6 Years Later

2/6/04- Dinner and drinks at Damon's.
6 Years Later- Damon's is gone, now a place called Lucky's.

2/6/04- Dancing and drinking at Polly Esthers.
6 Years Later- Polly's has long since been shut down.

2/6/04- Drove into DC in my White Ford Ranger.
6 Years Later- That was about 6 cars ago for me.

2/6/04- First dance & kiss to Kylie Minogue.
6 Years Later- Kylie no longer relevant.

2/6/04- Fell in love with a great girl.
6 Years Later- Love her more everyday.

Most things change, but some things just get better. Happy dating anniversary baby!

Staci's Graduation Weekend

Staci graduated from UVA this weekend, earning her doctorate in special education. It was a weekend filled with family and friends from all over, celebrating an event that you rarely see- earning a doctorate is such a rare feat, and it was accomplished by a special person.

During one of my first conversations with Staci 5 1/2 years ago, she told me of her hopes to start working on her doctorate. And she never let go of that dream- she left a good-paying job in her industry, moved away from her friends and new boyfriend (me), and started working on her dream of becoming a doctor. And even as challenges arose, as life continually changed around her, as other life goals were reached (engagement, marriage), Staci kept her eye on the ball. She wrote an amazing dissertation, and she is going to do amazing things. I am so proud to call Staci my wife, and am constantly amazed to know someone who actually makes a difference in this world.

Happy Anniversary To Us!

One year ago today, Staci and I took our vows on a baseball field in front of everyone we love. It was a great day, not only because of us, but because the experience we believe that everyone in attendance had. It was a celebration, not only only of our love, but the love and support of all those surrounding us. In the year since, between jobs, financial dispair, car problems galore, moving, etc, Staci and I have found our strength in each other. And I know that we will continue to do so. Happy anniversary, baby- to the most wonderful wife a guy could ask for.

4 Years And Counting...

The Patriots just won the Super Bowl. Janet Jackson showed the world her nipple. Howard Dean melted down as his presidential campaign went ka-plooey. "Hey Ya" by Outkast was #1 on the charts. A-Rod was days from becoming a Yankee. The Montreal Expos were about to begin their final season. Why the reminiscing? These events were on many people's minds on February 6, 2004. A day which will live in infamy, ahem, for me as well. That is the day that Staci and I began our dance of love.

After weeks of flirting at Chili's, we had finally set a time to hang out- a Friday night where we met up at Damon's and later danced at PollyEsther's, where we kissed for the first time. So much has happened in the 1461 days that have followed. We have laughed and cried, moved to another state, and oh yeah, gotten married. We have been to 18 Major League ballparks and countless minor league parks together (the picture above is from our first game in Baltimore on 9/11/04). Through everything, I wouldn't trade our time together for anyhting in the world, and though our "real" anniversary is in September, this will always be the day I look back on with the most fondness- the day that something truly special came to be. Love you babe.

Seperated At Birth?

Staci:


Actress Kim Dickens, guest star on "Lost" and many other roles:



Same nose and smile, mostly. But like I've said, my baby could be a model. :)

Christmas 07 in Pictures

The long journey across 100's of miles was much fun. 2 states (or 6 if you drove like me), and 2 broken-down cars later, here are the pics that defined a holiday.

Driving through New Hampshire:



Staci and the folks:



Mindy enjoying her present:



Jeremy and Josh being funny:



Staci & Mary:



The whole Kenney clan:



Abby & I on our Christmas:

A New Kenney Thanksgiving

Staci & I hosted our first holiday dinner as a married couple on Thursday for Thanksgiving. All of the family was here, except for Colleen & Hillary (we missed you guys!), as well as our extended family of Mari, Ian & Sharon. It was a full house, to be sure, but alot of fun. The turkey came out great, and Staci's chocolate pie was a hit, as usual! And we got to watch my Cowboys go 10-1 for the first time in their history. A day to be thankful for, to be sure.

Our Wedding Vows

Thank you to all who requested to see the words that Staci and I spoke to each other on Sunday afternoon. It truly touches us that we were able to pull a heartstring or two. I am also including the first of our wedding pictures (thanks to Aunt Ricki for being the first to get pictures to us). I will be posting more pictures as they come in. So without further ado:

Staci's Vows To Bill:

Bill-

On our wedding day, I want you to know that you have given me the most important gift anyone could ever give another person. You have given me many gifts over the years: love, trust, devotion & your great sense of humor, to name a few. But the most important gift you have given me is the gift of self-discovery. Your love and support have helped me discover who I am as a person. Some of the discoveries have been joyous. Who knew I could enjoy a baseball game that the Yankees aren't playing in? Who knew I loved to travel so much? I guess I just needed someone I love to travel with.

Other discoveries have been heart-breaking. When I have received such crushing setbacks, you have never let me feel sorry for myself. You have always made me pick myself back up and try again. While that may not have been the reaction I wanted from you, it has always been exactly what I needed. In short, you have helped me become the best I can be.

So my vow to you on our wedding day is to give you as great a gift as you have given me. I promise to love you everyday as much as I do today. I promise to be your best friend & confidant. I promise to always be honest with you, even when the truth may not be what you want to hear. I promise to trust you. I promise to support your dreams. And while I cannot promise to obey, I can promise to be faithful to you and love you to the end of our lives.





Bill's Vows To Staci:

Staci-

I had been awaiting your arrival my whole life. I didn't know when or where I would meet you, I just knew that you would eventually get here, and I would know you when I saw you. I searched everywhere for you- who knew that you be at a Chili's Bar & Grill? I sometimes waited patiently for you; most times I did not. But when you finally did arrive in my life, I was so glad that you did.

You have brightened and bettered my life in ways you cannot even imagine. You're an incredible and giving woman who amazes me more with each passing day. You are my twin flame, the mirror of my soul, my best friend. You have the keys that fit my locks, & the locks that fit my keys. You love me unconditionally, as I do you. I love who you are & I love that you make me a better person. I love what we are and what we will be, together. I love you forever, and I am honored to start the rest of my life with you here today.

Wait, What's Going On This Weekend?

Is Monday here yet? No rest for the wicked, as we head into the homestretch of both the wedding and the P-Nats' schedule. It has been a brutal homestand, with tarp pulls, VERY early mornings, and even longer days. But we're almost there. One tonight, one tomorrow, and then goodnight Irene.

Then there's the wedding of the century, as Staci and I tie the knot on Sunday. I'm very excited about the actual event(and reception), it's just getting to that point and dealing with all the anticpation and attention. Thank God for Staci, who has done 99 44/100ths of this crap herself, because I probably would have jumped into the Potomac River by now.

So now, I am going to try, exhausted as I am, to enjoy the rush of two emotional moments and look forward to a nice after-wedding day Labor Day at RFK. And watch the "Pickle Girl" clip over and over again. Hee hee:

Happy Birthday USA/ Happy Anniversary US(Staci & I)!

While most people are enjoying the day off today, watching hot dog eating contests and fireworks, I am working yet another 15 hour day. At least it's at the ballpark. And Staci & Sharon will be here later to enjoy the game, so I've got that going for me.



In other 4th news, today is a year since Staci & I got engaged at RFK Stadium. Hard to believe it's been that long, even harder to believe that the big day is less than 2 months away. It's been a good year, baby, which only promises to get better!

Spring Training Trip Day 2- Vero Beach

It was so great to return to the Dodgers' spring training home for the first time in 4 years. Staci had a great start to the day, as I noticed her favorite player Ryan Zimmerman signing autographs. We both got him to sign, and Staci got a picture with him. She was in heaven. While I didn't get any of the big names I was looking for, I did get one of my favorite old-timers Manny Mota to sign. It was a beautiful day at the park, and we had great seats right behind home plate. And the Dodgers beat the Nats 12-7 in a pretty exciting game. The only downside was finding out that longtime Brooklyn Dodger and World Series hero Clem Labine had passed away that morning. I suppose if you have to hear bad news like that, it should be in a place where Clem was so beloved. Tomorrow: Port St Lucie, home of the Mets.

Spring Training Trip Day 1-Orlando

Spring is officially here, as Staci & I enjoyed the first game of the season. We arrived from cold & crappy DC to sunny Orlando very early this morning. Since we didn't have alot planned, we got the Braves' stadium 3 hours early. We got to watch all of batting practice, and we got one autograph (Wilson Betemeit- not bad). It was my annual re-awakening as the first pitch was thrown. Life can begin again! Our seats were great, and we got to talk to an older couple who were Dodger fans as well. Excpet for the mild sun poisoning suffered by both of us, and the Dodgers' 7-2 loss, it was a pretty good start to what should be an exciting 5 days. Tomorrow: on to one of my baseball Meccas: Vero Beach!

The Beginning of Bill's Baseball Page

I begin my new blog page with the intention of covering all my baseball adventures, to the many wonderful Major and Minor League ballparks across the nation. I have been to 18 of the 30 current MLB parks (19 total), and 38 of the over 300 Minor League parks. Accompanying me on my travels is my beautiful fiance Staci. We have been attending games together since 2004. Above is the two of us at the final game of the 2005 season at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. That is our "home" park, since we live in Northern Virginia.
I will include pictures and stories of all of the ballparks I go to, as well as revisit past travels, rant about baseball and life in general. Along the way I will sprinkle in personal non-baseball stories, and try to entertain those of you who decide to read on. I look forward to this exciting new adventure! Stay tuned!