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I'm leaving today....

well, actually, we left several weeks ago.

Our dear friends, Brook and Benjamin (and their beautiful girls, Ibby & Mimi) live in Dubai but come to the states during the summer for several months.  I was dying to see them and wanted Hayes to meet them so we headed to New York!  

This was Hayes's first airplane trip and she was a superstar!!!  We had four flights in all and she was an angel on all four (sleeping completely through two of them, actually).  

There were No set plans for the trip other than just spending time with friends!  We had so much fun.  It was a reminder of how much we miss them!

Hayes on her first airplane trip.  

Just after arriving, we went to a lovely park along the river where Hayes experienced a swing for the first time.  She instantly fell in love with Ibby and Mimi and as you can see in the picture she loved the swing, too!
On our first full day in New York we went to the Museum of Natural History and Ibby planted her sunglasses on Hayes as we were purchasing tickets.  
Hayes LOVED New York - constantly being outside and so many people around...it was a little bit of heaven on earth for her!
Morning snuggles with Ibby and Mimi. 
Hayes loved playing with Ibby and Mimi!!!
Hayes ready to hit the town (check out the view from the apartment - fantastic!). 
Hayes, Ibby, and Mimi (and Brooke) watching the Sea Lions (or were they seals?) performance. 
They told how to tell a seal from a sea lion but I surely can't remember what they said.  So, here's a lovely seal or sea lion.
This pig was just outside the pig habitat and when you touch it it snorts and Hayes thought it was hilarious.  She giggled and giggled!
Hayes and I decided to take a little trip to Times Square - during rush hour, to boot!  Hayes was completely overwhelmed!  She did not crack a smile from the moment we stepped off the subway until we were back safe and sound in the apartment!  It was so funny.  Although she is a very social baby that was way more than she could handle!!!
I "wore" Hayes in a sling so we didn't have to try to navigate with a stroller.  
Hayes completely overwhelmed with the lights, sounds, and people!
Night view from the apartment.  Beautiful!
Ibby reading a book to Mimi and Hayes.  

Hayes and in front of Jeff Koons's Balloon Dog on the roof of The Met.