New York City/Atlantic City, January 2012.

As I have mentioned before, my incredibly gifted and talented husband was inducted into the US Martial Arts Hall of Fame in July 2011. I'm so so so proud of all of his accomplishments. Now, he has been inducted into Alan Goldberg's Action Martial Arts Hall of Honors, with this years ceremonies being held in Atlantic City, NJ. Why yes, I think I could make arrangements to be there =)

We flew into New York a day early, so we could spend time sight-seeing, and exploring all that New York City has to offer.

 There's honestly no better way to see the city, than atop a hop-on, hop-off, double-decker tour bus. 

 First hop-off: the world trade center site. This is the new memorial tower under construction. Pictures do not even come close to describing the magnitude of this building. It truly brought a new, unimagined perspective to all that took place on 9/11.

 Second hop-off, and this is My handsome man in front of Rockefeller Center. It actually took some effort to get this picture. What you might wonder is what everyone in the background is looking at??

 That would be a live filming of 30ROCK! Yes, indeed! We were kindly directed out of the filming boundaries by security =) It was so awesome!

 Atop Rockefeller Center. 

 Love him!

 You honestly can't say you've truly experienced New York City without shopping on Fifth Avenue. We went in AND right back out of many many incredible stores on NYC's famous Fifth Ave, but our favorite for sure....

 ....was FAO Schwarz, especially the FAO Schweetz floor. Heaven for this girl with not just one sweet tooth, but an entire mouth FULL of sweet teeth =D

 After a lot of walking, and a 2-hr train ride from Penn Station in NYC, with a quick over-lay in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we made it to our final destination at the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.

 It might have been 20 degrees, but by george, we WILL take pictures on the beach, and Todd WILL chase the seagulls. It's a long-standing tradition of his, and it's hilarious. I missed the photo opp unfortunately. 

 The beach is literally a few short steps outside.

 First night, dinner at PF Changs.

 Dessert at the Market...which had CHEESECAKE FACTORY cheesecake!! Yes, we did indulge!! Vanilla bean cheesecake hit the spot =D

Next, Mission Impossible, Ghost Protocol IMAX!! Oh good heavens, it was incredible, and we have since watched the movie at least 3 more times!! Highly recommended by the Mills.

 This is the view from our hotel room. Somehow, even in the winter, the beach can seem so relaxing.

 And if the beach isn't relaxing enough, I'll just head down to the spa and have my manicure/pedicure while the husband gets a massage. Must get ready for the awards ceremony!!

 There he is.... Congratulations Todd!! I can't express in words how joyously proud I am of not just your accomplishments, but the unbelievably amazing person you are.

 I'm honored and privileged to be your wife, and call you my husband, and my best friend.

 If you've never been to a martial arts award ceremony, let me tell you right now that they are rather lengthy. Nonetheless, early we rise the next morning, and bundle up for our venture outside where it is now 15 degrees, with a wind gust of I don't know how much, but it felt like really fast. We waited at the tram stop for our shuttle, and we froze our tails off. It was COLD people....FREEZING!!!

 But, the train ride into Philadelphia, and then to NYC was absolutely breathtaking.

 We're now back in NYC at the famous Penn Station, and Madison Square Garden. Oh, and there are NO pictures of the taxi cabs nor the drivers. That was without a doubt my least favorite part of the trip. Thank goodness we have strong legs and feet that walked us everywhere we needed to go, and we only needed the taxi to and from the airport. I can't even talk about it, it makes me feel flushed, dizzy, and sick to my stomach.

 Oh, and I definitely have to post this picture. As you know from our recent mission trip to Ukraine, I LOVE LOVE LOVE boarding the plane on the runway. Yes, even with snow and ice, freezing winds, and a slight hesitation to board the plane that would take off in these conditions, it was still an honorable walk up those steps =) 

Safe on the ground in Knoxville! Thankful for an awesome time with this man in one of the coolest places in America....at least that I've experience so far.