Thursday, September 26, 2013

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


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

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??!!
 
 


Friday, September 13, 2013

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!



Friday, September 6, 2013

September 6, 2013

Preseason is a Great Time to Take Your Kiddos to a Game!
 



 
The Bengals played a few weekends ago, on a Saturday night & we were given 4 Club Level Seats so we took the kids to the game.  It was Wyatt's first time, everyone else had been before.  We had a great time as a family & snuck out a little early, because you can do that at pre-season games!  This weekend starts regular season, though & Creag & I will be in Chicago, rooting our Bengals on, at the game!  I couldn't be more excited to get out of town for the weekend, with my man!


Tuesday, September 3, 2013

September 3, 2013

Back to School 2013
 
The kids went back to school a few weeks ago.  We were all as ready as ever to get back into a routine but waited until the night before to get the boys fresh new cuts & I took the girls to get their nails done.  They were excited to get a little pampered, what girl isn't?  I was going to also let them get pedicures, but we found out the day of that Skylar would have her first soccer practice that night so we skipped that part and I gave them a rain check.
 

 


 

 The first day is always the smoothest & this is the 3rd year at our house for the first day of school and they all knew the traditional pose I wanted when it was time to take pictures.  I didn't even have to really tell them what to do!  I'm sure the older they get, the more awkward that kneel down pose will be, but I love it!!




As they were getting on the bus, I had a moment, realizing that this would be Skylar's last year of Elementary School as next year she'll move on to Jr. High.  With that being said, I then realized that as soon as she moves on, next year I'll be putting Wyatt on the bus with the other kids for his first day of Kindergarten!  That may be a rough one, but until then here's to a great year!