Special Moments

I have a very special Aunt and Uncle that mean the world to me. They have introduced me to many things throughout our travels together, one of those things being baseball! The first game they took me to was during the week of their wedding 15 or so years ago.

Uncle Hil and I have always talked about the moment of "AWWW" when you walk into a ballpark for the first time. There's just something about walking into a huge stadium and hearing the sounds, smelling the grass and the hot dogs, seeing the players that you always see on tv, finding the best seats, and realizing that you are about to watch something that can take your breath away. We love to take someone with us that has never been before just to get to see that moment "AWWW". I remember the first time that we took Brad to Turner Field in Atlanta and getting to see his face. There is also nothing like stepping onto the corner of Addison and Clark in Chicago and seeing the outside of Wrigley Field for the first time and then walking through the gates to see the ivy growing along the back wall. What a rush!

Well, Brad and I followed in Uncle Hil and Aunt Cece's footsteps and got to take our niece to her first Major League Baseball game last week. Of course, we got to see the Cubs, but in Cincinnati at Great American Ballpark. We had her all dressed up in her Cubs outfit that we borrowed from Bethany's girls.

She was so cute! She had a blast clapping, cheering and dancing to the noise.

I think I even caught her moment of "AWWW". At least, that's what I'm calling it. She was saying, "Ohhhh!"

Seeing the game through her eyes was amazing. I wish I knew what she was really thinking.

After getting settled and having our hot dogs, it really hit me what a special moment this was, at least to me. I'm sure most people don't understand, but I knew one person that would appreciate the fact that this whole experience was bringing a tear to my eye. So I called Uncle Hil and told him where we were and what we were doing and thanked him for being so special and taking me to that first game so long ago. Thanked him for helping me realize what a special game baseball is and thanked him for giving me the understanding of such a complex game. I hope he understands what great role models he and Cece are for Brad and I and that I am very thankful that I now have a niece to share with, ALL the things that he has taught me.

May 7, 2008
Cubs vs. Reds
Great American Ballpark
Cincinnati, Ohio

Celebration #1

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! They have been married for 30 years as of November 25th. We all went to church yesterday with them. Mom was surprised by us all. Dad got 30 roses and gave them out to everyone in the church and they all took them to Mom and wished her Happy Anniversary. He did a good job being sweet.

We took lots of family pictures.

Last year for their anniversary they got this cutie pie!

I'm so lucky to have two wonderful parents that have toughed it out for 30 years and many more I'm sure.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

My feet hurt. I have been cooking for two days and I'm glad we finally got to eat this afternoon. I spent all day yesterday defrosting the turkey and getting it ready to cook and it turned out great. I enjoyed spending the day with my two sister-in-laws (Jennifer and Lindsay) and my mother-in-law (Becky). Becky told me I was becoming quite the domestic. I think that was a compliment. Today we cooked even more. I got the camera out once and realized that the battery was just about dead, so I only got a couple of pictures of Hunter with Uncle Coco, saying Peace Out! He's so funny, he will say anything you tell him to at this point.


I hope you all had a good day. I am thankful for all of you and for the fact that my husband is in the kitchen making me a turkey sandwich before Survivor, Grey's and ER come on.

Blessings...

*Having the most lovable, happiest niece Makinsi for almost a year now.

*Having a great family, including a great Mom and Dad.

* Brad being healthly for over a year now.

* Our spoiled rotten, Bailey. She's to cute for her own good.
* A certain friend that listens to more than she should have to, but never complains and is always willing listen to more. Thanks, T!

* Almost being finished with my Master's degree. December 15th can't get here fast enough.

* My awesome job as a library media specialist and a great new building to work in.

* My wonderful camera that takes such great pictures like this....

So that I can Scrapbook with my friends.

* The ? Gift Giver that leaves presents on my desk for me like this...

I'm not sure who it is, but I sure love it!

* Jodi Picoult and Nicholas Sparks books. After Dec. 15th I'll be able to read for the fun of it again.

* Generic TiVo. Who invented this and why are they not related to me?

* Time to sleep.

* Weekend trips to Chicago that keep things together. Why can't it always be like this? Go Cubs!

* All the friends that will actually read and care about this.

Ok, that's enough for now.