Take Me Out to the Ball Game...

Claude was in Louisville Wednesday through Friday of this week for the Governor's Legislative Information Conference. I believe that is the right name. I know the first two words are correct. 

Claude sent me a text message asking if I would like to go to the ballgame Friday evening. My reply, "Of course!"  He ordered the tickets and after he got home and I got home from taking care of Papa, we headed to Florence to enjoy an evening in the fresh air.

Earlier this summer we went to a game only to learn upon arrival at the ball park that it was "Bark in the Park" night. I asked Claude if he checked to be sure it was not "Bark in the Park Night".  It turns out it was "Princess Night". 

Yep, real life fake princesses to have your picture taken with and to get their autograph!! Lines of little girls waiting for this important moment in their little lives.  Lots of little girls in princess dresses of various colors and fabrics and styles. Mothers wearing tiaras.  One with a head band that looked like a court jester.  The score board had Mickey Mouse in one corner and a Disney character in the other corner. When a player came up to bat, his number and name were put on this score board with a middle name for them of the Disney character.  Claude commented at one point as the face painting started and all those little girls wanted their face painted, "Sure a lot of dad's missing the game right now."  Yep, they were but it was great fun.

I loved the couple sitting across the aisle from us with their first baby, a little girl. She was maybe 7-8 months old. Dressed in a beaded pink princess dress, jeweled necklace and tiara. Her dad was happily bouncing this little pink bundle on his knee. When he realized I was watching and smiling and totally enjoying it, he grinned from ear-to-ear. Such a proud Dad.

We were sitting behind the 3rd base dugout. A dad on the first row put his little princess daughter, who may have been 3-4 years old, on top of the dugout. She danced along with the music and kept on dancing to the music in her little noggin when the real music stopped. Grinning from ear-to-ear.  The announcer repeated saying, "No one is allowed on top of the dugout for safety reasons." And...she danced on. 

Claude and I immediately ordered our food upon arrival at the park. We had not had dinner and waited all afternoon for dinner at the ball park. I enjoyed a pulled pork BBQ sandwich and Claude had a burger.  Yummy.

At the 4th inning, I told Claude I was ready for something sweet. We've cut a lot of sweet out of our diet but tonight was not going to count. Not sure what to get, I told Claude he could pick out something sweet he thought I might like and chocolate would be fine. Off he went and came back with a big pretzel for him and 'fried Oreo's' for me. My first ever fried Oreo's. They were very good. I did not realize that the Oreo would be soft and melted almost on the inside. Very sugary and I was grateful they limited their portion size to two cookies. I would definitely eat them again.

One of the people that is on staff at the ball park walked around the stands asking people when they first heard that it was "Princess Night" at the ball park. We watched him ask people across the aisle and down from us. Then he started at the bottom of our section. I cautioned Claude that he would be the one asked that question. Claude said he was ready. Oh dear!!  Sure enjoy the nice man in the Florence Freedom shirt came to Claude and me. He asked, "When did he (Claude) first hear about "Princess Night"?  Claude looked up at him and said, "It's Princess Night?"  The man burst out laughing.  Clearly had no box to check for that response on his checklist.  Marked us as not having know when we bought out tickets and left us chuckling to ask the next group of people. 

At one point we realized we were talking and really didn't know what was happening on the field. I just told Claude, "Really, we bought tickets for a night out. The game is not that important." 

The moon was gorgeous.  I was watching it while Claude was getting our dessert and thinking of my friend Laura who keeps me aware of the moon.  I got a text on my cell phone. It was Laura telling me to go out on our deck and look up.  I sent her a text and told her I was just doing that at the ball park and thinking of her. Claude came back and we chatted and realized that moon was moving pretty fast. It was now behind the stadium lights.  We talked a bit more and realized it was now going up in the sky. I just never realized it moved so fast across the sky. Claude said something about the moon rotating around the earth. Then we questioned ourselves about having that right. Claude said, "Jake will know." So I sent a text to Jake asking him if the moon does indeed revolve around the earth. Jake texted back asking if it was a trick question?  I told him we were at the ball park watching the moon and it seemed to be moving very fast across the sky. Jake's response was vintage Jake, "Tell him (Claude) the Moon falls in a straight line over the curved spacetime landscape created by earth. ...but don't tell him I just plagiarized Einstein." He does have strong genes from his father.

We got to the 7th inning stretch and sang the traditional "Take Me Out to the Ball Game' song. After, I told Claude that you can't buy peanuts or Cracker Jack's at the ball park. We both felt a bit sad about that. With the climate in today's society, someone will find that offensive and rewrite that classic ball park song. 

The score board was also fun to watch. They were having pixel problems. It started with one tiny square in the upper right section. By later in the game that was a big square in the lower left section. This became humorous as the displayed pictures of the next batter coming to the batting box. This box would cover him like something was up there that was not to be seen.  Such silliness.

The cutest comment of the night goes to the family sitting down a few rows from us. A mother, father and three boys. The youngest two boys must have been twins and they were just cute as could be. They had a great relationship with their mom and she would tease and tussle with them. Then they would laugh and grin and it reminded me of Hayden. When he gets to laughing and really grinning it consumes his whole face. It is just infectious. These boys did that with their mom. They were totally happy all evening. 

At one point in the game there was a really good play by the Florence Freedom team. The people in the stands started to cheer and make lots of noise. The little twins perked up and one of them yelled to his dad, "A hole in one!!"  Thought I would die laughing. These little guys were about 4 years old. Clearly their dad is a golfer.

It was a wonderful evening. Fresh air. Good food. Time to relax and chat. The Freedom won. I mean, all that and princesses. What more could one ask for on a Friday night date?

Rabbit Hash, Kentucky...

Tuesday, Claude and I tossed the 'To Do' lists aside and took a few hours to drive north to Rabbit Hash, Kentucky. We drove through here some time back after visiting Big Bone Lick State Park. We just happened upon this community and opted not to stop. They were having a festival and traffic was routed around the 'Historic District'. There was so much traffic and so many people, we determined the visit to Rabbit Hash should happen on another day. Tuesday was the day.

I have gone to the Rabbit Hash Historical Society page and found this bit of history posted November 24, 2014 about the naming of Rabbit Hash:

     Did You Know….that it was just around this same time of the year in 1847 that Rabbit Hash first got its name?
     Boone County was experiencing about the same kind of weather back then that we are having now….a big early snowfall followed by a spring-like warm-up and then lots of rain. It was between Thanksgiving and Christmas time in this small, rural hamlet on the Ohio River. Before anyone knew it, the 1847 flood was washing away barns, hen houses, live stock, and whatever else its rushing waters could grasp. The people were watching in dismay as their lives, resources and well being were threatened and ruined.
     “Oh, what shall we do for our holiday feasts and gatherings,” they lamented as they watched their plump, fattened hens and turkeys, and their smokehouses full of hams and shoulders, and their cellars full of potatoes and turnips all wash away?
     As the rising waters drove the small game critters inland and upland, a very astute and cynical neighbor man consolingly commented, as he was seen loading his shotgun, “at least there will be plenty of rabbit hash!”
     It was said that this fellow was the neighborhood jester and was never without the company of his dear friend ‘john barleycorn’. (Not many things change in Rabbit Hash!)
From that day on, the townsfolk nicknamed this old sage Rabbit Hash. Eventually, his moniker morphed over to include the entire community.
     In 1919, the U.S. Postal Service had had enough. The official name of Rabbit Hash was really Carlton, because it was in the Carlton Magisterial District, which had been named after an early family that settled the area. Just about 35 miles down river was the town of Carrollton, a much larger and more populated town. It became quite a nuisance to the Postal Service when mail intended for Carlton ended up in Carrollton and vice versa. So they gave the folks in Rabbit Hash the ultimatum: choose a new name or we will assign one! It was a no-brainer.

The current Mayor of Rabbit Hash is ''Lucy Lou" a red and white border collie. She was the first female elected mayor and that was 2008. 

Needless to say, this is very unique spot in Kentucky. Not very big at all. Extremely laid back. But worth a quick visit for anyone. Here are my pictures of this delightful little outing with my hubby.

 

There is a non-smoking policy in this building. Outside by the door is this bed pan to put your cigarette butts in. Gotta love the humor of the residents of Rabbit Hash.

Rabbit Hash is locate along the Ohio River. The community across the river is Rising Sun. 

There are no restaurants in Rabbit Hash. The General Store does have an assortment of beverages and some snack foods. Great place for the motorcyclists to drive to. It was a very nice outing for Claude and me.

A Michigan Adventure for a Wedding...

Yep, we had a wedding. Our Katelyn Nicole tied the not with Drew Roper. Katelyn is our oldest grandmonsters. She and Drew have been living together for some time and determined they would make it legal.  We drove to Michigan Thursday. Stopped in Dundee to orient Aubrey in a REALLY BIG Cabela's. Stopped in Chelsea to pick up Jake. Stopped along the way to have dinner (Jake's treat) at a Subway. Our sandwiches were prepared by a Daniel Drysdale look-alike. Daniel is our nephew, the kids cousin, and works in food services in Utah. Just a little ironic and very amusing to have his look-alike serve us. On to Muskegon to help with the finishing touches on our KTNickles wedding.

The wedding was at 3:45 at the Courthouse in Muskegon, Michigan. Those invited to attend were parents and grandparents of the bride and groom. Here are pictures of the wedding portion of the day. 

Todd loves this step-daughter and she thinks of him as a father. She calls him Dad and Poppy. This picture is very tender to me. 

We got to the Courthouse before Drew and his mom. The bride was very happy to see the groom arrive.

I would say this is one brave groom allowing his soon-to-be mum-in-law put on his boutonniere. 

Nissa & Todd Tyler, dad and mom of the bride.

Claude, Sandi and Jake Christensen, parents and brother of Nissa Tyler. Grandparents and uncle of the bride.

The bride's feet. Something blue was her toenails!!! 

Katelyn Nicole Squires and Drew Roper in the judges chambers before saying "I Do". 

The bride, Katelyn Nicole Squires.

The groom, Drew Roper. 

The rings. 

The classic picture of Claude hugging this precious grandmonster. I love these pictures and Katelyn was so happy I got another. We have them of him at her graduations and baptism and other things. She collects pictures of her Grandfather and the love he has for her. 

I was the pushy Gramma and asked the judge if I could stand at the front and take pictures. He said that was fine as long as he wasn't in any of them. It was nice to get the pictures of the ceremony for Katelyn and Drew. Sometimes a Gramma just has to be a little pushy. 

Katelyn has one of my genes coursing through her veins. I really like casual and simple. Katelyn wanted that for a reception following the wedding. So Todd rented a gazebo by Lake Michigan and made pulled pork barbecue. And we all totally enjoyed a picnic reception. Here are a few pictures.

Drew & Katelyn cutting the wedding cake. I have video of her smashing poor Drew's face really, really well with cake. They laughed and had a good time with that cake experience. The cake was made for Katelyn by a dear friend. It has a picture of Drew and Katelyn in the lower corner and a picture of 'Sweet Pea' in the top corner. There is a Red Wings logo on the cake as Drew is a HUGE Red Wings fan. 

Took lots of family pictures. Drew's parents are divorced. His grandparents on his father's side arrived from Texas just in time to witness the wedding and attend the reception. Drew had not seen these grandparents since 2009. It was important that they have family pictures since they are so separated and so spread out. We took all the pictures of his family first. His mother, her parents and her siblings were there. Then Drew's dad and his spouses and the kids from them with his father and mother. Then we moved on to our family pictures. Those are the ones I'll post.

L-R: Mitch Tyler, Aubrey Thompson, Derrick Tyler, Drew Roper, Katelyn Roper, Nissa Tyler & Todd Tyler. 

L-R: Jake Christensen, Sandi Christensen, Claude Christensen, Drew Roper, Katelyn Roper, Aubrey Thompson, Nissa Tyler, Todd Tyler, Mitch Tyler & Derrick Tyler 

L-R: Jake Christensen, Sandi Christensen, Claude Christensen & Nissa Tyler. We are missing Andie Marx, our middle child and other daughter in this picture. I asked Jake if he could Photoshop Andie into the picture. He asked me what color light sabre she should have. Goodness. We are Star Wars fans from when it first came out. Love my family! 

Jake, Claude and I took a stroll as Drew's family was leaving over the dune to view Lake Michigan. Such a lovely view. I managed to sneak a picture of my boys, Jacob and Claude. 

Clean up took place and then home to the Tyler's to put everything away. Katelyn stayed with us for a few hours while Drew helped set up for another party with their friends to celebrate the next night. The girls, Aubrey and Katelyn, asked their mom to play the piano for them. They did some music together. They even had me video the three of them singing "How Great Thou Art" to take back to Papa. When they finished, Nissa came back into the dining room and Todd looked at her and said, "You're not through yet are you?" She asked him if he wanted her to play more. He said he did and she mentioned a song he likes.  Next thing I knew, their family was in the room with the piano. Katelyn had been sleeping in there on the air mattress. Todd joined the girls and Nissa played the piano. (Aubrey, Katelyn, Todd, Sadie the dog, and Nissa)  How precious is that moment in time?!?! 

Saturday Nissa and Todd had to work. The rest of us slept in and then met up at the Tyler home. Claude and I took the kids to Pita Place for our ritual falafel/gyro run. A trip to Muskegon must include at least one stop at the Pita Place. So very yummy!! 

In the evening, Nissa and Todd joined us for dinner at the Pizza Ranch. Drew and Katelyn went off to celebrate their nuptials with friends. Todd led the way and we drove to Whitehall, a little north of Muskegon. At Whitehall there is a big lake separated by a thin strip of land from Lake Michigan. A channel has been dug through this narrow bit of land so that boats can enjoy the lake as well as Lake Michigan. There is a long pier on each side of the channel going out into Lake Michigan. There is also a lighthouse there purported to be haunted. We did not stay long enough to verify this fact. We did watch the sunset and totally enjoyed the evening on the pier.

Katelyn and Drew had a nice wedding and reception done just to their liking and accommodating all those attending as best they could.  We are very grateful we could be there for them. 

There was much concern through the weekend. Katelyn is pregnant with 'Sweet Pea'. Thursday she spent several hours in the emergency room. This was her second trip to an emergency room. She lost about a cup of blood and was not sure if she would carry the baby. The doctor's gave her the possible scenarios to watch for and told her to stay down and rest. Right. She is to get married, reception, party with friends, family in town. But we all had her take her to do list and, from a sitting position, point us in the right direction to get things done as she wanted with her not being on her feet. During the reception she was bleeding and concerned. Tears filled her eyes as she talked with her mom. Drew talked with her and they decided she should go back home with Nissa and Todd and he would set up for their part with friends the next night. If she was still bleeding after he set up, then he would take her to the emergency room. Fortunately she slowed down and they felt like a night of sleep at home would help. Katelyn has lost 10-15 pounds and was not keeping food down or wanting anything to eat. It did my heart so much good to see her begin to eat again while we were there. She first craved cookie dough. I found the recipe for a cookie dough Claude and I made with no eggs but using bananas. Aubrey and I put it together. It only makes a batch big enough for a dozen or so cookies. Katelyn ate most of that. When we went to the Pizza Ranch she had some pizza and then ate mashed potatoes and gravy. Yeah!! Her appetite is still a bit iffy but in a more normal way for a pregnancy. She is doing well and being careful. The doctor's have declared her high risk and will watch her closely. For now, she is good.

What a full weekend. Jake was dropped off in Chelsea on Sunday after having a nice lunch with him. Then Claude had us home by 7:30pm. It was great to be with family and celebrate the marriage of Drew and Katelyn. They truly were happy with their special day...weekend.

Bring It On Aubrey...

Friday, August 8th, our middlemost grandmonster, Aubrey Anne, came for a visit. She spent the summer in North Carolina with her dad. He brought her back in the afternoon on Saturday, August 8th. We would get to have her to ourselves until Thursday, August 13th.

Saturday evening we just stayed home and got settled. We introduced Aubrey to our new mattress and it's vibrating feature. The expressions on her face as we lifted and lowered her head and feet and then set them to vibrating was priceless. She pronounced our purchase good.

Sunday Aubrey and I went to Sacrament meeting (worship service).  Then we went to Papa's to spend some time with him. Aubrey took a couple 'selfies' with Papa. This one I loved because he was trying to figure out what to do with the screen. He is so far removed from all that technology and the kids get a kick of showing it to him. He doesn't remember how it worked from when he played with Hayden so it is a grand adventure every time. Aubrey is particularly caring with Papa and it touches my heart to watch them together.

Claude joined us when he finished with his obligations in Lexington. We all changed into play clothes from our Church duds and piled in my car to go to LaGrange. Aubrey's visit was to have been for two weeks and things changed so we tried to squeeze bits of the two week visit into the one week. Sunday afternoon was our time to be with family.

The Mini's were so very happy to have Aubrey back. They love their Michigan cousins. There is a big age difference. Aubrey is 17 and the Mini's are 10 and 8. But they still find lots to enjoy together. Hayden will always be a snuggler. Aubrey was a fresh person to snuggle with and they were in heaven enjoying that time.

Eventually they all settled into playing with tablets while we determined how to best use our brief time together.  Such is the digital ages. We decided to go to Cabela's. I have a really nice skirt from there that I love and wondered if they had any others in a different color.  We loaded in the cars and off we went.

Aubrey had never been to Cabela's. She would have two opportunities and be very knowledgeable about Cabela's by the end of her time with us. The Mini's were off to see the fish tank and the mountain of animals. Claude was on a mission to find golf shirts with a pocket on the front. Aubrey and I went to ladies wear to look for skirts. No skirts. No shirts. Hayden and I roamed for a bit. He found the bow and arrow section and showed me what he used at scout camp. Eventually I had all the kids and we went to the boat section. The Mini's tried out the pontoon boats. There were two and they each climbed into one and I got fun pictures of them waving like they were driving the boat. On our way to the front of the store we walked through the camping section. The Mini's and Aubrey tried out all the tents and beds in the tents. It was like our family's version of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' meet Cabela's. Lots of pictures but for this post I'll only put ones of Aubrey since this post is really about her.

We finally all met back at the entry to the store. I don't think anyone bought anything. But we all had a good time. Cabela's is just a fun place to be. Bailey challenged Aubrey to a game of checkers before we left. An 8 year old against a 17 year old is an interesting match. They had fun and that is the most important part.

We dined at Red Robin. Good food. Great company. Lots of chatter. Grandmonsters being sure they sit by someone special for that meal. Then it was time for goodbye hugs.

Monday is my day to buy groceries for Papa and clean in his apartment. Claude had an errand in Georgetown at 1:30. We decided this would be the day to spend the $10 in Kohl's cash I had and a $10 coupon at Kohl's I had and purchase something for Aubrey to wear at school. Aubrey and I spent the morning shopping. Then we met Claude at Culver's for dinner after his meeting. Claude took Aubrey home and I took care of Papa.

Tuesday Aubrey began doing all her laundry. So much easier to do laundry at our home than her dad's. We had dinner at Sargent's Galley. 

Wednesday Claude had meetings in the morning. I had Papa to the nursing home in the afternoon and teaching Institute in the evening. Aubrey has an Aunt and Uncle who live in Sadieville. Trish is Aubrey's dad's sister. They invited Aubrey to have an evening with their family. So Aubrey finished her laundry and got her packing done in the morning. And then watched a video till Maddie came to pick her up. 

Thursday morning we were up and ready to go to Michigan in the morning. 

It was a shorter visit than expected but it was so nice to have good time with Aubrey. I'm happy she got to visit with her Aunt and Uncle and cousins on her dad's side of the family. That doesn't happen very often and it is so important to keep family ties.  Loved watching Harry Potter movies every evening. Just a good visit.

Next post...Michigan Adventures!!