NYC, Boston, Camping, Dodger Game #2 with Fam...

So it's been a fun couple weeks for us. August 20th we went to our second Dodger game with Micah because the first was such a success. Again, he had an awesome time, we had so much fun as a family, it was such a cool thing to look forward to together, especially because this time around he knew what to expect and was so excited to go back.

We had even better seats than before ($6 tickets right over home plate, gotta love it), and again he was so into the game. You can see him below looking for Russel Martin over at 3rd (he had the "night off" and Micah couldn't figure out why he wasn't catching).

He couldn't wait for "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and he absolutely loves all the random chants. More than anything, however, he loves to yell for the players. In a rather tense 8th inning, one of our closers, Jonathon Broxton, was really struggling with a batter and kept throwing balls and getting foul tipped. So together, Micah and I would yell, "Three Strikes, Jon!" And earlier, when Russel was up, I told Micah that Russel has to hit the ball, but he needs to hear you. He screamed "Go Russel!" He looked over and asked, "did he hear me?" "No, son, I don't think he did, it's a big Stadium, you should yell louder." So with all of his might he yelled, "GO RUSSEL!!!" And then wouldn't ya know it, Russel got a double.

Micah was amped. Super amped. He looks over and says, "Dad, Russel heard me!"

Such a great little moment.

Another great bit of news, Micah is now able to recite 6 of the Dodgers by name. Of course he knows Russel Martin (by first and last name), and he knows Manny. He now knows Jonathon Broxton (we call him 'Jon' as in "Three Strikes, Jon!'), Nomar Garcianomar as Micah calls him, Casey (Blake), Matt (Kemp), and with a little reminder he knows Andre (Ethier) and Joe (Beimel).

It's good stuff.

Then that Friday night we decided to do a family camping trip for the first time. We wanted to really jump head first with Micah for his first time so we really went for it. We packed up our tent, got some marshmallows and hot chocolate, and perched ourselves deep into the confines of the wilderness. Yes, you guessed it, our backyard, complete with artificial turf and a gas fire-pit for S'mores. Oh yeah, and we had a laptop to watch Shrek the Third to close out the night. We really roughed it. I have pics of that as well, which I'll post when I get back from...

New York City! Yes, I'm excited...I have to say though, it's a terribly bittersweet thing, because the original plan was to go out and do some ministry with a friend in Upstate New York at Colgate University like I did last year, and the plan was to take me, the worship band (Pete, Jamie, and Matt) and our friend Eric. Last minute however, plans fell through, but I muscled up enough to still make the trip (we had already bought my wife and the kids plane tickets to Arizona to see my mom and dad, so it was either stay at home or shell out some cash to still go to New York on my own dime).

Anyway, I decided to go for a few reasons:

1) New York and Boston are my two favorite cities in the U.S. I love to sight-see, explore, learn, read...I love being the ultimate tourist, and I love history, especially American History, so what better place to go? This will be my 5th trip to each city, and it never gets old for me...just more fun. If I could live anywhere outside of San Diego, it would be one of those 2 cities (probably Boston more realistically with a family, but I would LOVE to live in NYC...is it weird that I find the city relaxing? These two pics I took last year of what I think is beautiful, you can click to englarge them). Now, don't get me wrong, I'm an Angeleno through and through and I still have a deep and fond love for Los Angeles, but as far as living in LA again...well, if you ever been, I'm sure you understand that these days, it's strictly nostalgic for me. :o) No offense LA.

2) We're going to the very last Boston Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium ever. As a big baseball fan, that's just plain historic. We're actually going to that game on Thursday and then Yankees v. Toronto on Friday with some friends in the City.

3) We're going to Fenway Park, which I have never done. I went to Yankee Stadium last year with my dad and Matt, our keyboard player, and it was awesome. I have yet to see Fenway from the inside, however. They're playing the White Sox, too, which will be sweet (I'm a fan of "days of yore" baseball, and I was a big 1917/1919 White Sox "fan").

4) I get to take Eric, who has never been to NYC or Boston. I love taking people places for the first time. I'm super bummed that Pete couldn't go with us...he's been to Boston, but never to NYC...hopefully next year something can work out. Anyway, I love being a tour guide and showing people around. I get really into touring and I always have a ton of fun. If you ever want to go somewhere fun and want a built in tour guide, give me a call. :o)

One of these days I want to do a whole New England tour with my family. New Hampshire, Connecticut, Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, all the way down to DC. I would love to do that, it's just a matter of the dolla' bills. Trips like I'm doing this week are cool for dudes...couch surfing, street vendor hot dogs, fast paced touring, but to do it right with the fam takes a little more time, more suitable hotels and family time. Maybe my first full New England tour should just be with Katie and wait till the kids are older to do something like that...stick with Disneyland for now. :o)

Anyway, keep me in your prayers, mostly for travel...getting on the right flights (we're flying stand-by), everything running smoothly, all that goodness. And especially keep my family in your prayers as they too are flying and hanging out in good ol' hot as Sheol Phoenix for the week. I already miss them and we don't depart each other until tomorrow.

Slainte...