Celebratory Surprise!

We had a wonderful weekend celebrating our 5th Anniversary (actually August 3rd - but I had an event so we put plans on hold). Snicks managed to thoroughly surprise me... which took some restraint on my part. The only activity that I was aware of was attending the White Sox game on Friday night at US Cellular Field (our 11th stadium). I assumed that we were going to have a nice weekend in Chicago and possibly see some friends. Was I ever wrong... and what an amazing man I have for a husband!

Us at U.S. Cellular Field - it was a bit chilly!

U.S. Cellular under the lights

We arose early Saturday morning for a flight (yep, no weekend in the Windy City) to LaGuardia. We headed straight to Shea Stadium (Stadium #12 with our bags and all... I wondered why he packed so light for the trip - did I mention that he packed our bags?). The Mets were playing the Phillies, which is apparently always has the potential for being a bit rowdy. Well, rowdy probably illustrates some of the activities in the stands, and to say the least it was unlike anything we had seen at a ballpark before. Our favorite quote (from a Mets fan to the Phillies' fans) was "your quarterback sucks, your team sucks, your bus sucks, and your whole city sucks". Yes, it was a baseball game, but why limit insults to one sport! The response is not appropriate for this blog...

Snicks - apparently shocked by the verbal Mets v Phillies exchange

A little taste of the action... those Philly boys know how to brawl

Looking like Mets fans with our newly acquired hats!

The game was definitely entertaining, so after the game we hopped on the subway and headed to our hotel in Chelsea.

Sunday was an inspiring day. We took a nice stroll to Grand Central and caught the train to the Botanical Gardens. It was the perfect day to be outside amongst the beautiful flora. We had a private tour with an outstanding docent and found some time to tiptoe through the tulips... okay, tea roses would be more appropriate. Following our day at the garden, we joined Snicks' uncle and a friend for a tasty Italian dinner in Greenwich. We also took some time to reminisce over the past five years. We shared our favorite five memories from all five years, as well as our favorite meals and trips together.

In the dappled sun under some rare evergreens at the Garden.

We had a full day to enjoy Manhattan on Monday, so we did a few touristy things (Staten Island Ferry for photos of Lady Liberty & the Natural History Museum), but we also found some quiet time inside a Ben & Jerry's at Time Square. After a leisurely day, we took the express subway out & caught a cab to the airport. We landed in Chicago (after a delay, of course) and drove to the middle of Indiana.

Tuesday morning we awoke in Shipshewana, IN - we were wiped out, but excited for the last day of our vacation. It started with a tasty breakfast with Chief's uncle Phil and friend Jenny. We then drove to Sandusky and took in a nice lunch on the water. Then, we finally used the Kalahari gift certificates that Snicks had given to me for Christmas. We spent two blissful hours of waterslide excitement at the Kalahari Indoor Waterpark. The park was nearly empty (kids are back in school) - so we really had the run of the place. I love waterparks... so it was the perfect way to cap off a truly wonderful celebratory vacation! Thanks, Snicks!