First Steelers Game

There are a few firsts that you'll never forget your kids experiencing - first steps, first tooth, first smile, first day of school. We have another to add to the list (and one that Mike might rank right up there at the top) - first Steelers game!

Mike has Steelers season tickets (yes, despite the fact that we live four hours from Pittsburgh) and thought it would be fun to take the kids to a Steelers preseason game. Now, I think there's a reason that Steelers fans have been voted the worst/most dedicated fans in the NFL. Things can get downright ugly amongst the Black and Gold nation. But, the fact that the game didn't really count in the W/L columns, I figured we'd be safe. The kids were absolutely thrilled with the chance to go!

Let's get this show on the road!

Taylor shared her iPod. Yes, she has an iPod. No, I do not.


We started by stopping at Mike's usual game-day tailgate. What's football without tailgating, right? The tailgate is organized by Mike's aunt's brother-in-law, Rick. (Side note: Mike's aunt is actually only a couple of years older, so we're all about the same age.) Rick is a fun guy and knows how to do it right. Even though this is just preseason, he brought the grill, tons of food, beer and good music. We brought our cornhole boards, so we were all set.

Ready to tailgate!

She is so competitive and had her game face on during the girls vs. boys cornhole game.

Michael prefers the overhand toss.

Michael was NOT happy about losing to the girls in a close game. Mike had to pull him aside and calm him down.

Somebody sulking in the 4Runner.

After a few minutes with new buddy, Dave (a tailgate regular) and he was all smiles again.

They had so much fun!

She's going to be an expert tailgater by the time she's a teenager.

Some of us - yours truly (I'm in desperate need of a haircut), Mike, Dave and Rick.

Michael dancing to "Renegade" or some other tailgate-worthy music.

Mike's mom stopped by with her husband Rich!


Doing a height check. At 7, Taylor has made it to G-ma N's shoulders!



We walked over to Heinz Field and got to our seats in the endzone just in time to see the Steelers score on their first series. The kids went nuts, waving their Terrible Towels. How lucky were they that their first NFL touchdown happened basically right in front of them?

Yay - we made it!

She has the towel waving thing down pat.


Oh my gosh, she was so excited!


He was literally awestruck the first 30 minutes of the game - eyes wide and smiling!

The boys!

The girls!


A family favorite - Troy Polamalu, aka "FWOOM"!

Mike was a trooper and drove the entire way home. The kids got on their jammies in the parking lot and slept the entire way. We had a wonderful time together as a family. Definitely one of the highlights of our summer!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

The 1st Day of 1st Grade

Taylor's first day of 1st grade was Wednesday, something she's been looking forward to for the last few weeks. She couldn't wait to get back to her friends and favorite teachers.

Her teacher this year is Mrs. Walker. She didn't know a lot about her, but realized she kind of looks like her uber sweet preschool teacher, Mrs. Washburn, which convinced her that Mrs. Walker will also be a keeper. She does seem really nice and has been at this for awhile, so I think it will be a great year! Taylor is also excited that some of her best friends are in her class. Her awesome kindergarten teacher might have had a hand in that. :)

Traditional first day of school picture with Michael. I had to work in the office Wednesday, so it was also Michael's first day of Susan's for the year. Taylor convinced him that he needed to wear a backpack. Of course, she's too cool to wear hers in pictures these days.

Posing in the blinding morning sun.


Gotta love his bedhead and tired eyes. :)


Back inside, saying good-bye to Champy.


They fight all of the time, but they were sad to spend the day apart.


So excited.

According to the Worm, it was a great week. I'm so happy that she loves school!

Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Kings Island '11

More proof that I'm getting old. We spent 7 1/2 hours walking around Kings Island on Friday and I was so tired that I was ready to go to bed at 8:30 when we got home. The kids? Oh, they were running around in the front yard with their friends and almost cried when I made them come in an hour later.

Yes, we took our annual Kings Island trip just before school starts on Wednesday (Monday for Mike). We had a ton of fun this year. Mike's friend Nick was in town with his daughter and niece so they spent the night here Thursday then followed us down to KI.

Yay! Kings Island!

Stop taking pictures so we can actually go in...

Us with friends!

One part that is new this year is "Dinosaurs Alive". It's an area with giant, life-size robotic dinosaurs and costs an extra $5 per person. I almost said forget it, but got the tickets online at the last minute. It was soooo cool! I was expecting 10 or so dinosaurs, but there were probably over 100 featured over a long winding trail through the woods. The kids were totally impressed and I still think Michael isn't 100% convinced they weren't real.

Look out guys, there's a T-Rex behind you...


They liked this cute Triceratops.

They still prefer the kid-themed part of the park but did ride some bigger rides. It was fun for us because that meant we actually got to ride more rides this year!


It wasn't very crowded. Lines were short!


Michael faking an attitude. This makes me laugh.

Riding the kiddie coaster.

This whip ride is one of their favorites every year.


She convinced Michael to keep his arms up. :)


Cutie.

The kid area is Snoopy-themed. I love Snoopy!

A much-needed ice cream break in the shade.

I take this picture every year at Kings Island. She's growing up on us. She's up past his elbow now.

2010

2009



2008


Somebody else got a picture with Daddy this year, too.


Until next time,

Mommy Kel

Catching Up - Yankees at Reds

When it comes to Major League Baseball, we are a house divided. I grew up in Cincinnati during the Big Red Machine days, so I'm obviously a Reds fan. Mike has always been a Yankees fan. I actually like the Yankees, too, and since our teams are in different leagues, I can usually cheer for both.

But, when it comes to interleague play, I'm all Cincy, baby.

When the Yankees came to town in late June, we just had to catch a game. Taylor, like usual, wants to be like Mom and cheers for the Reds. Michael started out the day cheering hard for the "Weds".

That was until the "Weds" gave up four runs in the first inning and the little stinker turned on us. "Let's go, Ankees!" was his cheer the rest of the game.

The Reds made it interesting and made it 5-3 in the ninth with the tying run at the plate. Taylor was soooo nervous that she could barely watch. Sorry Worm, the boys won this time!


Playing outside the stadium.

He was still cheering for the Reds at this point.

The boys watching batting practice.

The annual cotton candy baseball game photo. :)


The Pear got one too this time and HATED it.

Taylor fearing the inevitable.

Thanks to Mike and eBay, we had great seats. I'm a pretty low maintenance person (if you hadn't guessed by my hair, makeup, attire in most pictures), but I'm spoiled when it comes to sporting seats. Years and years sitting on media row mean I never want to sit in bad seats again. Our seats were right behind home plate. We had padded seats, access to a private scout area and a waitress. It rocked.


The four of us in the cool scout area.


What team do you cheer for?

Until next time,

Mommy Kel