A Blog About My Brother~

Me & my bro, June 1981

Me and my brother have always been pretty tight. Even though he is 7.5 years older (haha), I'm mature and he's not, so it's always been like we were closer in age.

When I was away at college, my Dad used to pay my brother money to come and stay with me for a weekend. You know, to "keep an eye on me". Who the hell was supposed to keep an eye on my brother, I have no idea. But seriously, my Dad would give my brother cold, hard cash to spend a weekend at Ohio State with me and my five hot roomies. Sucks to be him I know.

When we were growing up, my bro was so overprotective of me. Sometimes it worked in my favor and sometimes it didn't. If a guy wanted to date me, he'd have to go through my brother first. If a guy ever broke my heart, my brother would break their bones.

Now don't get me wrong, my relationship with my brother hasn't always been full of sunshine and flowers. We've had fights like all siblings do. And he's beat the crap out of me a few times while growing up. But it's all good because he helped me become the tough chick that I am today.

Anyway, the point of this post is that his old ass turned 40 over the weekend. It's hard to believe he's "officially" over the hill. The good news is that he doesn't look a day over 38 and doesn't act a day over 25, so truly age is just a number. Happy birthday brother :)

Me and my bro, June 2009

Grace Turns Five~

Grace w/ her beautiful Grandma's

So Grace's 5th birthday was three days ago and I am just posting about it now.  This week has been packed beyond capacity.

My princess turned five on Tuesday, and that was also the day she returned to school from Winter break.  She was so stinking excited to go back to school on her bday, she thought that was the coolest thing.  Just wait until she gets older and begs to stay home from school on her bday (like I used to do.)

Grace & Bob w/ Grace's new bed

We celebrated her birthday family style with Grandma Debbie (Nana) and Grandma Punkin over for pizza and cake.   It was a small and sweet party filled with a whole lot of love.

Later this month, we are having a big  blowout at Chunk-E-Cheese with all of Grace's gals from pre-school.  

I am still trying to come to terms that my baby is five.  She thinks she is the bomb now, and you know what, she is!

Look at that happy lil' big girl

DON'T WANNA GROW UP~

The kids are in the kitchen playing with play-dough and Bob and I are playing Cornhole on the Wii.  Play-dough is a special treat for when Mommy and Daddy want to be left alone for a good hour.

 Grace and Denny have the best conversations with each other when they think that we aren't listening.  Here is what I just heard:

G:  Yeah Denny, pretty soon I am going to be five!

D:  Yeah, me too.  Tomorrow I am gonna be five!

G: No Den, I am going to turn five, you are going to turn four.  

D:  Oh, yeah.

G:  Then after five, I will be six.  That's just how it goes.  I will be six!!  Oh my goodness Dennis, I don't want to turn six, I don't want to be an adult!  What am I going to do Denny, I really don't want to be an adult!

LIFE IS A BLUR~

Denny and Dad

I swear to you that since last Wednesday, life has been a blur.  That explains why I haven't posted for awhile.  Bob's Dad has been in town from Florida, so we have been enjoying his company.  And if you are at all interested, here's what we have been up to...

I had a ladies night mid-week in remembrance of Mike.  We got together for drinks and shared some stories, laughter and tears.  We all drank way to much but had a blast, so it was all worth it even the next day.

The following day we had an open house at Grace's school.  Grace had such a good time showing off her classroom and friends to all the family.  I am so proud of my little girl.

Friday we went a Lake Erie Monsters game.  It was $1 hot dog night and we all bet on how many dogs Denny would consume.  We placed 10 in front of him and I think he ended up eating three.  

Denny not sure what to do w/ all the dogs

Saturday was Beckie's birthday and Pete planned a dinner at Shintos.  You can never go wrong at Shintos.  The hibachi part and the sushi are always amazing.  

Me, Bob and the kids @ Shintos

Pete & Beck @ Shintos

Now this week is filled with lots more. Today I am making chili for tonight's Browns party.  Later this week Grace and Nana are going to see a Cinderella play and G is super excited.  

GO Browns!!

KETCHUP~

Pete & Bob before the race

Saturday morning we headed downtown for a 5K.  Bob and Pete ran while me and Beckie hung with the kids.  They had a ton of cool stuff  set up in the Galleria for the kids to do.

Sunday was my birthday and also a fund raiser for Bob's cousin Samantha.  The turn out was amazing and I just want to thank all of our friends who attended.  I know a ton of money was raised for the Scholarship Fund that was create in her name.  Thanks for showing the love!

After the fund raiser, Bob took the kids home and I went out to Mulligans for a few drinkies.   

Today I spent the day recovering from the busy weekend and I can't wait for Halloween this Friday!

BIRTHDAY BOY

Today my darling Dennis Patrick turns 3.

Terrible threes, I am ready for you! This isn't my first rodeo. I went through it only a year ago with Grace, so I am no rookie. Bring it on.

All our sweet boy wants for his bday is cake. Cake is his new obsession. We had his bday party last Saturday and D was more interested in his cake then his presents.

Today he is going out to breakfast with Grandma Debbie, then I am going to spoil him all day long.

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA~

We want to wish Debbie, a.k.a. Nana, a happy birthday! We love you and had so much fun bowling with you and Joe on Sunday.

Enjoy your day today and have a blast at the home opener. Go Tribe!

Tray's Birthday Bash

The girls

Judie, Jen, Tracy & Me

The gang all got together Saturday night to celebrate Tracy's 32nd birthday. It was a night full of hugs, laughter, dancing, photo ops, planning, and occasional drama. It wouldn't be a night out without some drama. We don't save it for our mama's, we save it for each other.

My belly hurt Sunday morning from laughing so hard. My head hurt from drinking too much. My calves hurt from dancing so hard. It was perfect.
Tracy, I know you had a great time and that's what matters most. Happy 32nd birthday!
Click here for many more pictures taken by Carie.

Bob & the Birthday Girl

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACE

Our little girl turned four on Sunday. We celebrated Tinkerbell style with tons of family and friends. It was an awesome party and Grace is already planning her next one. I'm not kidding.

Thanks to everyone who came and played and made our baby girl feel like a princess for a day.

To Bob...With Love..YOUR CLEVELAND INDIANS

My main squeeze turns 34 today so send along some b/day lovin'! The Tribe did last night when they beat the Yankess and won the division series! I'm pretty sure that's gonna be Bob's best gift this birthday. GO TRIBE!
We began the b/day festivities on Friday, when we met up with Jes, Leo, Jodie & Tom. We did not go to the Indians game that night. We were literally walking out the door to go to the game when our friend who sold us the tickets called. He said check the date on those tickets. Well, there is no date on them. All they said was game 2 in the ALCS, not the ALDS. Oops. We still had a great time watching the game at Scorekeepers and now that we beat the Yankees, we get to see the Tribe play Boston one day next week.
Saturday we continued the celebration with Pete, Beckie, Pauly and Timmy. We watched another Buckeyes victory then played some late night cornhole.

Tonight, Mom is coming over for dinner, cake and presents! I like to make birthdays last as long as possible.

Happy Birthday Bob!!!

A WHOLE LOT OF EVERYTHING

Sometimes when there is a lot going on, I blog less b/c my mind is in over drive and I can't make much sense of anything when I try to write. But I miss my little bloggie, so with bullets and all, here's what's been happening:

• Saturday was D's 2nd b/day party. Lots of kids and adults enjoying the beautiful day and celebrating D's life! The batman party was a success, although D was quiet most of the day (in an overwhelmed, why the heck is everyone staring at me kinda way.) I am sure he had fun though.
• Sunday was mom's day. I slept until 11am. Then napped from 1-3pm. Got some gifties of books, photo albums and picture frames from the little ones. Then headed to my mom's for dinner and drinks.
• Keep Bob's dad in your thoughts and prayers please. He has been in the hospital since Saturday w/ an irregular heart beat. He should be returning home some time this week. We love you Dad and we are thinking of you.
• D's 2-year check up was today. Here's his stats: Weight = 30 3/4 lb, Height= 34 3/4. Doc said he's doing great. 70th percentile for everything.
• Cornhole is back. We played our first game Saturday night. Let me just say that I need some serious practice!
• Today I set up the pool for the kids and Jess and I sat in the sun. There was a bottle of 45 sunblock on the table where we sat. Do you think either of us put it on? Now we are both lobsters and in some serious pain. At least I remembered to put it on the kids.
• I quit smoking (again.) This was our gift to D for his b/day.
• My cousin Chris and his wife Gwen welcomed twin babies into the world!!!

PRINCESS PARTY PICTURES

Please, let this pink explosion STOP

End of the night hugs for Joey

Movie Time...No, lets look at our tongues instead

Finishing touches on the princess room

Ta Da

Grace's birthday party was a hit. She had the time of her life.

Thank you to Gma Debbie and Papa Joe for taking the kids and allowing us 24 hours to get the princess room done. If it wasn't for the two of you, we wouldn't even have the wallpaper off yet.

And THANK YOU to all of our family for coming over, sending cards, calling Gracie and all the wonderful gifts. Grace loved it all!

Tomorrow is the big game. OSU -v- Florida. I am so anxious for this game, I might have trouble sleeping tonight. I can not wait! GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!