Thunder 2010

Sorry these pictures and events are a little out of order - blogger is not cooperating with my arranging today! Enjoy!!!

The Balloon Glimmer

Eating Ice Cream while covering her ears because the balloons are "too loud"

Who says a 7 month old can't have ice cream! HA

"Too loud mama!"

This is the best that family pics get these days -

not everyone can be happy or looking at the same time!

Another Thunder has come and gone and it was Wonderful!!! Grandma Denise and Papa Knute came down on Friday and we played with the kids and relaxed Friday night. Saturday we headed downtown to Slugger Field. We watched the Bats game - which I'm so glad to say my daughter still loves baseball. And she now even cheers for the Bats instead of the other team most of the time! She had a great time and we heard "Where's Buddy - where'd he go" over and over again (the mascot). Grandma, Papa Emma (and a sleeping Chase) even were on TV here during the game. Emma was a little unsure of the loud airplanes during the air show - but enjoyed seeing them. She has been running outside everyday since then saying "Airplane? Where airplane? Pretty airplanes." After the air show we headed over to my office party for a while and took in the sights from the 16th floor of the Waterfront Plaza - Great view for indoor viewing of Thunder I might add! Then we walked around downtown and headed back to Slugger to relax before the big fireworks.

Grandma and Chase having a little fun before Fireworks!

Chase was happy all day - what a cutie pie!!!

Emma hanging out trying on sunglasses on the deck.

Each year I wonder if it's really worth the Very long day to see an hour of fireworks - and then after the show - YES - TOTALLY WORTH IT! They were AMAZING!!! And the view from Slugger is one of the best in the city! We have our own seats that we don't have to fight to keep all day, we have the inside club area to sit in comfy chairs and relax and play with the kids. Just an all around great day. We didn't have even one meltdown from either of the kids and I think they really enjoyed it.

Now each year - right after the fire works I say - Yes - it's worth it. But the drive home is a different story. I live a little over 20 mintues from Slugger Field. It took us almost 3 Hours to get home. UGH! And Chase was Not happy about getting into the car to sit in traffic at midnight! Oh well - it still was a great day.

Sunday we hung out with Grandma and Papa. Emma got a fever Sunday afternoon that wiped her out - so she spent most of the night just cuddling with Papa and Grandma. She was up most of the night that night and then I stayed home with her on Monday. She was pitiful and watched movies all day. Tuesday we were home again - but feeling much better.

The following 2 weeks brought many Derbyfestival events and we took the kids down twice - once to see the Balloon Glimmer. Emma loved running around, eating corndogs and watching the balloons blow up - but wasn't so happy when they started making noise to keep that hot air going! All in all - we had 2 wonderful nights down at the waterfront and hanging out with the kids and a busy 2 weeks getting ready for Derby!!!

A Look Back at Thunder!

Okay - so I was remembering all the years of Thunder earlier today and decided to to a blog post on a look back at Thunder Over Louisville since Emma was born. This is her 3rd Thunder this year and it's amazing how it seems like just yesterday was her 1st!

So if you don't know - Thunder Over Louisville is an all day event followed by a 2 week long event called Derbyfestival which ends in the Kentucky Derby! It's huge here - and a TON of fun. Thunder takes place down on the river at the Waterfront and Hundreds of Thousands of poeple show up and spend the day watching an air show and eating and drinking all day. That night there is a fireworks show - which is the nations largest fireworks display. It is pretty amazing to tell the truth.

Emma was not even 2 months old when she beared the cold of her first Thunder. she was bundled in a snow suit (which was huge on her!) and 2 sleepers and a hat under her hood. On top of that she was placed in her stroller with blankets on her and completely enclosed in her stroller so no wind could get to her. It was COLD!!! We only decided to go down because Zach's hotel room faced the waterfront and the fireworks. So we went in and out all day to keep warm. It was a lot of fun.

Me, Zach and Emma braving the cold - you can barely see that little thing in there all bundled up! I had soo many stares saying "Really - you brought a newborn out in the cold weather???" I won the "Bad Parent of the Year" award from many passer-byers!

Here she is sleeping - we had to open her up when we got inside because she was sweating!!!

All Smiles with Grandma and Grandpa - all warm and ready for fireworks - we had a GREAT view in the hotel!

Emma's second Thunder was last year and we took her buddy Collin with us as well. (When I say we - I mean my mom and dad and I - Zach has worked every Thunder since 2005.) Collin was around 5 months old and Emma was a little over a year. They had a great time and we had GREAT weather. We watched the baseball game - which Em loved, but the air show - not so much! And she cried through most of the fireworks unless inside where the noise wasn't so loud!

You'd think this was after - but no - it was actually right Before we left to head downtown for Thunder!!! Notice she's got her shoes in her hands all ready to go!

What a big girl! She's such a cutie!

And Big Boy Collin!!! He did great all day that day!

So this year - Mom and Dad are headed back down for the third year. I'm so excited, but a little nervous about how cold it is going to be (it's goign to be in the 50's and 60's). Hopefully we'll have a great time and have more pictures of another wonderful Thunder. Check back next week!

Happy Easter

She's an amazing Easter Egg Hunter!

Mommy and her babies!

Daddy and Crazy Girl Emma!

We had the best Easter and all around best day I could have asked for yesterday! We got up and went to church at Christ Lutheran in Louisville. We really have found a "home" here and enjoy going to this church. After church we went to Starbucks and had coffe and chocolate milk and then headed home to see if the Easter Bunny had come. Emma is a Rock Star Easter egg hunter - she loves Easter! Then we had a light lunch, naps and Zach and I got some yard work done. We had an AMAZING Easter dinner and then played outside in the beautiful 80 degree weather until bedtime. Oh - on a funnier note - Chase got a Zhu Zhu hampster for Easter - if you have kids and don't have one of these - get one! It is too cute. Emma is scared to death of it - she wants to watch it but won't get near it and runs to be held when it comes near her. Chase loves it though and gets a kick out of trying to catch it as it zooms by!

Dying Easter Eggs

Gotta love those Peeps!

This one is Just for Grandma Debi!

Lots has happened since our last post. The kids are back in daycare full-time and LOVING it! Grandma Donna, Grandpa Randy and Aunt Grace came and visited for a long weekend. We had a great visit and the kids got some cool new toys - Emma might be the next Tiger (the golf part - not the scandal side!) after a little more practice with her new clubs. And oh - the bubbles. We're all about bubbles again this summer! Unfortunately - we got everyone sick with our stomach bug - sorry guys!

Grandma Randy, Grandma Donna and Aunt Grace and us - we had a great time with you guys - can't wait to see you again!

Zach's been running a lot lately. He just finished the 3rd leg of the Tripple Crown of Racing here in Louisville. He ran each one in less time than his goal and is on a great pace to run the Derbyfestival Mini-Marathon here in a few more weeks. His dedication is amazing and running has been a great outlet to his crazy work and home life right now.

Our biggest news comes in the form of new jobs for both of us. Zach is officially the GM of the new downtown arena that is being built. He has been working on this project for quite some time now and we'll hopefully see it open early in October - 10-10-10 they're saying...but officially it's a November opening. He's VERY busy running Slugger as well as taking over the arena, but hopefully he'll soon only have to worry about the arena. I have fallen right back into the working world with my new job and am loving being back. I work for a CPA firm called Strothman & Company in downtown Louisville. I'm loving being back at work and really like my new company. It's a very good place to work with wonderful people. I'm doing thier HR and Marketing and have hit the ground running. With it being tax time - we are at our "most productive" time of the year and things are really hectic there. I'm loving it!

Big Boy and his Tractor book! Thanks Grandpa Knute!!!

Chase is Such a big boy these days. He is growing like crazy and doing something new every day. He sits up like a big boy and is SOOO close to crawling! He is also getting very good at push-ups while trying to figure out how to crawl! He's eating more and more new things every day and is all around a happier baby now that he can sit up.

Chase playing outside - in his death trap as Naomi and Peter call it! And Yes - we've blocked all stairs so there is no chance of falling (being pushed) off of them!

How can you resist a cutie pie like this!

Emma is loving being back at daycare and every day she comes home and tells us she took a nap at school. Now I don't know what they do differently - but good for them! She is learning new things every day. She now even includes "7" after 6 when counting to 10 - but now 14 comes after 10...we're working on it! And did you know "Twinkle Twinkle" is a 30 minute song! She is amazing in every way. She still really knows what she wants but is getting better at reasoning instead of throwing a tantrum.

Emma on her new motorcycle! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!!!

Aren't they cute! They love to play together...or should I say Emma loves to play with Chase. Chase is a little hesitant when she hurls him across the deck!

That's enough for one post - sorry it's been so long. It took us a while to get settled into our new roles with two working parents again and as soon as we did our computer crashed. And I mean it wouldn't even turn on! So thankfully - I have some very wonderful techs at work. I owe them! Now we have a brand new computer since they had to completely re-do the entire thing! (I'm pretty sure the guy had never seen what happend before!)

Hope everyone had a good Easter! Check back in the next few weeks for more great photos - it's almost May and that means Thunder, Derbyfestival and Derby for all of us here in Louisville! We can't Wait!!!

Happy Birthday Emma!

So there is a TON going on these days. Most importantly - Miss Emma turned 2! We had a Great Valentines Day and Birthday. We started the birthday weekend off by Grandma Debi arriving on Friday morning. We picked her up at the airport and then went out to lunch with Zach. The rest of the day we spent at home playing. On Saturday Zach headed out early for another race - he did great even with the snow and ice and ran a 4 mile race (which was cut down to 3.6 because of the ice in the park). Then we went to lunch and then split up to do a little more birthday shopping. On Saturday night, Grandma Debi, Emma and Chase had heart shaped pizza and watched a movie while Zach and I went out for a Valentines dinner alone. It was GREAT and much needed time away. Sunday - Valentines Day and Birthday day - we woke up and ate pink heart shaped pancakes (thanks Daddy) and then got all ready for the big party!

She loves books!

How exciting - a new water and sand toy!

Emma with her boyfriend Collin!

Blowing out the big candle

Yum - Cake!!!

Dakota, Amber and Emma eating cake and ice cream

Grandma Debi and Emma doing new puzzles

Chase and Daddy cuddling

Balloons - the Best gift Ever!

Grandma Debi and the kids (my flash is no longer working - ugh)

Emma got some great presents including a swing, her 1st barbie, books, puzzles, a marker board and much more. But I think we all should have saved our money and just got her balloons. They have been the big hit so far! We had a huge cupcake cake, cupcakes and a heart shaped cake for her birthday. Emma had a great time playing with her boyfriend Collin and Amber and Dakota and loved opening up all her gifts and eating cake and ice cream.

It's hard to believe that she's 2. Time has gone by so quickly. She's such a big girl these days and I can't imagine life without her. Hope you enjoy the pictures from our weekend and thanks to everyone for the gifts and making her birthday special. We love you all. We'll update more later after her 2 year old visit and let you all know how big she is (or little). We're suposed to go in today - but with the snow we're getting it might be postponed. We'll see!!! Enjoy!

Emma playing with Playdough - one of our new favorite activities!

St. Louis Trip

Emma and Aunt Carrie swimming

Well - we made it! I took Emma and Chase to St Louis last Thursday to meet up with my mom and dad, Carrie, Allison and Andrew and baby Tyler. We decided to make a family trip when I found out that Zach was headed to the Superbowl for 9 days and I was going to be stuck at home - did I mention the 9 days...ugh - that's a long time! So anyway, everyone decided to meet me in St Louis since I decided that 5 hours was as far as I could go with 2 kids under the age of 2 by myself. Yes - by myself. I was feeling slightly crazy as I packed the car the night before and neither kid made it easy to get everything done and out the door on Thursday. But both kids were AMAZING in the car both ways!!! We stopped at one rest stop on the way to change diapers and feed Chase and then I had to stop quickly for gas. But those were the only stops and there was not any crying or anything the WHOLE trip!

Aunt Carrie relaxing with Chase and Emma

Aunt Carrie met us Thursday night at the hotel and we went swimming and ate pizza before Grandma Denise and Grandpa Knute got there. Emma was up until at least 11 pm every night, but was a champ with little crying and fits during the day. And I have to admit - I enjoyed the cuddling at night even though I got kicked most of the night! Friday we went shopping while Grandpa Knute watched Emma - I think she wore Grandpa out more than he did her - but they were both trying to nap when we got back! Friday night Aunt Allison, Uncle Drew and baby Tyler met us for dinner and swimming. Saturday we went to my Aunt Ruth's house to eat pizza and play. We had a great time catching up with our cousins and the kids all did pretty well! After that we did a little more swimming and just hung out at the hotel.

Emma napping after playing with Grandpa




Emma putting George to bed with her and Grandpa


We had Emma's birthday with my family and she Loved opening gifts - of course. She got some great stuff including more Clifford books and a new big wheel motorcycle and colors for the bath! She was not so thrilled with our singing of Happy Birthday - she ran screaming and covering her ears...I guess we're not that good of singers??? And really didn't want to blow out any candles - but we ate cake anyway!



New Shoes - she really likes them - Thanks Grandma and Grandpa

It was a great trip - but most of all we REALLY REALLY miss our Daddy! We can't wait to see him this afternoon. Now - snow snow go away - come again another day - or at least after 4 pm! How's that for a little positive thinking mom?!!? Get home soon Zach - we miss you and I'm really tired!!!

Emma Loved the pool - so that's where we spent a lot of time. She is such a water baby! I Love it! She learned to swim on her own (with her life jacket of course)! What a Big Girl!!!

I wrote this all last night and now this morning it looks like the snow didn't cooperate. We've got 4 inches - which for you Iowa people is nothing but it will completely shut down Louisville since it's still snowing now at 8 AM. Don't think this is going to help get our Daddy home - but we're still crossing our fingers!!!

Always Something Going On...

So there is always something going on - but I guess not much to write about recently. Zach was out of town for 4 days for national meeting and is now back out of town again working the Superbowl. Great for him in warm and sunny Miami - Bad for us stuck here in the house since it's cold outside! We miss him and can't wait for him to come back home, but we're enjoying the short videos he's sending us!

So recently Chase has really started to grow. He Loves sitting in the walker and jumper now and wants to stand all the time. He is very tickelish under his arms and is a screamer - but I guess that's the only way we'd hear him over all Emma's talking. He's eating lots of baby food (squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, carrots, applesauce, yougert and cereal) and really loves it. He is still not sleeping through the night but is getting better. He also still eats every 2-3 hours during the day even with the extra baby food so I'm anxious to see how much he has grown by his 6 mo check-up.

Chase in his Walker

Doesn't he look so big!

Emma helping Daddy feed Chase - she's not too bad at it!

Emma is in full "Terrible 2" mode. She knows exactly what she wants and isn't affraid to tell you. She is resisting naps frequently - mostly because she can find plenty to do in her room instead of sleeping. She's showing all signs of getting ready to potty train and does go on the "big girl potty" but not consistently. She loves playing in the snow with Zach and had her 1st hot chocolate last weekend after being out to scoop the driveway. She thought she was pretty big! Even though she is a little crazy girl and sometimes naughty - she is a very sweet and loving girl as well. She is really good with Chase and truely loves him. She is always making sure he has toys and doesn't like to see him cry. She is doing great with her numbers and colors and every day amazes me with something new she can do. (I'm wondering who is teaching her all this stuff because I know I'm not that good of a Mommy!Hehe)

Emma making snow angels

Shoveling with the dust pan!

Pretty Snow!

She loves playing in the snow!

We love you and miss you Daddy -

Come home soon!!!