Oh my goodness, one week from today is CHRISTMAS!
I really wish we had another week (or two), but ready or not, here it comes.
As my year in blogging quickly wraps up, I have one last travel post for our 2024…
…I surprised Ashby and Mades and took them to New York City to see the Rockettes 🙂 .
These two were babies when we went to NYC and saw them the last time…
…awwwww! They were two and four! Aren’t they all so little?!
I knew they wanted to go back, but I also knew we didn’t have much time, so we made a quick (and festive!) trip to the Big Apple on Sunday morning.
We landed in NYC, dropped off our bags and headed out…
…our first stop was The Plaza Hotel because hello? Kevin stayed there!
Next up…
…we had to go see the tree in Rockefeller Center!
It never disappoints!
We were clearly having no fun. 😉
After the tree, we headed up 5th Avenue to take in the very festive sites…
…we still can’t get over that Louis Vuitton building…
…everything was oh so festive.
Our next stop was…
…American Girl! Mades has never had her own American Girl doll (she uses her two big sisters’ from years past), but this time, Ashby and I told her it was her turn to pick out a doll. After looking and looking, she decided to pick out a doll that looks like her instead of one of the characters. They are already best friends.
With our doll in tow, we headed first…
…to a street vendor for a very healthy snack and then…
…we took said snack and boarded…
…a carriage ride through Central Park!
The views are my FAVORITE at night in NYC!
It was cold, but we were all bundled up and loving our tour…
Awwww! Love these two!
Such a fun thing to do in New York!
We dropped off our doll, cleaned up just a bit and then headed…
…to Quality Bistro for dinner.
It was very festive and oh so delish!
We enjoyed our dinner (and as you can see, games!) before heading back to the hotel to call it a night.
Madeley took her shower, put her new doll Millie Shull in her pjs and then…
…told me to take this photo and “text the family” so that they could see. I love that she knew her dad, big brother and big sister would want to see her doll.
The next morning…
…was our only full day in New York, so we had to make it count. We left the hotel at 8:45 in the rain and headed first to…
…Sarabeth’s for breakfast before…
…heading out to explore. Ashby wanted to visit the Nike store, they both wanted to go in the big Sephora, and because we have been watching Miracle on 34th Street, we all wanted…
…to pop into Macy’s!
They wanted to take the escalators up to every.single.floor. The 9th floor is Holiday Lane, and it was oh so festive…
…please look at this photo. You guys, my feet were so cold in my boots that I borrowed a pair of Ashby’s socks. I NEVER WEAR SOCKS. Bahaha! Unlike my beloved Sorels and Uggs, these boots weren’t warm on the inside, so I put on socks and didn’t look back. Who am I? 🙂
I love that Ashby took this photo above and then also…
…snapped this selfie before handing it back 🙂 .
We look for holiday joy every chance we get!
We stopped for…
…macarons and then made our way…
…back outside.
We grabbed lunch and then regrouped about an hour in our hotel room until it was time for…
…us to head to Radio City and see the Rockettes!
This was a pinch me moment for all three of us 🙂 .
You guys, I have seen the Rockettes now several times and THEY NEVER DISAPPOINT! Mades leaned over at one point and said “I’m not ready for this to end”…my sentiments exactly. I love how they keep the traditional numbers while also adding fresh ones in each year. My favorite part though is that in 2024 when the world tells us NOT to look to Jesus, the Rockettes STILL MAKE IT ABOUT JESUS. Geez, I could not love that more. We had the very very best time. I consider myself so blessed to have had many many magical moments with these two precious girls…and sitting there watching the Rockettes with them is now probably my #1 of all time. It was truly such a joy and something I will never forget.
We left the theater oh so happy…
…and took a very festive ride to dinner…
…my favorite part was the very loud and very festive Christmas music that he played on our journey to dinner.
We wrapped up our trip with one last dinner…
…at another festive NYC restaurant. The Consulate, you were oh so delish!
Thank you so much for letting me share this trip with you. It was such a sweet time with Ashby and Madeley. I can hardly believe it, but we only have TWO MORE BLOGGING DAYS left in 2024. Eeeeeks! I will see you all back here tomorrow for a HUGE DAY!!! I know you know…and I am SO excited about it 😉 .
Have the best day, friends! xx
Susan Jeffries says
What a great trip!!! NYC at Christmas is fabulous!
Elspeth says
What a fun and magical time with your girls!! So many wonderful memories! Thank you for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Beth Knecht says
Love this so much! Such sweet memories for you! I love Central Park and especially a carriage ride at Christmas through it!
Kit says
LOVE!!! Where’d y’all stay? You are just amazing!!
Mix and Match Mama says
The JW Marriott on Central Park South!
Dianne Whiteman says
What hotel did you stay in?
Mix and Match Mama says
The JW Marriott on Central Park South 🙂 .
Liz B says
So fun !! Those two little girls are so precious and so lucky. Merry Christmas! Will miss you on break & excited for your blogging in 2025. 🙂 🙂
Christina G. says
Shay- I was laughing so hard about your comment about your socks! 😆 I know you have been to the northeast many times in Boston. (I live outside Philadelphia) You always look so put together in all your pictures out, and I actually zoomed in to see what you were wearing (I was curious if a Texas girl would dress warmly enough for the elements there) before seeing your comment about the socks! 😂walking around NYC in the winter is no joke, and every time I’ve gone there in the cold, my feet are always frozen by the end of the day! Glad you and the girls had the best time!
SS says
Shay,
It’s always fun to have a pic taken and what bonuses are there when you get your phone back!!! Way to go Ashby!!! It happens when my phone leaves my hands to any of our kiddos (and a few kiddos are in their 20s). Lol.
PS watched Following Yonder Star Hallmark .. it was cute!!! Check that one out. We watched Hot Frosty on Netflix. It was also cute… could’ve done without the sheriff character. It reminded us of a very Nutty Christmas from a few years back. Lol.
Tamara R says
What an amazing trip! NYC has my heart always but NYC at Christmastime? THE BEST! Glad you had such a wonderful time with your littles ❤️
Sarah M. says
I still can’t believe you don’t wear socks, this does not compute for me!! Glad you were able to borrow some 🙂
We were in NYC in November so the holiday season was just getting underway, Will need to go back when it’s in full swing! What a fun little trip with your little girls (not so little anymore!).
Erika Slaughter says
What a MAGICAL getaway!
Jennifer says
This looks like such a fun trip! Were you concerned about safety at all?
Amy Rae D. says
What a fun and festive trip! 🙂
Allison Diano says
What fun!! NYC at this time year is magical! Your girls might like Lillie’s Victorian Establishment (We have been to the one near Times Square a few times.) It’s a beautifully decorated restaruant year round.
Rhoda W says
That looks like fun fun trip! You You can see and feel the joy in each photo. Merry Christmas to you and Yours!
Emma says
What a great trip! Love the photos. I have one question- what does Andrew use for his heels. I know he has mentioned he is a fellow cracked sufferer but curious his remedy? The people (well me) need to know LOL
Mix and Match Mama says
He does! He uses this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JU1TXKI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Marisa Patel says
I am so stinkin’ jealous over here! I love some LV, Macy’s, and the NYC holiday flare!!!! It appears that you ladies had a blast, what a wonderful memory.
MelanieL says
Oh what fun!! I am laughing though because we were there in June and we all agreed that the pedicabs were the craziest thing we experienced in the city!! So fun to see the city dressed for Christmas, I should definitely take my girl for her 21st bday in 2025…:)
K.K. says
Oh how SPECIAL!!!! All the smiles and memories made! Love it.
JB says
What fun, But wait, you never wear socks? Please explain.
Mix and Match Mama says
They make me claustrophobic, so I never wear them. They’re just too binding/annoying for me in my shoes. I legit don’t own socks myself, but my boots were comfy and my feet were cold, so I borrowed Ashby’s this trip 🙂 .
Kristen says
how do you wear hard boots with no socks? and do you wear socks when your work out w/ sneakers? do your feet get smelly, lol?
Mix and Match Mama says
Truly, I cannot stress this enough, I never wear socks. My feet must be conditioned for it by now 🙂 .
Nancy says
Blog post idea 2025, explain to us all who have followed you for years and had no idea that you don’t wear socks! Hahaha
Mix and Match Mama says
Now that is funny!
Katie says
What a fun and festive trip! I’m sure these memories will be ones you remember forever!
Deena says
What a sweet trip with your girls! I’d like to go to NYC during the holidays sometime. It looks like it was a fun trip with the perfect things to do!
~B~ says
I have got to remember this post when we plan a December trip to NYC someday! So festive, so fun!
Kim says
I love the rockettes and My favorite part also is they keep the nativity in the show!! So good. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas!
Heather says
What a great way to kick off the week before Christmas!
Viviana G says
What boots were those that made your feet cold? 😊 they look comfortable.
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re a Nordstrom brand chelsea boot…they just aren’t lined like my Sorels and Uggs, so my feet needed an extra layer (I don’t wear socks with Sorels or Uggs).
Lisa says
What a fun trip! I’ve never seen the Rockettes but would love to!
Kristy says
What a fun trip! I’m taking my daughters, 14 and 12 in January to see Wicked! I’ve never seen the Rockettes but now they’re on my Someday list.
Mix and Match Mama says
You girls are going to have the best time!! I saw it in NYC several years ago and LOVED it!
SC says
I love this so much! We are in a season where we just don’t have time as a family to all go on any long trip! We decided this year to take shorter vacays and sometime just me with the kiddos. We have however chosen more “low key” vacation spots. You, though, are so brave to do NYC with the littles! Do you feel safe overall in the city? I am inspired!
Mix and Match Mama says
When you can’t do long, shorter is much better than not doing it at all. I love that you’re doing this too! I do feel safe in NYC. I know, I know, I know there are certain areas/times of day/situations that are not safe, and I’m not naïve in thinking nothing bad could happen, buuuuut I’ve always loved NYC and thought it was a very “friendly” big town. I’ve been several times alone and felt safe too. It’s really a fabulous place to visit!
Jessica says
What an amazing trip with your two girlies! It looked like pure joy! NYC at Christmas is on my bucket list.
Sheaffer says
A trip you will never forget! Love all the pics!
Karen in Virginia says
Hi Shay…I don’t wear socks either. Haven’t in 15 years! Even when it snows here in the DC area. LOL. Just easier to slide into shoes and head out! Happy holidays to you and your family! I’ve been following you for over 10 years.
Deb says
This post brought back so many memories of how much I loved being in NYC during Christmas when I lived there for a few years. I think we will have to put this on the list for next Christmas season!
D Jackson says
What a special fun festive trip for you and your littles!! Love Madeley’s new American Doll!!
Allena G. says
I was in NYC with my mother-in-law and 3 kiddos Wednesday-Sunday and we saw/did a lot of the same things – you just can’t beat NYC at Christmas-time!
Jeanette says
What a precious memory those girls will have for the rest of their lives!
Amy says
Looks like so much fun! Could you talk about the logistics of getting from the airport to your hotel? And how did you get around the city? Taxi? Subway? I need all the details!
Mix and Match Mama says
I had a car service take us from the airport to the hotel and then we took a cab back at the end of the trip. We walked and/or took an Uber/cab around the city 🙂 .
Whitney says
Do you mind sharing where you sat at the Rockefeller Center? I’m planning a trip and your view was great!
Mix and Match Mama says
We set in the mezzanine right in the center. It was perfect!
Mary Ann Hills says
We were in NYC the same time that you were!! It was my husband’s first trip there and he loved it – such a magical time of the year!! I am curious where you got Madeley’s sweatshirt – I have 6 granddaughters and I’m always looking for fun sweatshirts for Christmas. Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
Etsy! It’s my favorite place for seasonal shirts 🙂 .