Bill turned 50 in March 2015....and because I am such an awesome wife, I surprised him by planning a trip to NYC to see Billy Joel in Madison Square Garden...a "Bucket List" item for him.  So, in March he opened a card which contained concert tickets, airline tickets and hotel arrangements. He was so excited...a bit surprised too.  We had never before been so extravagant for birthdays...perhaps I was setting a new precedent...:) 

(May 2015)

Our arrival "selfie" in Times Square...we were THRILLED to be in the Big Apple.  It really is one of our favorite cities ever.  We love everything about it...the energy, the crazy/interesting people, the food, the entertainment, the buildings, the toasted coconut, the smells...just everything!

A fun and entertaining lunch at Ellen's Stardust Diner.

 The reason for the trip! We were getting the hang of "selfies"...not near as good as our kids.

 One excited guy right here! He even has the t-shirt to prove it!

 We arrived early and loved every minute of being in the Garden.  It's just the coolest thing being in NYC, in the Garden...for a Knicks game, but especially for a Billy Joel concert! And let me just say, he did not disappoint! The place was rocking from the warm up act, Gavin DeGraw, all the way to the end...Billy sang song after song after song...and you better believe Bill knew them all.  It was a night to remember for EVER and ALWAYS.  Yep, I sure know how to plan a birthday surprise:)

 We visited the 911 Memorial at Ground Zero...Bill had already been there since it was completed...we visited a few times during construction, but this was the first time for me since it opened. A somber reminder of the awful attacks on America.  Such a dark spot for the nation, but what a beautiful tribute to those who died. Clearly hallowed ground.

 During intermission at Finding Neverland, we met Gayle King (Oprah's best friend).  It was a treat for me to visit with her...she was very nice and didn't seem too bothered by a weirdo lady who wanted a picture with her...It was actually her son, Will, who suggested taking the picture with the stage in the background...such nice, famous people.

Lunch at Serendipity...yummo food and ice cream and some awesome drama at the table next to ours...we love New York City!!!

 And a Sunday Selfie! See how good we got! We love visiting the Manhattan 1st Ward whenever we are in the city on Sunday.  Again, interesting people and the talks never disappoint...the people who live in New York City are a different breed...in the best possible way!

It's always a little sad to leave the hustle and bustle of the city, but we do start missing our home and children.  And the big, wide, open spaces of Texas are always a welcome sight.