In New York...concrete jungle where dreams are made...

Yes, I'm quoting the lyrics from Jayzee's 'Empire State of Mind' because I can't get it out of my head when I look at the pictures from our recent trip to NYC!

Last weekend my cousin Tim Reopke and his new wife Monica had a wedding reception in Manhattan and the Merrill's weren't missin' the party!  Unfortunatley I don't have a pic of the couple :-( Bummed I didn't snag one of them! 

Ronnie had been on the road scouting since before the 4th of July and was planning to get back the night before our trip (he ended up coming home a day early and surprising us - HAPPY MOMMY!).  Knowing that he was going to be gone that long - we decided that even though this was more of an "adult" weekend in NYC, we needed to take Drew! 

Early morning for the Merrills!  Flight left at 7am!

Since the reception was at this super cool lounge that didn't allow anyone under 18 to enter -- Mr. Drew couldn't attend and we decided to BYOS  (Bring Your Own Sitter)!  Best decision ever!  We brought Alyiha Molina, who is Raquel's (my friend and right hand woman at work) 14yr old daughter.  She was GREAT help throughout the trip and took awesome care of little Drew while mommy and daddy where out on the town at night!

Aside from heading to NY to celebrate Tim and Monica -- there was an added perk of being able to see both Grandma Lori and Papa!   When we got to NY on Friday morning, we met up with Papa and Connie.  Had lunch then off to the Big Apple Tour to ride the double decker bus!

My cousin Kevin also joined us for lunch! 

Daddy and Drew on the bus...it was a hot and sunny day but Drew did SO good on the 3 hour tour around the city!

Drew and Papa posing for a pic.  Papa was pointing out all the cool sites to Dree!

 We stayed at the Marriott Marque right in Times Square!  Ronnie stashes all his Marriott points from traveling so we can use them for family trips :-) 

On Friday night Tim and Monica had a dinner olanned for their friends and fily that came in from out of town.  It was a this cool little bistro and the food was yummy!  We enjoyed hanging out with Grandma Lori, Aunt Lois, my cousin Jenni, cousin Kevin and his girfriemd Lilly.  It was our first time meetimg Lilly and she was so fun!  We love her!  She is a nanny so I enjoyed talking babies with her :-)

Saturday during the day was all about Grandma Lori and BASEBALL!  It just happened to work out that the Rays were playing the Yankees that weekend so Ronnie got us tickets to the game.  It was everyone's first time to Yankee Stadium!

 Grandma came over early to meet us for breakfast.  

Then off to the game... via the subway! Since none of us are exactly frequent subway riders... watching us figure out the tickets and routes would have been prettty funny!  But we made it and is was SO easy! 

At the game!  FYI.. we were brave to wear our Rays gear.... especially since we are #1 in our division and at least 5 games up on the Yankees!

Grandma Lori was having a great time - took lots of pictures for Frank since he is a big baseball fan.  Unfortunately he wasn't on the trip because he was on a big golf trip with his friends in EUROPE!

Mommy, Drew and his good buddy Aly :-)

"Hey dad... do you think I would be good at shortstop like you were?"

"I think I can throw like those guys seday..."  BTW - Drew is FACINATED by his hand!  This has been going on for a few weeks now :-)

Aaaawww... those good grandma snuggles.....

Very impressive place - sure puts The Trop to shame!

Saturday night was the big reception!  The attire was "casual chic cosmopolitan" so we all joked and got out our most "cosmo" outfits!!  

It was really great that Ronnie and I were able to get out and have some fun - it had been awhile!

Dad, Connie, Ronnie and I striking a pose!  The music, food and drinks at the party were great!  We all had a blast!

Jenni, Lilly and I - having one of Time and Monica's "specialty drinks"

Ronnie, Tim and dad - What a good lookin' set of guys!  

So great story... after the reception there was an "after party" planned at a club but Ronnie and I decided we better head back and check on Drew.  When we got off the elevator we ran into him and Aly pacing around the floor (drew in the stroller to get him to sleep... haha... smart babysitter!) So we decided to take him down to the hotel bar to see the lights of Time Square - he LOVED IT!  He was hamming it up for everyone... such a little show off at 11pm!

The only negative thing I can say about the entire trip was that Drew did not sleep well at night... I had to get this picture though because the kid wouldnt sleep in the room, but had no priblem passing out in the middle of Times Square - babies will be babies!

I couldn't leave NYC without a I ❤NY onsie for Drew!  We had such an awesome time... spending time with family, celebrating a marriage,the sites of NYC, baseball and city nightlife - we are so fortunate to have the oppotunity to make these memories!