May 24th: MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

May 24, 2017 Year 6 Day 24

FREE PRETZEL # 24

Well its my birthday...again.  Today was pretty much planned out and I guess I had to go to work right?  The plan was to join my parents and sister Mary for dinner at Iron Hill Brewery in Maple Shade for a birthday dinner, but also supporting my mom's Questers group.  A win, win scenario.  Well as luck would have it, Jim Grugan, brother of my college friend Kevin Grugan, posted on Facebook that he had obtained a crapload of FREE PHILLIES TICKETS for tonight's game. As luck would have it, I asked him if he had 5.  He said yes and therefore became an instant FREE PRETZEL recipient.

Jim was very excited to get his FREE PRETZEL

I provided Jim and his family of 6, each with a pretzel to enjoy at the game.  His wife Sarah and kids Jimmy, Abby, Josie and Danny all looked to be having a great time munching on the pretzels when we arrived.  Jim and his family just recently moved to Cinnaminson.  He is now an New Jerseyan for the first time in his life. Welcome to the club.  It is usually a nice place.

Casale clan on the way to Citizens Bank Park

Josie and her brother enjoying their pretzels

Family selfie just outside the stadium

Jim has been very generous to my family.  In fact the last time he had tickets like this to give away, we also took him up on his offer and it was the boys first Phillies game.  Jim teaches fifth grade at Hopkinson Elementary School and in the summer he works at Camp Mayfair.  The camp is who Jim got the tickets from and as a birthday treat to me.  Jim is also a somewhat recent Notre Dame convert.  Although his brother is a double domer, Jim was never a big fan, until he attended a football game a few years back.  It happens to just about everyone.  He fell in love and has been a fan ever since.  He has also found out how frustrating that can be.  But of course we welcome all to the club no matter what.  Better late than never to join us, right Jim?  Thanks for the tickets and the nice evening and welcome to New Jersey.

Tabitha received a certificate for her first game. 

The game itself was kind of a snore as the Rockies exploded in the 4th inning for 7 runs and actually were no hitting the Phillies until the 5th.  The Casale Clan toured the stadium including the Phanatic fun zone and getting a "First Game Certificate" for her attendance.  We watched until the Phillies finally got a hit and then it was time to go.  We would miss a 2 run homer in the 8th by the Phillies, but we still had fun anyway.   Thanks Jim. 

This year's birthday haul!

It was still my birthday and a day to celebrate.  It was a nice day and a pretty enjoyable time all around.  The burger at dinner was especially good and I even got a nice ice cream surprise at the end.   Thank you Katie for making it a special day again.  It's always great when you can make your birthday special.  It should be, because it is your day.  

Until tomorrow...