NYC

We have been doing so much traveling in 2013.  So, don't be surprised that this blog is about another trip.   We couldn't turn this trip down, and thought we would regret if we didn't go.

My boss is really good friends with a guy named Greg .  Greg was one of the early investors in Zappos, and has stayed good friends with the people I work with.  He also has a daughter, Willa, who was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 4.  They started a charity for Type 1 research called "Willa's Wish Foundation".  They hold an annual event called "Cocktails for a Cure".

My boss planned the whole trip around that charity event.  My boss is also a huge Giants fan, and it just so happened the Giants were playing the Yankees that weekend.  They bought a suite at Yankee stadium.   I remember booking their flights for the trip, and thinking how that is the coolest weekend.  I am T1D and a huge baseball fan.  I was a little jealous.   It was randomly brought up at work, and Tony said we should go!  He said I should tell Kris we are just going to the charity event, and surprise him about the baseball game.   I couldn't pull the surprise off, but he was still surprised when we were invited.  So we went!

We booked a room with Airbnb.  There was something being held in NYC with the UN that weekend, so hotels were even more ridiculous than they already are.  We got an amazing deal on Airbnb.   We were complete skeptics at first.  We have to stay in someone else's apartment?  Will they be there?  Is it legit?   Some people from my work used it before and said it is great.  We found a place in West Village (where "Friends" lived).  It was a little studio apartment with a kitchen and bathroom and we got it for more than 1/2 off the hotel prices!

It was also really cool to stay in a neighborhood versus a high traffic tourist spot.  This trip to NYC was so different compared to the first time we went.  We got to enjoy the city and relax.  The first time was great too, but it was good to have a different energy while there.

The game was SOOOO fun!  We arrived at 5PM to tour the stadium.  We saw the New York Yankees Museum and the Hall of Fame.  We were in Legend Suite 43 and it listed every Yankee who wore the number 43 and had picutres.  It was so cool, because every suite was designed that way. 

We were also at the game where A-Rod broke the all time grand slam record.  There were often times you could hear "Let's go Giants", lots of Giants fans in the crowd. :)

It was near the end of the season, and you can tell everyone loves Mariano Rivera. 

I learned how to play cups.  That was fun too.  It was a good group, and lots of fun.

That night we went to Ace Hotel and Tony had people in his suite.  We played that heads up game that has become very popular.   It was good clean fun, and now I play that game all the time.

Saturday we took a tram to Roosevelt Island.

 Saw an abandoned hospital

Walked the city

The charity was Saturday Night.  It was so fun and seemed like such a success.  Here is a link to Willa's video at the charity:   https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202061325119289
What a strong, sweet, little girl!

Willa and I on the red carpet

They had dancers, drinks, appetizers, and a station to donate to Willa's Wish Foundation.  Willa and her sister made a ton of rubber band bracelets to sell at the charity.   They also had cute temporary tattoos of their logo.

This is Amanda Brown, she is a really good singer.  She was a finalist on season 3 of the voice.  If you haven't heard her, you can google her "Dream On" performance, and listen to her music on Spotify.

Sunday we rode bikes through Central Park.  Saw this crazy Alice in Wonderland statue.

There was a festival/farmers market type thing going on in the street.  If you know me, you know I love grilled corn on the cob with all the fixings.   YUM!

We went to canal street.  I may or may not have gotten a little purse there....

Did some Face-time with Maddux. I missed that little booger.

It was so fun and I am so glad we were able to relax and have fun.

It was still nice returning home to the little babe.  He is a kicker, always kicks his legs, but when he saw us that was the fastest I have ever seen him kick.  He didn't go to sleep as early as he normally does.   It was partially our fault, but he wanted to spend some time with Mommy & Daddy.