Why watch the parade on TV when you can go watch it!!!

 So many things we didn't think about life in NYC before we moved here. So much goes on! NYC is where it's all at!

 I took this picture for my sister, Monica. She loves Snoopy. We positioned ourselves in Times Square, but we were about a hundred people deep in the crowd away from the actual parade. It was hard to get the 2 boys out of bed and drag them down there, so next year I am going to plan it a little better.

 And took this picture for Charlie's niece, Lillian. We could only see the balloons from our position in the crowd, not the performers, which was a shame. Put go to a different location next year, or try to watch it from someone's apartment.

 Here comes a Paul Frank monkey. Charlie had to explain who and what this was.

 Then we headed down to the Brooklyn Bridge to walk across it. Unfortunately, it was already dark by the time we made it there, and figured out how to get on the darn thing ( a lot more complicated that you would think)

 It was SO CROWDED! It's such a popular tourist attraction. My favorite part was seeing all the cables up close. You really need to see them in person to get a sense of how massive and powerful they are.

 Our first week in NYC, we got ourselves a couple of Brooklyn Bridge tattoos. Another post for another time.

 After a trip to Junior's, which I completely failed to take photos of, we headed to our watering hole, Keg n' Lantern. Arie was there and, and by the looks of these photos, all the food from Thanksgiving settled in my chin.

And Charlie made a pilgrim hat for Godel.

Spronkles

This is what happens when you get Sprinkles Cupcakes, put the box in your purse and then ride trains all day. They still tasted great, though. Orange-Cranberry with White Chocolate icing for me and Salty Caramel for Ryan.

Before Zucotti Park was a home for the disenfranchised.

 I had no idea what this was, but everyone else was taking pictures of it so I snapped one too before I even read it.

 The day after I took this photo, someone covered this sculpture in a giant granny square afghan. I am so mad I didn't get a photo of it.

Harem pants are one trend I will not get behind. Unless it's to take a picture to mock it.

NYC Honey Festival!

 Celebrating the first year of legal beekeeping in NYC! Does that surprise you? It sure surprised me.

 I love how this looks like an ant farm. A delicious, sting-y ant farm.

 These are really nice. My Mom raises bees and her boxes are not this fancy.

 This was the first year for this event, and as events in their infancy go, there wasn't much to see. We distracted ourselves with tacos.

 This sign made me laugh until I cried.

 Rockaway beach (yes, from the song) is waaaaay classier than Coney.

 It was cold, but there were a few brave souls.

 One lonely surfer.

A lot of glass on this beach, too. That's what you get when people sell beer from popsicle carts.

2nd best

Hmm, I'm craving a square doughnut, filled with seedless blackberry jam and then dunked in a peanut butter glaze. Where can I get that? www.doughtnutplant.com

 Everyone knows that Peter Pan is the best doughnut shop in NYC, but everyone else needs a little time in the limelight. Doughtnut Plant has 2 Manhattan locations, and I hit the one up on the Lower East Side!

Lobster Joint

 http://lobsterjoint.com/

 There is no shortage of deliciousness in Greenpoint. One of my favorites is Lobster Joint, which is exactly what it sounds like. The salad above was greens, avocado, radishes, about 1/2 a lobster and a peppery lemon dressing. SOOOOO delicious!

And under this massive side salad is a lobster roll, it's just hiding!. This is our new favorite place to take out of town guests! Won't you come visit so that I have an excuse to go back???

I'm so sorry, Joe

This is one of our BFFs, Joe, and this photo has been on my camera since May. Taken at Taste of Cincinnati.