Take me out to the ball game

Opening day for the Cincinnati Reds baseball team is big affair in Cincinnati. Last year my mum and dad were in town from England and we went to the big parade they have through the city (we weren't blogging then). This year we were able to get a couple of seats (thanks Paul & Debbie). Izzy spent the afternoon with Auntie Tracy. The game was delayed due to rain but things got going eventually!

Here we are at the Great American ballpark (GABP to the locals!), this pic was actually taken after the rain finally stopped!



Here are a few more pics from the game:


Michael with nephews Gavin and B-Boy



Tiffany and her mom

I think Cincinnatians don't really consider it Spring until Opening Day of the Reds. With Spring officially here I am reminded of my New Years resolution, to stay off the Ice-cream. It's easy to not think about it when there's a foot of snow out side. But when it's getting warm outside...different story. Tiffany got an early start on being supportive. Have I mentioned the time that Tiffany literally rubbed french fries under my nose last December just as I was completing going a year without Fries? Well she decided not only that she would get some "dippin' dots" ice-cream at the ball park but insisted on asking for a detailed breakdown on the available flavors, all I might add, sounded awesome.




A hastily photoshopped panoramic of the opening day proceedings (click to enlarge).

Izzy wuz buzy

Isabelle had a full schedule this week. It was spring break for most of the kids and that meant lots of places to go and people to see. We started the week out at the Children's Museum. Four adults and eight kids under the age of 7... during a very crowded day, I think we were crazy! Izzy had a fun time in "her" area for children who couldn't walk yet! She was happy to be the ruler and even more happy to have a bar to pull up on and a mirror to admire herself in.





On Wednesday we went to Totter Otterville and it was a beautiful day!  Isabelle took turns going down the slide with her cousins.



She even got the chance to ride the train with with Nana, Nicholas and Gavin!  



To top off the week was the GIRLS ONLY tea party with Nana!



Of course Izzy loved this because it involved apple juice and food.



She even dressed the part! Although she kept the hat on most of the time, the feathery boa did not fly and was torn of shortly after this picture was taken.  

"Hop"py Easter

Izzy wasn't a big fan of the Easter Bunny. Can't honestly say I blame her! Probably confused the poor girl when she could clearly see a person inside the bunny, and thought she might be next.



Izzy had more fun with the Easter Egg hunt at Nana's & Papa's. She was pretty good at finding the eggs (she is advanced,what can we say!), here she finds the special spotted egg that netted her a Chicken doll that does the chicken dance while flapping it's wings. She loved it (we're starting to notice that the more Isabelle likes a musical toy, the more we can't stand it...)



Here Isabelle is using her recently gained moves to find an Easter Egg. She can now pull herself up on small tables, etc.



Isabelle with the loot, (don't worry Dad disposed of all the candy in his own special way) she enjoyed eating the plastic eggs anyway.



This little smile melts our hearts. We love her more & more everyday.



Happy Easter from us!

Grandad didn't come to town :-(

Grandad was supposed to make the big trek from England to Cincinnati today. Unfortunately he's had a bug the last couple of weeks and notwithstanding hacking through a "I think I'll make it tomorrow" voicemail he left for us yesterday he wasn't quite feeling up to traveling half way around the world. Isabelle says it best:



On another note. Isabelle enjoyed being a big girl in mommy's Uggs. What you can't see is the look of disappointment on Daddy's face. He still thinks these boot are Ugg-ly.

Snow Baby

Thursday was a very mild, almost go out without a jacket weather, then Friday came bringing about a foot of snow! I got to leave work at lunch time due to the weather and two hours later (instead of 15 mins) I made it home. This was the view of our patio on Saturday morning.



After lunch we bundled Izzy up in her snow suit. Looking at this picture it reminded us of Ralphie from a A Christmas Story

We all enjoyed being out in the snow but hopefully Spring is around the corner so that we can enjoy the outdoors a lot more!

We're not in Kansas anymore...

Isabelle and I are back from our weekend trip to Kansas City. We went to see some long time family friends, some church historical sights and mommy got to experience a KU Jayhawks game with the guys.

Izzy is showing us "so big" which she recently learned. The downfall to this new trick is that she has found her bows and likes to tug at them!


Here is Isabelle and her solemn face with the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman in the background.




Here we are with my mom and the Beck boys in Adam-ondi-Ahman. We also had the opportunity to visit Far West and Liberty Jail. It was very moving and was interesting to put a picture with the things that I have grown up reading about.



How attractive. My darling Izzy enjoys hanging her tounge out and panting like a dog. It is very funny looking and always makes us laugh.


Isabelle's first visit to Amish country. I wish you could see her face here, she absolutely loved the horse.




If you know anything about the Beck boys, they are absolutely, positively obsessed with the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team. I attended a game with Travis, Tyler and my dad. I was prepped before the game by my brothers and briefed about the team. It was quite the experience. It definitely stood out more than any other college game I have been to.
Not to say that Travis owns the team, but at the end of the game he came up to me and "thanked" me for coming. I feel like I am official member of the Beck Jayhawk fan club. Thanks boys!



What a blowout!!!



I would guess my brothers would call this Rock Chalk chant, some sort of spiritual experience?



Finally, Izzy and I cuddling in bed a the hotel. We had good girls weekend, but we were both glad to come home and see Daddy.