Mel's Birthday!

After our FABULOUS day at the ballpark,

we had an incredible evening out with a birthday girl---

one of my favoritist friends Melissa!

We started our evening at Tom + Chee,

a delicious grilled cheese and tomato soup restaurant 

located on Newport on the Levee.

This was our second visit to Tom + Chee.

On our first visit, I had to try the "Flying Pig"

which didn't disappoint.

This time, though, I had to go classic

grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Keith went for the gusto and ate

a sandwich with 3 types of peppers and pepper jack cheese

(yes, he was definitely feeling that later!).

Everyone enjoyed their delicious meals and then we headed

back over the river to Downtown Cincinnati.

Mel LOVES Toby Keith so we headed to a new bar in downtown Cincy,

Toby Keith's I love this bar and grill.

When we walked in, it was packed!

It was a good thing we were not wanting to eat dinner here--

it was a 4 hour wait!

Yes, I just said 4 hour wait--and people were waiting!!

We immediately walked to the guitar-shaped bar to order our beers.

I was expecting the beers to arrive in red solo cups....

...but instead arrived in a mason jar!

Woah, those beers were big!

(Take note of that mason jar...it now sits in Melissa's kitchen! haha)

The live band started around 9 o'clock,

and we had a blast dancing around!

Keith & Mel

Mel & brother-in-law Brenden

After a few beers in a mason jar,

Mel & I got the great idea we wanted to go on stage!

Unfortunately, Security would not let us on stage,

but the band did sing happy 29th ;) birthday to Mel!

While dancing around to some good ol' country music,

I found some friends!

As the night drew to a close,

I had to snap one more pic of Mel on her birthday.

How perfect for the last picture, right?!

Happy birthday, dear friend!!

I hope you had the best 29th birthday ever! ;)

Valentine's Day Gift: Great American Ball Park Tour

While the Reds are in Arizona enjoying spring training,

we are freezing our booties off here in Cincy (some days!).

The weather in Cincy has been so up and down lately,

and of course the day that Keith and I signed up to take the Great American Ball Park Tour,

it was only a high of 34 degrees with snow flurries. Sheesh!

As mentioned on Valentine's Day,

Keith and I decided that our gifts to each other this year would be tickets to this tour.

We are HUGE Reds fans, and this was way better than a dozen flowers he could have given me!

(I apologize if I am offending any flower people! It's just not my thing!)

We arrived at the Reds Hall of Fame museum at 12:00 to pick up our tickets.

Our tour didn't start until 12:30 so we ran upstairs to meet

third baseman Chuck Harmon, 

the first black Red in history.

What an adorable man! 

He autographed a picture for us,

asked us where we were from and said that he was familiar with St.Bernard (not many people are!),

his daughter complimented me on my Reds shirt,

and took this picture with us!

Can't wait to hang his picture up in the man cave. :)

What an awesome experience, and that was only the beginning of the day!

By the time we were finished meeting Chuck,

it was 12:34 P.M.

Ooops! Our tour was leaving at 12:30!

We immediately rushed down stairs 

(I hate being tardy anywhere, but I wasn't going to miss out meeting Chuck Harmon!),

and caught up with the group just in time.

Whew!

The first stop was the Champions Club room, 

then the Fox Sports Ohio box,

and then the Reds Radio box.

I just loved sitting in Marty Brennamen's chair!

Check out my view:

From there we headed to the press box,

then to the Clubhouse.

I kept calling it the "locker room",

but Keith informed me it is the "Clubhouse."

Forgive me. ;)

Pics of Brandon Phillips' locker:

From here we headed to the tunnel that the players head through to the field.

Our next stop was the batting cages,

and the press conference areas.

Finally, the moment I had been waiting for--

we hit the field and the dugout!

What a fun day!

We are so excited for Reds season and are looking forward to Opening Day and the start of a successful season.

Speaking of Opening Day, we recently picked up our tickets!

It's getting closer....  :)

Stay tuned for Saturday evening's events...

Tyler has arrived!

At 8:05 A.M. on Monday, February 20th,

I get a text message from my step-mom, Tammy.

It stated: Update- At mercy hospital since 2:30.

Not progressing much but in labor.

Woohoo!

I was so excited to hear this I nearly jumped out of the bed!

At this point my sister-in-law Megan was only 2 cm, but was doing well.

Tammy said that she would provide updates if things changed.

When Keith arrived home at 5:30, I was ecstatic to leave.

We picked up Taco Bell for my brother,

and headed to Mercy Anderson.

When I walked in the door,

Megan's epidural was wearing off.

She immediately said to me, "This is terrible! Don't do this to yourself!"

haha

Megan's mom quickly looked at me and said, "Do you have kids yet? 

You may want to get him out of the room if you don't." (Pointing to Keith)

They are funny, but I did as they said and removed Keith from the room

(I do eventually want kids ya know!).

While we were waiting for Tyler to come into the world,

Keith and I snapped a quick pic in the waiting room.

Then Troy came out to visit us in the lobby, so we decided to send this picture to our little brother, Trevor.

We told Trevor that he was definitely missing out on the fun!

He text me back and said, "Dad said tell Megan to cut the shit and have the baby."

haha One of my all-time favorite quotes of the night.

After Megan received her epidural, I was able to visit with her for about 30 minutes.

Troy had some business to take care of, so Megan and I enjoyed some girl time.

I truly cherished this 30 minutes we shared together before Tyler arrived.

I can't put it into words, but it was definitely an amazing bonding moment between sisters. :)

I left the room around 8:15 because the doctor was headed in to break Megan's water.

The rest of the night was spent watching bits and pieces of the Bachelor in the waiting area.

I couldn't focus on the show with Tyler on his way, though, so I was thankful that I had it DVRd at home.

At 11:15 Tammy reported that they were going to do a C-section.

Since Keith and I had to work the next day,

we decided this was our time to exit, and we would visit with Tyler tomorrow.

Tyler Steven was born at 11:54 P.M. (6 minutes before his due date! Wow!),

weighing in at 7 pounds and 13 ounces.

Here are some pics from the hospital when we finally were able to meet him.

Big Sister Lily & Tyler

The aunts!

Megan's sister Emily & Me

Welcome to our family Tyler!

You will be so loved. 

300 miles!

I have to post quick because I have some things I have to get done before I head to the hospital!

That's right, my nephew Tyler is getting ready to make his grand entrance!

Woohoo!

I had to quickly post a milestone:

Please check my Daily Mile on the left side of the screen.

Do you notice that it says 300 Total Miles?!?!

Since I began avidly running in September,

I have run 300 miles.

Unbelievable!

Now that I am no longer active in sports like I was when I was a kid/high school student,

I never thought I would ever be running 3 miles anymore,

much less 300!!

It's a day to celebrate--

starting with a great run and ending with an amazing birth!

Pics of Tyler coming soon.... :)

Ahoy Matey! It's a Pirate Paarrrrty!

Three years ago today, one of the best miracles came into the life of my friends

Christina and Joe Schorr:

Evan Michael Schorr was born.

It is hard to believe how fast 3 years have flown by,

but here we are celebrating his 3rd birthday.

When Christina asked me to help with the party,

I was so excited!

I absolutely love planning parties,

and miss my wedding planning days dearly!

Christina and I have been talking "pirates" for the past month

because Evan loves the pirate life!

Last Saturday, I got crafty and made these:

I also made a "Captain Evan's Treasure" sign that you will see later.

When Keith and I arrived, the "Captain" was still sleeping.

While he slept, Mommy and Daddy put this together for him.

He was so surprised when he woke up!

Here are some pics of the decorations.

I love how Christina framed pictures of Evan from this summer where he was in front of a real pirate ship,

and she also framed his birthday invitations.

Such a cute idea!

Below this sign, guests put their presents!

The stand up pirate is a pinata!

Christina also made cookies for party favors 

and placed them in a bag tied with a red ribbon.

The table for the feast

(by the time the party started, this table was full!)

My mother-in-law made this cake--

it is amazing!

The ship was made out of yellow cake,

while the ocean was made out of chocolate cake!

One of the masts said, "Happy birthday Evan".

Christina and I snapped a quick pic before the 

party began.

Notice we dressed appropriately and wore our pirate stripes!

This is when Evan woke up and saw his Pirate Island for the first time.

He screamed, "Aarrrgh!" :)

I was so excited to see this little pirate come through the door!

This is a pic of when Christina and Joe placed the candles on the cake.

Lisa made the cake so that the candles would come out of the cannon ball holes!

So creative!

"Cheese!"

Happy birthday Captain Evan!

Make a wish or walk the plank!

I decided to play with the settings on my phone,

so Melissa and I had to snap some pics together. :)

We are true hipsters now with our camera effects!

Love this!

Christina told Charlie that she had some items upstairs that he could dress up in.

Check out his outfits!

Before I left, I had to sneak a quick hug & kiss from my boyfriend.

I think I will be crushed when he finds a real girlfriend one day!

It was a fun night of paaarrrrtying, and we wish Evan the best 3rd birthday of all!