Our trip to the Big Apple

 After getting up very early,  a long flight in which Ryker was absolutely perfect,  and hauling around much luggage, we arrived at our hotel in Times Square. 

 The boys waited patiently while we checked in. 

 We had a great dinner at an Italian restaurant this first night that was one of my favorites. We then ventured to the Empire State building with Ryker in the front pack- something he really loved.

 The view at night from the top is incredible!

 A bit blurry... but here's most of the gang

 The first of many taxi rides with Ryker sitting on our laps. Unsafe, I know, but apparently legal in NewYork. I did take the car seat whenever I could just for the record :)

Little buddy still adjusting to the time change slept in and missed breakfast. But who could wake a face like this?

 A little lunch, shopping and buzz lightyear in Times Square

 Should the two Great Dane Employees adopt the Great Dane at Pet Adoption day in Times Square? Probably not... probably anyone who lives in a tiny apartment in Manhattan should not adopt a Great Dane! 

 Dinner at a rotating restaurant on top of the hotel in which Carter bravely tried the "Quail" for his appetizer. My dessert had real gold flakes on it.. worth taking a picture. 

 A great evening at the Lion King play on Broadway. Thanks to my mom who patiently rocked the tired and fussy Ryker to bed and stayed back at the hotel with him so I could go see the play. The costumes were amazing and I sure enjoyed my free evening!

Sunday we toured Jared's mission, which was fun to see. He was a well liked missionary and still has many people excited to see him! A cute family put on a nice bbq for us and fed us so much food! I wish I had taken pictures there. This is a house he lived in the very top floor in Staten Island for awhile.

 He took us to lunch at Goodfella's pizza- a popular dining establishment and quite delicious. 

 During the mission tour, we crammed all 9 of us in a 7 passenger van for the day. Carter and Jordy took turns riding in the luggage compartment in the back (notice the sweet marks down Carter's face after a long nap back there). And Ryker sat in his carseat on the floor. It worked great!

 Monday brought a day full of sight-seeing, including a bike ride through Central Park. Ryker sat so well back here, and like it as long as Rick kept the bike moving. 

 It really is mind boggling how big Central Park is. Lakes, boat rides, zoos, tennis courts, horse and carriage rides, you name it- they have it!

All tuckered out after working so hard on his bike ride. Just one of the many crazy places he chose to take his nap. 

 This was the only day that was unbearably hot. You can tell everyone looks super happy in this picture. I really enjoyed Ellis Island. Statue of Liberty looks best from the boat ride. 

 The next day we rented two vans to drive to upstate New York. Carter was actually super well behaved on the 6 hour drive. He entertained himself in the back seat quite well. It's so funny to sit and listen to him talk to himself, play with his magnetic metal stick he bought a variety store in a small town on the way, and make video's where he self-narrates the whole time. There is no question what's going through this kid's head- he verbalizes it all!

 The face of a baby who enjoyed the car ride because he caught up on some good naps. The drive was beautiful and I wish I would have taken pictures. 

 That night we checked into our hotel on the Eerie Canal, and attended the Mormon miracle pageant in Palmayra. Very cool! It's amazing how many people are in the pageant and how far they come from to be a part of it. These kids were super cute and excited to be in everyone's pictures.

The boys attempted to jump off this bridge into the yucky canal water in their swim suits and my mom came running out of the hotel, yelling at them to get down!! Attempt failed. Crisis averted. We later found out jumping in is illegal. But the boys still regret not jumping. 

 The Jospeh Smith Family farm house. Very cool to walk inside and see. I can't believe how many people lived here!

 The sacred grove. Some of us remembered to be more sacred than others... :) Rick even spotted a deer in here!

 And last day... Niagra Falls and Canada. Only my sweet Ryker could nap through the crazy rain/mist and noise that comes off the falls. They gave you these complementary poncho's, and we modified mine to have a little hole for his head too.

 It's incredible how much water is flowing over the falls every second. 

 Another nap in the front pack that Rick swore he would never be caught dead wearing. And a very informative and relaxing bus ride narrated by our tour guide Norm- who was very efficient and full of interesting facts. 

 This butterfly atrium was very cool. They were flying around everywhere in here and would just land on you. So many kinds and colors. 

All in all, it was a great vacation, with only a few minor mishaps. We all enjoyed it and really appreciate our good dad Billy for taking us on another fun Nehmer Family vacation. Thanks Dad!