First Buckeye Tailgate

Brian loves him some Ohio State Buckeyes.  They are his world.  He lives and breathes them.  It doesn't matter what sport, but he especially loves their football team.  They are his team.  And to have his two girls at his tailgate...well, he had his whole world in his hands!

We took Kate down to her very first Ohio State tailgate yesterday!  Brian was so proud of his girl - his little girl!  She is totally a fan and I think it melts his heart when she says, "GO BUCKEYES!"

Nonetheless, she was adorable as usual and we enjoyed the fall football Saturday!  And, if we're being honest, I kind of think I'm becoming a fan too...and not just by marriage.  Go Bucks!

Scarlet and gray...and pink!

The classic "upppee" pose!

The Hendu Three at the Shoe!

Of course you can't tailgate without some cookies!

I heart this!

Mini red solo and waiting for the band!

She is totally a fan!

Bites

Ok.  These are the cutest little moments that I have to share.  Two is such an adorable age!  This is our life right now.  I love her.

She loves her some applesauce!

And loves adding in her cinnamon sugar!

And loves stirring it around!  It is seriously the cutest thing ever!

New Albany Classic

Mary, Brian's Mom, scored some VIP tickets to the New Albany Classic this year and we were all up for a fun family fall day at the horse show!  This event is pretty impressive.  It is the primary fundraiser for a charity and, to my knowledge, the majority of the food, events, entertainment, etc, are all donated.  Plus, it is held on Sir Wexner's property which is very impressive to say the least!

First stop, the petting zoo where we met us a horse!

"Pop" in hand and checking out the bunnies!

We also got to see and pet this buck-tooth llama.
Yes, I think that is it's scientific name.

We got to pet a zebra too!

First carousel ride ever!

Must be documented!

She LOVED it!

Ok, this little bounce house slide had an area that
you jumped in and then an area that you had to climb
up to get to the slide.  Kate loved jumping but had a hard
time climbing.  These two little boys helped her and she
was able to slide down.  It was the cutest thing and she,
again, LOVED the slide!

Decorating our pumpkin from the pumpkin patch!

It was a beautiful fall day and we thoroughly enjoyed the food, the fun, the pumpkins, the rides, and most dearly the company!  Thank you, Mary, for tickets!!!

Indoor Pool Fun

After a lovely apple picking day yesterday, we decided to continue the fun and spend the morning at the pool!  Brian belongs to the Ohio State gym and on weekends there is a family pool option where he can bring his whole fam in!  We hopped in the car and made a morning out of it!

Testing out the slide!  She LOVED this!

Our little cutie!

All is good if Mommy is around!

And all is good with me if Kate is around!

Doing it by herself!

Attempting to climb out of the pool...

Love her!

The amazing thing about going to the pool is the amazing nap that follows.  I don't think we made it five minutes down the street before she had fallen asleep.  And Kate slept hard for her nap!  What is it about pools and chlorine that does this?!

After a good morning swim and a great nap, we headed to the mall for a bit of shopping!

She's a natural.

I'd say we've had a fun weekend!  Apple picking, family time, pool time, shopping.  Yes, a very fun weekend!

Lynd's Fruit Farm

We have had many encounters with Lynd's Fruit Farm and this place continues to impress!  We had our engagement photos shot here and we went apple picking with our pup in 2010!  When we went apple picking last year, we were helping out for a charity at the Wexner orchard.  (High class, people!)  This year, we decided to pick and pursue our fall apple picking adventure back at Lynd's!

The day was overcast with the sun peeking out at various moments.  It was chilly and really windy!  Kate loved being able to pick apples and eat them right off of the tree!  It was the cutest thing watching her.  She has grown so much in the last year and each and every day continues to amaze me.

We decided to pick Honeycrisp apples this year since they are undoubtedly the BEST apples EVER and we were not disappointed!  It was busy, but we've got our fill of apples and had a wonderful fall day doing it!

BEST.APPLES.EVER.
Hands down!

Our little apple eater!  She LOVED being able
to pick apples and eat them!

Family photo!  Kate was too busy eyeing the next apple she was
planning on picking to look at the camera!

This might be my favorite photo ever!

And this one cracks me up!  It was SOOO windy so Kate is bracing
herself/giggling in the wind gust and I am attempting to maintain
my composure which I am failing miserably at.

This was the epitome of our overcast, chilly, fall day!
(Plus huge wind gusts...)

A stop at the Lynd's market and a photo op on this
humongo red chair!

Add Mommy for fun!

And an apple for the road!
Girlfriend was in heaven!

Making traditions like this for our family is one thing that I love to do.  Whether or not we pick at Lynd's each year, I hope to continue to make this a fall must do that we all look forward to!

Happy Fall, y'all!

A Game Six Years in the Making

When Brian and I met six years ago in 2008, we discussed college football.  (If you know anything about my husband you know he is obsessed with college football, and, more specifically, obsessed with Ohio State College football.  I am not exaggerating.)  During one of our meetings six years ago, we discussed that I went to Virginia Tech.  Brian informed me that one day Ohio State would play Virginia Tech in college football.  When we he looked at the schedule, we he found out it would be six years later, in 2014, and promptly let me know to keep that date open...  At the time, 2014 seemed so far from 2008, but six years went by fast and here we are, in 2014.

An OSU fan and a VT fan at some point in the game!

So last night we attended the game six years in the making: Ohio State versus Virginia Tech.  The game was here in Columbus, OH at Ohio Stadium and next year Ohio State will play Virginia Tech again but in Blacksburg, VA.  A home game for each team and then that is it, for now.  Virginia Tech and Ohio State are in different divisions, so while they won't play each other every year, they will this year and next.  I'm sure there's some sort of scientific explanation for this that Brian could elaborate on for you but that is about the extent to which I care to get involved in.

Speaking of extents of involvement, let me explain my thoughts on college football: I am pretty happy when the season is over because I usually get tired of hearing about college football and/or hearing the games on our TV in the background on the weekends and/or rearranging plans because so and so is playing so and so and it's going to be "a great game".  I don't mind a game here or there, but I don't have the devotion or the love of one specific team to be a hardcore fan, like my husband...or the rest of the people in central Ohio for that matter.  Plus, 9 times out of 10, I'd much rather be doing something else than watching football on the tele...

This game was more of an obligation.  We had been discussing this game off and on (read: building up the comradery) for six years!  I had to go.  To be honest, I thought Ohio State would blow Virginia Tech out of the water.  The Virginia Tech Hokies are often referred to as the "Chokies" because they get down to the end of the game ahead or close to winning and end up losing.

Just hanging out at the tailgate prior to the game!

In the beginning of the game, I remember thinking of how pretty the sky looked from the sunset.  And at one point in the third quarter, I remember seeing an airplane in the sky above and I swore the lights were flashing in sync with 'Hang On Sloopy' that the Ohio State band was playing.  (This is my involvement in the game.)  Meanwhile, Brian was sitting on the edge of his seat, along with the rest of the 100,000+ people stadium because it was a really close game.

I even took this picture of the sky because it was so pretty.

Close to around the same time I must've said something smart because without even turning to look at me Brian said, "Zip it, Missy.".  I don't even remember what I said - probably something about "may the better school win" or something like that.  Surprisingly enough, Virginia Tech went on to win - 35-21.  I was even shocked at the outcome.  Ohio Stadium was silent last night, and Brian was not happy about this loss.  Given the fact that I could've cared less either way, it would've made my life easier and more enjoyable if the Buckeyes had won.  But, unfortunately for them, they didn't.

That small little section of orange and maroon was THE ONLY
section cheering of the ENTIRE stadium.

I imagine at the game next year, Ohio State will find a way to blow Virginia Tech out of the water but having the bragging rights for the next year of who really has the better school has kind of made this football season worth it!  I know this win won't last for long but you had better believe that I'm going to silently bask in the win of all wins.

This was the game that mattered - and I won.  (At least that's how I look at it!)

Bri and me.  One has a forced smile, one does not.  You be the judge
on who is who.

Following a Dream: Eco-Center

I used to work with a girl named, Emily.  Emily is my age and while we were at work we talked about our dreams and aspirations sometimes.  During one of these conversations Emily told me about one of her dreams of starting her own business for an outdoor educational play area for children.  I was in full support of this because of the amazing time that we had at Saunders Farm on our trip to Ottawa.

Emily ended up leaving the company to pursue her dream, and that is exactly what she did.  Not even a year later, she opened Eco-Center, and Kate and I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening today!  There was a corn bin to play in, a hay maze with a slide, lots of outdoor activities and learning areas, lots of fall decor, and a bit of food to choose from!  Kate and I had a blast exploring Eco-Center and even though it is over an hour away from us I am sure that we will be making this one of our Fall stops!

First stop: the corn bin!

We LOVED the corn bin!

We played in it the longest of all the activities!

And I found corn in places I didn't know existed for the rest of the day!

Diaper included!

Corn baby!

Saying hi to the goats!

Some Eco-animals made from recycled materials.

Cutie!

This tall this fall!

More than anything I am so proud and impressed by Emily.  It's not everyday that you hear someone talk about something so spectacular and then actually do it.  Her perseverance and determination is definitely something to be admired and we will fully support the rest of her decisions for Eco-Center!