When Husband informed me that he had never been to the Empire State Building I made it a point to check that off his bucket list.  It was a cold & dreary day, but I was determined.  And I’m so glad I got to be there with him to see the sights!  Even though it was not the best of weather circumstances, it was still a stunning panoramic view that everyone must see at least once in their lifetime.

^^ Belgian Waffles :: side note- Baby D & I did not stop eating the entire time. ^^

^^ In front of Radio City Music Hall before the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular {which was AWESOME by the way!!} Don’t’ mind my chapped lips.  They have been destroyed since Chicago last weekend… ^^

^^ {phone pic} a smooch in front of Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree. ^^

My favorite part of this trip was, without a doubt, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.  I am one of those people who will forever remember where I was and what I was doing the day of the 9/11 attacks on the United States.  I watch every single 9/11 documentary that I see on TV and cry uncontrollably for the victims and their families.  So of course going to the museum, I knew what was going to happen… I turned into a weeping puddle of mush.  The museum brings to life recollections of the day that you would never see on TV.  Vivid pictures of people taking their own lives, powerful final phone calls & voice messages left on answering machines of trapped victims calling their families to say “good-bye”, pictures of protestors begging for New York not to “rebuild on their family members grave”… heartbreaking.

Although the memories are very depressing, the museum also highlighted the true heroes of that horrific day.  Obviously they honored the brave men and women of the FDNY & NYPD, but they also told stories of unknown heroes.  One story in particular really stuck with me, there were a group of workers in the World Trade Center that worked with a gentleman who was wheelchair bound.  When they realized that they needed to evacuate they knew that they would need to carry this paralyzed man down the 80+ flights of stairs as a team.  Even though there was mad chaos all around them, it was hot and congested with people frantically trying to get out, and the man was becoming increasingly heavier the further down they got, they did not give up.  They saved that guy!

Anyway, if you are ever in the New York area, please go visit the memorial and museum.

^^ Even in the rain, the memorial pools are so beautiful. ^^

^^ beams from one of the original towers ^^

^^ Missing Posters :: After 9/11 family members and friends of those who had not returned home from the World Trade Center posted missing person fliers throughout the city.  When hope for survivors faded, the missing fliers became memorials. ^^

^^ “No day shall erase you from the memory of time.” -Virgil ^^

This wall was a compilation of work from several different local New York artists.  They were asked to paint a canvas of the color the sky was the day of the attacks.  When put all together it became one big work of art that took my breath away.  So beautiful.

^^ Love that Texas flag in the left hand of Lady Liberty :) ^^