Sports Mania, Uncle Mike and More

So, I have A LOT to tell you and will try to keep it as short as possible BUT this is what happens when I get behind on my blogging. The last two weeks have been CRAZY with all kinds of visitors, trips and sports - LOTS of sports.

Let's start with 'Uncle Mike' - Mike Schulenburg came into town on Saturday of last weekend (Maddie and Dex's bday!) for his first NYC visit. He was an excellent guest - A's all around - he also picked up the 'Uncle Mike' nickname as Maddie and Dexter became very attached to their daily play partner. Although the visit was short, I think the name will stick... No doubt those dogs were attached to Mike!

Of course, first stop on Saturday evening HAD TO BE Junior's - did you expect anything different?

A waiter made a quick cameo although he wasn't our waiter - still, we thought it was funny...

Sightseeing

So, Sunday morning we got up bright and early and did some hardcore sightseeing. Can anyone guess where we went for breakfast by the picture below?

The Seinfeld diner, OF COURSE!

Looks a lot different on the inside but the outside DEFINITELY gives it away that we are at the right place! Food was decent, nothing spectacular but who cares - we were at the Seinfeld diner - lol!

Interesting car below that we passed on our walk over to Central Park - couldn't help taking the picture and laughing at the same time

The Met Museum

The Guggenheim Museum

Beatstock 2008
Marc's station, WKTU ("The BEAT of New York) puts on a concert every year called Beatstock. It's two days of music and fun so Sunday evening we loaded up in a limo (compliments of Clear Channel - thank you very much) and drove out to the middle of nowhere....uh, I mean New Jersey to the PNC Bank Arts Center for a full-on KTU experience. And that's exactly what is was - featuring the Pussy Cat Dolls and Dannity Kane (you might be saying WHO and I understand...definitely a variety of music at these concerts) but most importantly, guess who was there!??? C & C Music Factory! It was awesome.....

Mike in NYC - Livin' Large

We chose to stay in the lawn - my friend Edna and her crew were there so we hung out and relaxed up top. Check out all the people!

US Open 2008 and Mets vs. Astros
Next on the agenda, Monday morning my work crew and I headed out to Flushing, NY for the US Open! It was our annual office 'summer outing' or just a great excuse to eat, drink and watch a bunch of tennis. Now, I've never been a big tennis fan BUT I highly recommend going out to the Open - it's like a giant amusement park! They even have built in shopping stores like Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Wilson, etc. I really did have a blast - so much fun that I convinced Marc he was missing out on something...so, we ended up back at the Open last night (Tuesday, Sept 2) with Byron, Jess, James and Nina watching the Roddick and Gonzalez Match - so cool! Can you believe that Roddick can serve a ball at the speed of 142 mph??? It's incredible... Anyway, will post those pics later - but for now, here's the shots from last week's US Open fun.

Me and Edna enjoying a day in the sun - watching tennis, of all things!

Mike picked a great week to come out - he's a big tennis fan as well so he met up with us. The picture below is in front of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Here's my work crew - go Active!

This shot above is of us leaving the US Open and...

Walking straight over to Shea Stadium! Yep, that's right, there's a walkway between the two venues so it really worked out that the Astros were in town playing the Mets the night after the Open all day! Mike and I walked over to meet up with Marc for the game.

This is a shot from inside Shea Stadium looking out - see the new stadium in the background? It's almost done - and it's huge!

Got to see my new favorite Astro in action - Hunter Pence

On a side note, I've been meaning to mention this... There is a player for the Mets named Davide Wright - guess who he looks like?

Pretty similar eh? I think it's CRAZY how much they look alike... So of course, this means I must be a David Wright fan - I mean how could I not?! It's almost like routing for my husband...almost...hahaha! (By the way, found that David Wright pic below on Google - NO we did not meet him - lol!)

Yankees vs. Red Sox

Tuesday night we were lucky enough to get tickets to the final Red Sox/Yankees series at the original Yankee Stadium. This place was PACKED and the fans were rowdy...

A.Rod trying to start something - ultimately Red Sox won the game - ugh.
Mike and Marc in front of Yankee Stadium - trip to the game wouldn't be the same with at least one shot in front of the field!

So, that's my update! As you can see, we've been a little busy... In other notable sports news the Cowboys are once again going to ROCK MY WORLD this year - I think we have a great team and I'm ready for it! The Aggies, on the other hand, had a very disappointing loss on Saturday- there are no words. Hopefully something will change - QUICK. Really not looking for another road like we had last year of ups and downs.... It would be nice to be consistently GOOD for awhile. We'll see...

Enough for now - more soon!

Happy First Birthday To Our Pups

Saturday, August 23rd was Maddie and Dexter's first birthday and we did a lot of celebrating, all weekend long! Friday night was Maddie and Dex's birthday party on the roof of our apartment building in Chelsea - complete with a Billy's Bakery cake for the humans and Paw Pupcakes for the dogs. We had so much fun - lots of friends stopped by including several of our neighbors. Amazingly, they all had gifts for the dogs! I didn't even think about a 'no gifts please' note on the evite - apparently our friends enjoying shopping for the canine's though because they got some really cute, fun stuff. We've let them play with a lot of it and are putting other pieces away for 'safe keeping' aka 'to replenish after first round of toys are destroyed'. Thanks so much to everyone who came to hang out and celebrate with the pups - really appreciate the gifts and wine, etc. Y'all didn't have to do that but we definitely appreciate it and I know Maddie and Dexter do as well!

I really can't believe they're already a year old - and guess what's just around the corner - mine and Marc's first anniversary. This year has flown by - lots of great memories along the way. Some of the best of those memories are getting these two little buddles of joy - they brighten our days always and greet us, no matter what, with a giant smile and lick and lots and lots of love. We couldn't ask for better pets - Happy Birthday Maddie and Dex. Mom and Dad love you very much - hehe!

Billy's Bakery Cake - for the humans

Cookies for the pups with Maddie's name spelled wrong - I know, don't even get me started!

These might look like cupcakes but they're not - they're PUPCAKES! Just for Maddie and Dex and their doggie friends...

Below are Maddie and Dexter in their 'Birthday Suits' - :)

Here are Birthday Party pictures with the crew - we had such a great time!

The Family

Mad and Dex - post party - playing with some of their new toys...

Thanks again to everyone who came out on Friday night and wished Dex and Maddie a very happy birthday - I think it was a great success! To those who weren't here - we missed you all!

It's Birthday Party Day!

Yes, for those that don't already know, tonight we're having a little birthday party for Maddie and Dexter! They will be one year old tomorrow - what a great year they've had! So many adventures... Here's the little poem we put together for their evite -

From Maddie and Dexter:

Saturday is our birthday and we just can't wait,
For all our friends and family to help us celebrate.

After waiting 11 long months, we will finally be one year old.
Mom and Dad say that's 7 in 'dog years'
At least that's what they were told.

We've had a great first year, been lots of really fun places.
Between Houston, Mont Belvieu, NYC and Weirton,
We've met many friendly faces.

We learned how to bark, to whine, and to play,
To chase cars and people on the sidewalk almost everyday.
We even learned how to eat Mom and Dad's carpet -
gee, we hope that's ok.

We learned that we are Maddie and Dexter,
And everyone thinks we're 'sooooo cute'.
Gosh if we hear that one more time,
I think we just might puke!

The most important thing we learned though
Is how lucky we must be,
To have such great people in our lives,
to lick and love and see.

So because it is our birthday, we promised Mom and Dad we'd be really good.
If only they'd throw us a party,
we promised to behave ourselves like one year old pups should.

Though some of our friends and family are kinda far away,
We hope those who are here will come out to eat,and drink and play.

Friday, August 22nd is the party date,
Starts at 7:30 so please, don't be late!

Mom and Dad are getting pizza, drinks and cake for everyone,
Sounds really good, we can't wait to have some!

So rearrange your calendars and hang with us a little while,
One thing we promise, you'll definitely leave with a smile!


And, a quick thanks to Aunt Leslie and Uncle Bill for some fantastic early birthday presents - even custom Gators jerseys (Aggie Fam and Friends - we MUST get some Aggie gear for these pups quick - the Florida fam is well on the way to brainwashing them!). Enjoy the pictures - wish you all could be here to enjoy the party, we'll miss you!