December 19, 2013

Plastic Bows & Birthdays!

 

We had dinner, then cake & ice cream at Mom & Dad's on Sunday night to celebrate my Birthday.  It was a very low key dinner, like always, with the entire family minus Sam.  We couldn't make it work to get her from Jeni, so, unfortunately we had to go without her.  We met Justin's girlfriend Allison for the first time & she really seemed to fit in with everyone.  I hope it lasts, because my brother seems very happy with her!  After dinner, they sang Happy Birthday and then we cut the cake.  I think 4 out of the bunch tried plastic for dessert which was interesting.  There was what looked like a bow made out of fondant that Hank & I were really looking forward to sharing.  Turns out, that bow wasn't fondant.  It was plastic!  Hank & I both spit it out, but Skylar & my Mom had to see for themselves.  They tried it, and also spit it right out.  Moral of the story, don't assume that just because there's a brown bow on the cake that it's fondant.  It's probably not.   



December 18, 2013

That Time I Got to Meet The Zac Brown Band

And Getting Back Into Blogging

 

Well here I am, back for the first time in a long while.  This writing thing is strange.  I'll get on a roll and blog for months, and then I'll hit a little speed bump of writers block & it is so hard to get back into writing consistently.  Truth is, I've been extremely busy with work and I just can't seem to fit it in.  I want to get back into it though, on the regular.  I think this blog will be so nice for myself & the kids to look back on one day so I'm going to hold myself accountable to sticking with it.

 

Creag & I have been following The Zac Brown Band since we started dating.  He puts on such a great show & we try to see him when he comes into town.  He played in Dayton, OH last week and I was so bummed that we couldn't make it up to see him.  It was on a Thursday night and the kids had school the next day so it was a no go.  Luckily for my sneaky husband, I didn't check the rest of the tour schedule because on Saturday, after the kids left to go with their Dad, while having lunch with my parents at The Pub, he surprised me with tickets to see him that night in Lexington, KY with Eat & Greet tickets to boot!  Best.Husband.Ever!  I was so stoked.  We finished our lunch & did a little shopping with my Parents.  Even though I was super excited, I was nervous because I didn't know what in the world I was going to wear.  You know, I wasn't prepared to meet ZAC BROWN!   My Mom came through for me & bought me a new shirt & necklace from The Loft for my Birthday.  Now I felt ready to head home, pack our bag & head South to meet my favorite band!

 

 

The drive flew by, or was it just Creag going 90MPH the entire way?  Either way, we were both really excited & ready for the night ahead of us.  We checked into the Embassy, freshened up & then had a drink at the Hotel Bar while we waited for our cab to take us to Rupp Arena where the concert & Eat & Greet would be held.  When we got to Rupp, we were instructed to go to Will Call to get our wrist bands for the Eat & Greet, so that's what we did!  After we put on our bands, we got in a line and waited for them to direct us back to where we were supposed to go.  By this point, Creag & I were both starving!  We were toward the back of the line, so when we finally got in the room it was pretty crowded.  A small room with maybe 100 people.  Most of the people in there had already gotten a seat.  While we were in line for drinks, we decided that maybe one of us should go grab seats and the other would stay in line for drinks.  I pointed to two open seats right around where we were standing and Creag headed over to save them.  Those seats turned out to be the best seats in the room.  We were the first table that the band walked by when they came in the room & I actually got to shake Zac Browns hand right away!  One of the coolest moments of my life!  The Chef came out & introduced himself and let us know that we were going to line up by table for food.  The entire band served it up to us & Zac stood at the end of the line to talk to the fans.  I of course had to go introduce myself & rambled like a crazy lady.  I told him I was his #1 Fan.  Pretty corny, right?  I also told him that it was my Birthday & he could sing Happy Birthday to me if he wanted to.  He didn't sing, but he did say "Happy Birthday".  I guess that'll do! 

 

 

So the food was great, and even though we were both starving, I kind of lost my appetite.  I was so in awe of everything going on around me that I couldn't even eat.  Creag had no troubles finishing anything.  They had a Beef & Pork dish, the beef one having a rub that Zac came up with himself.  They also had a pasta salad, Collard Greens, Jack Knife Cole Slaw that was Zac's Dad's recipe and a few other things.  It was honestly all pretty good to be put together for that many people on the road like that.  While we were eating, someone came over from the Staff & asked Creag if he was Homer.  We were like, Homer?  No.  Not 15 minutes later, we looked up & Homer Bailey, the Red's Pitcher was standing there.  Creag said, "there's Homer".  Creag ran into him 3 more times that night & was going to ask for a picture, but didn't because he even felt like he was stalking him when really it was just coincidental that they ran into each other that much.

 

After dinner, we went out & got our places in The Pit for the concert.  There were a few opening bands that were just ok.  Zac came out at about 8:30 & THEY ROCKED IT.  I swear they get better every time that we see them.  They have such energy & play such a great mix of music, it is just an unbelievable experience.   

 

We heard Jolene live for the first time which was awesome.  They also played David Allen Coe, Guns N Roses, Metallica, Led Zeppelin & The Devil Went Down to Georgia along with so many of their great songs.  The kicker was when they came back out to do the Encore in glow in the dark skeleton costumes.  Who does that in country music?  No one, except for The Zac Brown Band!  It was such a great concert & a great night with the hubby!!  He really knows me too well and puts the biggest smile on my face.

 

Set List

 

1.  Jump Right In

2.  The Wind

3.  As She's Walking Away

4.  Natural Disaster

5.  Toes

6.  Whatever It Is

7.  Day for the Dead

8.  Who Knows

9.  Free/Into the Mystic

Acoustic...

10.  Day That I Die

11.  Why Don't you Ever Call Me By My Name (David Allen Coe Cover)

12.  At Last (Glenn Miller Cover)

13.  All Apologies (Nirvana Cover)

14.  The Frozen Man (James Taylor Cover)

 

15.  Jolene 

16.  Keep Me In Mind

17.  Goodbye in Her Eyes

18.  Knee Deep

19.  Sweet Annie

20.  Colder Weather

21.  Enter Sandman (Metallica Cover)

22.  Chicken Fried

 

Encore (in Skeleton Costume)

23.  Uncaged

24.  Kasmir (Led Zeppelin)

25.  The Devil Went Down To Georgia (Charlie Daniels Band Cover)

 



October 15, 2013

Well He Made It

 

 

He as in WE all made it through our first season of Pee Wee Football.  It was a BIG commitment & a lot of hard work, but Hank made it through the season like a champ.  Sure, there were days that he wasn't feeling the 1.5-2 hour practice but he pushed through it and did really well. 

 

 

 

 

He played Center & Safety most of the year & even though I know those aren't really the positions that he's meant to play I know that he has to earn the spots that he desires & will do well at once he gets there.  With his speed and build, I know he would do well at Running Back & Wide Receiver which are the positions that he wants to play.  At the beginning of the season, the focus just wasn't there, so he got moved from Running Back to Center which is fine his first year.  He got the game a little more each week, and had a few really good Defensive games. 

 

 

He had a few tournament games which were held pretty late at night for a second grader & he got to wear pink to benefit Breast Cancer for the month of October.  His last game of the season, which was this past Sunday he ran the ball for the first time!  He recovered a fumble and ran it for about 40 yards!  I was so happy for him I could hardly stand it.  I hope to see a lot more of that kind of playing from him next season, because I know he'll be back and I know he could be a great Receiver & Running Back!!

 

Hank, we are so proud of the way you handled yourself all season.  We weren't sure how you'd take all of the hits & physical beat downs that you can get from Football.  Honestly, I wasn't sure if I could handle it either, but we both did OK :)  So far, you love the game and we're so happy that you're so active & enjoy sports.  You're a very gifted, athletic kiddo and I can't wait to see you play again next year!!

 



October 9, 2013

Making Brownies W/ the Birthday Boy

September 18, 2013

 

We celebrated Wyatt's Birthday at Chuck E Cheese's the weekend before his actual Birthday so on his actual birthday, we let him open his gifts from us.  After dinner, I scooped my 5 year old up & we got to work in the kitchen baking the famous Ghiradelli Brownies that we brought back from Chicago!  We've had these Brownies once before & they are OH SO GOOD!

 

 You get to lick the spoon when it's your Birthday!

 

Wyatt's quite the little baker.  He snuck & cracked the egg & put it in the bowl when I wasn't looking and did it w/out getting any of the shell in the bowl.  Pretty impressed Momma right here!





 

Happy, Happy Birthday to my youngest son. 

The light of my life and my reason for living.

I love you & I hope your day & the brownies were GREAT!

 



October 2, 2013

Our Last Days of Summer

Spent as many days at the pool that we could.



 

 

 Hank got an awesome belated B-day present from his friend.

 

 And we watched the WEBN fireworks!

 

Summer, it's been good.  I really hate to see you go!

 

 

September 26, 2013

Happy 5th Birthday, Buddy

 

Let me just say that I cannot believe that you are 5 years old!  I know this is cliché', but you will ALWAYS be my baby.  Yes, I still carry you around on my hip and let you get away with things that your brother & sisters never got away with, but I don't feel bad about it.  You are still the sweetest boy I know and your hugs still melt my heart and always will. 

 

We had your "Pre Party" at Chuck E Cheese's with family & Ethan and Carys also came!  You had a great time & were a little of unsure of Chuck E at first.  You warmed up to him though and gave him a few high fives.  Since you were the Birthday Star, you got to go into the Ticket Blaster where they blow tickets around & you get to keep the ones that you catch.  You had a little trouble in there at first, so they let me go in there with you & we had a blast and caught lots of tickets!! 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone had fun at your party & Mama always loves celebrating her Birthday with you!  On your actual Birthday, you & I baked Ghirardelli Brownies & you opened your gifts from us.  I'll post more about that soon!  I hope 5 is a great year for you.  I love you to the moon & back!

 

XOXO,

Mom



September 25, 2013

Ohio Farmers Festival

 

A few weekends ago, Sky, Hank, Wyatt & I slipped off to the River to check out the Ohio Farmers Festival in Ripley & to visit with my parents.  It was a day full of warm weather, festival food, carnival games and some pretty bad ass face painting!  There was live music, and the kids had some quality time down by the River with their Papa!     

 

 

 

 

The best part of the day was when Hank got on the Mechanical Bull!  I'm still in shock that he rode it.  This is the same child who will not ride any type of roller coaster, (minus Disney) or do anything crazy that's out of his control.  To say I was proud was an under statement!  And the fact that he rode it twice & loved every minute of it makes it even better!

 



 

Can I get a Yee-haw??!!

 

 



September 13, 2013

Oh, Sweet Chicago

 

We took a short Road Trip to Chicago last weekend for opening weekend of NFL Football and we had an absolute blast!  It's amazing what a weekend getaway can do for your marriage!  We both got off a little early of Friday & hit the road. 

 

 

We made quite a few stops on the drive and arrived at our Hotel at about 8PM.  We stayed at The Waldorf Astoria, which is one of the best Hotels in the World & the Suite that they upgraded us to was amazing.  This soaking tub is only one of the luxuries in the room!  After settling into our room, we headed out for dinner.  We dined at Lou Malnatis which is known to have the best Chicago Style Pizza.  It did not disappoint.  I had a few Voodoo Lou Cocktails w/ dinner which was a Pear Infused Vodka w/ Vanilla Stolli & Sprite & it was rather good.  After dinner, we walked back to the room & crashed like old folk do ;)

 

 

Saturday morning, we ordered room service and laid around until I swear noon.  Who gets to do that anymore?  I know we usually don't & we took full advantage!  Breakfast was amazing.  The granola in the parfait was outstanding & like nothing I'd ever had before.  The potatoes were baked, and then flattened & fried so they had this soft filling with a crisp outside which was phenomenal.  So, so good & worth every penny of the $85.00 it cost us! 

 

 

Saturday afternoon, we took a cab to Roscoe Village for the Guinness Oyster Fest.  Oysters, Oysters & more Oysters is what we had & we didn't have a bad bite to eat.  We also had a few lamb tacos & a cheese plate which were also pretty tasty!  I'm usually not a fan of raw oysters, I'd tried them a few times & never really liked them.  Creag & the server talked me in to trying them, and I'm glad they did because they were so fresh & so good!  The Bienville, I can never complain about, either!

 







 

 

After the Oyster Fest, we cabbed it back Downtown.  We stopped in a few shops, along with Garrett's Popcorn, where we finally tried the Chicago Mix; Caramel & Cheese Popcorn!  That night, we went to our favorite Italian Steak House, in Chicago, Harry Caray's!  

 

 

Sunday was game day!  We got up pretty early & packed up and then went to a little spot for Breakfast.  We talked about how great it was to finally get away for a weekend and how we couldn't believe that the last time we traveled together was in April when we went to Hawaii!  We discussed where we'd go next and decided to not wait that long again.  After breakfast, we trekked it all the way to Soldier Field by foot!!  That was a long walk and surprisingly, a very calm one.  The fans were very laid back compared to Cincy.  They only let out their emotions during the game, which was a change.

 

 

The Stadium was nice, and it was a pretty intense game.  I think we could've won that game, but our coaches blew it for us by mismanaging our time-outs.  They also had the best stadium food.  We ordered a burger that was almost gourmet.  So, so good!  All in all it was a great trip and we can't wait to see you again, Chicago!