Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Part 2

On the Subway

On the roof of Steph's apt

So, to continue our adventures of the month of December, our fourth trip was to visit my cousin Stephanie in New York for a few days! We had sooo much fun! We packed our bags, jumped on the train, and ended up in the Big Apple! It was kind of neat to be a "resident" of New York for a few days. Or at least it felt that way :) My cousin lives in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, overlooking the Hudson River and NYC/New Jersey, Beautiful at night! We decided this trip was not going to be our typical "see everything we can" kind of trip. We wanted to relax, since we did the touristy thing with our friend Nicki last time.

Rockefeller tree at night

So the day we got there, we did the whole Times Square and surrounding areas, mainly to see the Christmas decorations. We went to eat at a sushi bar near my cousins apt, and ended the night hanging out The Underground meeting some new friends. The Tree at Rockefeller Center was Crazy big, with I think 30,000 lights on it (Hayley looked up that fact). Our second day in NYC, we did our Christmas shopping. We went to China town! That was a cluster, but fun to haggle with the men and women of China town. We tried to buy some fake handbags, but they were asking too much. I mean come on, they were fake! That night we ate Chinese with my cousin Stephanie, and then walked around Midtown to see all the decoration lit up at night! Very pretty. Then it was off to bed :)

Coney Island

Nathan's Hotdog

Our last day, we decided to head to Coney Island. Stupid me did even think about the fact that it was not even season for an amusement park. Oh well, we had a fun little adventure anyway. We ate at Nathan's Hotdog, walked around the boardwalk, and of course took the hour long subway ride out there and back.Our cell phones were working in overdrive on that subway ride, lol. It looked like it would be a fun place to be during the summer, but I bet it is crazy crowded. After Coney Island we decided to go to the biggest department store in the country, MACY'S. Seriously the biggest store I've every been in! 8 stories with restaurants on each floor! That place gave us major anxiety, so we left after about 15 minutes (but not before getting a milkshake from Ben&Jerry's :) Then it was time to say good-bye to the big city and head back to Wethersfield! What a fun trip we had!

My mom came up the Sunday before Christmas to spend a week with us. It was great having her here! We went back to Newport one day and did a tour of 3 of the Mansions open during the winter season. They were all decorated beautifully for Christmas! It was a fun mother-daughter day trip! The next day Mom, Hayley, and I went on a tour of Yale. I really enjoyed the tour, except for the fact that it rained! Of course, just our luck that it rained right! Ugh, still a very pretty and impressive campus.

Quechee Gorge

Me and Mom at Gorge

Powell came up the Thursday before Christmas, but we still had no plans for that Friday and Saturday. He had been looking at the weather for snow all week, and on Friday morning we decided to head to Killington VT to do some skiing! We got a hotel for the night and were on our way. First stop was the Quechee Gorge http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/quechee.htm. Next stop, Woodstock VT. This was the cutest little town with wonderful Christmas decorations. We walked along the streets as it snowed, it was awesome!!!  We ate dinner and then headed to our Inn. After dropping mom off, the three kids (I'm including Hayley) headed to rent our ski's. Then Hayley and I had to find something to wear while skiing, since we didn't have any ski pants to bring. We found a Walmart, ski pants, and a coat for Hayley! We made our way back, and then it was off to get some snooze for our day of skiing tomorrow!

Skiing

Powell and me at the top

Breakfast at this Inn was awesome! Pancakes, bacon, eggs, french toast. Man, so much for "continental breakfast" :) After stuffing our faces, we went to get our ski's and headed up to Killington Mountain to do some skiing http://www.killington.com/winter/index.html. I won't bore you with too many details of our skiing adventure. Basically Powell is good, I'm okay, and sorry Hayley but you are bad (jk, just need some practice). I did, however, make it to the top with Powell, although I skied the green and blue trails, while he skied the blue and black diamond. Oh well, it was fun non-the-less with me hitting the snow (aka:busting my butt) only twice. Hayley on the other hand hit the snow a few more times :) Powell of course I don't think fell at all. After our long day of skiing we were ready for some grub. So after returning our ski's to the rental place and my feet thawing out, we went in search for food! We finally settled on a pizza place and had an AMAZING Chicken Ranch pizza! Delish! Last stop before hitting the road back to CT was a souvenir shop to pick a few things.

Hayley and me 

Christmas day Hayley and I had to work, but leave it to my amazing mother and brother to cook a yummy lunch and bring it to us! I was happy that some people at work got to meet my mom and Powell though. We set up lunch in the family room, so it was like our own little Christmas dinner, much different from every other year, but just as special! Powell left to go back to GA Christmas afternoon so I had to say my goodbye at the hospital! Mom didn't leave till the next morning, at 6am! So, at least I had one more night with her!

Our December has been crazy busy, but we've enjoyed every moment! Christmas was different this year, but I must say, as an adult I think this one has been the most memorable! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and also a Happy New Year! Till Next Time

~Hayley and Elizabeth~