First Cards Game of 2014

Scott and I were lucky enough to get free tickets to the Cards game on Sunday.  Not only were they free tickets, they were luxury box seats.  I had not sat in the box seats in the new Busch Stadium yet and was very excited to go. 

On our walk over we passed Keiner Plaza and the fountain was very blue.  It was the last game of the playoffs for the Blues.  I really wish there would have been a better outcome for their awesome season.

Once we got to the stadium we checked out batting practice.  I love getting the game early to watch batting practice and hope to get Gabe a ball.  It's also fun to get the players attention and maybe see a Joe Kelly salsa dance.

Then we headed over to the gift shop to get Gabe a ball signed by the 2014 team.  It's a collection we are starting for him.  He got the 2013 when he went to his first game last May.  Once the rain cleared out we headed down to watch the many first pitches thrown out from right behind the green seats. 

 

 

Afterwards we finally hiked up to our seats.  It really wasn't much of a hike for us but we still hit the ramps.  The luxury box was great.  All you can eat and drink with a great view over the first base dugout.  It made for some very great baseball watching.

 

 

 

We saw a great game, 2 homers by Peralta and a win over the Pirates is all I can ask for.

 

It was a very exhausting day for me.  Gabe helped me relax before bedtime.

Last Sail Before the Veil

We celebrated my good friend, Kristin's, upcoming nuptials with a fun filled afternoon checking out Ballpark Village.  We started out the afternoon getting our matching t-shirts and Cardinal beads at the Ballpark Hilton.  Then we sauntered up to 360.  It's a bar at the top of the Hilton that over looks Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village.  It used to be pretty popular when is open back in 2011(we had our after wedding reception party there, remember the fireworks? ).   

 

 We had some drinks, food and lots of pictures while we were up there.  It was a little windy but a good way to get the party started.

 

The whole group

Kristin and I

We then headed over to Ballpark Village to check it out.  Most of us had never been there yet, it just open at the beginning of April.  It is HUGE!  Huge projector screen TV on the wall in the main area and then there are several bars/restaurants all around.  We hung out for a majority of the time at the Brewhouse.  They have a second floor balcony that you can see into left field( and Matt Holiday) for free or grab dinner out there.  We went down to the Beer Garden for drinks and people watching.  It is great people watching there. 

Of course we planned the party to be on a game day.  So the entire area was packed during the game.  After food at Brewhouse, which was great, we headed upstairs to Howl at the Moon.  It's a national chain of dueling piano bars.  It is usually a lot of fun the more you drink and the more people you get in there. 

I didn't make it late into the evening.  I was exhausted from being up with Gabe at 6am and spending a lot of time at Bommartio Nissan (a whole other story) for most of the morning.

I cannot wait till we leave for Hilton Head and the wedding.  Time to see what the big deal is about Hilton Head.

Good-Bye Crapturn

It's official the Saturn is gone!  Scott was in a little fender bender a week ago and we decided that it was time to get rid of the Saturn.  It was a tiny 3 door car that needed to go.  We never took it anywhere.  Scott only drove it to and from work. And with Gabe's car seat in there it was very cramped.

Here is the only picture I could find of the car.  I completely forgot to get of picture of Scott saying good-bye.  I think he was even more excited to see that thing go than I was. 

We loaded Gabe up on a Friday night to go for a test drive of the new car.  Scott loved it and by the time we could start the paperwork on it, Gabe was super close to meltdown.  I knew he wouldn't make much longer and I had to be there to sign all the paperwork with Scott.  So we packed him up and said we would be back right when they opened in the morning.

We arrived back Saturday morning and started the whole process of buying a car.  I think this time was much easier than the last time we bought a car.  The actual paperwork part didn't take too long, it's always that credit report that seems to take the longest.  Even if you aren't worried, it makes you worry just knowing they have control of what happens.

Everything went well and we walked away with a 2013 Nissan Altima.  It's a great car with very low miles on it.   We had to take the car for a quick test drive before the rest of the busy day started.  Of course we drove over the Bridge( I really hate crossing bridges)  to St. Chuckles to Picasso's for a coffee and show it off to Michelle who was working down the street.

Gabe was totally over the whole thing by this point.  Yay for a new car!

Easter 2014

We had a great Easter this year.  The weather was beautiful and it was spent with family.  Gabe even let us sleep in till 6!  We made some pancakes and then it was time to play.  We played inside and out.  Gabe is really loving all the fresh air and we love that it makes him super sleepy. 

Gabe and I watched while Scott trimmed the yard.  We patiently watched Scott mow the front and back the day before.  Gabe wasn't as sure of the trimmer as he was the mower.  But he could miss a single second of it. 

Scott's parents came out for a late lunch, early dinner with us and we watched a movie.  Gabe had a small Easter Egg hunt in the front yard after some pictures in his outfit.  After an exciting day, Gabe didn't want to nap.  He wasn't ready for all the excitement of Easter.

Playground

We are becoming weekend regulars at playgrounds around St. Louis this spring.  On Sunday mornings Scott goes to CrossFit in Brentwood.  Gabe and I have tagged along and have a little fun, walk while Scott is kicking his own butt doing the crazy Murph WOD.  It's worth googling to see how crazy he really is.

So a couple weeks ago, we were out the door by 7:30 in order to get Scott to the gym on time and us to the playground.  Gabe of course fell asleep on the drive there and I thought I'd get a great walk in.  That didn't happen.  Once we moved him to the stroller he was up.  So we were off to the playground. 

I'm not really complaining.  We had a lot of fun.  It's very entertaining to watching realize that the slide is the best thing ever.  Or figure out how to climb up to the slide on his own.  I'll just let the pics so his fun. 

Oh, Thanks Uncle Mike and Aunt Nicole for my awesome Disney shirt! 

Crown Candy

As long as Scott and I have been dating we've gone to Crown Candy to get our Easter Candy and have lunch.  Last year we only went for the candy since Gabe was only 2 months old.  This year we decided it was time for Gabe to start his life long love affair with the 114 year old shop.

We arrived about 30 minutes before it opened and hopped in line with the other smart people.  We had hoped that the storms earlier in the day would have kept people away.  But we still managed to get and seated with the first group in the door.

WooHoo Crown Candy!

We quickly placed our order and waited for our grilled cheese, turkey melts and chocolate shakes to arrive.  Gabe did great sitting in the aisle in his high chair waving at all the kids that passed him. 

First Crown Candy Chocolate Shake

Check out the chocolate 'stache

Finally our food arrived and Gabe thoroughly enjoyed his grilled cheese and this sips of my chocolate shake.  Once we finished eating, Scott grabbed a number so we could buy our Easter candy.  Last year we started the tradition of buying Gabe the chocolate monkey instead of a bunny.  It's a Crown Candy thing and I like that this is becoming our Easter tradition. 

Gotta drink like a big kid

Way too much money spent later we were heading home, happy and full.  I love our trips to Crown Candy and am so happy the Birch's shared this with me to share with my family.

14 Months!

Gabe is 14 months today...and to celebrate he slept all night and had to be woken up at 5:40am.  We had to check on him at 5am to make sure everything was ok, he is an early riser (4:45am on the dot). 

He must be going through a growth spurt right now because this boy is eating like a teenager!  Scott made homemade mac 'n cheese and used 1lb of pasta on Wednesday night.  We have maybe 1/4 left and Scott and I didn't eat much. 

Besides eating he is really starting to work on words.  He is a big fan of saying Daddy and Doggie.  We sit at the front door when we get home and look for Daddy's car to drive down the street.  Plus we listen to the birds chirping and he is working on saying Birdie.  He loves to watch the cars, no matter where, he will stop and watch a car go by.  He is a pretty good soccer player, he will kick the ball around the house.  Since the weather is getting nicer we have been going to playgrounds.  Gabe loves the slides and overall fresh air. 

It should be a very fun summer with a bunch of outdoor activities to do.  We may have to investing in a kiddie pool for Gabe is swim in the backyard - me to work on my tan. 

Happy 14 Months little man! 

Playground

We decided that instead of doing a boring 5K or going grocery shopping we would take Gabe to the playground to burn some energy last Saturday.  It was a great decision. 

Quick nap before the fun

We drove down and picked up Scott's dad and headed over to Bee Tree Park.  I hadn't been there since I lived in South County, 5 years ago.  Of course not much has changed and that was nice.

 

First we tried the swings because we saw other kids on them.  He liked it but really wanted to get down and run around and explore. 

 

 

Gabe spent most of his time going up and down the slides.  He would slide down then have us help him walk back up.  He liked climbing on everything.  He wasn't too sure about the monkey bars.

Afterwards we headed over to Garvey's for lunch.  Gabe proceeded to eat 2 grilled cheese sandwiches and fries while we were there. 

Of course he ate more once we got back to Scott's parents house.  He didn't nap much for us that afternoon to our surprise.  But it was early to bed and he even let us sleep in, 5:45 on a Sunday!

Happy Opening Day!

It's a unofficial holiday in St. Louis today.  Those lucky will be inside Busch Stadium watching the Hall of Famers, players and World Famous Clydedales parade around the stadium.  Others will enjoy pep ralley after pep ralley throughout downtown.

I will be only a few blocks from all the festivities, but with the rain in the area I'll hang out at the office.  Of course our office is sporting our Cardinal gear today.  It would be hard to find an office that will not allow it. 

Gabe is completely stoked for his second Opening Day!  He rocked his Cards shirt and even the FredBird socks. 

Peanut Butter

Gabe loves peanut butter.  It's not really a surprise to Scott and I that he will eat it, we both love it.  Give this kid a peanut butter sandwich and he is in heaven.  This is from his lunch the other day.  His new thing is to open his mouth so you can make sure he swallowed everything.  Just say "open wide" and he does.  What a goof!