Indy 500 2017

 The night before the Indy 500 we went to Jack and Cec's graduation party where the kiddos were gifted some amazing masks and they wore them throughout the party.

They were a hit!

 So Adam and Emily and friends went to the race the next day too and sent us this picture as a challenge.

 We took this picture as a Challenge Accepted! :)

 Chris Pine waved the flag this year.  I do so love the pageantry of the race.  My fave part.

 Here's a pic of the boys bro-ing out.

 Followed by a picture of the girls sissing out, I guess.  I bought us matching Target sunglasses for the occasion.

 Here's a group picture of our seats.

We also went up to Adam and Emily's seats for a bit.  It was soooo much nicer up there.  Nice breeze and shade.

 We were almost sitting directly in front of them.  It was sooo hot down there.

 Hey! We've done this before! It's been awhile!

 That do rag is amazing. Thanks for letting me borrow it, Di.

 Time for some end of race group pictures!

 Gotta take a couple's picture too!

Hey  we've done this before too! Ha!!

Another successful race in the books! Happy Memorial Day!

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

Indy 500 2015!! #thisisouryear

We've been going to the race with the same people since 2005, pretty much.  We skipped 2006 because we were getting married.  But every other year we've been there, together with these same families.  10 years is a long time! We've been through it all! Not the least of which is a lot of pregnancies! The pregnancies started in 2009 and have continued until last year.  2009- Wyatt, 2010- Tommy, 2011- Harper, 2012- Hattie, 2013- Charlotte, 2014- Everett and Rhett.  Soooooo 2015 was OUR year.  It was the first year none of the ladies were with child. It was time to party! We decided to hashtag the year #thisisouryear because well... it was.  

 However the boys were trying to steal our thunder as soon as we got there.  BUUUUUSCH!!

 After we ate, we had our annual beer pong tournament.  We included a rousing rendition of the star spangled banner this year.  I don't know why we haven't always been doing this. 

 The wives, Katie and Morgan, drew our husbands, Andrew and Travis, to play in the first round.  YIIIIIIKKKEEESSSS.... FOR THEM! We BEAT them! It was amazing. 

 But we didn't beat anyone after our first round.  The Schreiners won.  They had never won before so we were all very excited for them.

One couple was wayyyyy too excited about it.

 The next day we rolled out and headed to our parking spots.  One quick shotgun before walking to the track.

 We brought our usual signs to celebrate the race.

 My favorite part is the pre-race pageantry.  David Letterman is somewhere in that crowd.

 Patrick Dempsey was chosen to wave the flag this year.  He's on the far right in black. 

We waited and waited for him to come down.  We really wanted to see him up close.  Finally he made his way down the ladder and ran down to get a picture.  Here he is!

 He was thinner that I thought he would be but still very attractive.  He was wearing a gigantic ring that we later found out was a ring that he was given for driving the pace car back in 2007. 

 They had 4 planes drawing out these letters which was so cool.  It's not diana.com by the way.  It was something indiana.com. 

 Thanks, Kevin, for bringing the fireball.  #thisisouryear

 We really liked our hashtag, if you couldn't tell. 

A picture in the back of the van to end the day.  There was an unfortunate incident to end the day but we weren't going to let that stop us from having a great time!

Another fun race for the history books.  Or blogs.  Whichever.  You can find prior years here-2010, here-2011, here-2012, I didn't go in 2013 so I didn't get any pictures that year, and here-2014.

Indy 500 2014

 The 2014 Indy 500 took place this weekend.  We went with the same group we always do.
For a quick round up of past years, check these:
2012
2011
2010
I didn't go last year, being pregnant and all, but this year the tradition continued.

Starting with beer pong!

 Andrew loves getting his picture taken.  Like father, like son, I guess. Though if Tommy starts flipping off the camera like Dada, Mama's gonna be pissed! :-)

 Team Almost Always Pregnant made it out of the first round of beer pong... due to a bye.  But hey, second round, baby!! We discussed the pregnancy thing and between Katie, Claire and me, one of us has been pregnant every year since 2008.  (Katie-09, Morgan-10, Katie-11, Claire-12, Morgan-13, Katie and Claire-14)  So 2015 is going to be a big year for us, folks! WATCH OUT! :)

 I have to always grab a pic of the bracket for posterity.

 Inquiring minds want to know... What in the world is THIS? It's a leaf picker upper. 

Andrew modeled the fanny pack I planned to wear the next day.  Travis is focused on something else.  Matt is taken aback. 
So why did fanny packs go out of the style? Seriously, it was the most convenient thing I have ever used to carry all my stuff.  Watch out, kiddos.  I'm about to embarrass you on every family vacation from now until eternity. 

 Indy 500 Selfie! USA! USA!

 Gotta love that flyover! We screamed at them to BE CAREFUL.  They listened.  :-)

 Lady and gentlemen, START YOUR ENGINES!! WOOT WOOT!

Mark Cuban waved the green flag.  You can see him in his red IU football jersey.

 Balloons!!  

 You can't beat $5 American Sunnies from Old Navy.  USA! USA!! USA!!!

 Another tradition is a group shot of the all the girls.  LADIESTH!

 Newcomers Laura and Derrick enjoyed a giant turkey leg. 

 Check out my awesome shirt.  Nothing says freedom like a kitty wearing shades!

Full group shot! We actually got everyone in it, thanks to a stranger!

We had another great time at the race.  This is my 8th Indy 500 with this group.  It's always such a ball!
Cheers to many more years!