NYC and Boston

Last week we headed back east for what was probably our last "big" vacation for a while...seeing how Ellie will be here in about 3 months. For the last 2 years Jason and I have gone to NYC together in March for our birthdays. Last year it was COLD in NYC so we decided to change our regular tradition up a bit. First of all we decided we'd go a month later when it would be warmer. Secondly we decided on heading to Boston since we've been to NYC so much. We were only in NYC for 2 days and Boston for 2 days so we didn't get to do everything we wanted, but it was still nice to get away. My friend Denae and her husband Jeremy were able to come with us too. Deenie and Jer were warned that we LOVE to eat when we're in NYC and would take them to some of our favs. The first place we went was over the Brooklyn Bridge to Grimaldi's. The four of us devoured 2 LARGE pizzas...and boy were they GOOD! After pizza we had ice cream at the pier then headed back into Manhattan. We walked through the park, went to the apple store to check out the new i-pad then headed for dinner at the Star Dust Diner. Jason and I had never been to the Star Dust before, but we'd heard great things about it. The food was average but the atmosphere was fun because all the waiters and waitresses randomly break out into song...show tunes mostly so you're entertained while you eat. After our musical dinner it was on to broadway. We saw Jersey Boys and it was FANTASTIC!!! It's the story of The Four Seasons and Franky Valli. Then only terrible thing about the show was that they dropped the F bomb A LOT. We were warned that the F bomb was a frequent part of the show due to the "Jersey" side of things...but neither Jason or I expected it as frequently as they used it. If they could have left out all the F bombs the show would have been perfect. The music was phenomenal...it was like being at a concert! We loved it. After the show Bryndee hooked us up with one of her friends in the cast who gave us a back stage tour.

The next day we had a slow start with breakfast starting about lunch time, some of the natural history museum...then the four of us went separate ways cause Deenie and Jer were headed to a Yankees game. Jason and I went to Madison Square park for lunch, had a relaxing afternoon then entered the lottery for another broadway...and we won! We were able to see Rock of Ages. This show also had FANTASTIC music...classic 80's rock but the story line was really trashy. It was all about rock bands, the groupies who follow them, sex, drugs, etc. So if we could have taken out the acting and just had the music it would have been great. Constantine from American Idol a few seasons back was the main guy...and boy can he sing! He was perfect for the rocker role.

Deenie and Jer and Grimaldi's famous pizzeria

Mmmmmm ice cream at the pier

Me and Jas at our engagement spot in Central Park

Me, Jas and Ellie at our engagement spot

NYC...this is right outside of Bryndee's work

The gang at Jersey Boys

Mmmmmm Shake Shack burger in the park :-)

The next day was ROAD TRIP day. We got up bright and early to head to Boston. Remember my comment about me and Jas wanting to go a month later so it would be warmer? Well Boston wasn't very cooperative with that plan of ours. It was 40 degrees...cold and RAINY! It pretty much rained the entire time we were there. It would stop every now and again for a while...but most of Boston was seen under umbrellas. Despite the rain and cold I liked Boston. It has a much more relaxed feel compared to NYC. And it is SOOOO much cleaner! I was surprised by the small size of the city. I always imagined it being a bigger city like Chicago or NYC. We walked along the freedom trail and thanks to a gift shop book and some GREAT narration by Denae we all brushed up on our American History. We also went to Cambridge one day and walked through the campus of Harvard. We wished we would have had more time in NYC and Boston...but real life and work always get in the way of play; ya have to come home some time. But it was great to get away.

Deenie and Jer at Paul Revere's grave

Me and Jas at Paul Revere's house

Denae, our tour guide and Freedom Trail narrator

Dear Boston, thanks again for all the rain!

Me getting on a tree swing in a Harvard coutyard

The USS Constitution..."Iron Sides" in all her glory

Me and Jas by a cannon in old Iron Sides

Jas on a WWII ship...I don't remember it's name

Me and Jas at the Bunker Hill Monument

Me and Jas inside the TOP of the monument. 294 steps to the top and I made it with my

pregnant belly...but boy was I winded!

Beautiful Boston in the spring. (Thank you rain for going away for a time :-)