people have asked me about the apartment we rented.
craft weekend alum Karen lives IN new york city and gave us SO MUCH help with ideas of where to stay and what to do and where to eat!
she rocked.
she shared this blog post with me and that is how we ended up with vrbo.com.
we stayed on stanton st.
it was nice enough and safe enough.
it wasn't fancy.
but it worked great for us to have some space and room to sit around and talk.
i am a bit of a hotel snob and missed my bed being made for me.
but other than that it was perfect.
memories were made with our friends….lots of nervous laughter when we arrived.
using vrbo you are never 100% sure of what you are going to get.
but it's always worked out great for us.
we rode all over new york on those double decker tourist buses.
it was cheaper than cabs and we learned as we rode.
one tour guide had the best thick new york accent that it felt like he was faking it….but it was REAL.
also i got MUCH less motion sick on the top of the bus too.
bonus.
the first day was so hot i thought i might die…but after that day it was fine.
🙂
and i am still alive.
that is cool and artsy….but also….very weird.
she looks like the costume lady on the incredibles…. (oh you've gotten fat!)
dave convinced me it would be cool to rent bikes and ride through central park.
once we got out of traffic it was fun.
i always visualize bad headlines like "mother of 5 killed by a tour bus while riding a rented bicycle in NYC"
i was very worried at first…but it turned out to be great!
thankful it was only two hours though because i had a very tiny bike seat for my not very tiny real seat.
on instagram i said "name every movie with this fountain"
there were a lot of comments.
this is one very famous fountain.
the dude in the spandex was doing yoga…alone in central park.
i can promise you that is something you will NEVER see me doing.
yoga alone in a public park in spandex.
nope.
we headed over to 30 Rock because Dave had scored tickets to Jimmy Fallon!!
jimmy fallon and letterman tickets are through an email process that happens months before the show.
dave worked hard for this trip.
it was AWESOME.
we are BIG jimmy fallon fans.
his guests were matt lauer and mike tyson!!
i thought this hour was the best part of our trip.
and… jimmy touched my hand.
i haven't showered since.
ha.
it was SO MUCH FUN!
practically twins.
but mine is way cuter.
when i cut craig's hair he always says "just give me the matt lauer"
jenny dressed to match our NBC studio day!
i kept my eyes open for liz lemon all day long… i saw nothing.
blerg!
we went to the top of the Rock.
amazing isn't it?
all week i felt like i was walking around in a movie set.
our last day was filled with more rain….bleck.
but we were troopers.
girls shoes just aren't good for rain.
especially if you are trying to look cute.
we hugged goodbye at Penn Station and went to different airports home to our kids.
i spotted corbin bersen across from me at the airport and texted jenny every thing he was doing.
he's eating soup.
he put on glasses.
he is on his laptop.
now he is having a lollipop.
poor corbs.
at least i didn't go bug him to his face right?
but now that i see this….i really wish i had gone over and said "hey man…we were LITERALLY just talking about you over breakfast this morning!"
because we were!!
how bizarre and random is that?
we talked about all the shows we watched growing up…starting with brady bunch all the way out to dallas, falcon crest and then later in life… LA LAW.
and there he is!
crazy.
but…i stalked him instead.
what a dweeb i am.
new york was good.
it was overwhelming.
it is a busy, loud, full, crowded place but it's also a LOT of fun.
i never get enough time with jenny now matter if it's a week or a weekend.
i love spending time with them no matter where we are.
but i loved getting back to my kids too.
i really did miss them.
and my VERY quiet little farm.
so… have you been to NYC?
do you want to go?
where are you headed next… where is your next trip?
Penny Smith - You. Went. To. Jimmy. Fallon?!?!?! I use to LIKE you! Hee!! It’s on my bucket list! 🙂
Shana - If you hadn’t told me you were going to blog about that car I never would have known you went to NYC!
Seriously. We have got to catch up!
April R - Thank you for sharing these! I probably won’t get to NY but that was a neat ‘taste’ of it. You guys sure rocked it 🙂
And the photos from the top – the evening city shots – I caught my breath…wow Meg! Those were super!
Andrea - So funny–I give my husband the “Matt Lauer” too! Love the New York pictures…it makes me want to go!
Lacey - We always have to jump into the drugstore and buy a poncho when the rain his us on our NYC trips. Next time I’m hitting a shoe shop for rain boots and a cute umbrella to match! Looks like such a great trip.
Molly - My best friend from high school lives in NYC and reads your blog… because I told her about it! I live in Kansas. 🙂 I’ve been to NYC lots of times and would happily go back. Especially to see my friend!
Julie Kittredge - Oh NYC. I love it! I was there visiting a friend exactly a year ago. She lives in Brooklyn – it was just a weekend trip for me but it was magical and exhilarating and adventurous. I wouldn’t want to live there but it’s an amazing city to visit!! Way busier than Chicago and way different. I expected it to be more similar than it was. Glad you had fun!
crystal - I like your lipstick in the first pic! What brand & color is it?
karen - awesome trip. i loved all your pics. makes me want to go!!
Beth - I got butterflies in my stomach when I saw your picture of the fountain. My husband proposed to me on the steps leading down to it almost exactly 6 years ago! We are planning to go back to NYC this October to celebrate our 5th anniversary. I’m hoping to set up a little photo shoot on those steps. (Want to come back to be our photographer?) 🙂 We love, love, love New York – can’t wait to go back!
Routhie - NYC just isn’t our cup of tea. I like big cities, but it’s a bit too much. Our next trip will be back to Spain to visit my brother-in-laws in Zaragoza. We’re flying into Madrid this time–can’t wait for all the good food, coffee, and [of course] family! My favorite treat was one afternoon, before siesta, we had chocolate and churros for lunch. I needed a couple glasses of wine and cheese afterwards.
aimee - these are wonderful! you did it all!
Alicia @ La Famille - what a trip! i love seeing new and weird things…so fun!
Carolyne - Meg I have loved your take on NYC and will have to nick pick your brain as we are heading there next April (coming from Australia). Have been twice before but with kids which is a whole different trip altogether and it was HOT!!!! Can’t wait until we go because I love that city so much. Thank you for helping me get excited and LOVED your posts.
amy - Our next trips are Italy, Paris and London — all within a month’s time! Wish I had a quiet little farmhouse to come home to! 🙂
Mindy Harris - thank you for the laugh tonite, miss megan. you are a hoot and a half!
Kelly - I like to ride those busses too and look at sweet Craig carrying your stuff in his bike basket. Great husband!
On my third trip to NYC with two girl friends I made (I do like to plan) a “choose our own adventure book” for us for NYC. It was a lot of fun to make and then use there. Kelly
amy jupin - i can almost hear your voice as i read this!
so happy you and jenny got to hang out in nyc together.
yay for bffs and trips with hot hubbies!
Hilary - OMG! I never see anyone famous at the airport or when I go to the city (chicago)…maybe I’m looking too hard! I totally would have gone up to Corbin Bernsen, he’s on my very favorite tv show, Psych!!
What a fun trip, looks like you had a great time!
Julie - I love NYC! And Jimmy Fallon is my absolute favorite! I’ve seen him perform four times, but always in Indiana. I’d love to go to a taping at 6B!
No traveling plans right now, but your posts make me want to go back to New York – like, tomorrow! Thanks for sharing!
Christi - I left a comment on your last NYC post… we just went in December with all the kids. I would love to do another trip sans kiddos. We were going to do the VRBO thing, but I chickened out. Love your photos from the Rock!
Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Just because it’s random, just wanted to share that I have seen Corbin Bersen lots at the Pasadena Flea Market. He must go every month. My sister and I stalk him too 😉 sometimes we separate and one of us will text each other if we see him. He looks around at very random, funky stuff. He usually has on sweats and crocs which we think is funny, and he is with his wife too. I think she’s a decorater, hee hee, just thought I’d share. Glad you had so much fun with your friends, it’s what life is all about!
Janine - Thank you for showing me NYC through tourist lenses! I live just outside of the city and don’t go nearly often enough. And I don’t ever really see the sights. You’ve given me ideas to plan a weekend in NYC. Thanks!
Kim - Love NYC! We’ve been several times and are in fact going back this week. It will be the first time we are taking the kids. Can’t wait!
Jill - Loved reading about your trip to NYC. I went last summer for the first time. I was only there a couple of days so naturally I didn’t get to see everything. I definitely plan to go back and spend more time seeing ALL the sights! Such a change from Omaha!!! Glad you had fun!
xo Jill
Jayne Barbour - Had to share my full circle moment:) My husband looks a smidge like Corbin Bernsen (or maybe George Strait?)
see here: http://jayniac.blogspot.com/2012/07/whatta-guy.html
AND he always gets the Matt Lauer cut too!
Love seeing these pics. What a special-and fun!-trip with your fella and friends!
Anita - Hi Meg, loving the photos of your NY trip! That is our next holiday in 5 weeks time…but for 14 whole days without our 3 kids (5,3 1/2 & 22 months)… I thought I would be ready to leave them all for the trip but as its getting closer I am getting more nervous about the little one as he is mummy’s boy. But coming all the way from Brisbane, Australia it’s takes over 20 hours and we just wanted to make it a once in a lifetime trip! Have tennis tickets & Yankees tickets booked already and have a list a mile long of things to do/see. It’s been wonderful getting a tast of it thru your Intsgram pics and now your blog. Thanks so much for sharing…. Even tho all those busy street pics gave me anxiety!! Am I really ready for NY?!
Catriona - I have never been to New York, never even been to the US! I have a fantasy trip to NYC planned in my head, though. By the time I get there I will probably need about a fortnight to get through my ridiculous itinerary!
Still, for now I am really looking forward to a trip to my parents in my home town of Edinburgh, Scotland – such a great place.
Miranda - YES Been to NYC and I LOVED every minute!!!!!!! Did quite the same things you did and I cant wait to go back. Amazinggggg city.
Sheridan - As I mentioned on instagram… I head there in two weeks… So super excited. My brother lives two blocks from central park. So cool that you have been just before me. Have loved seeing your pics. I am leaving hubbie and our four kids at home. Praying that I don’t miss them too much. A much needed break for this at home mumma. So love reading your blog and hope one day to make it to craft weekend… Would surely be the guest who would travel the furtherest… From New Zealand………… 😉 One day…..
Sandy - I’ve been…a couple years before 9/11. Want to go back with my man, my daughter and her boyfriend. I think that would be a great trip! Next on the list though is Grand Cayman in January!! Can’t wait.
Debbie Hargadon - I have loved these posts and the instagram – but wanted to put out my vote for VRBO.com Such a great site to use when you have multi fmailies going to the same place. We have always had outstanding experiences in really great properties. Don’t be afraid!
NYC so fun to visit – you did a few things I have not done in the past but would do on my next trip. I want to travel with DAVE!!! Score for the tickets and the planning! 😉 And yes. . . ahhhh Kansas. . . if only it were NORMAL weather and not 100 every day!
From 65 degree San Jose, CA. . .
Jessica Johnson - Love the NYC. My mom’s family is from Long Island so we’ve been back to visit quite a few times. My parents are there right now actually! Also, I love Jenny’s shirt. And VRBO. We use it ALL the time.
amanda - My husband says the same thing to me when I cut his hair! Ha!
Being from a tiny town in New Mexico and now raising my kids in a small West Texas town – I’ve always dreamed of going to NYC and experiencing really city life. Someday…someday!
happygirl - Your trip looks GREAT. I’m going to get on the ‘net right now and try to score tickets to Fallon for when I go to NYC in Feb. FUN!!
Laine - So fun! I went to NYC on a missions trip back in 2001. We stayed where Brooklyn meets the Bronx. It was an interesting place! But I loved it too. I grew up right outside of D.C. so the craziness was nothing new. Central Park is cool, and that’ awesome that you got to bike through it. I would love to go back to NYC!
My hubby and I have a picture together on the top of the twin towers with the sunset behind us. Less than two months later were the 9/11 attacks. Crazy.
roganne - It looks like you guys had so much fun! I’ve been to NYC once in my life and I want to go back! I feel like the first time you go your neck just keeps craning around and around taking in all of the stimulus overload. But now as an adult I think I would do much better 🙂
Lori H - My one trip to NYC was at Christmas time (not ON Christmas). You should really see it looking so festive. And see the Rockettes Christmas show. Very cool! Love the story of your trip…
jen - love this! i have been to new york city for one day when i was 17 as we passed through driving home to vancouver from our week in myrtle beach, sc. 6 girls in a van, 3 1.2 weeks, down the westcoast, across the south, up the east coast, across the north. epic. but your looked like more fun!! we are headed to ny in two weeks…the adirondacks, cottage country…for my mom’s 60th. a small hop from montreal. big week. big party. i am counting the days.
happy summer to you! xo
chrissi - Thanks for sharing NY. My favorite city!!! Love, love, love it. In my other life I went there a few times a year and it is always a bit different and always a great adventure. New life now and my husband hates it. Your photos made my day.
Patti - I am a born and raised Brooklyn, NYC girl now living down on the farm in southern Michigan…my husband is a native Michigander and i’ve been trying to get him to move to NYC (my mom, sister and most of my family are still in NYC…Brooklyn and Staten Island, Long Island etc)..i’m just not cut out to be a farm girl…I miss my crowds, noise, traffic! lol Looks like you had fun!!
Mollie @ Sprinkles of Life - I LOVE New York! LOVE LOVE LOVE it! My boyfriend and I went there for New Year’s Eve. So. cool! I can’t wait to do it again with him years down that road! Until we go back over NYE though, I need a couple trips just to explore and see more.
seriously sassy mama - I would love to go to NYC. I have never been. I love all your pictures of the city.
Curious Details - Crazy coincidence~a few years back we went to NYC for my 40th birthday (we live in Houston) We love Letterman and I scored tickets to his show AND got to try out for Stump The Band! What in interesting process that was. Made it all the way through to the final round which happened before taping in the Green Room with Paul Schaffer, but didn’t make the final cut. We did, however, get to sit really really close to the front and Dave came and stood “right there” next to us. Really fun!
Your trip looked very familiar. We live in a big city, but New York just overwhelms me. Too much of too much. But, like Vegas..ya gotta see it at least once in your life!
Rachel - I actually lived there for a little while! One night some girls I went to college with were like “Hey, let’s move to NYC.” And I was IN! I had ALWAYS wanted to live there. We were young and single and READY to mingle! Ha! So we packed up a UHAUL, drove from Chicago suburbs to NYC. It was a blast, and I’m really glad for the experience, but so glad to be living in my little rural Arkansas town, population 1500. I would rather have cows and chickens for neighbors and not all the LOUD stuff of NYC. But it is FUN. Lots of good experiences! And only one drive by shooting….for real :/ ( We didn’t tell our parents because we were afraid they would come and take us home!)
Betsy - So we went to NYC for the day and you were there at the same time!!!!!?!! I was looking for famous people all day– didn’t know that the famous Meg was there! (We were there on the rainy day- ick. Went to Rockefeller Center, and since our kids were with us, had to hit the Lego store.) I kept whacking umbrellas with other people by mistake as we walked the crowded streets. Love NYC- but that many people? Take me home, country roads, to the place where I belong… Connecticut! 🙂
Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - Since we live only about 4-5 hours away Ive been there numerous times. I LOVE it but I will not take my kids until theyre much older. Ive been there at different times of the year too and there are just too many people. Id be a nervous wreck that Id lose one of them.:)
I spent two consecutive birthdays in New York trying to get to the Rachel Ray show. The 2nd time we went totally made up for the first time they cut us off AT THE DOOR (even though we had tickets)saying “We’re sorry…the studio is full. We’ll give you VIP tickets for next season to make up for this.” The 2nd time we got to see Bob Barker and some dude from DWTS and everyone in the audience won $1500 in stuff! My mother in law and sister in law had taken me so they won it all too. Awesome, memorable trip!
We just got home from a family trip down through Virginia…the beach, wild horse islands, historical sites,etc… and in a few weeks hubby and I leave(alone) for El Salvador and Honduras for a teaching/missions trip.
Kim - MEG. This post makes me want to go to NYC right now. I have been twice, and I feel like I saw so much, but now I just want to see it all again, and MORE.
I LOVE NYC. Seriously. I wish I was 20 again, and packed up and moved out there.
I ALWAYS think in headlines too. Family vacations and youth group trips back in the day. FREAKY.
Christine - I want to comment on the whole trip, but I have no time. Let me just say I love your blog. Its awesome.
Michelle - What a great trip Meg! I was totally instagram stalking you while you were there. It looks like a blast!
brandi - i am going to NYC in 64 days (but who’s counting) with four of my best girlfriends. It will be my 3rd trip to NYC. I love it there. Maybe not the smells and herds of people, but I do love the diversity of New York. There’s just so much to do and so much culture. I can’t believe how lucky i am to go with just the girls (while the hubby stays home with the kids). I am glad you enjoyed it. It’s really hard for us Kansas girls to feel at home in the hustle and bustle of the city – but lets be honest, with all the kiddos, it’s still hustle and bustle, just a different kind. 😉
Tiffany - Oh how cool is the blurry photo of you with the umbrella, that looks movie set *ish. I live very close to NYC, prolly a little over an hour and we hardly visit, now I feel like a dweeb. Can’t believe you didn’t say hello to Corbin Bersen, let me find out you’re actually kinda shy, that would be a shocker.
Kristin S - No, don’t stop posting. I’m living vicariously through you on this trip…
I used to go with my dad every other year. Then I grew up. Stink. Haven’t been in over 20 years.
Jana Banana - Looks like a fab trip! Jealous of the Jimmy Fallon tickets, I’m a fan, too! (But then, who isn’t?) Well done on the bike ride through Central Park, that’s not something I would have thought about, but now, if ever we get to NYC, it’s on the list. 🙂