No man needs a vacation so much as the person who has just had one.
Elbert Hubbard

We had a great and busy Memorial Day weekend here in St. Louis and on our little trip to Louisville, Kentucky.

Nick's mom and dad stopped in for two nights on their way back from Florida. I took them to Schafly on Saturday for the World Porksteak Championship. Needless to say, it was delicious! Then we headed out to Nick's club because they wanted to try out some new golf stuff. They practiced, I relaxed in the Adirondack Chairs on the driving range! That night we enjoyed dinner together on The Hill at Cunnetto House of Pasta.


On Sunday, they headed out and we left for Louisville. It was a rare day to have Nick off on Memorial Day so we took advantage of the time. We spent Monday at Churchill and got an awesome backstretch tour from horse trainer, Tom Amoss. We also had the chance to watch the horses saddled in the paddock and even stand in the winner's circle. Nick was in horse-heaven!

Tom Amoss' barn on the backstrech

Watching the morning workouts.

Race 4 winner (and Tom's horse!) Alicia's Pretty Boy.

In the winner's circle - fun!

With jockey Miguel Mena.

I wanted all of the hanging planters but did get to snag the centerpiece from our table!

With the famous Twin Spires.

There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit.
Al Gallagher

One of the members at Nick's club dropped off Cardinals tickets so last night we were treated to a great game. The seats were amazing, right behind home plate.

Because you know what is better than excellent seats at a Cardinals game?

Free, excellent seats at a Cardinals game!

Walking up to Busch Stadium. With the recent rain we've had, the light was warm and beautiful as the sun set.

View from our great seats! We had a few fly balls come close but no luck catching them.

We won, go Cards!

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another,
"What! You too? I thought I was the only one."
CS Lewis

On Friday, Ashley and CJ arrived for their St. Louis visit. Ashley has been here numerous times but this was a first visit for CJ so it was fun to show him all the great St. Louis stuff. They are so much fun and such great houseguests - so easy to have fun with and the appreciate new experiences too!

Heading to see Avenue Q at the Fox Theatre.

Soulard Farmers Market

Ted Drewes (CJ was really excited about it!).

Out to dinner with my"St. Louis friend" Melissa and her husband.

Busch Stadium to see the Cardinals play.

View from our great seats.

Go Cards!

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.
G.B. Stern

Sunday gratitude:

• reminders through my work in Junior League how very, very fortunate I am.
  
• free (really good) Cardinals tickets.
• waffles with bacon IN them. Oh yes, it is true. And delicious thanks to Casey!
• maybe, maybe, maybe getting a dog.
• Ashley and CJ will be here next weekend!
  

Everybody pulls for David, nobody roots for Goliath.

Wilt Chamberlain

On Saturday, the University of Northern Iowa gained an underdog win against top seeded Kansas University in the NCAA basketball tournament. This was a huge win, not only because they totally weren't expected to win but also because UNI is the college team in Nick's hometown. His brother and our sister-in-law and many, many of his childhood friends are all UNI alums. Nick's brother and his wife were actually married on the campus.

The best part is that the Midwest Regional games are here in St. Louis and now, at least one team in those games will be UNI. Nick's phone was ringing off the hook last night with all the Iowa friends and family that are on their way to our city! His parents, brother plus wife and lots of friends will be here for Friday's game. Can't wait.

Go Panthers!

Winners! Aren't they cute all excited!?

Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.
G.B. Stern

Sunday gratitude:

• fresh cut daffodils from the grocery store.
• trying our first St. Louis Lenten fish fry!
• $5 deals from Home Goods.
• petting the darling guys from the Blood Hound Rescue at Petsmart.
• watching Olympic speed skating with Nick - it's like horse racing but with people!
  

He is his own best friend, and takes delight in privacy whereas the man of no virtue or ability is his own worst enemy and is afraid of solitude.

Aristotle

Nick headed to his parent's home in Iowa for a few days solo (thanks to our schedule never being the same!). I was happy for him though because he spent the whole time snowmobiling with his dad. The man deserves a break for some fun!

I, on the other hand, enjoyed two nights of singledom.

First, when I got home from work I made a batch of homemade pesto (Nick hates pesto). I enjoyed it for dinner on the couch watching DVR'd Oprah.

Delightful.

Then I pulled out one of my birthday money purchases and started organizing.

I purchased a big, sturdy scrapbooking supply case to rescue all of my great supplies from being squished into moving boxes in the basement. It looks great and it is so nice to have it all arranged, including my upcoming projects. Can't wait to catch up and then continue with my albums that I love so much.

Scrapbooking mess.

Glorious savior.

Compartments on the side

Paper and more supplies in the middle.

More removable pouches.

The night was topped off with He's Just Not That Into You on HBO.

Last night I worked on a bunch of Junior League stuff, so it wasn't as eventful. Although I really enjoyed my quiet, neat home these evenings I miss my Nick. I always say that he makes my life fun. Sure, my throw pillows were organized just right on the couch but the house was a little sad. And kind of boring (although it was nice not to have to watch sports!). Bella just howled in the hallway, "What did you do with him?! Where is he?!"

So, my single nights were fun (and delicious) but I am looking forward to a big hug tonight from my guy.

How would you like a job where, every time you make a mistake, a big red light goes on and 18,000 people boo?
Jacques Plante

Last week, I joined Nick to see a St. Louis Blues game from a suite. I'm not a huge hockey fan but the atmosphere is always so great - upbeat and exciting. Either way, it was a treat and certainly makes it hard to watch a game any other way!

Nick enjoying the game and the food (with the standard silly face).

View from our seats.

Let's Go Blues!

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring,
close-knit family in another city.
George Burns

After the Mizzou v. Huskers game on Thursday night we all headed back to St. Louis where Nick's parents and brother, Matt, were staying for the weekend. We were all joined by more of Nick's family on Friday to celebrate his grandma's 80th birthday. It was a nice little vacation for everyone to see the fun stuff in St. Louis and enjoy being together.

On Saturday we took Nick's parents and brother to the Soulard Famers Market which I knew they would love (they did!). Then right next to the market in the streets of Soulard was their annual Oktoberfest. They had great polka bands, homemade potato pancakes (my favorite!) and I especially loved all of the old men in their authentic lederhosen.

At the farmers market

Oktoberfest!

Nick's dad with the "hosts" (they were not members of the Legion running registration!)

He was funny

Dancing to the polka band

That evening we had the whole family (Nick's aunt and uncle, two cousin, one cousin's husband and two kids along with grandma, Nick's parents and brother - phew!) over for dinner. We had a big lasagna dinner, watched a football game and chatted.

Our gift to grandma was a big scrapbook with 80 reasons why we love her. Each "group" (me and Nick, the two grandsons, etc.) listed 10 reasons. She really loved it and it was fun for me to hear all of the memories and see the hold photos.

With the grandkids - Nick's cousins Ann and Beth on the left, Nick and Matt on the right (I love grandma's little crown!)

With grandma's two children - Nick's dad and Aunt Mary on the right
and Nick's mom on the left

With the grandsons - Tyson and Cameron. You can see their mom's hand trying to get Cameron's attention to smile (along with clapping, whistling and hollering!)

Football. More football.

Looking through the scrapbook

Cameron loved Bella. He wouldn't go after her, just sit next to her and say "kitty." She was so confused, "what is this small thing toddling after me around the house?!"

Considering we had a weekend full of football we might as well keep it going! Nick's Uncle Tom is a huge Minnesota Vikings fan and because they were playing the (completely terrible) St. Louis Rams we had to go!

Outside the Edward Jones Dome

Tailgating before the game (Nick with Beth and Uncle Tom)

Nick is an expert scalped ticket buyer. We got a deal on seven tickets!

View from our seats (the air is thinner up there!)

This guy had field posts stuck on his bald head with a suction cup. Funny!

So it was a busy and fun weekend with everyone. I will admit I was exhausted by Sunday night and happy to have my normal schedule back. Glad we could host everyone in our city!

When you win, nothing hurts.
Joe Namath

On Thursday Nick and I headed to Columbia to meet his parents and brother to see the Nebraska Huskers play the Missouri Tigers at the University of Missouri. It was cold and pouring rain the entire time so while everything was a sloppy mess it was still fun - the Huskers won!

Nick and his brother Matt

I looked like a dork (this is even before I put my poncho on)
but I was warm and dry!

In Memorial Stadium

Best "photo bomber" photo I've ever had taken - Nick is in the blue poncho.
A random Mizzou fan in front of us.

Soaking wet but winners!

Football is an honest game. It's true to life .
It's a game about sharing. Football is a team game. So is life.
Joe Namath

Perhaps it was those years living in Southwest Florida but my Midwest-loving husband is a true Miami Dolphins fan (see the time we were at the coldest game in Dolphins history, that's wife-points people. Major wife-points).

The games aren't always on TV here so we've started a bit of a Sunday afternoon tradition when he gets home from work to head to Helen Fitzgerald's to grab and early dinner and watch the 'Phins game.

Recently there is a big group of guys that are also cheering for the Dolphins so it makes Nick as happy as a clam. I'm just happy to spend time with him (although teal and orange are not my best colors)!

Heading out to cheer on the Miami Dolphins

PS: On another football note, this evening we're headed to Columbia to see the Mizzou v. Huskers game. My first trip to Columbia (I love college campuses, it's all those years working on one) and my first Huskers game (Nick's other sports-love)!