The Bronx Zoo kept us busy all day Monday. Our favorite places were the Congo Gorilla Forest, the Butterfly Garden, the Carousel, and Madagascar, a new exhibit of animals from this island.

After wandering through Chelsea and Greenwich Village, we found a playground that the kids enjoyed (as you can see by Ian's expression). They were so excited to see Uncle Steve, especially Ian since it was the first time they had met.

We went to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and enjoyed the Japanese Garden, lilypad ponds, and bonsai trees.

The pictures probably speak for themselves, but the fireworks show was amazing. New York City's show has 55 times more fireworks than anywhere else in the country. We all thought that the grand finale occurred about twenty times. Ian and Gavin were awestruck (and then very tired afterwards). Deon was the master behind these shots (sorry I didn't crop any of them!).

New York City with the Kids

Our first stop was the 'Dinosaur Museum,' which turned out to be a big hit with Gavin and Ian. Gavin ran from room to room in awe of the many dinosaur skeletons while Ian continually roared at all the dinosaur skeletons. We spent the entire day at the Museum of Natural History and Central Park before we met Deon at Grand Central to go to dinner and the fireworks show.

A COLORFUL WEEKEND

This holiday weekend, Jeff, Kim, Deon, Gavin, and Ian chilled in Brooklyn & NYC.

They watched amazing NYC fireworks from Brooklyn Heights, 

found some lovely Farmer's Market finds,

tried to understand what possessed someone to ruin this beautiful brownstone, 

and ate lots of ice cream to stay cool in the super humid NYC weather!  (This pic of Gav is priceless.)

The best part of the weekend was Aunt Non getting the chance to 

baby-sit Gavin & Ian while Jeff & Kim attended a friend's wedding.

On Sunday, Uncle Steve came down to NY to join in on all the activities.  Actually, Aunt Non wasn't all that fun to hang with, so luckily her better half came to save the day!

As Steve was taking Metro-North down from CT, Kim & Deon toured the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens with the boys.  Gavin was lovin' these amazing Bonsai Trees (supposedly the largest collection in the world).

We were all anxious to see what Chelsea Market had to offer in the Chelsea District of Manhattan.

Zagat-rated fares were abundant . . . but we took a break from specialty shops to eat lunch

at the oldest diner in NYC!

Ian is a dog connoisseur; he is addicted to canines!

Deon is addicted to this little car.

From the looks on our faces, Steve obviously had more confidence in our crazy lady photographer than the rest of us (including Gav & Ian).

A little better?

In Greenwich Village, we had the choice of touring the Marc Jacobs store, eating cupcakes at Magnolia's Bakery (notice the line around the block), or playing at the local park.  We chose the later.

My apologies for these horrible photos.  I just took a little digital down to NY.  Kim brought a sweet Nikon on the trip, so hopefully she will post some MUCH better pics when they arrive home from Brooklyn tomorrow.

Thanks again Jeff & Kim for letting us come hang with your awesome family in The Big Apple.  Deon was clearly a pain most of the trip, but hopefully Steve made up it!!!