I <3 NY continued...

Peter's pictures from Day 1:





Rockefeller Center
_______________________________________________________________________________--
Day 2.

So, we went to the airport early yesterday and they had the same deal as the day before. $400 Delta dollars and a hotel for the night if you "volunteered" to get bumped off the flight. We decided not to take it this time. We needed to get back before Thursday. We got on the plane, had a glass of champagne and I was ooing and ahhing over the amazing amount of leg room...when the woman from the Delta counter came on the plane and practically begged us to re-consider and take the voucher.

We asked more questions (well, Peter did) and she told us we could fly out that NIGHT instead of waiting until this morning. So, we took it. Another $400 Delta dollars for arriving in Newport around 3pm instead of 2am. Love it.

The next 5 hours in the airport were not pleasant, but they're over.

Once back in Manhattan, we had lunch at a stereotypical New York pizza place. It was delish. Twenty bucks says one of those guys was named Tony.




My hat and gloves were needed purchases- it was FREEZING!

St. Patty's Cathedral







IT SNOWED! More than two snowflakes, I promise.

They lit up the ball Tuesday night- and that was cool.

At five o'clock we took the E train on the subway and it broke down. Thankfully, we had a lot of maps. Peter re-routed us, and we still made it to the airport on time! God is so kind. At one point, it was so crowded, I think I was touching five people at one time. Little claustrophobic.

First class is way more amazing than I thought! You can tell I fit in really well- no one would've ever guessed I was "bumped." I think my hair says it all.

They have MENUS. Dinner was incredible. I had Beef Tenderloin.

And we landed in Manchester with snow on the ground!

Took a few trains to get back into Newport and have been swapping Christmas stories with the Gap Team ever since! Taige is skiing with his family and isn't back yet. (We miss you, Taige!) Toms went to America for the first time (it was actually his first flight ever) and thinks the best thing about the States is, "Everything is just done better." Kat had a really wonderful time with friends and family.

Ivy has been slaving for two weeks developing her AMAZING cooking skills. She made us some incredibly stupendous creative dinner tonight and is running around just serving us left and right. And its obvious she went above and beyond to make the house spotless before we got home. What a gem.

We have tomorrow morning off, and then a pretty crazy weekend I think.

It's funny being back; seems like I never left. Really good to see everyone again. I'm reminded once more how unique this season of life is: living life with 5 others so closely-- I'm going to try and squeeze every ounce out of it that I can get!

I <3 NY

Yes, I got in trouble for taking this picture. I feel like I lived here, at gate 12, for a few days!

So we got our flights all situated and dropped our things off at the Ramada. A couple who'd also been bumped asked if we wanted to split a cab with them to Manhattan--uh...YEAH! They used to live in NY so gave us directions and a bunch of traveling tips. What a blessing!

Times Square! I kept saying all day, "Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm in New York!"

My amazing sister helped me pack the night before and suggested I wear my wellies (aka rain boots) on the plane because they were the heaviest (and my bags were too full). Very good idea. However, not ideal for walking around in New York. So, this was my first purchase! And they were quite inexpensive.

We went to get Phantom of the Opera tickets, but for some reason they weren't selling them. So we got off Broadway tickets to see The Fantastics.

Chinese was what was for lunch! (Thank you, Tambra! It was delicious.)





Central Park



Lindsay, this was the closest I could get to "sending you snow."







So, the ball that drops is WAY smaller in real life than I thought it was. This is it close up. HOW CRAZY that just days before I watched the ball drop on New Year's and had NO idea I'd be in NY soon. There was still confetti on the ground. I'm a loser and picked some up as a souvenir.

And this is it far away...you can barely see it at the very very top of the advertisements!







We went to the UN but were too late for a tour, so just took pictures and looked around.







Thought of you, Katelyn! Hugs!!!

Rockefeller Center

Off Broadway it is!

Front row seat. I felt like I was ON stage. It was great!

Grand Central Station

The Subway!

Empire State building!

The end of Day 1 in New York. And yes, there was a Day two. My camera ran out of battery, so those pictures are on Peter's camera. When I get them, I'll post all about it. I'm safely in Newport now after some long traveling hours, but Ivy has us on "operation get over jet lag" and is making us eat and stay awake as long as she can...so we should be set!

Thank you so so so much for your prayers for safe travel. The LORD answered above what I imagined!

Missing you so much already!

Ps. Family in New Jersey, I thought of calling you, really I did. But I figured that by the time I knew anything about where I was exactly or what I'd be doing, you'd be in the middle of your pre-planned day...plus, I knew my parents were with you and you guys all had plans- but I would've LOVED to've seen you. HUGS HUGS HUGS!!!

NYC!

So, Peter and I took $400 delta dollars, hotel rooms, and a bump up to first class in exchange for waiting until tomorrow to fly out of JFK....

the result? Sight seeing in New York City today!

Pictures to come- and thank you so much to those of you praying for safe travel!

Go Whalers!...and back to Waling myself.

Went to Justin's hockey game last night- and yes, that "C" stands for captain! That's my bro!

Does anyone else find it weird that he's number 23 on the "Whalers" team, and I'll be living in Wales for most of the year once I turn 23?

This picture is completely random, but its my favorite position that Jack sleeps in. Elbows straight up in the air.

For all of you Welsh readers out there....THIS is why American's think its weird you only have two brands of peanut butter to choose from on the bottom shelf at Tescos...

Oh how I miss American grocery stores!

I can't believe my time in the States is wrapping up. It has been absolutely amazing! The LORD has met me, encouraged me, refreshed me, reminded me of His promises, and His faithfulness. Thank you so much to so many of you who have been the vessels of those reminders. I am falling more in love with the Savior as a result.

My flight leaves at 6:30a tomorrow and I think Peter and I head to JFK before flying to Wales. We grab the 11pm (Wales time) train from London to Newport-- to arrive in Newport at 2:06a on Tuesday. Should be a fun couple of days!

Missing you already...