A Little More Christmas...

We have really been relaxing this Christmas break (well, ever since we returned home from Disney).  We went to Mass yesterday, and today we went down to Cincinnati to visit with my aunt and uncle, cousins, and grandma before she leaves for South America.  Go Bears!

The girls before Mass...

The girls and Great-Grandma T...

Cousins...

Bengals v. Browns...Go Free Tickets!

 We got free tickets to the Bengals home opener today, against the Browns.  Because we only had four tickets, not everyone could go.  Logan was very quick to bow out..."Are they playing the Bears?  Then why would I want to go?"  Now, obviously we are not a fan of either team--but who could pass up free NFL tickets?  Well, I think Barry would have passed them up had he know how much pain he'd be in after running a marathon.  Our seats were all the way at the top of the stadium...that's a lot of walking up ramps and stairs.  On the way back down he asked the "Club" elevator attendant to let us ride since he was in so much pain.  He must have been very convincing, as we were granted access.  After the game we took the girls to Johnny Rockets for milkshakes for the car ride home.

View from the top...

 

Outside of Paul Brown Stadium...

Best part for these two...

Cubs in Cincy...

 The Cubs were in town this weekend, so we drove down to Cincinnati to see them tonight for Maren's birthday.  We love our Cubbies, win or lose.  Tonight it was lose, but we still had a great time.  It was also awesome to see the girls' music teacher on the jumbo-tron...a fellow die-hard Cubs fan!

The girls at Great American Ballpark...

Birthday girl...

 

Go Cubs Go...

 

The Reds hit another home run, Logan and I are NOT impressed...

 

What to Do at the Zoo...

We went down to the Cincinnati Zoo today.  About a month ago I luckily signed up for free tickets for military families (thanks to AFTA).  Not only did we get five free tickets, but we also received a $50 gift card to spend on food.  The girls had a great time!

 

 

Checking out the elephants...

 

 

 

 

 

Logan...

 

  Carsyn...

 

Maren...

 

Of all the animals at the zoo, they were most impressed with a pig...

 

Coco Key...

Logan, Carsyn, and I just returned home from a Girl Scout field trip to Coco Key waterpark.  Logan's troop used their cookie money, and I brought Carsyn along for the fun.  The girls had a great time.  I decided not to even bring a suit, but had fun chatting with the other moms ;). 

Logan's troop...

 Carsyn and Makenzie...

Last Lacrosse Games...

Logan's last two lacrosse games were this afternoon down in Cincinnati.  Her team had a great season, winning 6 and tying 1.  But, today they face some pretty fierce competition.  The girls on the opposing team were all bigger, but our girls hung in there.  Unfortunately they lost both games today, but they played hard.  Logan scored 2 goals in the first game and 1 in the second.  We're so proud of her, and can't wait for next season!

Ready to play...

Logan...

 It's hard to win a draw when the other girl is so much taller...

Logan scoring...

 Logan's team and coach...

Another Lacrosse Game...

Logan's game was down in Cincinnati today, and boy was it hot!  This was the first game that Carsyn, Maren, and Nani got to see her play (daddy had drill).  Logan did well, despite the heat.  She had a few shots on goal, but didn't score today. 

After the game...

NYE...

With the forecast projecting highs in the upper 50's--possibly even lower 60's--we couldn't wait to get outside and enjoy the beautiful day. We headed down to Cincinnati to go to the zoo. We'd never been to Cincy's zoo, but had heard that it was very hilly. Well, compared to the National Zoo, this zoo was practically flat! We had a great time and were thrilled with the minimal crowd--we nearly had it all to ourselves. Most of the animals were out too. The girls loved seeing the giraffes. Afterward we had a late lunch at Panera before driving home to watch the (pre-recorded) Sun Bowl game...GO IRISH!!! What a great last day of the year. Now we'll see if the girls will make it to see the ball drop...

The girls...

I love these girls...

Logan and Maren...

Think she could fly?

Maren...

Carsyn and Maren...

Daddy's girls...

Couldn't decide it looked better in color or black and white?

Carsyn and the polar bear...

Sisters...

So sweet...

Finally checking out the giraffes...

Maren...

Logan...

Hanging out with the two-toed sloth...

What a fun day!

Cinderella in Cincinnati...

Daddy got the girls (free) tickets to see a musical production of Cinderella at the Cincinnati Ensemble Theater. The show was especially for military personnel and their families, and they even provided snacks at intermission. The girls had a lot of fun. Afterward we went out for an early dinner before going to 5:30 mass.

Outside the theater...

Cubs @ Cincy (again)...

After school today I walked Logan and Carsyn home for the first time this school year. They regularly ride the bus home so they can get an early start on homework before we have to rush off to cheer practice. But, there typically isn't any homework on Fridays.

They're really starting not to like dressing alike

(hello?! you guys wear a uniform!)...

Once we arrived home after school we all got changed and ready to see the Cubs in Cincinnati. Unfortunately, we must not have been totally prepared because we were nearly halfway there when daddy informed us that he forgot his wallet. So we had to go all the way back home and start the drive all over again. Needless to say, mommy was not a happy camper. We got to Great American Ballpark in the second inning...oh well. The score wasn't that bad when we got there either, and we were just in time to see the Cubs only run ; (. I don't know if we're bad luck or what, but this was the third time we've seen the Cubs play the Reds this season, and the third time we've seen them get beaten--BADLY! Definitely NOT Reds fans--yuck! What a crappy season! There's always NEXT YEAR right? We had fun anyway.

Go Cubs...

I think they were trying to get on the "Kiss Cam"...

One of our faves, Marlon Byrd...

Trying to get him to throw us a ball...