New York City...

May 10th - 14th 2018 constituted the most relaxing days that I had experienced in a couple months.

A much needed reprieve for me.

I'm so grateful for a friend like Lisa who likes to travel... maybe even a little more than me!

PLUS... to top it off, we got to spend four days with Saige exploring the "Big Apple".

Our hotel (the Doubletree times square) was super convenient for all our adventures.

Located right in the heart of Times square.

The view from our window.

Saige met us @ the hotel and we set out for our first NYC pizza stop of the trip.

And lucky us... that night we got to have a tour of FOX studios with Saige's boss Jackie Ibanez.

It was fun to see how it all ran, and fun to see Jackie in her element.

It was so kind of her to spend a couple hours showing us around.

Our first full day in the city was jam-packed... we WALKED 14 miles that day.

We walked the "Highline"

Then walked to, and across the Brooklyn Bridge...

(Not before strolling down Canal street for some sketchy underground shopping. hahaha)

After a long wait in line to be seated, we had delicious pizza @ Julianna's Pizza in Brooklyn.

After a long walk back to our hotel we ALL slept great that night.

Saturday morning Saige had a conference at the Manhattan Church/Temple near Central Park, so Lisa and I did some exploring on our own.

We first went to the "Top of the Rock" @ Rockefeller Center for an awesome view of the city.

But... it was pouring rain and cold.

And was not worth the $36/person "view" through the clouds haha

Then a subway to Ground Zero and the 911 Memorial (because our feet still hurt from walking the day before + rain + cold).

An afternoon of shopping, followed by a yummy dinner @ Max Brenner's Chocolate Bar.

Sunday morning we headed to the Manhattan ward for Sacrament Meeting.

It was Mother's Day, I missed being with my mama and my other four daughters, but it sure was great spending it with Saige and Lisa!

Crepes for brunch... 

A relaxing afternoon doing not much of anything, due to the rain. 

That night we went to the Broadway show "Beautiful".

None of us knew anything about it... but heard great reviews.

Well... We loved it!!

We even "fan girled" a little...

a walk through Times Square

Monday morning out last day... Lisa had secured us ticked to the Megyn Kelly show.

I have to be honest, I had no idea who Megyn Kelly was.  In fact both Saige and I had to watch a couple minutes of the show before we left home so we would know who Megyn Kelly was... haha

Public Service Announcement.

You can NOT take a picture of this sign in the security area.

This is our reaction when we were not so politely told that! ;)

Lisa, who watches the show regularly, made one stipulation... 

she would NOT be sitting right behind Megyn Kelly because she did NOT want screen time.

Bahahahaha guess where they seated us???

It was super fun!  And we were on our very best behavior, but pretty scared knowing every move would be recorded!

Lisa bought this cute southern chef's cookbook.

( I should remember her name, but I don't... guess I should have bought the cookbook too haha)

The "giveaways" for the day were a book about Megan Markyl and Prince Harry... and an automatic corkscrew opener.

We've always wanted one of those... or three.

Sweet treats from Magnolia Bakery.

Followed by a few hours in Central Park.

Of course we were stopped by a pedicab driver... or a few.

Who made us an offer we couldn't refuse.

We definitely got to see more of the park than we would have on our own.

This was one time when we didn't miss having Tayler there with us.

Back in 2012 when the four of us came for a dance convention.

(clarification... Tayler and Saige were there for the convention, Lisa and I did NOT dance at the convention.)

We also took a pedicab ride through central park, with all four of us.

It was more comfortable this time. haha

 Sadly we had to say goodbye to Saige, who took her train back to Westport from Grand Central Station.

It is incredible how much Saige has grown and matured in the last year.

She is confident and beautiful in every way!!

It was such a joy to be able to spend the long weekend with her! 

Shortly after this, Lisa and I took a highly terrifying taxi ride to JFK.

I was NOT sure that we would live to tell about it.

But obviously we did...

Thanks for taking time off to be with us Saige, and thanks for being one of the greatest friends a girl could ask for Lisa!!  It was a trip to remember!