Dinner at Blue Smoke

While we were in NY, Amy, Rory and I went to dinner with my sister and brother-in-law. We decided to leave the car in our old neighborhood and take the train into Manhattan.


Rory really did not like all the noise.


This was pretty much her pose the whole time.


We went to dinner at one of Winnie's favorite restaurants, Blue Smoke. As usual, the staff was great and they let Rory make her own cookie.


She was very proud of her creation.


And she gobbled it down in now time flat.


After dinner, we went for a walk back towards Grand Central to take the train back home. We just happened to pass by the Empire State Building, off in the distance.


Before heading back to Long Island, Amy & I wanted to stop by one of our favorite places in our old neighborhood of Long Island City, Gantry Plaza State Park. Here's a pic of the newlyweds, Winne and Alan. Congratulations to you both and welcome to the family, Alan!

Citi Field

While some of the gang went crabbing in Long Island, Luke and I headed over to our old stomping grounds (Queens, NY) to take in a baseball game at the (relatively) new home of the NY Mets, Citi Field.


Here's Luke posing outside Citi Field with a relic from the Mets former home, Shea Stadium. This is the original home run apple that would pop out of a hat out in the outfield after every Mets home run.


With the Mets struggling this past year, Luke thought he would take a few swings in the cage to see if he could provide them some run support...


and by the looks of things, the Mets probably could have used him.


One of Luke's favorite things at the new ballpark was the dunk tank.

Gone Crab'n

On their trip to NY, Owen, Rory and mom got to go crab'n with the Hams out on Long Island.


So, their baskets are in the water, but will there be any crab?


Their cousins Mo Mo and Grace also took part in the festivities. Can you spot Uncle Gus and Aunt Shannon in this pic?


Well look at that, Owen admires his catch.


Mmmmm, crab! Uncle Gus cooked these up and we ate 'em. That was good eats!

Like last year, we attended the annual St. Vincent's Family Picnic at Waldameer Park, courtesy of grandma and grandpa.


There were so many rides. This was Rory's first real trip to an amusement park and she made the best of it.


Here's Luke & Rory with their cousins Morgan & Savannah.


Aunt Susie almost broke a rib riding the roller coaster with Owen.


Not to be outdone, Rory got to ride the same coaster with her dad. (You can't really see her, but she is sitting in the last car.)


As usual, the boys had a great time riding the rides and eating the great food!

Berry Pickin'

After a brief hiatus for time spent @ Children's, we're back with some of the highlights from our very eventful summer.


No trip to the "country" is complete without a trip into the woods to pick berries. And yes, hats are required!


After the "hike" into the wild...


JACKPOT!


Grandma has taught the kids well. Here they're examining the berries.


Of course, the best part is eating their bounty!