U.S. Open

(view of Manhattan from Arthur Ashe tennis stadium)

Ah, New York City. What's there not to love? The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in November, Times Square on New Year's Eve, and the U.S. Open every August/September. A couple weeks ago we joined Brian's family (as well as the Nielsons) in the Big Apple for the U.S. Open. Thanks in large part to Brian, I have become a major tennis fan over the last few years and this is our 3rd year in a row going. I'm not exaggerating when I say that Brian waits for this weekend all year long -- I'm pretty sure it's better than Christmas in his eyes. It's hard not to get equally excited when you're married to such a tennis fanatic. This was the best tennis weekend we could have asked for and I already can't wait to do it again next year. My only request is that I not be 7 1/2 months pregnant next time. As you can see from the pictures, I look about as worn out and swollen as a pregnant lady can get. I should have taken a picture of my ankles (they looked like golf balls had been implanted in them at the end of every day), but I think my tired looking eyes speak for themselves.

Day #1: The famous globe upon entering into the tennis center:

Here we are watching the Bryan brothers (#1 doubles team) courtside. They were amazing! Watching identical twins play tennis kind of made me wish that Andrea and I had better coordinated our talents to become #1 at something. I'm still thinking about what that something would have been, but I get that same feeling of regret every time I see the Olsen twins and knowing they used their twin-status to capitalize on millions. Andrea, it's not too late!

Day #2 started with Djokovic vs. Whitten. The American played his heart out but Djokovic won in the end:

Here are the Nielsons at their first ever tennis match (but definitely not their last! I think we may have them hooked!):

After amazing matches with Federer, Sharapova (getting her trash kicked by a 17-year-old American), and Andy Roddick vs. John Isner (Roddick also got beaten), our night match was American James Blake. Brian and I miraculously snuck down to the court without being caught for a slight upgrade from our seats in the nose bleed section. Sadly, we weren't down there long, as Blake lost in only 3 sets.


And here we are after about 16 hours of tennis . . . it was a looong day, but definitely worth it.


What a crazy tennis tournament! Roger Federer lost in the final for the first time in 5 years and Serena Williams behaved like a lunatic and as a result didn't even make it to the finals. Such sweet memories!