Reds VS Padres

I'm starting to get excited about moving back to our hometown.  Among other things, I'm looking forward to being surrounded by people that love the same sports teams I do.  Sure it's fun to cheer on my home team in other cities but nothing compares to celebrating a Bengals' touchdown with a sea of orange and black or beating pots and pans in the streets like it's NYE after the Reds win the World Series (you know, like that one time in 1990 when I was 8!  It's actually one of my first memories, I have a terrible memory.  I digress)!

Last week, while my brother and sister-in-law were in town, we went to a Reds game in San Diego (actually, the whole reason they came out to visit us was because the Reds were in town and they have a goal to see a Reds game in every stadium in America.  Back to back series in San Francisco and San Diego was enough to convince them to come out west of a visit.).

We got to Petco Park super early so Brad + Jamie could watch batting practice and try to get a few autographs.

Warmups

There was a pretty good sized crowd of Reds fans waiting along the 3rd base line in hopes of scoring autographs.  I was just there for the photos.

Apparently Joey Votto doesn't often stop for autographs but he did that day and Brad + Jamie got their jersey's signed.

When Brandon Phillips came over, I decided to ask him for a selfie.  I follow him on Twitter & IG and he seems like a pretty cool dude, and he didn't disappoint.

Then he replied to my tweet and called me deb, which, at first I thought he got my name wrong, but after some thorough Google searching and reading through his twitter feed, I discovered it's some sort of slang for females, generally of the attractive variety, so I guess he can call me deb if he likes.  I am far too uncool for twitter and I'm ok with that!

Anyways, back to the baseball game...BP almost got beaned in the head by a wild pitch.  

I was working on my timing but, even though we had great seats, eventually my arms got tired of holding my camera at a goofy angle to be able to shoot around all the other fans, so I only got a few decent photos of the game.

We lost but we still had a good time.  I'm glad the next game we go to will be at Great American Ball Park (GABP), I love our home stadium!

GO REDLEGS!

#TheRahmWedding

It's officially wedding season!  After 2 weddings in 3 weeks, there is no denying it now.  {I'll get around to blogging my BFF's eventually, there are still tons of photos to sort through}  I was so grateful to be able to finally take a trip with my husband.  It was a much needed break vacation trip.  I hesitate to use break or vacation because it wasn't really either of those things.  We hadn't spent much time with Jason's family over the past 2 years so we squeezed in every possible second with everyone while we were there.   Long past our bed times (I'm talking 3-4am) we sat around in the hotel lobby telling stories and catching up. Getting less than 7 hours of sleep during our 48 hour trip was totally worth it. (I say that because we took Monday to do absolutely nothing but recover on the couch)

The highlight of the weekend for Jason was finally getting to meet his nephew!

Is he not the cutest thing EVER?!?  We love him!  We can't wait to live near him and watching him grow.  {In case it isn't obvious, Jason picked out his outfit for the wedding}

The bride and groom could not have asked for a more perfect day.

Jason & his grandfather rocking the bow ties.

The bride looked absolutely incredible, as always.  She works in fashion so I knew her dress was going to be phenomenal and it was indeed.

LT & MRS RAHM!

Jason's brothers, their wives, and baby Liam.

Being that it was Memorial Day weekend, and a military wedding, it was only fitting to have a toast in remembrance of those who never made it home.  Some people were upset and offended that people were celebrating on a weekend that is dedicated to honoring heroes that made the ultimate sacrifice.  I understand that sentiment but for me, every day is Memorial Day, every day we remember and honor those men and women who never returned home, every day is dedicated to them.  Every day my husband puts on his black metal bracelet and we remember.  Every day I see photos of friends who are raising children with out their father.  I guess what I'm saying is, I don't personally have a problem with a wedding over Memorial Day weekend (on Memorial Day might be a LITTLE strange, but who am I to judge). 

Congrats LT & MRS!  We're so happy this day finally come for you both and we could be there to share it with you.

Oh, and on the way home, we flew out of Indi the day of the Indianapolis 500 and before our flight boarded there was a little commotion in front of our gate.  Turns out Leann Rimes, who had just sung the National Anthem at the race, was on our flight back to LAX.   Once we landed in LA, I had to make a stop at the bathroom and almost ran into her coming out of a stall.  She had left her water on top of the toilet paper rack so I carried it back out to her and she was most gracious about it.  I tried not to make a big deal out of it, but it was sort of neat to interact with someone so famous.

513 love

It wouldn't be a trip home if it weren't jam packed with fun.

I met my most adorable nephew, Liam, for the 1st time.  Another reason we're excited to be moving back to Cincinnati, we'll get to watch this handsome guy grow up!

I was able to, very briefly, celebrate my cousin twice removed's 1st birthday (I think that's the correct title for my cousin's daughter's daughter.  I think.)

My friend Jessica planned our other friend Amanda's baby shower for the weekend I'd be in town.  Seriously, I could not have better friends!

In 2 days, the 4 of us celebrated Carissa's wedding and Amanda's baby.  I'm so grateful for friends like these.

I also managed to squeeze in a meal with my longest friend, Holly.

The rest of the weekend was spent soaking up as much family time as possible.  This trip home solidified that we are making the right decision to move back to Cincinnati.  4 days was simply not enough time with these people.  We don't plan on staying in Cincinnati forever, just the 2 years it will take Jason to finish school, and during that time I intend to spend every spare moment with the people I love and miss so dearly.

Until next time,

Christmas recap

I don't know if it was the weather or not celebrating the holidays with a large group like usual but I just was not feeling the holiday cheer this year.  I tried.  I tried so hard.  I decorated and baked and all that jazz but I just wasn't into it this year.  I've been missing my family something fierce and not being with them just took it's toll on me this year.  We still had a great Christmas and I have much to be thankful for, this year was just very different.

We Skyped with my family a few days before Christmas and I loved every single second of it.  It was hard not to be there with them but Skype is definitely the next best thing.  I can't imagine living far from my family 20 years ago.

I drug the hubs an hour away to see a pretty spectacular neighborhood light display.  I told you I tried to get into the spirit.

 We even had hot cocoa and tea while we sat in the car listening to Christmas music.

Christmas Eve rolled around and we had to make a trip to the Navy base on Coranado.  While we were there I convinced Jason to take me to the beach.

70 and sunny on Christmas Eve.  Like I said, I have a lot to be thankful for!

Jason's dad came down for the night and my cousin joined us for dinner. 

I had great plans to make a fancy 3D fruit tree using a watermelon as the base but it's apparently not watermelon season and that thing was nasty and wouldn't hold up so I improvised.

My awesome hubby bought me flowers.  Cranberries made the perfectly festive vase filler.

Since it was a special occasion, I broke out the only bottle of my favorite umeshu I brought back to the States with me.  Oh joy this stuff is so incredibly yummy.  I would love to be able to find it online or in a store here but I couldn't even find it in a store in Japan, only at one specific bar.

 

I was apparently digging the Christmas tree theme this year.

Since it was just the 4 of us and we don't have a "traditional" Christmas meal in our house, I decided to go uber fancy and cook steak (for everyone but me) and lobster.  YUM!

My cousin gave me the coolest gift, a Settlers of Catan cookbook.  I've already ordered the hexagonal bowls and cannot wait to make some of these fun themed meals.  Now we just need to make some friends to invite over.

We don't have a lot of traditions in our house but homemade biscuit donuts on Christmas morning is a must in our house. 

We decided to share some homemade Japanese food with Jason's dad while he was in town.  Sukiyaki for Christmas lunch.  WIN!

Basically we ate a ton of food and played a few games!  Christmas was a terrific success.

I usually leave the tree and decorations up until New Years but I was just ready to put this holiday behind me and move on to the new year so they got packed up early this year.

I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas!

30 Days of Thankfulness {Day5}

Each day this month (except weekends) I'm joining up with Katie to share with you the many things I am thankful for.  I'd love to hear what you're thankful for this month.

Day 5:
I'm thankful for my family.  I miss them all so much right now and would give anything to be back in Cincinnati with them, especially during the holidays.

My brother and his new wife recently received all their photos from their wedding.  Even though I was incredibly sick the whole weekend, it felt so good being surrounded by so many people that I love.  All of these photos are courtesy of Patrick Banfield Photography.

My sister and I helping the bride into her gown.

 

My beautiful sister-in-law and me.

 

This photo cracks me up.  If you look closely at all of the faces, 3 of them are almost identical and they are me (about 6 o'clock), my brother, Brad (about 10 o'clock), and my brother, Craig (about 12 o'clock).  I'm sure my sister would have been making the same face if you could see her (she's just peeking over around 2 o'clock).

 

My handsome hubby and baby brother.

 

My brother is a lucky man.

 

These guys.

 

My other sister-in-law did a fantastic job arranging rose petals in the aisle.

 

Me, walking down the aisle.  I'm so happy you can't tell how many drugs are in my system at this moment. (all legal/prescribed)

 

Funny story.  This is the same guy who married Jason and I almost 6 years ago at our official ceremony.  They had no idea they'd chosen the same guy.

 

My heart bursts with love for these people.

 

SISTERS!  All of us, officially now!

 

My siblings and I.  I have no idea how I got so lucky.

 

My brother is a horrible actor, but this is still adorable!

 

Perfect end to a perfect day!