Did that even happen?

This last weekend my mom celebrated a VERY big birthday....

No. Don't ask me her new age! I won't tell you! No, I refuse! I swore to her I wouldn't let it slip that she was --whoa! You almost got me! Ohhh you are a tricky one, nice try, but you won't get me to tell!!

So anyways, back to my mom's 50th birthday weekend...it started off right with a beautiful bouquet of flowers being to delivered to my mom at my dad's chiropractic office. They were so pretty, I had Mr. Bones pose with them:

Later that evening, a bunch of us went to a delicious pizza joint (that we frequent about once a week) that has the most a-mah-zing spinach dip ever created:

I guess when you yell: "HEY EVERYONE! LOOK AT ME AND SHOW A CRAZY FACE!" Christian is the only one that will respond appropriately. 

Notice my dad's hand and intense face? He's getting the last bite of the spinach dip before anyone else notices..... I TOTALLY SEE YOU DAD!  I was so happy that all of our friend's came to help honor my mom while she celebrates being---Hey! QUIT trying to make me tell you her age! I won't do it!

So anyways, at my mom's 50th birthday party, my younger brother Christian and I decided we don't have enough pictures of us together after 23 years of 'togetherness' (lie) and used this opportunity to create a memory...

Actually, I just sneak-attack-style yelled: HEY! CHRISTIAN! SMILE!! 

Being the good-looking young man he is, this is how it turned out.....whatta jerk, right?!

Saturday we left the motherland and drove an hour away to continue the 50th birthday celebration. I feel like all I did this weekend was eat...and eat...and eat...but first, a baseball game: 

Then, we kept rocking her ---ooooh! I almost told you her age! Whew! That was close! Anyways, we kept the party going with an AMAZING dinner at my favorite Italian restaurant EVER. The place is pretty fancy, they even have a girl whose sole job is fill your water glass. You literally take a sip and BOOM! She's right there making sure the water level never reaches below the half-empty (or is it half-full?) mark...classy. 

Here is my mom in her fancy: "I just hit a big birthday but I'm kicking it's ass" outfit.

After the BEST dinner in the world (I had the tortellini, Chris had walleye) we made our way over to SHREK: The  Musical. I saw a flyer for this a few weeks ago while we were at the Willie Nelson concert and couldn't believe my good fortune, I was actually going to hang out with Shrek and the gang! 

They really really really insisted that you turn off your cell phone (don't ask me how I know this) so I couldn't take any pictures for you, but here is a picture I google-found of a scene: 

We decided to take advantage of our location, and went to one of our favorite places: the dueling piano bar. We were having so much fun I wasn't doing such a hot job of taking pictures, BUT I did get one of my mom up on the stage letting the piano man sing a Happy Birthday song to her: 

If you think he looks like he has crazy eyes-you're right, he totally does. He was super stoked to be singing a Happy Birthday song to my mom on her big --whoops! I almost just told you!

The next morning,  we needed needed food in our bellies and STAT. Fortunately, we had the good sense, the night before, to make plans with our good friend Sarah and her cute family for brunch. 

We ate at a real honest to goodness cafe and crepery...it was pretty awesome. I had no idea you could have so many different types of crepes. Even ones with Nutella...but that wasn't the best part. I mean, really, wouldn't you want to eat breakfast with these sweetie-pies?

Hi Livi! You're super cute!

Hi Caroline! You make my heart melt into a puddle of Nutella!

Before we left, I insisted the creator of these angels, that I've been friends with since I was 12, take her picture with me: 

Caroline's cute baby belly was just a bonus.

After our weekend of celebrating my mom's birthday (For the last time, I'm NOT telling you how old she is now) with her and my dad...

....I'll totally be ready when it's my turn to hit 50!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM,

I LOVE YOU!!

9 Ways you know you are married to a baseball coach

9 Ways you know you are married to 

a baseball coach:

1. The bed in your spare bedroom turns into make-shift closet with uniforms, sweatshirts, pants, hats,etc.

Honestly, I did not stage or adjust the stuff on the bed in ANY way...I can't even be mad at him, I'm actually kind of impressed at his "organized chaos." Does anyone want to come spend the night at our house?


2. There are boxes and boxes of baseball related paraphernalia lying around your house....
 

 

See what I mean? 

3. You know the exact order he gets dressed in because of his superstitions....

....so does your boxer, Layla

3. You get to listen and learn about bunt defenses:

"OK! So normally the guy on first is standing like this"

"Hey! Are you taking my picture?"

"fine, whatever. So anyways, the guy on first is responsible for........"

4. This view is permanently in your brain from March until June...

5. When he takes off his shoes after windy thus dusty practice, he looks like he is wearing a pair of hairy leggings:

6. You think you have the team signs figured out, only to realize they are way more complex than you realized. Then you sadly realize you'll never learn them in a million years no matter how many times he's explained them to you:

Bunt! No...hit and run!! ummm....nevermind

7. You have more baseball related t-shirts than you know what to do with... 

8. You look at this picture & know this bat is actually called a 'fungo'; and you know exactly which part of the pre-game warm up the team is in: 

9. You look at a picture like this, sit back and think.....

Man! He really needs a haircut!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Prom Sneak Peak....

This last weekend was my little brother, Andrew, senior prom! We were so busy and Chris even got the privilege of chaperoning (he was SO excited....)! I took a ton of pictures for you and will upload them tonight!
In the meantime here is a sneak peak:

These boys have been best friends since kindergarten.  Richie and Carson perfected the "Dumb and Dumber" look.

This was Andrew's beautiful date. They aren't boyfriend and girlfriend, I don't think he has much game...

Every prom needs a party bus!

The family, we clean up nicely don't we?

You'll feel better once you listened:

  

I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.-Billy Joel

Since I've been SUPER busy this past week with baseball (of course) and took a short visit to see my friends Josh and Jana in Arkansas, I didn't have any time to present you with your TOP TUESDAY TUNES this week! So we're switching it up and here are

CHRISTIAN'S THURSDAY TOP TUNE PICKS:

(Please hold your applause)

1. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros- That's what's up

2. Chappo- Come Home

3. The Walkmen- The Rat

4. Lay Low- The Backbone

5. Punch Brothers- Rye Whiskey

Enjoy and Happy Thursday from the guy who dressed like Elvis...

.....as a Four year old.

How to enjoy a Willie Nelson concert:

Here's how you enjoy a Willie Nelson concert: 

Step one: Get into the back seat of your mother-in-law's car....

....it's best if your squished between your mother-in-law and grandma-in-law.

Second: Tell your husband, who is co-piloting for his dad, to "GET ALONG LITTLE DOGGIES!" then say ''C'MON LET'S GET THIS ROAD ON THE SHOW" and finally, "PULL INTO THE NEXT GAS STATION I HAVE TO PEE!!" and head on down the road: 

I think my F-I-L, Jeff, is saying: "Is she gonna sing the whole way there?!"

Next up, make sure you have Puh-lenty of energy for the concert, this is where the delicious food of Ebbet's Field comes in: 

I had pizza. Weird, right?!

When your belly is full of good food and a little bit of Bud Light, make your way to the concert and find your seat: 

The in-laws were all mighty impressed, and they were doing the next important step in enjoying a Willie Nelson concert.....make sure you can see the stage:

Mission: Accomplished.

Now be sure to take a pre-concert pictures, 

 and double make sure you take one of your husband's mom and grandma.

 this way you can document how all your faces looked BEFORE you rocked out to a living legend singing his classic tunes.

When the lights dim and the crowd cheers, be sure to get a picture of Willie taking his place on the stage because he's 80; and let's be honest, who knows how many concerts he's got left!

That bright shiny light is Willie, singing his heart out.

 Next, take a million pictures trying to get a good one of Willie. Then yell at yourself for not bringing a decent camera, and swear you'll never rely on your stupid iphone camera again: 

Hey Willie! There ya are!

Finally, on your way out of the concert -after you've properly rocked out to Willie Nelson and his brilliant catalog of songs- grab a random passer by and say: HEY! Take our picture!

And that's how you do it, folks.
 Wearing a Hank Williams shirt optional. Having a good time? NOT optional.

Divined by the universe....

Last week marked the day ten years ago that I was a senior sitting in my High School journalism class. I had completed my assignments, was doodling on my notepad and the ADD was kicking in. Bored, I asked my brilliant journalism teacher, Mrs. Baxley, if I could go to the bathroom. In our High School, the closest bathrooms are next to the weight room. This seems like an insignificant detail, but it is crucial.

You see, Chris was in weights class that fateful day, and they were timing 20 yard sprints in the hallway- by the very bathroom I was wasting time in! Timing the sprints was a 2 man job, and a clipboard was shoved in my hand to write down the sprint times (actually I was standing there talking and was told to get back to class, or make myself useful).  Chris, being the stud he is, was on track to break the record (which he still holds- no big deal) and stayed after the bell rang to make the record  his own. I stayed to write down his time.

On my way to return the clipboard (and Chris' return to the locker room), an innocent conversation took place that would have lasting consequences, for both of us:

Me: So. Do you have a date for prom yet?
Chris: No, not yet. What about you?
Me: Nope.
Chris: Uh...Do....you...wanna....go....?
Me: Sure!

Ten years ago today, Chris and I went on our last first date, and have been partyin' ever since....

Isn't he handsome!?

God bless Senioritis...and ADD.....and sprints in the hallway...

and Mrs. Baxley for letting me go to the bathroom....

Are YOU scared?

Today is Friday the 13th. Did you realize this? I did not, until this morning when my hair dryer tried to electrocute me, Betty puked on the carpet, I stubbed my toe and almost backed into a trash can. 

I got to work and knew I had to shake off the bad vibes Friday the 13th was throwing my way, so I promptly ate two egg shaped butterfingers, and all was right in the world. 


I was starting to get nervous again this afternoon when I remembered the boys play yet ANOTHER baseball game. After all, baseball is a tough sport.

It requires intense focus....

Hi Roo! 

and precision pitching....

....not to mention the blink-or-you'll-miss-it catches...

....and strong across-the-field throwing....

However, these boys aren't scared of little 'ol Friday the 13th. 

Why not?

Why their fearless leader, of course!

Well, Chris and this guy....

Reggie, the good luck turtle.

**Once again, thank you Missy W. for your wonderful photography skills! :)

It's your lucky day!

 Remember in this post when I told you about my brother's superpower of music?

Staying true to his word and saving us all from un-coolness, here is

CHRISTIAN'S TUESDAY TOP TUNE PICKS:

1. YEASAYER- AMBLING ALP 

2. THE DISCIPLINES- YOURS FOR THE TAKING

3. MARS VOLTA- THE MALKIN JEWEL

4. HOWLER-BACK OF YOUR NECK

5. DELTA SPIRIT- CALIFORNIA

You're welcome.

**I should add that these are songs Christian is listening to right now. Keep in mind some are fresh and some you may have heard......either way, keep on rockin'!

You're never too old....

.....to get an Easter basket from your parents!

HOPPY EASTER!

Obviously you need one:

The baseball boys had a rough Saturday last weekend. They lost twice, the same day. It wasn't pretty and the cute coach, that I totally have a crush on, wasn't happy. Not at all.

Chris said sometimes when you aren't playing the game right, the baseball gods will make you pay. The boys said ENOUGH was ENOUGH, and decided they needed their very own good luck charm
(I think mine has just been to busy making my life awesome!).

The boys weren't sure what to do. They had meetings on the mound:

They asked Mr. Jackson, the bat boy (you read that right), for advice:

They even tried a special 'adjust your hat' and wave your arms around dance: 

but the answer to appease the baseball gods came to them during practice this week
in the form of a little box turtle they name Reggie.

Reggie was found at the baseball field during practice, and instantly buoyed the boy's spirit's. It was quickly decided he was the new team mascot. They even brought him to the game last night; and being the sweet, smart, thoughtful boys they are, they made Reggie a decorated leash:

Breckin was getting a pep talk from Reggie when he stopped to pose for a quick photo.

Here, someone is creating a nice path for Reggie to walk crawl back and forth.

Notice the leash? That's actually athletic tape they stuck on Reggie's back and attached it to the bench

Clever, really. 

Bringing their new mascot to the game must have been the right move because they won last night! This can only lead me to one conclusion:

You need a Reggie in your life.

**Thanks Missy W. for the great pictures!**