Superbowl Sunday

Colin, Milinn, and Meredith invited us over for the Superbowl. Wishing the game was shown on a Saturday, wishing Edwardsville was a little closer, and wishing we had Monday off, we headed over.

We were graciously hosted by all three. Meredith was wonderful with Cole and provided Derek and I a very relaxing evening!

Colin created a Superbowl Squares game, knowing that Derek loves it.  It made the game a little more interesting, seeing as how none of us really cared about the competing teams.

Each of us ended up winning one quarter, meaning there was no money exchanged in the end.  

My kind of gamblin'!

The boys warmed up with some foosball.

Meredith and Milinn provided Cole with a super fun, (nice) smelly, messy good time with shaving cream in the water table.

Does it get better than this for a SB party?  Cozy, comfy couch with a table full of food!  

Funny note about the food - Colin & Milinn made meatballs and queso.  Derek and I brought meatballs and queso.  There were a LOT of meatballs and gallons of queso for consumption! 
Yum.
Fun. 

Missed Moments: Boys will be boys

Little Boy Fun

Big Boy Fun

Missed moments: A Little Ghetto

We got to spend some good time with Aunt JayJay this summer while she was home on her break. We always try to have a "slumber-dog" when JayJay is home. This slumber party included hot weather and a ghetto set up to compensate. Yep, a baby pool and a misting fan on the deck.

We topped our slumber party off with junk food and wine.  We love JayJay and our slumber parties! 

We CANNOT wait to see you in a few days, JayJay!

THIRTY!

For my thirtieth birthday, I wanted to celebrate just like last year.  So, we did. Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.  Erica & Todd, Mom & Ed, Jamie & her graduating friends, Jon & Abby, Laura & Chris, Jill & Cassidy, and Derek & I set out.

Our journey began at Von Jakob.  It was very pretty and sometime after we left, there was going to be live music.  It was graduation weekend at SIU, so there were lots of graduates with their friends and families there to celebrate. 

So pretty...the landscape that is! 

Our second stop was Alto Vineyards, very fun and pretty. 

Laura provided the entertainment.  I love you, Laura!

Our last stop was Hedman Vineyards.  We had to move quickly as places closed early.  Hedman was great, complete with a friendly old dog.  That makes it for me.

Hedman also housed a steroid riddled young local and his baby...we were NOT talking bad about his baby.  Let me just make that clear.  ;)

The crowd and conversation were wonderful.  I am a lucky girl to have such fabulous friends and family!

my pimp glass

There was a loooong drive to our next stop.....looong.

We ended the night at Rustle Hill Winery, same as last year.  We ordered several pizzas, filled our bellies, and tried to keep warm. 

I am so thankful to get to celebrate this milestone with such wonderful people.  Thanks everyone for making it a great day. 

Happy Birthday, "Doss" / "Joshwa"

Josh turned 26!

We helped him celebrate at Joey B's! 

Cole got "Doss" a balloon to celebrate. 

However, Cole did most of the balloon celebrating.

Cole also found himself at the bar for the first time.

...and he tried his hand at the video poker machine.  (not really, don't call DCFS)

Josh-wa is very loved. 

Happy Birthday, Josh!

Winter at the Wineries

Derek and I planned a day at the wineries with Erica and Todd.

Cole got to visit with Na and G for the night. Cole and I have a meeting place to get him to Na's house...in the ghetto of Sauget, near the strip clubs. In the middle of day I don't worry too much. :)

Cole loves to get in the front seat and "push buttons."

Cole loves Na-time.  There is always lots of book reading, playing, and plenty of snuggling.  

Have I mentioned how lucky in love this boy is?!

St. Genevieve is far away...and the wineries are in the middle of nowhere as far as I can tell.

That makes for lots of pretty, country scenery.

Middle of Nowhere, Missouri features:

Donkeys (Asses if your Nasty)

&

One-Lane Bridges

First Stop - Cave Vineyards

Neat!  The wine was good and the ambiance very cool.  This would be great in the heat of summertime to stay cool!

Next stop - Crown Valley Winery

I can only imagine how pretty this is when it's green out.  The grounds are very beautiful and we could see both Elk and Bison on the distance.   

We met "our future selves" later in the day at Charleville.  They called Crown Valley "the Walmart of wine" and I can agree.  It felt 'corporate.'

I do have love any establishment with a DD promotion! 

Crown Valley had a cute gift shop with lots of nice goodies.  However, I was a little disturbed to see bison burger for sale after seeing the amazing animals grazing the grounds. ;- /

  :

Our third and final stop of the day was Charleville.  My favorite!

What's not to love about a place where you have to wait for traffic (real-live-cowboy traffic, that is) and you are greeted by the friendliest, gator-riding dog!

Charleville offers wine and great microbrew selections.  We all opted for the Half-Wit-Wheat.  Yum.  We got glasses first and then opted for a growler.  A couple of growlers also made it home with us!

We also met "our future selves" at Charleville.  Two couples, forty years into their marriages, old school values, wine and beer loving, and easy to talk to.  I think we all enjoyed visiting with them.

This place was gorgeous.  We will be back!  That porch is calling me.  And I think the growlers have been calling Derek.

We wound up the night with (very salty) Mexican food.  

It was a really great day with wonderful friends.  We can't wait to do it again!  

Superbowl XLVI: Colts V Saints

Dan, Tracey, and Ryan Koster have been hosting the annual-Carlinville-Superbowl-Bash for years....as long as Derek and I have been together.  Each year we are invited and each year we have declined.  This year we decided to 'live a little' and take Superbowl Monday off of work and head to the party!

We headed up Sunday morning for a visit with Oma & Opa before the party.

There was entertainment for everyone!  Cole really, really enjoyed Ryan's LEGO table!  I think we have a budding architect....and an idea for Daddy to make for a future holiday!

Man Fun: Drinks, Food, Football....enough said.

Kid Fun: Pinata!

Man Work: Pinata fixin, Nerd clean-up, and Money counting

Lady Fun: Games and Giggles

So much fun had by all!  We'll be back next year!

Oh yea, the Saints won! Yay!

Celebrate, we will!

Derek's birthday 'present' was an evening of fun.  Oma and Opa babysat for Cole.  He was in good, good hands.

I surprised Derek with a day out with friends.  We began at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery for a tour.

the tour begins

clydesdales and a bridge of pipes filled with beer.

the Clydesdale stables

beechwood aging

Augustus Busch, his empire, and a lesson on the making of Budwieser

the straining process and lots of photo opportunities

lots to see...we were getting thirsty...

the bottling/packaging line, not in motion today

almost there

the reward for our learnings.

And on to the Broadway Oyster Bar....

good friends

good tunes and low lighting (=blurry photos)

good oysters

good times.

I hope you enjoyed your day/gift, Derek.  You deserve nights like these...filled with friends and fun!  Cheers!