Bramell, Party of Five: July 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Need your opinions, thoughts and help!

OK people, if you regularly read this blog, I need to know.  Please comment if you read about our Bramell insanity.

Why, you ask? I am seriously considering writing more, like professionally.  Essays, freelancing, a book, etc. 

Would anyone outside of my family find me interesting? Is our family chaos funny to outsiders, or does anyone care?

I'm oh so serious. Please comment your thoughts, opinions, support or tell me I'm crazy. Thanks.

Monday, July 23, 2012

More ASG Photos

Here are the photos from All-Star Game night. We actually got to the stadium early, around 4:30 or so, for batting practice. It was a hot, sunny and beautiful day. A few cold beers made it just perfect.



The city had colored up the fountains in downtown KC. The blue was so pretty!




Above: you can see the sportscasters from MLB Network.  That big tube is a fan so they wouldn't get sweaty. They would take it out during commercials and stick their faces in the tube.  Hilarious! Makes you wonder why they bother to wear suits in the summertime....

Below: a taped interview with Chipper Jones about the warm reception he got from fans and how he's going to miss hanging out with the guys.



When we got to our seats, we had white T-shirts on our seats. They did this awesome pre-game thing with the flag and everyone wearing red, white or blue shirts.  See the very cool flyover below.  It was going so fast I was afraid of missing the shot!







Do we look like we're having fun?



Sunday, July 22, 2012

MLB All Star Game Festivities 2012

WE DID IT!  Since it was announced that Kansas City would be hosting the 2012 All-Star Game, we've planned to go.  Bad that it happened to fall in the same year as our Disney trip, but good that it was so close to home, and in our favorite stadium.  Long story short, we got some tickets off a guy on Craigslist. Thank goodness he was an honest one. We paid a lot for them, had upper deck seats and ENJOYED. EVERY. MINUTE.  So thankful that Grammy and Nanny could come for a few days to watch the kids for us. We sure needed some time away. It's so hard not having the family living nearby, but it's that much more wonderful when they can come help out!

We ended up going to Fan Fest twice. This was an event set up in the convention center. It was mostly vendor booths, but had a lot of interactive things like batting cages, pitching and fielding games, kid stuff, an auction area, video game area, etc.

Our first day there we got to see/meet Alex Gordon, who plays for KC. Totally nice guy.  We stayed there a few hours, then went to the Home Run Derby.  The derby was my favorite part of the whole thing, by far. I enjoyed it way more than the game.  There was a lot going on during commercial breaks---the Zac Brown Band played before the game, and David Cook sang the National Anthem.  Very cool!  The upside to the actual game was getting to see Chipper Jones in his last ASG and the National League winning!  Luke Bryan sang the National Anthem before the game.

Lee was determined to go home with a ball, and he DID!  He got a ball thrown to him during batting practice for the all star game. It was hit by Matt Kemp (Dodgers) but thrown in the stands by Cole Hamels.  I made him take the ball and go to our seats, so other kids (and grown men) could have a chance to get a ball.

We also got to see Lee's brick outside Kauffman Stadium. This was a special promotion the Royals did for the ASG.  Tracy, Jonathan and my dad all got Lee a brick for Christmas last year.  This was the first time we've seen it.

Here are some of the pics from Fan Fest and the Home Run Derby. I have some more to post later from the game.  This has been a marathon posting day.



The actual 2012 World Series Trophy on display at Fan Fest. Very cool (and heavily guarded)! Who knew it was made by Tiffany?




Meeting Alex Gordon (above) and Lee's fancy brick (below).





Who looks like a nerd?  Well, I made him pose.





ZBB playing before the derby started.  They had the stage on wheels, and just wheeled it right off the field before it started.  Actually, both nights.









Above is the actual view from our seats, with no zoom.  Below, is Prince Fielder batting--he won it.




They had a hilarious mascot race during one of the commercial breaks.   This is the relish from KC and Randy Johnson.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Evan and Carley!

This year, I decided to make a birthday cake and we just partied at home (the 5 of us) and went to Chuck E. Cheese.  I took fancy birthday cookies (store bought) to daycare on Friday, because their birthday was on a Sunday.  In this process, I discovered that I will probably be going the store-bought route from now on.  Martha Stewart, I am not.  My cake is a simple one layer pink, and one layer blue. Oh, and it has a nice split down the middle where it broke when I took it from the baking pan.









We spent Sunday evening at Chuck E. Cheese, which was exactly what we did on Becca's 2nd birthday, too.  It was the little ones' first trip there and they loved it!  And, Becca loved it too, since she's finally gotten over her fear of the costume.  I guess Disney must have helped with that. 

*Sunday night was a perfect time to go there, because it was nearly empty!  Also, a good thing, since Carley decided to strip off her dress and streak the place multiple times.







Last of the Disney Photos


This is the sign for the Voyage of the Little Mermaid at Hollywood Studios. When you ask Becca what was her favorite part of the trip, she usually says this.  It was a stage show (indoors!). It was basically a 15 minute short version of the movie. It was wonderful! I'm so glad that mom and I took her in there; just watching her smiling little face and her singing the songs made my heart melt.



Becca with Rosetta, who is one of the Disney fairies.



Riding the Dumbo ride---Lee with the girls and Grammy with Evan.  It was super hot that day, and they waited a long time to ride.



Becca and me with Phineas & Ferb.  This was at Hollywood Studios, after we had to wait out a thunderstorm. Hot and humid at this point! Lovely.



One more with her fairy godmothers getting her princess make-over. Becca was totally serious about the whole process.



Lee and Becca waited for Snow White to arrive for over an hour! Finally, here she comes!!  Mom and I were off having lunch with the little ones, so we missed the fun this time.





We found this little hidden shady area for the kids to take a break.  Becca changed into her comfy clothes and everyone got some much needed down time.




In the pool with Tracy!!  We loved, loved our resort, but didn't get to spend much time there.  Not really sure why I didn't take more pictures of it.  Maybe Tracy will share hers.



Who is having fun on the tea cups??


Miss Sassy waiting for her turn to see Mickey and "Missy."




Tracy and Becca with Tinkerbell.



My water babies in the pool with  Jonathan.



With Handy Manny and Jake the Pirate, at Hollywood Studios.




I promised my baby that we wouldn't leave Disney without seeing Rapunzel.  God love her, I waited in line for her for about an hour (maybe more) while everyone else was watching the afternoon parade. Thank goodness we got to see her the very last day of our trip, or we might have stayed another day.


Finally, Lee and Becca got to meet Snow White!


Not really sure why all the pictures loaded out of order.  Oh well, it took way too long for me to move them.  This concludes the Disney portion of our blog.  Here we are, almost two months later, and the kids are all still talking about it!  Actually, I find myself thinking about how much I enjoyed it, too.  I'd say we got our money's worth on this trip.  I'm sure we'll do it again when Carley and Evan are about five.






Oops, I lied. I found these two.  My sweet stroller babies and Evan's sweet curly hair.

 
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