Louisiana by Way of Kettering

I took a trip to Louisiana this weekend in a very different way.  We got there via the Fraze Pavilion and Swamp Romp, a free festival that catapultes you right into the heart of the Bayou.  There was Zydeco music, cajun food, beads, dancing and fun!  We walked right in, found the nearest drink station and ordered up a Margarita.  It wasn't as good as a fresh one, but it served it's purpose.  It was a nice night, warm but not to hot or humid for once.  We ate cajun catfish with cheesey potatoes and a shrimp po'boy and both were delicious.  We then headed over to band and listened to the music.  It made me wish for New Orleans!

Me and Tim

Reese with Tim

Reese with Tim

Reese              

Reese wuth G-pa

All Things Wine

This past Friday Tim and I decided to head to Vinoklet.  We've talked about it for awhile and got the push to go from my brother and sister in law.  The four of us, along with my parents, headed on over for some food and wine.  It's really nice there, casual, and I think a great price for what you get.  We had a table that overlooked the vineyard and gazebo and got to watch the sun start to set.  Included in the cost is a wine tasting, a bottle of your favorite, dinner, desert and spending as much time as you want enjoying the vineyards, bocce ball area, cornhole etc...  We started with the tasting and got to try 7 wines.  They only disappointment was that we didn't get to try the Cab.  I am a red wine lover and cab is my favorite, so I would have enjoyed that.  However, all the wines were pretty good and Tim and I Decided to go with the Merlot.  Merlot is not usually my favorite, actually it tends to be my least favorite red, but it was pretty good and called the Cincinntus.  Then we got salad, roll and picked our meat.  You could chose between Steak, Shrimp, Salmon, Cod, Pork Chops, Chicken or Tilapia.  Tim and I chose the Salmon and Shrimp.  You grill your own which was fun and then got our sides.  Green beans, mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes and corn.  It was all you can eat, but we only ate once.  You also got desert.  It was all really good.  We then walked around a little and checked out the grounds before leaving.  I would definitely recommend.  These aren't great pictures, but they'll have to do.  http://www.vinokletwines.com/

Bunbury Fun

So Cincinnati hosted the Bunbury Music Festival on the Riverfront this year.  It's super exciting to think that this could really add to the music scene here and hopefully will be around for many years to come.  There were some really good acts:  Janes Addiction, Weezer and Death Cab for Cutie were the headliners with Grouplove, Guided by Voices, The Gaslight Anthem, Neon Trees, O.A.R., Foxy Shazam, Bad Veins and many, many other acts played on 5 different stages.  Because this was at Sawyer Point and Yeatmans Cove it was really spread out and never seemed extremely crowded.  They had plenty of restrooms, beer and food.  I even got to try chicken and waffles from Taste of Belgium which was delicious!  We went with some good friends of ours and managed to get up close and personal with Weezer on Sat night.  I wish I could have gone all 3 days, but with a toddler it's hard to find the time.  Luckily Grandma and Grandpa were available to get in some good QT with Reese and Tim and I spent the day out together. 

Hello Rivers

Weezer

Me and Sarah

Me, Tim and my BIL Jeremy

Before we went to Bunbury, we went to lunch in the Gateway Quarter and then headed through the newly renovated Washington Park (which looks awesome), hopped through City Flea and then went into Music Hall for some World Choir Game action.  All in all we had a fantastic day and we certainly be back next year!

4th of July and besties

Every year on the 4th of July we have a family picnic where we invite all the relatives, grill out, sweat a lot (because it's usually soooo hot) and just have fun hanging out.  Reese has a best friend from school, Audrey.  This year we thought it would be fun to invite Audrey (Auby as Reese calls her) and her parents over as well so the girls could play.  This is such a fun age and it's so neat to see their little personalities in full bloom.  We went from both of them having to sit together in the car, swimming int he pool and playing at the sand and water table, to Reese deciding that the chair Auby was sitting in was hers and she needed to sit in it right away.  This is a chair that she has probably sat in once since we bought it 6 months ago.  We had a great day!!

Trying This Again

So, I have decided I am not a very good blogger, but Im giving it another go.  I want to make sure I am documenting the happenings in our family for my daughter.  We'll see if I can keep it going this time.  Reese is now 19 months.  She keeps me on my toes and I love so much to watch her as she grows up.  Tim and I are so lucky!