I want to be a part of it...

Yes, yes. I've been absent fooooooreeeeever. I know..... but you know, I've started my own company and I've been on vacation. Can I use those activities as an excuse?

Even if you say I can't, it doesn't matter, because....

I can't hear you....

Ha-ha. Got you there!!!!!

Anyway, a few weeks ago, I joined some of my most favorite people for a long weekend in New York. New York City, that is. The Big Apple. That weekend was the start of our US vacation and definitely one of the (many) highlights!

Our trip started with the flight from Europe to the US. As you can see, Nicholas is a seasoned traveller. He's got the in-flight activities down pat, earphones and all.


Of course, the weekend we decided to bless New York with our beautiful presence was also one of New York's 100+-degree weekends. In addition, it was also the 4th of July weekend, which meant millions of hot, sweaty people everywhere, all the time. I mean more people than usual in New York. It took us an hour just to walk from east to west across Times Square.

But Grandpa, Nicholas, Matthew, Lucas, Steen and I braved the crowds and the heat. And we had a spectacular time.

Some photos from our great adventure....

On top of the Empire State Building (the kids and I looked for the door to Olympus, but were unsuccessful).

We literally saw the "Big Apple" at Rockefeller Center.

The boys had some quality time with their great-grandpa.

We visited St. Patrick's cathedral. In a particularly touching moment, Lucas asked if he could light a candle and say a prayer.

We caught a show in Central Park (who needs Broadway?).

We visited Little Italy and Chinatown.... (had the best cannoli ever, or at least the best I've had in the past six months....)

Ate many a good meal. This has to be one of my favorite photos from the whole trip.

We played, laughed and shared special moments, like this fussball tournament. I'm sure Grandpa won.

We visited a lady with very big feet.

And we stood in the same halls that at least some of my ancestors passed through when they arrived in the US.

We found some of their names on the Wall of Rememberance.

And we slept when we were tired.

Most of all, we made memories that will last a lifetime.