Handlebar for the Third Time

 We have done this before.  First time.  Second Time.  But we just keep going back!

This time when we went, it was schedule for November.  It had been in the 60's the entire week before we went.  In fact, the DAY BEFORE, it was 70 degrees.  On the Saturday we chose, it was close to 30 degrees.  Are you kidding me??? Oh well, I was super warm.  I layered and layered and I felt pretty good.  Turns out you can only get so many pairs of socks on before your boots do not fit anymore.
Our driver's name was Andrew. He took great pictures for us.

 Group shot in front of the Handlebar!

 Couple photo!

 Couple photo with Ashley photobomb! Adorbz! ;-)

 We went on the handlebar earlier enough that we had time to eat dinner afterward.

 It still didn't help though.

Andrew felt fine the next day.  I did not.  Not fair.  Oh well.  Still had a fabulous time pedaling around the city once again.  Thanks again to the Staffords for planning a great time!

Our TEN Year Anniversary and Indy 500 2016

 TEN YEARS??? How old are we? Sheesh.  We've been married for 10 years.  Absolutely crazy.

 Andrew got a babysitter for us and we went to Mountain Jacks for dinner.  We had chocolate mousse for dinner which was amazing (so was dinner). 

 After dinner, we got crazy at Meijer. 

 Seriously, 10 years? I still can't believe it went so fast.  What a wonderful 10 years and here's to many many more.

 As is often the case, we do a mini celebration of our anniversary and then we head to Indy for the 500.  It's a celebration every year and we get to celebrate with all our friends too!

For the pre-party the night before, I made bacon straws or whatever they are called. They are basically bacon in a blanket with some sprinkled in cheese.  SOOO good.  They were GONE within the first hour.  Yum-o!

 We drew names as we always do.  It's obvious by this picture that I drew better names than Andrew.  I also participated in the second drawing where you draw a name and have to say where they finish.  I drew Conor Daly so I picked him to finish 29th.  He did! I won $70!!! Awesome!!

 I discovered Claire had snapchat so we spent some time doing that with our twizzler beer and wine straws. 

 Chris Pine (Captain Kirk from Star Trek) waved the flag at the race.  I love watching the celebs come to Indy and watch their first 500.  They are always so amazed to see the cars flying by so fast.  Chris Pine especially loved it. You could see the professionals telling him all sorts of fun stuff, how to watch, what to look at, etc.  Plus he got really into it when he was waving the flag.  The shoulders and arms were all getting crazy while he was waving it.  So awesome to see new people get excited about the race. 

Had to get a selfie on our way back from the race.  We all had matching shirts.  "Safety Third!"

 Tommy and Charlotte had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa's house while we were in Indy.

 Tommy got tatted up!

And poor grandma got no sleep.  I don't think she was too bothered by it.  ;-)

In case you wanted to review past years, you can find them here:
2015
2014
2012
2011
2010

House Improvements

 I was woken up Saturday morning by Tommy saying that rocks had fallen down and broke everything on our desk.  I thought he was telling a tall tale. 

 Then I came downstairs and looked out the window to see this. Our poor rock wall had collapsed.  We almost thought we had an earthquake because the clock fell off the wall in the toy room too.  But that was a random coincidence. Turns out, we had too much water and lots of wind and down came the wall.  Bummer.

But Andrew got to work and made the rock wall as good as new! Nice work, AT!!! Looks great!

Tommy's First Soccer Game!

 Andrew had Tommy join a soccer league and volunteered to the be the coach! Oh boy, what did he get himself into?

They had their first soccer practice on Thursday and their first game was today.  Tommy did not have a good first practice.  He was having a bad week but I was still hopeful for Saturday.

 Huddled up and ready to start playing.  In the 4 year old league, the coach gets to stay on the field.

Charlotte and I had front row seats for the game! ;)

 Andrew put the kids in a formation because that's what the other coach was doing.  Ha!  This is Tommy and his new friend Sage, I think is her name.  It was evident we were playing some kids who had definitely played before and might have been a little older.

 Tommy was much more prepared with his soccer uniform today.  He also looked adorable too. :)

 Coach Andrew giving a thumbs up!


Here are some highlights from the game.  I almost think it's more fun for the parents than the kids! At the beginning of this video, Tommy is holding his side.  He just got nearly leveled by another girl on his team.  Whoops! But he hung in there for a little bit.  The kid with the faux hawk is really good, obviously.  By the end of the season, they should really get how to play. :)

 After the game, they did the obligatory, "Good Game" handshake walk. 

After the game, the parents make a tunnel and they run through it.  It's the cutest thing and a perfect tradition.  Love it.  First practice was rough but the first soccer game was a success!

HandleBar For the Second Time

Hey haven't we done this before?? Yes we have!! It was a lot COLDER and much more mustachioed.  This time around was just as fun and a bit sweatier.  :) 

So we got a similar group together to do the Handle Bar again! Another super fun evening of drinking on a giant bike! Yay! 

We had 3 people back out right before the date (we have to book these way in advance).  Somehow we filled the single spot no problem but the group was having trouble finding a couple to go.  I invited my bro and his new gf and they were a perfect addition! It would be nice to meet under less drink-y circumstances but really it was a great way to meet her! We had tons of fun! 

 Like shotgunning beers by the circle downtown!

And playing Credit Card Russian Roulette for the bar tab at Nine Irish Bros.  My poor brother lost.  Yikes!! Sorry Adam! Did not see that coming! NEVER put your credit card in for that game ever.  

 Our "driver" was super cool and let Ashley "drive" for a short stretch.  Hilarious!

 Then we stopped before we pulled into the garage and played 90s hip hop music and danced.  I'm not sure if this is dancing (above) but it's awesome.

 End of the night photo in the garage!

One final memory from the night.  Andrew tried on the helmet that they offer to riders for safety in case they would like one.  He pulls off pink so well, don't you think? :)

A Typical Saturday

What you are about to see is a very typical Saturday at the T-burgs. The following pictures perfectly describe a day in the life... 

 Yep. 

FaceTime Inception

A phone call inside of a phone call inside of a phone call...

A Visit to the Children's Museum

We told Tommy after a solid month of #2's in the potty, we would visit the Children's Museum.  We have only been one other time and it was two years ago. (Check out the post! It was sooooo long ago. I can't believe how little Tommy looks.) 

The day finally came where we could go so we went! It was super fun! We bought an annual membership because they are going to have exhibits for Transformers and Ninja Turtles this fall so we'll be back! 

 We visited the dinosaurs exhibit.  Tommy LOVES dinosaurs.  In fact, I think Charlotte likes them too.  There were lots of caves to climb in so that explains the bum shot picture. :)

 They had little play tables with dines on them which the kids just love too! They can totally do this at home but for some reason, they love doing it here more!

 The train section has lots of areas to climb underneath also.

 Plus more play tables! Something else they can do at home but LOVE Doing here.  I heard at least 5 parents say, "Come on, let's go! We have this at home! Let's go see something else." Haha!

 I didn't get a picture but we ran into the Staffords when we sat down to eat lunch so we ate lunch with them.  That was super fun! Andrew looks ticked but don't worry, he was not. :)

 With an annual pass, we were able to ride the carousel for free.  Yay! Kids loved that!

Tommy reallllllly wanted to ride a tiger even though it didn't go up and down.  He didn't care.  He loves his tigers (because they start with T).

 Charlotte loved her black horse.  She wasn't complaining.  Thank goodness you can tie them on those things.  Seems dangerous!

 After the carousel, we played in the Science Works Center.  There are lots of boats and canals and running water for the kids to play in.  You can tell from this picture that we had to carry Charlotte out of there in the football hold kicking and screaming after she had wayyyyy too much fun dousing herself with water.  Yay for a good time! She got over it. :)

 We got a picture in the Indy 500 car of course.  Tommy was disappointed the steering wheel didn't work.

Charlotte LOVED the polar bear.  She kept growling at him and then waving.  It was ridiculously cute.

We had a really great time at the Children's Museum.  We didn't cover hardly half of what we could have.  I guess we'll just have to go back!