Spring/Summer Family Fun

We've had a few graduation parties, family reunions, birthdays, etc. the past few months and I figured I'd throw a few pictures together.  I love my family so much.  The older I get, the more I wish I had more time in a week to visit them all more often.  Not just my immediate family (luckily, they live close!), but my extended family as well.  They are all wonderful and so full of love. 

As always, I wish I had more pictures from all of the events this summer!  I also do have some pics to post from Kansas City, visiting my aunt, but that will be a separate post!

Happy Wednesday!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

I have not fully adjusted to or accepted the fact that I have free time again!  But it's been nice.  Last week, I decided to become a River Bandits fan, even though they are a farm team for the Cardinals.  I went to two games in a row last week!  Two!

Thursday night was Thirsty Thursday, $2 beers!  Jess met me down there after her run and we had a great time catching up and watching the River Bandits win!  I know what you're thinking...why weren't YOU on a run w/ Jess?  Well, if you must know (and be jealous, it's OK), it was "Keep the Glass" night at Old Chicago.  Buy a $3 Fat Tire and keep the authentic New Belgium glass it comes it!  They ran out of glasses in half an hour, and we got three of them!

Friday night was our company night at the ballpark!  I got to hang out with my coworkers, enjoy some free food, and another Bandits win.

I am looking forward to another game, who wants to join me?

A Weekend in Pictures

Last weekend, we made the trip up to the Des Moines/Ames area.  We originally planned to go floating and camping on Saturday, but with all of the flooding, I wasn't able to cross those activities off of my bucket list quite yet!  However, I had a really great time with my friends that started with a night out in Des Moines, which led into Saturday hangover remedy time with Ashley enjoying a delicious dinner at a diner!  Saturday night, a large group of us went out in Ames and on Sunday we ended the weekend in Adventureland, which was crowded and expensive, but way fun with good friends.  It brought back a lot of memories, not only of my childhood, but of our good friend TJ.  So it was a bittersweet day for me, because they were definitely happy memories...I just wish he could have been there with us.  But it was a wonderful experience with the beautiful people in my life, I don't have any pictures from Adventureland, but enjoy the rest!

Enjoying martinis at The Lift

Jessi and her fiance, Brett

Our martinis: Appletini, Key Lime Pie, Mango Slut, Bloody Marytini

Laura and I rocking our candy necklaces

Yum yum yummy necklaces

Sangria Sisters: Emily and Ashley

Toasting to people getting arrested (across the street!!)

Dancing at The Liars Club

It was packed on the dance floor!

Brunch with Ashley at the Drake Diner! She had a Veggie Bene
while I went all out and enjoyed Cap'n Crunch French Toast Sticks

Andy was absolutely floored that they sold 40s at Es Tas

Another Ashley in my life <3

The Zoo

I love going to zoos, as my Chicago post explained.  I don't exactly know why.  And some part of me really feels uncomfortable with so many wild animals being caged up instead of in their natural habitat.  But I also believe, if experienced correctly, zoos are a great way to learn about these animals from other countries.

About a month ago, I took my brother to the Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley.  It's not a very big zoo, but I do really love it and I try to go multiple times a summer.  Here are some pictures from our first trip to the zoo this summer.

Waiting for the train

We got the back seat of the train!

The lions were very active when we were there.

Look at the size of those paws!

Kisses!

Aww little baby =)

The tortoise really liked Alex

Just hanging out

A monkey posing with another monkey.

It was a wonderful day at the zoo, but we left just in time!  A big storm was coming our way.  We'll have to go again sometime soon!  Let me know if you'd like to join us.