All Star Game 2012 ~ Part 2

The fourth and final day was the actual All Star Game. After tailgating we made our way into the stadium early to get a good spot to watch the players warm up. We were really close to the MLB Network and watched many top players get interviewed there, as well as other areas. It was a little disappointing that players were not signing autographs (and some weren't even acknowledging the fans) which we are still a little confused about. But that aside, it was an awesome experience. And I got to see Chipper Jones (my favorite player who is retiring this year) really close. Oh yeah, and he talked to a few of us as he was going into the dug out. I was giddy with excitement and the hubby and Braves fans we happened to be standing next to were thrilled too! 

The game wasn't that exciting since the National league killed the American league. However, the whole environment and fact that we were at the All Star Game and seeing some of the best players was awesome. Get ready for picture overload...

 Great spot to people watch behind the National League's dug out

 Joe Mauer and Billy Butler getting interviewed on MLB Network

 Chipper Jones, Dan Uggla, and Bryce Harper! They walked out right in front of us from the dug out.

 Chipper getting interviewed

 Whelp, I got my picture taken with Chipper. Sort of...

 Erin Andrews

The hubby got this shot on his phone ~ This was when Chipper said, "Hey guys! What's up?" :)

 Opening ceremony (though it's horrible quality and I don't know what's up with the weird coloring..)

 We were all given shirts to wear so the stadium looked like a giant flag

 Announcing the rosters and starting line-ups

 End of the game ~ We had a blast!

All Star Game 2012 ~ Part 1

The hubby and I scored the hottest tickets in Kansas City this summer and two weeks ago attended the MLB All Star Game and many festivities. Being the baseball fanatics that we are, this was very exciting! I mean, baseball is what brought us together. ;) This was definitely a big check on our things to do, and we had the best four days, even in the heat of July. Here are three of the four days.

Saturday ~ Fanfest

 Rollie Fingers ~ Hall of Famers signing autographs

Home Run Derby trophy

 Fountains dyed blue with the ASG sign ~ me and the hubby

Sunday ~ Fanfest (again), Futures Game, and Celebrity Softball Game

 Joe Carter

 The hubby getting his autograph

 The stadium looked fabulous!

 Eric Stonestreet ~ KSU alum and my fav

Mike Sweeney

 It was so fun to see all the celebs and baseball legends. Bill Self was there (though he's so not a celeb in my book) and hit a home run. It was pretty funny because it was literally a mix of booing and cheering throughout the stadium. I did a little booing (in between laughing at the "cheering" chaos) while the hubby was cheering away. The guy next to us gave us the strangest look. Haha - house divided!

Monday ~ Workout Day and Home Run Derby

 

 We saw the Budweiser horses and pup (who was apparently exhausted)

 Walking around ~ again, the stadium looked incredible

 The blimp was up there the entire day Monday and Tuesday

 All Stars working out and getting interviewed

 My first sighting of Chipper Jones!! (White sunglasses with his boys)

 So excited (and hot and sweaty) for the HR Derby

 Zach Brown Band ~ They did an amazing job. Country music and baseball. What's more American than that?

 Three of the eight participating in the HR Derby

 Winner!

Here is a video of the entire stadium booing Robinson Cano and chanting Billy Butler. It was kind of sad (you can sort of hear me say at one point "I feel bad") and a little funny and showed how true our fans are. Seriously, the guy lied and acted like it was nothing. I like to think the country learned a little lesson about us "Midwestern folk". We are very kind people, but we are also very loyal people.

 

Stay tuned for part 2 of the final, most important, and most exciting day, All Star Game day...

Veggie Pesto Pizza & A Blog Makeover

First off, props to the hubby who made my blog look beautiful. Being married to a web developer does come in handy you know. ;)

Tonight I made a delicious (if I do say so myself, and I do!) meal that I found the other day while searching for healthy, easy meals. The hubby has been on a health kick lately and since I am now officially on summer break (summer school ended Friday hallelujah!!), I decided to oblige and do something to help. AKA cook something besides our four or five go-to meals or picking up Chick-fil-A. I found a recipe called Roasted Veggie Pizza with Pesto, and it sounded very yummy and doable.

First up, the pesto:

 Basil, olive oil, garlic, and a food processor

I was quite proud of myself for making my very own pesto. It was super easy too! While cooking, I reminded my hubby that a year ago today we were on our flight to Rome to start our Italian adventure. So, is it ironic we had pesto (something we ate a lot of there) a year later? I think not!

Next, I chopped up a bunch of veggies (bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, and mushrooms), put them on a cooking sheet, drizzled olive oil, salt, and pepper on them, and let them bake for about 15 minutes, giving them a little toss every five minutes or so. We used a Betty Crocker "just add water" packet for our homemade (ha!) pizza dough. Then I added the pesto, veggies, mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, and voila! Easy and so tasty!

 Delizioso! Magnifico!!

I got the recipe (that I mostly followed) here. Enjoy!

Lately

School's out and the nights roll in
Man, just like a long lost friend
You ain't seen in a while
And can't help but smile...

 Perfect song on the radio
Sing along 'cause it's one we know
It's a smile, it's a kiss
It's a sip of wine, it's summertime
Sweet summertime

Summer is here and, as it tends to do, is flying by. It's been a great, busy, and exciting summer so far. Here's what I've been up to...

1. I've been teaching summer school, AND I got a new teaching position. My dream job. I will be moving to middle school to be a 7th grade reading teacher in August, and I couldn't be happier. I have never been more excited for summer to fly by. That's crazy talk though!! This is while I was packing up my old room. The end of a great chapter.

 2. Royal's games. We've been to a few games and can hardly wait until the All Star Game festivities in just a few weeks!!

 3. Buzz Beach Ball concert. My favorites were Kimbra ("I wanna settle down...") and...

 (3. continued) Foster the People.

 4. Attempting to take better care of our yard especially in this summer heat...and trying to get the dogs to play in the sprinklers. "Heck no dad!"

 5. Pool time with my sister. We take beverages and burn tan and talk for hours. Love it!

 6. Softball. The hubby is in a summer softball league with some work buddies, so this is how we spend our Thursday evenings. It makes me reminisce when I used to watch him play in high school. :) Oh sweet memories.

 7. Hellooo Kansas summer! Highs will be in the 90s all week, and the girls love sun bathing on the deck. Then they come inside and lay on the floor panting for about 10 minutes. Crazy Beagles.

And to close, my favorite, favorite summer song.  

 Summertime, by Kenny Chesney

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Snake Eggs

Have you ever seen rattle snake eggs?

I was asked this question yesterday when I went to my parents house and was talking with my dad and papa.

"Nope, and I don't care to look." You see, I am terrified, terrified of snakes.

After much convincing that my papa had owned them for a long time (aka there's no way they were going to hatch and pop out at me) and that I could take pictures for this dang blog...well, I looked.


........


BUZZ! POP! POP! Screeeaaaammm!!

Yep, they got me.

 The "snake eggs"

  A bobby pin, button, and rubber band

Apparently growing up with no brothers and in the city wasn't always to my advantage. And the fact that I am gullible. And I will do anything (like look at stinkin' snake eggs) for a good picture. 

Nice trick. You definitely got me. And my mom, and my sister, and the dogs... Boys!


 

Graduation

My sister graduated last weekend from Kansas State. It was such a fun and exciting day, and I was a proud big sister. I am definitely getting sentimental and much more emotional in my "older" years. Yes, I even shed a few tears. I think no matter how old my sister gets, I will always be protective, see her as my baby sister, and act like her second mother bossing her around. Seriously, when we're 87 and 82, I will still be telling her what to do. Don't worry, she loves all my wonderful advice.;)

The day started off with a quick drive West with my mom, dad, and papa (who had flown in from Texas) to the Little Apple. My sister and three of her four roommates were graduating, so they had a little party going on with all kinds of food and drinks for all their family and friends.

 The grads

 Pretty roomies - these girls are seriously the sweetest ever

Sisters!

 My family minus my hubby

My dad and sister - he looks so proud :)

After a quick bite to eat, my grandparents and aunt and uncle showed up and we were off to Bramlage for the ceremony. To be honest, it was a long and boring ceremony. My sister and I were texting back and forth and laughing that we were both even on Facebook at one point, lol. But once my sister's name was called, I was suddenly choking back the tears. 

 Bag pipes to start the ceremony

 Walking in

 There's me taking her picture - I love that my dad captured this moment of the two of us

 She did it!

 After the ceremony with Grandma Greenough, Mom, Brett & Jo Spear (good family friends who came out too), and Papa

 Bill Snyder Stadium behind us

 My sister's good friend Karen - they have been friends since elementary school :)

After the ceremony, we took the typical K-State sign pictures and then went to dinner at the Little Apple Brewery. Yum!!

 This was extra special for me because I never got to do this for my graduation due to an ice storm that prevented me from going to my graduation ceremony. I love that we got to do this together. :)

 Family dinner celebration - we are all so proud!

I am so happy for my sister and wish her the best of luck as she begins grad school in just a few weeks. She is going to be a marriage and family therapist, and I know she will be amazing and love this job; she's also very good at giving her big sister good advice. I love you sissy and good luck!

My sister-in-law also graduated from grad school last weekend which is why my hubby is absent in the photos; he and my brother-in-law drove to Chicago to support her and help her move to her new downtown apartment. Kati, I am so proud of you too and wish you the best of luck as you prepare for med school! Love ya sis!

 Kati and my MIL Donna - you both look beautiful!

 Owens kiddos and their mama :)

Lastly, I wanted to share a little about my school's graduation ceremony that was held last night. We had the biggest turn out of students and parents that I have ever seen. We asked if anyone would like to say anything, and we had 15 plus students step up to speak. Most speeches consisted of saying thank you to the staff, and many said that without us they wouldn't have graduated. We didn't know if anyone would even come up, and at one point three students were "fighting" over the mic. It was so special and definitely brought us all to tears. Again, I'm getting so emotional in my old age.;) It was such a great reminder of why I do what I do. With all the stress teachers often experience, and especially after a fairly challenging year for me, I found myself thinking it was all worth it for this moment. I'm so proud and wish the class of 2012 the best of luck in their future!