.  Thanks (again) Mrs. Beebe for making a lasting, life-long impression on a little girl in Rupert.

The original torch (removed in 1984 -- about the time I was a second grader --
and replaced during the restoration in 1986) is on display inside the museum.

The World Trade Center Museum and Memorial was truly interesting (probably my favorite).  The timeline walking us through the hours of that historic day was fascinating and made me appreciate the men and women who, without any advanced planning or preparation had to make such critical and catastrophic decisions in split seconds.  It was a solemn but majestic reminder of the hope, unity, and determination that rose from the devastation of the day.

The last remaining pillar that they moved.
It was initially buried so deep that only
a couple of feet were visible above ground.

This stairway was protected by other parts of the building
during the collapse and destruction
and was a pathway to safety for many people.

Ladder 3 was among the first responders.
None of the company survived, though they saved the lives of many others.

Everyone remembers a beautiful, clear blue sky beginning the day.  This collage represents memories of that color -- one for each of the victims.

The memorial fountain stands outside where the original foundations of the Twin Towers stood.  The walls surrounding the fountain are made of plaques engraved with the name of each of the victims.

We had a beautiful candlelight seafood dinner along the river.

And we, of course, made sure to attend a couple of Broadway performances...Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera (check and check on my bucket list).  Though I couldn't really pick a favorite (they were both so different and remarkable in their own ways), I LOVED the experience.  I'd have to say, however, that the theaters themselves didn't quite compare to the beautiful Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh... (yes, I still miss that place!).

Waiting for Les Miserables to begin

We had a marvelous time and it was nice to spend some quality time together.  A couple days childless is more than enough, though, and we were both thrilled to be with Anya again when we got home (though she'd been having plenty of fun being fought over by grandparents and playing with cousins).