Mattie Poo: Back in the States

Our dearest peach, Mattie Poo Pie, has once again delighted us with his presence!  He came to stay with us from Switzerland for just under a week, see the Buckeyes, and enjoy some good old catch up time with one of his best buds, Brian.

Mattie Poo is a special guy in our household.  When Brian took a job in Scotland in 2006, he moved there not knowing a single person, other than the one who hired him.  Mattie Poo offered Brian a place to stay in his flat.  They introduced each other to their respective countries and traditions.  They became the best of friends.  And the rest is history.

Sometimes when I see these two together it is like the are long lost brothers... Naturally, Mattie Poo fits right in with all of us girls too!  Kate adored having Mattie Poo Pie here with us and once she heard his nickname, there was no turning back!  We heard shouts of it throughout the entire time he was here!  And when he visited Brian's brother, Mike, and Mike's family in New Jersey shortly after he came to visit us, they adopted his nickname quite quickly too!

We were so happy to have Mattie Poo here!  To entertain us, to enjoy all of our massive plates of food, to see the Buckeyes, and to just catch up with a best friend.  We did a lot while he was here, so here is the quick version!

First stop: Brian took Matt to Ohio Stadium.
While in Scotland, Brian's love of the Buckeyes
bled into the heart and soul of Mattie Poo.  He is a
true fan, and I think the Buckeyes were the main
reason for his visit!

Mattie enjoys some Sofia the First with Kate after
her bath!  She was enamored with Matthew!

American burgers...

While Matt and Brian were recovering on Sunday morning from the Buckeye game the night before, I took Kate and Maya to Sky Zone to get our jump on!

She's a jumpin' fool!

And a tumblin' fool!

Getting her bounce on:

Conquering the foam pit with NO FEAR:

That face says it all!

Foam pit fun!

Dodge ball fun!

Maya's not entirely sure what to think of this place.
She and I sat on the sidelines!

Also, I feel like I look like I'm 14 years old in this
photo.  Must be the angle and the lighting.
Look at me!  Taking a selfie at my first baby
sitting gig!!!

Later that afternoon, Kate was doing some marshmallow crafting and Mattie Poo and Daddy were very interested!

Mattie Poo Pie is the best!

Marshmallowing a ghost!

Pause for the pumpkin.  Taste test...

Daddy was so intrigued so I made him a spider.

He is so proud of his work...

On Monday, Brian had to work, so Kate, Maya, and I took Mattie Poo to the zoo!  He loved it!  And it was a Monday so we more or less had the place to ourselves!!!

Riding the train in North America!

Feeding giraffes!

Checking out the polar bear!

And the brown bear!  These bears were massive!

Riding the carousel with Mattie!

She picked him to go with her.

I'd say it was a huge success!

Showing Mattie Poo the enormous playground and
running back to the entrance to get back to the top
of the green slide!

And, of course, our stop at the bronze kimono dragon
with a little sit on it's head...

On Monday night, Brian and Matt headed out to see one of Matt's favorite bands, The Maccabees.  The Maccabees are a lot more popular in the UK and Europe, so seeing them in this intimate setting was incredible...according to Matt!

They even met the lead on the left!  Aka, Matt's man crush.

At the end of Matt's visit, we all didn't want him to leave.  We are 100% fine with a live in house guest like him!  We love you, Mattie Poo, and hope to see you soon!  Thanks for making the trek!!!

These two were best buds!

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!

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.

Apple Picking on a Buckeye Saturday

Today we joined several coworkers of mine and helped pick apples at a nearby orchard for charity.  All of the apples that we picked, except for the one bag that we were allowed to bring home with us, are going to be distributed to local food banks throughout Ohio.  It feels great knowing that we were able to donate our time and labor and help those that are less fortunate and we were extremely impressed when we saw how many apples we were all able to pick together!  Those local food banks are definitely going to get a good stock of healthy, crisp apples!

The morning was cool and definitely felt like fall, so in addition to doing a good deed, we also checked off one of the quintessential fall activities: apple picking!  Kate thoroughly enjoyed eating a whole perfectly Kate-sized apple!  And I can assure you that we are going to enjoy eating our bag of apples!

Our first apple pickin' adventure as a family!

Brian dons the apple bag and starts filling!

While Kate and I get situated with a pint-sized apple!

Apple pickers!

Kate goes in for the pick of her very first apple!

Brian starts to pick this plethora of apples!

There were so many apples to pick from!

The Hendu's at the apple orchard!

The whole crew!

In addition to our apple picking, we also had the pleasure of attending a very special backyard tailgate for the Ohio State game where Brutus himself and several Ohio State cheerleaders came and cheered on the Buckeyes!  It was like a mini pep-rally in one of Brian's friend's backyards!  The kids absolutely loved seeing Brutus and this was Kate's first legitimate meeting!  We know her future holds many more Brutus photos but there is something so very special about the first one!

Kate, meet Brutus.  Brutus, meet Kate.
You can tell by her expression that she is
just thrilled to be in his arms...

The Hendu's with Brutus.

Brutus enjoys some free play before the game!

Go Bucks!

SO, apple picking?  Check.  A win for the Buckeyes?  Check.  Starting the autumn off right?  Check, Check, CHECK!  Fall is most definitely upon us!