My Second Super Secret Birthday Trip of 2013 - Complete!

Hi friends,
So this past weekend myself and Chris, my mom, sister and her boyfriend, my uncle, aunt and cousin, all surprised my stepdad for his 50th birthday with a trip to Syracuse (his alma mater) for a basketball game.
It was a pretty amazing trip — if I do say so myself! And while I’m not totally convinced that Robert didn’t see much of the surprise coming, at the end of the day we all had an amazing time, so that’s really all that matters, right?

^^ Surprise! We’re kidnapping you and taking you to Syracuse!
At least he had already dressed for the part 😉

^^ We couldn’t take our pooch Ranger with us,
but he supported the cause.

^^ Shenanigans will most definitely ensue when my mother is drinking!

^^ Awwwwwww!

^^ Auntie M and my cousin Nikki. Two amazing ladies.

^^ I think Robert was excited about our awesome seats (thank you StubHub!)

^^ The big 5-0!

Oh, and in case anyone was wondering, we also won the game 😉

We visited Faegan’s Pub afterwards, which was fun, and we stayed at The Parkview Hotel, which was a seriously short cab ride to the Carrier Dome, and a very good price (plus free breakfast!).

Surprise birthday celebrations are pretty much the best.

Anyway, up and coming this week:

A visit to a DIY cookie decorating/holiday party hosted by one of my favorite bloggers tomorrow
Date night at this amazing place, courtesy of an episode of Sex and the City that made me feel like I just haddddd to go there!
A visit to the David Zwimmer Gallery to see what all the fuss is about over Yayoi Kusama’s “I Who Have Arrived in Heaven” exhibit
Tasting The Great Pumpkin Drink at Please Don’t Tell on this list
A holiday get-together with family from upstate, Brooklyn, and even all the way from Calabria, Italy
Dinner at Rolf’s German Restaurant to check out all the awesome decorations
Drinks at The Flatiron Room (because I feel like after seven years in NYC and a wedding photo in front of it, I should at least try a drink there ….)
A very special Christmas celebration next Saturday with my family — and especially my nephew Rory for his first holiday trip into town! Oh my I have so many plans for that day!