My Personal New York Walking Tour

After I left Grand Central I walked over to Bryant Park.  I really didn't know what to expect since all I knew about it was that is where fashion week takes place.  This is a view across the park of the New York Public Library.

 Beautiful fountain in the park.

 All of the flowers were just beautiful.

 

 My next stop was St. Patrick's Cathedral which is completely under construction.  They are doing a $175 million renovation of the church.  Pardon my new camera issues and not knowing what setting to be on... These are a bit dark

 

 

 

 

 I walked through the NBC TV store.  This NBC logo is made out of M&Ms!

 And in time square there is this huge digital flag.

 And a crazy amount of advertising.  Apparently some of the billboards go for $500,000 a month!  How nuts!

 

 If you look closely on top the center building above the advertising is a 2013 and just above that is the new year's ball.  I never would have thought it was so small.  It looks huge on TV!!

Since I knew Darren would not care, I did a tour around the Broadway theaters.  This one below, the Barrymore, is named after Drew Barrymore's great aunt who was a legend in the 1920's. 

New York - Architecture

Growing up in Chicago gave me an appreciation for architecture.  Well being in New York it is like architecture on steroids.  Even compared to Chicago, the buildings were just immense.  I've only been to New York once before but I could completely see us living there for a year.  Fingers double crossed!  Would be amazing!

Friday Darren had his interview so I went out exploring on my own and kept finding myself staring up!  Up first I walked down the street from our hotel to the Chrysler Building.  At one point this building was in tallest in New York but now is tied for 4th with New York Times building but behind the almost finished One World Trade Center tower, Bank of American tower and the Empire State Building.

From there I went to Grand Central terminal to get a breakfast.  I was hoping for a lox and bagel sandwich and was not disappointed.  What a beautiful building!

 

 

 

 I also spent some time walking around Rockafeller Center.  While I wasn't able to get up early enough to go to the Today Show I did want to walk around the plaza.  I was glad I did because the next day they had all the beautiful flower beds torn up and were planting rose bushes.  The tulips were beautiful!

 

 

Another New York icon I was glad to see was the Flat Iron building.  We walked passed it by happenstance but how interesting of a shape!

Sweet 16

Last fall tickets went on sale for the Sweet 16 and Elite games in Indy for the Men's NCAA tournament.  We had planned for the last year to go.  The games were at Lucas Oil Stadium.

 The games were the Oregon Ducks

 Vs the Louisville Cardinals.

 And the Duke Blue Devils

Vs the Michigan State Spartans.

The Road to the Final Four and it's National Champion came through Indy!

 A couple of game shots.

 

 In the end despite losing Kevin Ware, the Cardinals prevailed in the Indy regional and onto the Final Four which they also won!  A few celebration photos.

 

 

 

 

The Lombardi Trophy

Ok I know I've been MIA but honestly since Christmas not that much has happened.  Prepare to be updated in about 2 posts! :)  Busy season for you.  During January I went to a benefit and the Colts' Vince Lombardi Trophy was there.  And it wasn't just to look at.  I got to hold it!!  Probably the only time in my life I'll get to hold this trophy so I couldn't resist the picture.  Darren I think was a bit jealous, he was on call! :)

Taylor

I took so many pictures of Taylor I thought she deserved her own post. Loving Uncle Jerry's lap.

Playing with ribbon. 

Looking cute.

With her uncle Ryan and her monkey.

Christmas in Kentucky

On Christmas Eve, with Darren in the midst of the stomach flu, we drove to Hopkinsville.  So gald to be with my family.

Mom's tree.

Steven getting some new art for his apartment.  UK, Bourbon and Keeneland, three of Steven's favorite things!

Darren getting another piece of autographed memorabilia!

The whole family picture and not a single one of us was missing.  Who knows if that will ever happen again.  And we even got Taylor to look at the camera!

Mom found a surprise in her package from Frank, the ugly ornament from the ugly ornament contest he couldn't find.  We all thought it was pretty cute.

Taylor's favorite thing to do was climb on the gifts.  Pictures don't do her adorableness justice!

Jerry excited to get an adjustable rake!

My aunt made these super cute penguin appetizers!

And I had an awesome Christmas and birthday.  My newest toy.  Can't wait to spend some time learning to take great pictures with it!

But another sentimental ornament from my mom.  Our First Christmas.  It was a success I'd say! :)

Christmas in Chicago

The weekend before Christmas we headed up to Darren's mom's house to celebrate Christmas with his family.  It was a great visit until I caught the stomach bug and gave it to everyone else!

Michell and Marlene and some Fireball.  If you haven't tried Fireball whiskey, I advise you to do so now!  Very tasty, makes you warm inside.

Jason & I.

Little did she know she was getting fireball for Christmas too!

2012 family picture. 

Opening gifts.

Now officially sisters.