I am still calling it Shea...

This turned out to be a banner week for first time stadium trips...and once again, with the VIP treatment (I am getting used to this). This time the trip was to CitiField in Queens...but as I point out above, I will still be calling it Shea.



This time, the participants were Tom, his sisters Deb and Tara, and Skull.




Somehow Debbie got tickets from a parish priest...who had apparently gotten them from someone else. Either way, we wound up in an "Empire" suite with a bunch of other people we did not know. It turns out that the suite belongs to Aramark, the food concession people. As a result, the food stuff was pretty good, including burgers an shakes from Dany Meyer's Shake Shack.

I arrived at the stadium an hour before Deborah arrived with the tickets. Unfortunately, there is absolutely nothing to do there until you get inside. The stadum is surrounded by auto body rear shops.

Once inside, you would noramally be exposed to a variety of excellent food option, but our tickets had us ushered directly...and unexpectedly...into a private suite.



The game was an opportunity for a family portrait (missing my boys and wife, however)



The key difference between the Yankees visit and the Mets? The Yankess won at their game...

Yankee Stadium

Thanks to some intoxicated silent bidding at a Boy's/Girl's Club charity auction, we acquired awsome tickets to the Yankees/Oakland game at Yankee Stadium. We paid no where near the face value for these tickets...since these Legend Suite tickets initially went for $2,500 a piece...but got to participate in a truly first class experience. Free gourmet food, waiter service in our seats, and an incredible field level view just behind home plate.



When we first researched these tickets on the Yankee's website, I thought they would be closer to third base. We were very pleased (amazed) when we arrived and they were virtually behind home plate. And while we were on the side by the Oakland dugout, we had a view into the Yankee's.



We were joined by friends Annelise and Andrew.




Tom caught some classic shots of some classic players...Jabba, Jorge, A-rod and Jeter.

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Pool Party

William's Birthday celebration continued with a pool party at Birchwood with his friends. This was a group event, co-celebrating the birthdays of friends Mia, Riley, Lucy and Koby.

Happy Birthday, William!!!

William celebrated his 2nd Birthday today with a BBQ at Stately Payne Manor. Mom and dad initially planned a traditional 4th of July theme...but one thing lead to another. Mom's desire for a "shrimp boil" inspired dad to add things like andouille sausage and Hurricanes and then next thing you know, we have a New Orleans theme. (Without going into too many personal details, New Orleans has a very special connection to the events leading up to William's birth.)





The day started with fun and games in William's bedroom. Afterwards it was off to camp at Club Fit, followed by lunch and a daily nap. By the time William's party started at 3pm, the guest of honor was still sleeping.



By the time William made his initial appearance at his own party, it was in full swing.



By the time the day was over, it was apparent that William was having a blast. We can only hope that all of his birthday's are as much fun!