Making the best of a missed connection

Why stay in the airport for 11 hours when you can drag two kids and two suitcases through the subway and streets of NYC to visit an old favorite destination??

For more, click on the photo above.

2009 U.S. Open

We followed a weekend at the races with a day at the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black! Although it was pretty muddy, the rain held off for most of the day and we had a wonderful time experiencing the atmosphere, seeing some amazing golf, having some time to ourselves without kids (thanks Scott and Kyleen!), and remembering the time we got to play the course together a couple of years ago.

Oh, and we also got to take a picture with the U.S. Open trophy (above) and a car made to look like a golf ball (complete with dimples), thanks to Lexus.

Our years in NY certainly have provided us with some exciting experiences. Although we're looking forward to our new adventure in VA (starting this weekend!), we will leave with many fond memories.

A day at the races and a little luck from above

One week after the big event at Belmont, we decided we should visit the track for the first time. We had a lot of fun relaxing outside and Ty enjoyed watching the horses with our friends. Although the whole day was fun, there was one particularly special moment. You see, my mom loved to go to the races and she would always bet on the #6 horse in Race 6. As I was sitting on the bench waiting for Jeff to place a bet on another race, I flipped to Race 6 in the program to look at the name of the #6 horse (I usually bet on horses based on if I like the name or not--really scientific). So, the name of this horse?..."Bob's pinup girl." I was going to place a bet anyway, but seeing a horse with my dad's name in it sealed the deal.

So, we put $2 on #6 to win Race #6 (at about 12-1 odds). When the race began, it didn't look good. #6 was near the back with two other horses way in the lead. However, as they entered the final stretch (right in front of us), #6 raced forward, passing the other horses, helping us win $26, and making me feel like my parents were just a little bit closer.

More free fun

Last Friday we headed back to Jones Beach with our friends and were treated to a great surprise. The Jones Beach Air Show was scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, and little did we know that on Friday they do a complete dress rehearsal including the announcer. It was amazing! And free! Ty loved it (with the exception of the really loud ones). He was particularly excited by a huge bounce house in the shape of an aircraft carrier. I think it was made for kids just a tiny bit older than him (you'll see in the pictures), but enjoyed it anyway.