DUDE!

This man right here gets spouse of the year. 
and this man right here gets first runner up and maybe Mr. Congeniality!
Know why?!  Because Staci and I found the GARMENT DISTRICT!!!! WHHHHhaaaatttt?!
Definitely not what most people get fired up about when they are in New York.  

But duuuuude.  THIS IS MY NIRVANA!  Can you say velvet ribbon?!  Huh?  In EVERY color?!  
This is one little sampling of buttons.  
I think I just wet my pants! 

Don handed me a paper bag and said, "Melanie, Breathe.  Just breathe!"
I have loved sequins since I was a little kid.

Rivets and snaps and closures, oh my!!

I think I am going to pass out.  Someone get me a fan!
MO

Day Two. New York City.

Day two.  We awoke to rain and didn't really know just what we should do with ourselves.  As a "pack", we tried to head out together.  It didnt' take long at all to realize that we needed to divide and attack!  Todd and Don headed to ESPN Zone where they could watch about 50 TVs on every imaginable sports event, drink a beer, and even sit in a recliner if they wanted.  
Staci and I found the garment district.  Sequins, and ribbons, and fabric, OH MY!  At one point, Don said to me, "Just breathe, Melanie.  Stop and breathe!"  I get a little FIRED UP about ribbon!  I took pics, but they are all on my phone, and I don't have the appropriate cords to share those right now.  WIll later though!  
Paula and Tashia have absolutely NO interest in ribbons and buttons and leather cording and such!  Check out the bag in the background of Paula above... a Macy's bag.  Much more their speed!  An 11 story full block of a store!  Wow!!
After a day of doing our own thing, we all met back at the hotel to get ourselves dressed for Broadway!!  

We went to see Shrek the Musical!  OH MAN!!  How cool!  It was GReat!
At one point, we were eating M&M's while watching Shrek.  Don and I were having "moments" as we thought about all the coincidences occurring as we enjoyed tonight! 
It IS after all, August 29 (adds up to 11) , 2009 (another 11).  Just sayin'!  

This is the dude who played Shrek.  
We lined up with all the other little girls outside the back door to meet the cast.  This is Donkey! 
and then we headed to Stardust Diner. Heard of it?  Apparently, this is a diner where people who have an intention to work in the business here, get jobs here so they can sing publicly and get "discovered".  
This is our waiter tonight.  His name is Rusty and his family is in Bastrop, LA!!!  I mean about 20 minutes from my house.  WEIRD, huh?!  
Here are a couple of the waiters singing when their turn rolled around. 
And for one more coincidence, we settled into our booth only to hear the dude sit up on the counter and start singing Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying."  I mean, ok, ok, Jake.  HELLO to you too!  

Tomorrow am is Chinatown and Yankees at 1:00.  Lovin it all!  Missin my baby girls!!  

Mo

OH NO you dint. OH YES we did!

Ok, so a little background info may be necessary.  Let's go waaaaay back... 2006 to be exact.  My darling husband planned us an awesome trip to New York City for our 10th wedding anniversary(September 28th).  He had it planned down to the T.  How we would get around town, where we would be eating, what our activities would be... everything!  And my sweet nephew Jake got news he would be coming home on hospice at the end of September.  Needless to say, there was very little discussion event that we would NOT be going on this trip.  Thank goodness we didn't because we got to be there with Jake daily during his last days with us on Earth.  

Which brings us to now.... Todd did it again.  It took him three years, but here we are!  This is the crew that surprised me at the airport.  
He did tell me we were going somewhere, because I am stubborn and I would not rest on the "Gabbi's party is going to be on the 29th issue."  Finally, he said, "Trust me.  Have it on the 22nd.  You cannot have it that weekend."  And with my continuing to bug him, he finally had to tell me that we were going on a trip.  NO other details, though!  

So, when we got up at the buttcrack of dawn yesterday, and arrived at the airport, there was another surprise!  Don and Staci and Paula and Johnnye were at the ticket counter checking in.  I was so surprised!  

We landed first in Houston, and still I had no idea.  I thought maybe a cruise?!  After all, he also told me to pack swimwear!  Pretty slick!  

Then, when we were at our next gate, I saw Newark on the gate, and KNEW!  I have never been to NYC!  Neither has Todd the Bod!  
When we landed, another surprise when THIS is what we all rode in to the hotel.  Dude.  I got the full treatment!! 
This is our crew.  Or so I thought...
We were hanging out the window on the way to the hotel, taking pictures of all things NY. 

And lo and behold... WHO was in the lobby at the hotel!?  

Tashia and Dakin!  More surprises!!

This is us chillin in the hotel lobby getting our agenda down pat.  

And this is me.. in NYC!! Woop woop! 
Isnt' this so awesome?!  What fun!  I kept telling my girls, do you know how lucky we are?!  To have such good friends and to be able to travel with them to such fun places.  I mean... seriously, I feel so blessed!  So overwhelmingly blessed! 
Mom and Staci took the boys to New York a few weeks ago (if she would blog, you would know that!).  ANyway, it is kinda funny that I told mom not to bring me back anything that had NY on it.  After all, if I couldn't be there, I didn't want anything from there!  ANd NOW look at me.... all NY'd out! 
The weather started out a little yucky, but we are all soggy and happy!  SUpposedly, the rain is gone, and now we are clear for smooth sailing!  ANd yes, DeeDee, it was none too soon, because TOMORROW we go to see the Yankees!! 

LAst night, we found a cool pizza joint that used to be a church.  
It was built in like, 1888.  Or something like that.  THis is the kind of friends where we just all order together, then always split the bill four ways!  I love that kind of ease.  
And as you know, I can't delete pictures for some reason, so enjoy this one again! ????!?
My bro in law and I posed for a little in-law love. 
and then he, once again, showed us his feminine side with his pina colada.  (The other boys drink beer. )  NOT Don.  He likes fruity, girly drinks.  ANd is proud of them! 
Some parts of NY remind me a whole lot of New Orleans.  It actually looks a  lot like New Orleans down in the Times Square area where we are staying.  
We went to the comedy club and saw Tommy Davidson, of Living Color and Ace Ventura fame.  
I was scared I'd get kicked out if I used a flash, so all these are blurry.  
This dude was hilarious!  And here is ol' P-Diddy! 
The gang headed back to the room, umbrellas in tow. 
But first.... Nasdaq! 
and M&M World!  
Todd made him a bag of purple and gold peanut M&M's for the room, and we got our baby girls some goodies! 
Staci and I never miss an opportunity to pose with an M&M.  Jake would have LOVED that!  Did you know she still has the actual bowl of M&M's that Jake was eating out of during that last week that I was referring to earlier.  Remember when all he could do was point and let us know he wanted another one?!   M&M's will always be special to our family!! 
Oh.  More Nasdaq.  Our of order!  Sorry, can't move my pics around! 
ANd last but not least, the Raborns with the big yellow M&M.  
Well, we are heading to a Broadway show.  ANother thing that the whole crew is keeping a secret from me.  I have no idea which one.  WIll let you know all about it later.  and YES.  We are heading to Canal St. tomorrow.  Purses, wallets, jewelry, and shades, OH MY!  

Lovin' life.  (but missing my baby girls.)

MO