First Family Trip to Newport Aquarium [12-29-18]

We went down to my dad house in Charleston, West Virginia for Christmas. Well, J and I both had to work the rest of the week after Christmas and we didn't have a babysitter lined up so the babies stayed in West Virginia with my dad. I had mentioned that I wanted to take the kids to the aquarium since Kota was older and would prolly enjoy it. So we met them down at Great Wolf Lodge where they were staying and headed to Newport.

Honestly, I think Chey and J enjoyed it more than Kota (who missed her morning nap and was a total demon). Overall, very good trip with the grandparents and we can't wait to go again when Kota isn't exhausted.

Life with Kota [12-17-18]

The way our house is set up, we have the living room and the "spare room" as our baby proofed "Kota area" then we have a baby fence across the dining room doorway and a gate on the stairway so she is pretty restricted to two large rooms. Well, I was in the kitchen making lunch and doing dishes so I let her out there with me. Of course, shes getting into the dog food and throwing his bowl around but then things go quiet. I look around and can't find Kota ANYWHERE. Then I hear a giggle from the laundry room:

This hoodlum had figured out how to open the dryer and just climbed on in. Needless to say, I'm glad I didn't use it all weekend.

Dakota's First Halloween

Unfortunately, it was ridiculously cold and raining the evening of Trick or Treat in our town so I didn't feel comfortable taking her out in it (especially when we would just be gathering candy for ourselves). BUT I did get the baby a costume! I apologize for the poor quality and lack of pictures...

She was a little dinosaur! She spent the entire time just tryin to eat the hood.. I found it on Amazon and I loved it. It's super soft, fits her well, and since the spikes are foldable, she still wears it to bed some nights. 10/10 great investment. 

Rock Fest 2013

Line up:

Day 1-

Halestorm

Seether

Three Days Grace

Day 2-

Pop Evil

Theory of a Deadman

The Offspring

Korn

Day 3-

Warrent

Hellyeah

Slash

Megadeath

Kiss

Day 4-

Otherwise

Device

Skillet

Rock Fest 2013 was absolutely amazing. It was in Cabott, Wisconsin which ended up being 10 hours away and we drove. Talk about too long in a car. It was worth it though. I went with my dad, his girlfriend, and my eight year old sister Candyel. My dad had bought us all reserved seating which meant we were closer to the stage and we got our own lawn chairs that we got to take home. The third day we walked outside our hotel (the day after seeing the Offspring in concert) and saw Kevin Wasserman (guitarist of The Offspring) hanging out outside our hotel, which was 40 minutes from the concert, having a cigarette so we stopped and talked to him for a bit. Then we loaded up a cooler of beer and headed over early where we met up with Nick, Mitch, and Sota (hes from Minnesota and the other two were from Illinois) who had parked beside us in a decked out van. We hung out, played some beer pong, and had a good time. The fourth day we all got to meet the band Otherwise, which if you haven't heard of them, look them up. They are easily one of my favorite bands and I can't wait to see them in concert again. The whole trip was fantastic and I'm looking forward to going again next year.

Our seats

Pop Evil

Theory of a Deadman's Tyler Connolly

Candyel and I

Fireworks

Korn

Just chilling with the security

Kiss

sign on the way to the concert

Lead singer of Otherwise (left) singing with Device

Beeeeeeer. They only had Miller and Leienkugel

new hoodie

my 8 year old sister playing me in beer pong

Otherwise!

Autographs from Otherwise

Candyel and I

Skillet

Country Concert 2013

So my friend Grace and I have had Reserved Seating passes since February and I couldn't freaking wait. And overall, it was a fantastic weekend. Lots of beer, friends, and some damn good country music. Here was the line up:

Day 1-

Colt Ford

Jake Owen

Jason Aldean

Day 2-

Blackhawk

Kellie Pickler

Little Big Town

Dierks Bentley

Day 3-

Jana Kramer

Dustin Lynch

Chris Cagel

Lee Brice

Chris Young

Brad Paisley

We ended up driving there and home everyday instead of camping so it was my friends Ryan and Tim from work and then my friend Grace in my car. Then Grace drove us home two of the three days and Tim/I drove last night.

The performers were awesome, the music was great, everyone there was nice and it was just an overall amazing time minus some kinks. Some highlights: this guy I just met told me he loved me then fell over a cooler, got groped by some Canadians, we made Grace into a beer holder (even though she didn't drink all weekend), this nice Canadian lady with a cute accent asked Grace and I about our boots, got some beads, these assholes in the camp ground scared Grace and I with a rubber snake on a fishing pole, I smoked a Canadian cigarette, danced with quite a few people, Grace and I cuddled in this camper, played some beer pong, and just had a ton of fun. Downside, I lost three pairs of sunglasses in three days and two packs of cigarettes. It happens I guess. All of it was well worth it. Can't wait for next year.

Now for pictures!

Gotta spend today recovering and get through this week of work then off to Wisconsin thursday after work for Rock Fest! Sooo excited!