The Horn Family

Nick's 10 year West Point reunion took place this weekend, and with the girls in the loving care of Nick's parents, we squeaked in a little get-a-way to New York City! We didn't take a moment of our freedom for granted as we frolicked along the streets of the Big Apple and enjoyed numerous (but not nearly enough) uninterrupted conversations with our cherished friends. I speak for myself when I say West Point brings forth only good memories, and walking through the streets made me feel like I was 19 again. I told Nick as we were driving to the airport, that there were so many points in the weekend that felt like "this is your life" moments. It seemed as though every time I turned around there was the beautiful face of a friend I hadn't seen in years. It was as if no time had passed at all, but yet we had so many new and interesting things to share. What I would give to design a neighborhood where all of our friends could live together, our kids would all be best friends and we'd have a block party every night!

Nick and I left early Wednesday morning and enjoyed an on-time, direct flight to our destination. Nick napped, I read some chick lit, we joyfully glided off the plane towards our first (of many) child un-friendly activity. Plane, bus and automobile brought us to our Priceline steal at the Empire Hotel in the Upper West Side! After a pump and potty break we were off to see the city!

We decided that our trip motto would be: "We eat until we're tired and sleep until we're hungry." We did our very best to fulfill our mission statement...We ate at Sarabeth's, Guy Fieri's American Grill in Times Square, Serendipity, Junior's...When we realized that there was no way that we could conceivably eat at all of the establishments we wanted to (or have adequate stomach space,) Nick got the brilliant idea to have a progressive brunch/lunch/late afternoon snack. We stopped at whatever eatery looked good and shared a sample of their signature dish. Our very favorite being the food truck, Wafels and Dinges, and their "Throwdown" waffle that dominated Bobby Flay. We loved it so much, we took a scenic tour of the city via a cab to track them down a second time for a very late night snack, but, alas, the food truck app on my phone was incorrect. Until next time...

Between binges, we shopped for Nick's new wardrobe, soliciting advice from every gay guy we could for tips. We stumbled upon the Lego store and found the very perfect souvenir for our birthday-obsessed Emmy girl (build-your-own cupcakes!) We toured the over-the-top inventory in FAO Schwartz to find some fun bath toys for sweet Hannah (that Emmy has, predictably, already intercepted).

We feasted our eyes on the musical "Wicked," and found ourselves in the studio audience of "Kelly and Michael." Both were definitely highlights of the trip!

Friday morning, we got ourselves to West Point later rather than sooner. From that drive, we determined that, moving forward, I will be the driver and Nick will be navigator in the family. We only missed a couple of events. We did make it in time for the end of the class meeting, the brief from the Superintendent and the Commandant, and to catch up with Nick's old commander, who is now an economics instructor. From the moment we stepped foot on campus, we started running into old friends, it was incredible how many people made the trip out to celebrate!

Friday night was a class dinner. Unlike the formality of the banquets we used to participate in, this dinner was spent running around chatting with friends and scarfing food down between conversations. It was gluttony! Not the food per se, but the company, having so many people we love so dearly in one place just seemed to be too good to be true!

Saturday morning came very early, we had a 630 show time to caravan 45 minutes from the hotel to the West Point gate. Between the alumni formation, Brigade review, Black Knight jumpers, and helicopter fly-by, the time went by in the blink of an eye. Before game time, we stopped by the old barracks to see if the contraband Nick and JP hid in the wall was still there (it wasn't), and picked up some "stinger" sandwiches from Grant Hall. The Landgrafs put together an incredible tailgate in the parking lot just off the stadium, which served as the headquarters for the rest of the day. 12 hours after we started, we were headed back to the hotel for final hugs and goodbyes. This weekend served as a precious reminder of how very blessed we are for the incredible people that God has placed in our lives.

It's a beautiful day in America!

The set of Wicked. Nick and I were amazed (not in a good way) how many people blatantly disregard the no cell phone/camera rule. This girl in front of us kept taking pictures with her I-PAD! So inconsiderate.

Mommy's sippy. :)

We looked into last minute tickets for "Book of Mormon," a play from the creators of South Park (who Nick adamantly maintains are genius,) but they were $300 a pop. He was a great sport to agree to Wicked, a show I've been wanting to see for years. :)

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives is usually on our TV in the evenings, so it was an extra special treat to have dinner at Guy Fieri's restaurant. :)

The set of Kelly & Michael was just a 5 minute walk from our hotel!

My handsome hubs :)

I haven't seen the show in ages, but I used to watch it religiously in college! So fun to watch it happen in person!

Stanley Tucci was on promoting his new cookbook!

Snuck a picture in while we were getting ushered out...They don't mess around!

HEAVEN!!!!!

I love this place, it's a must-stop every time I go to New York. :) I just deal with the stomach ache that comes afterwards, it's so worth it!

From the moment I first stepped foot on the grounds at West Point, I felt like a princess going to see my prince at his castle. I still get the same butterflies.

My prince, ten years later...:)

Jon, Jay & Arge!!

Jen Landgraf sandwich!

Jay, Hubs, Arge, JP, John & Jon

East Bay girls reunite in Jersey!

Kris demonstrates to JP what photo bombing is. :-D

There was a beautiful fog covering the pond next to Michie Stadium on Saturday.

Beautiful!!

Love these two! So grateful they made the 12 hour drive (each way) to be with us!!

Gorge!!

Jen & Kris :)

Jen & yours truly :)

We match (it was unplanned) in our 13 year old West Point sweatshirts. :)

This guy was determined to join the alumni formation. It was hilarious!

The alumni reviewed the Corps of Cadets.

Here they come!

The Black Knights making their way to the ground!

This helicopter flew in, hovered in the center of the parade field and did this cool maneuver like it was "tipping it's hat" and then flew away. It was awesome!!