You Tawkin to Me?

The last week and a half has been very eventful. It all started last Wednesday when Derek surprised me with my birthday gifts early. We weren't planning on celebrating the big 2-9 on my actual birthday since we were going to be out of town. I had to work pretty late that week, so it was a nice surprise to walk into the kitchen and see this:



On Saturday morning, Derek, Kirk, and I hopped in the car and started our drive to NYC to see my dad run in the marathon. After living in Texas for so long, it is still strange to me that in the same amount of time that it takes to drive from Houston to Dallas, we can be in the middle of Manhattan. The drive went well (minus one minor mishap on my part...apparently 295 and the NJ Turnpike are NOT the same thing). One thing to note for those people who plan on driving through New Jersey anytime soon...do not try to pump your own gas...New Jersey considers this to be a deadly sin. We were actually yelled at when we attempted to do this (I think the guys words were "This is New Jersey. You don't pump your own gas in New Jersey). Very strange.

We made it through the Lincoln Tunnel and to our hotel in the Upper West Side pretty easily. We met my parents down near Rockefeller Center and had some lunch. Then we went on a short little tour to show Kirk a few places in the City (Top of the Rock, 5th Avenue, etc.). We ended up at the Oak Bar at the Plaza where my dad somehow talked one of the security guards into giving us a mini-tour of the hotel and getting a spot at the bar.





My mom, dad, and I then took a Rickshaw ride through Central Park so my dad could check out the finish line. We finished up the evening at a great little neighborhood Italian Restaurant called Coppola's. I forgot to take pictures, but this place was awesome. Derek said it was the best Alfredo he's ever had. My parent's surprised me with a birthday Tiramisu -- a great way to end the night.


We made some posters to cheer my dad on for the run -- and since there were about 50,000 people running in the marathon, we thought we'd give him a sneak peek just in case we missed him.



My mom, Derek, Kirk and I had a great breakfast the next morning at the Manhattan Diner. I had the Belgium waffle.



We went down to Times Square to take some pictures, and then took the Subway to Brooklyn to see my dad at mile 8. All was good for the first 5 minutes in Brooklyn...until Derek realized that his wallet was gone...yep, someone picked his pocket (his front pocket nonetheless). So instead of cheering on the runners, we spent the next 15 minutes calling to cancel credit cards. And we missed my dad running by...needless to say, that may be the last time we ever go to Brooklyn.



Despite the whole stolen wallet, the trip was a lot of fun. We headed back to Virginia for an uneventful drive back.

In other news...here is what we had for dinner tonight -- Taco filled pasta shells. Definitely making this again.


*I forgot to take a picture of the finished dish (I was too busy eating :)


Poll

What is your favorite breakfast food?

Mine is either French Toast or a Belgium Waffle (but pancakes are a close runner-up).