New York~ my "other" love!

So I cannot get this dumb blogger to let me move my trip info in the right order. So you get it a skewwhompus, that is a funny word. Anyways, here is our trip to New York. This is the last day while we were at the airport trying to get on the plane by stand by. So Kevin was for sure getting on because he had to work, and someone had to be here in Utah to pick up their guns from the baggage claim. So we thought with only 6 seats available and 8 other people ahead of us on standby that no one would get on. Plus, that was the only flight that day to Salt Lake non-stop. The other options were go to Long Beach and then hope that the stand-by there was not a mess as well. They could also fly to Las Vegas then rent a car and drive the 5.5 hours home. So we knew that getting on this flight would be amazing.

I have never seen such disorganization at the airport terminal. They told us about 10 minutes before that 1 of our party of 8 would get on the flight. So everyone was gracious enough to agree that Kevin first, because he could not get out of work, and second to pick up the guns. Then they decided that Cami would be next since she also had to work. Well they told us Cami was also going to get on. 10 minutes later after Kev and Cami were on they told Brittnie that ALL of us were getting on so we all hurried and grabbed our bags and rushed to the ticket guy. Um, no they were wrong. They said only 1 more, so we again agreed that Macey should get on since she too has a family. The next one was to be Brittnie. There was an order to the madness. This way Brittnie would be able to be with her girls, so each family could have one person from the family. When it was Brittnie's turn to go they said that 2 more could get on. So me and Branson went down the tube thing to the plane with Brittnie. By this time, Kevin, Cami, and Macey were for sure getting on. Then we were ON the plane and they scooted us out and said never mind! They sent us back out to the terminal. When we got through the middle of the tube they called us down and said OK now 1 more. Are you kidding? How unbelievable. They were so unorganized. Anyways, in that moment Branson and I knew that Brittnie was the one to go since her girls would have no one home. I even went as far as to push her down towards the plane, but she would not go. She did not want to leave Jason behind. There was chaos and stress and the decision had to be made quick. She did not want to be the one to take the remaining seat, so I told Branson to go and he would not because he thought one of us girls should. Well they began yelling at us from the plane to HURRY! I asked Brittnie to go one more time, and she would not so I went. Believe me I was hoping on my short walk that they would call for one more. I was so devastated. I was physically sick, I looked back and felt like I was leaving one of my kids behind. It felt wrong. Little did I know how big of a decision that would become. I finally got to the plane and saw Kev, he smiled and was visibly happy to see me on the plane, I could tell her was looking for more to come from our party but I shook my head and went to my seat. That whole flight I was sick. I am not sure why it was so awful, but that feeling of leaving them behind made my stomache turn, and they are even adults. Well the flight seemed long and we got home. LONG LONG story short, the other 4, Branson, Brittnie, Jason A. and Jason B. were stuck there until Monday and all this happened on Friday March 12. That was devastation. But they are all home now safe and sound!
So this is how I traveled through the streets of New York. There were some moments that I walked, but I soon realized that doing too much would only ruin my trip with the pain and weakness. I listened to my body and surprisingly enough the wheelchair became a wonderful thing!

This is one of my favorite pics. JFK has the strictest laws in the United States regarding firearms. Kev and Jason both brought their guns, and when checking them in at JFK they had to call the TSA and Airport Police to see if they were criminals or whatnot, they said that if they would not have had their police ID they would have been taken to jail because concealed permits are not valid in their state. So we were lucky on that one. I so love Kevin and his stance and his attire, and his sexy cuteness, hahaha.

Cami and Kevin trying to find which subway train to take, the F, B, 1, 2, 3, the L train, etc....Ah the beauty and complication of New York.

These sweet hands were sent by children to the Trinity church during the relief efforts of 9-11.
This one has brought me to tears on 2 different trips to New York because it is so true!

Most relief workers took a patch off their uniform and left it at the church, another humbling sight!

Cami and I at the church.

Kev and I at the Trinity church. The front of the church is a graveyard.

Kevin and Branson, they looked like twinners, white jackets, jeans, and a camera bag.

The firefighters memorial, with Kevin, Jason Bernards, and Jason, my brother in law all police officers.

Look at how sexy he would hold a firehose, lol.

Cute Kevin.

This is the group of all of us. from left to right, Cami, me, Kevin, Branson, Jason, Brittnie, Macey, and Jason. We are eating at only the best place ever to eat in New York, Postiano. I love it!

This is all my mom wanted, a picture of all her kids.

Kev and I at the John Lennon memorial in Central Park.

We went to a deli and got the best desserts, while waiting for the rain to go away.

We are just chillin'

The girls being funny!

So those of you who do not already know I am in love with New York! I know that I would never live there, but I sure do love to visit. It has a unique energy and it is just amazing. Well last Monday was Jet Blue's 10 year birthday and they had flights to and from New York for only $10, they ended up being $20.70 total with fees and taxes. I called my sis-in-law who works at Jet Blue and she told me that the deal overloaded the system but if I kept trying then I could most likely get in and get some. I tried for about 30 minutes and Walaaaa I got it, I knew I only had a few minutes, but I realized that we had to leave the next day and come back within one day. Kev and I decided it was worth the risk of buying them and worry about getting someone for the kids later hahaha.....I am so spontaneous, lol. Kev said I just want to go so we can say, "oh yes, we went to New York for lunch today" he is funny! While I was trying to get in I called my bestie and asked her to come, then Brittnie, and she wanted to come. She asked Jason and all in all there was a group of 8 of us. We were to leave the next night at 11:30PM. So I got the tickets to fly there and realized I most likely was not going to get the tickets back, boooo! The tickets to fly home were $304. I did not want to spend that much to come home, so we were almost not going to go, but after calling my sis-in-law again and Cami's wonderful sis we got buddy passes to come home on! Yahoo!!!! I was in shock! We were going to New York and only had 1 day to find a place to stay, babysitter, carpool, ladadada! Well I was on the computer for nearly 10 hours that day and found a place to stay called hoteltoshi.com, the owner is the actor in the movie "The Departed" never even saw it, but it was such a good deal! For a 2 bedroom apartment it was only $150 per night, and that was with tax, cleaning fees, everything! That is an awesome amazing deal in New York! Now I just hoped it was in a safe place, I did a lot of research and found from the reviews that it was a legit business and safe. Another Yahoo!

We were so blessed to find loving family for our kids. My Grandma stayed that night we left. The kids were in bed and I had their lunches packed outfits out, all the kids bathed and ready for the morning so she hopefully did not have to do too much. Then the next day Lovely Shauna and Casey came to stay the next 2 nights with the kids, I bought the kids school lunch and wrote a note to Shauna. I hoped everything went smoothly and from what it sounds like it did.

So we left and went straight to check into our apartment, but first we had to go to Brooklyn and Toshi's penthouse. He invited us in himself, offered us an array of drinks ALL kinds and we politely declined. I was in awe at his place, it was 3 levels and had a cute spiral staircase up to the second and third floor. He had me come up there and pick the area. I chose Lexington and 3rd avenue, the building number 833. I actually was very happy with the location and the apartment was clean and near the subway. Kev, me and Cami and Branson all stayed in one of the 2 bedrooms, and then the other 2 couples stayed in theirs, but when they got there it turned out to only be a 1 bedroom. I called Toshi and they were awesome, they gave us another studio apartment in the same building. Brittnie and Jason had their own apartment and then Jason and and Macey had their own at no extra charge. It was awesome.

Once all checked in we went to 9/11 the Financial District, and then the Police Museum. I got my favorite pizza from Ray's and ate it for all my meals, mMmmMMM! I already miss it. There is so much more to say, but this has already taken much too long, so at least you get the jist of it, I LOVE NEW YORK!!!!!