OH Football at Ball State University September 2008

The CIC (the conference OH is in) got a chance to play at BSU on Saturday night. The stadium has been remodeled and it is awesome. The kids liked seeing such a big field. We traveled to Muncie with the Brumley's.

Saturday night after the OH victory over Madison Grant we headed to Rushville. Sunday the kids got a chance to ride with Papa Miller in the combine. I don't know who enjoys it more my Dad or the kids!?!?!

Then Sunday night I had to take a pic of my puppy (well my 92 lb 1 1/2 yr old dog). I LOVE Hester to death and I think he is so handsome!

Brittany Swimming 2008

During school Britt gets to go by bus to the high school for swimming. In 2nd grade they go for 10 days, I was able to go and watch Britt on her last day. The pool has a raise/lower floor so they can raise for smaller kids which really helps with teaching kids how to swim. The last day was a "free swim" day so I didn't get to see much swimming but I did get to see her have fun with her friends!

Kenny Chesney September 2008 Pirates and Poets Tour

I am a HUGE Kenny Chesney fan. No matter the cost of the tickets or what else is on the calendar I buy tix for his Indy show. This year Kenny was the 1st concert ever at Lucas Oil Stadium. His opening acts were Luke Bryan, Gary Allan, LeeAnn Rimes, and Keith Urban. The stadium is cool but the sound for the openers was awful! They opened the retractable roof before Keith Urban performed and it was better; then they opened the picture window before Kenny performed. I still wouldn't advise anyone to see a concert at that venue until they get some kinks worked out. I danced and had a good time. It was the last stop on the tour so Kenny played for 3 hours! I have seen him numerous times and he has never sang that long!! Britt and I go together as a Mommy and Me bonding time. This year we also went with Jay and Pam, and Deanna and Jeni (Deanna's friend from high school). We also saw Ben and Maggie. How many days til next year's concert?????

Madi and Saturday Soccer September 2008

Brittany and I were able to go to Madi's soccer game on Saturday. I have posted some pics, the pictures of her hustling after the ball were blurry so these will have to do! Brayden and Chris were entertaining themselves on the sidelines with water!!!???!!! Brittany was playing with Brayden and her flip flop broke, the strap completely broke off. Brayden was very intent on "fixing" it! Too cute! Way to go Madi! So glad that we finally got a chance to see you play!

Clay's 1st Flag Football Game

My little boy who is now 5 (or in Clay's words 5 1/2!) played his first game on Saturday 9.6.08. He played really well and was very happy being on the field. He is on the Junior Packers (okay, everyone stop laughing!?!?!), he is #4 (okay, I know that is Brett Favre's #), and he plays quarterback 1/2 the game. Clay likes playing running back the best since he gets to run for touchdowns. Here are a couple pics from the game.

The Uniform

Playing defense-pull those flags!!!!

1st touchdown ever!!! Go Clay!!!

We are very proud of you Clay!!!

Da Bears beat the Colts!!!!

chicago bears chicago bears chicago bears chicago bears chicago bears

As many of you know, my family takes alot of heat for living in Indiana and loving the Chicago Bears. That Super Bowl that happened a few years ago is always brought to our attention. Much to our delight after tons of teasing last week and even at church yesterday the BEARS won!!!!! A little victory for us Indiana Bears Fans!

Salsa, not the dance; the eating kind!!!

We went over to the Brumley house on Labor Day. Tina and I's mission was to make salsa while the kids and the guys hung out. Here's a pic of the fruits of our labor! We made some great salsa and had some laughs at the same time! Thanks Tina for having me over! I will make salsa with you anytime!

Labor Day Weekend 2008 in Chicago

We had a busy Labor Day weekend! It started with the OH fball game on Friday night (we won!!!), then Saturday morning we left for Chicago. Mike, Sandi, Chad, the kids and I left Converse at 6:30 am! We were meeting Jerry, Alicia and their children for Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday we were very adventurous (maybe even a little naive!?!?!) and walked along Lake Shore Drive. Our destination was Lincoln Park Zoo. I am not sure if we really thought we would walk that far or if the great weather had something to do with it but wholly cow did we walk forever!!!! The water was beautiful and the kids were having a blast seeing all the bikers/runners and the buildings.

Lincoln Park Zoo was fun! Fun for the kids and the parents because it was free admission!! Clay loved the Ape exhibits. Considering the walk on the way there we opted for taxis on the way back to the hotel. My kids 1st ride in a taxi! They were very excited and thought it was cool how reckless the guy was driving-ramming forward, slamming on his brakes, turning on a dime! Britt is often called the seat belt police in our family so she was a little anxious about not wearing seatbelts!!!

Saturday evening we walked to Navy Pier (only 3 to 4 blocks!!!). Once again great weather for an evening spent outside. We (as in everyone but Sandi who is afraid of heights and Jared who is too little) rode the 1500 ft ferris wheel. Very cool and the view is amazing! I took some cool pics. I was disappointed when we couldn't all ride together but it was still worth the $6! Chad was a little paranoid about the height which was a little surprising to me. I thought it should speed up!!!! HA!!! Clay could barely move without Chad telling him to sit still and stay in his seat! Too funny! Alicia said she was the exact same way in the other cart, so maybe it is Sandi's blood running thru their veins!!!!

After the ferris wheel ride we ate at Forrest Gump's Restaurant Bubba Gump's. It was a little pricey but I think you were paying for the atmosphere as much as anything. They had a cool system for getting the waiter's attention. They had these license plate signs on the table-one side said "Run Forrest Run" and the other side said "Stop Forrest Stop". If you needed something flip the sign to "Stop". Pretty cool considering how many tables each waiter had. Then halfway thru dinner we were asked Forrest Gump trivia. Too neat-a cool place to go.

Sunday we headed to Einstein Bagels (which I must tell you I miss terribly from my Purdue days) then the girls went to American Girl. I told Britt should could get an outfit for her doll (not an American Girl but one the same size). She picked out a soccer outfit that came with cleats, shin guards, everything! It is amazing to go into a place where little girls, young ladies, Moms and Grandmas are so crazy! It was packed and we were happy to get out of the crowd uninjured-ha!

Then it was time to say our goodbyes! Britt is not good at telling Aunt Ali goodbye. The crocodile tears were flowing! Aunt Ali does her best to hold out but she usually isn't able to stop the tears either. They have a connection and always have which is cool considering Britt has never lived in the same place as Alicia and Jerry.

Great weekend that just went too fast!!!