Chelsea vs Man City at Busch Stadium

Last night was a big night in St. Louis.  The English Premier League's Chelsea Football Club and Manchester City Football Club had a friendly game at Busch Stadium.  St. Louis is a huge soccer town (despite some haters) and the game sold out in record time.

This tent was the first thing we saw when we got down to Busch Stadium.  It was quickly apparent that Chelsea was the favorite team as it seemed everyone initially had Chelsea gear on.

It was really odd to see all of this merchandise at the Cardinals' merchandise stands.

Our seats were mid-field and they were great.  We could see everything.

The Cardinals donated $1 of every ticket sold (over $48,000) to the relief fund for Moore, Oklahoma.  Both Chelsea and Man City Clubs matched that donation.  There was a short ceremony before the game to show signs of unity.

This back up goalie warmed up during half-time and a few minutes in to the second half.  Unfortunately, it didn't do much good.  When he came in Chelsea was winning 3-0.  He gave up one goal within the first 10 seconds and a second goal about 2 minutes later.

Man City ended up coming from a 3-0 deficit and win 4-3.  In the end, I think that most people were cheering for both teams.  There were some die hards for each team but, for the most part, we all were just excited to see these premier players play the game of "football".

After the game, each team walked around the field and saluted the crowd.

One of the hot items of the night were these scarves.  I have seen them in soccer bars/pubs before so I knew I had to have one.  This one has Busch Stadium and the date, May 23, 2013, on it.  Then on each end are the coat of arms of each team.  I love it.

I really hope that we get more games like this to St. Louis.  It was good for the city and great for the fans to see the game played at this high of level.  

Why My Weekend Sucked

Ok, maybe that title isn't really accurate.  This weekend in Vegas did not suck.  I mean, how could it?  I was with my Hottie Scottie on a kid-free weekend with great friends.  Maybe I should have said, Why This Weekend in Vegas Was Different Than Every Other Weekend in Vegas and Why I Wish Circumstances Weren't What They Were . . . but that would have been a really long title.

Things started off by me getting the sad news that my aunt, Sue, passed away somewhat unexpectedly on Thursday morning.  Sue had been sick for several years but in the past couple of weeks she became really ill.  I guess that I, along with the rest of the family, just thought that it was like all of the other times where she would bounce back.  Unfortunately, this time it wasn't meant to be and so we were all shocked to realize that she was actually gone.  Because of the way the weekend was set up, I wasn't able to cancel my trip to attend the funeral.  So as I sat there in what I always lovingly refer to as my second home, all I could think of was being back here in my real home and saying good-bye to her.

Having Sue and the funeral on my mind was the main reason why this weekend was different but the weather in Vegas this weekend sucked, as well. UGH.  Are you serious?  It was 22F on Saturday morning and this was during the day.  You can imagine how cold it was at night.  It was warmer in St. Louis than it was in Vegas.  It was miserable, bone-chilling, see-your-breath, put on your winter parka cold.  I was prepared for it to be in the 40's or 50's . . . not in the teens and 20's.  It just really changed our whole "strategy" (and YES, you DO need a strategy) on Vegas.

Having said all of that, we had a great time with the neighbors (as usual).    They are always good for a good time.

 Corey and Ann, my neighbors

 Hottie Scottie and Me at Jimmy Buffett's.  Tip:  Order the Chicken Nachos.  I swear . . . just do it.

 This is what I deal with.  This is at the Hoffbrahaus.  Tip:  Go.  Ask for Michelle from Germany, last name is being protected :)

On a somber note, I want to end this post with a video of my aunt Sue giving her testimony in church.  This was taped just within the last couple of months.  I am told that instead of the traditional sermon at the funeral, the officiant spoke a few words and then played this audio wherein, essentially, Sue gave the sermon at her own funeral.  The family all say that it was very fitting and very much an appreciated part of the funeral.

While I am so sad for my dad (she was his baby sister), her husband, kids, grandkids, and all of the extended family I am equally happy for the fact that she is no longer in pain.  In the last couple of years she was bound to a wheelchair because of an amputation due to the lack of blood flow to her leg.  She had rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease and countless other things wrong.  She is finally no longer in pain.

A Year in Review-2012

I can't believe that I am already at my end of the review.  The last day of 2012.  Is that even possible?  So many things happened this year.  Here are a few of my favorite moments:

January
January was a pretty slow month for us.  We didn't do a whole lot but if you want to see the temperature changes just within one month, take a look at this. 

 We played outside in the snow.

We got to play outside with some sidewalk chalk.

We also got to go to the park a few times.

February

Gracie had her 1st day of preschool.

Kanin got to play hockey at the Scott Trade Center.

March

In March, Kanin had his first baseball practice.

We went to Vegas in March and had a great time with some great friends.

One of our favorite days of the year, St. Patrick's Day and the Dogtown Parade.

April

My babies looked so sweet on Easter Sunday.

Even though it was raining on Opening Day, we were so happy that St. Louis Cardinals baseball was back!

Kanin made his Mama proud when he hit a double at his very first at bat in his very first baseball game.

May

Mother's Day was very special.  I got to go to a Mother's Day Tea with Kanin in his classroom and then spent Mother's Day at Busch Stadium with all of my loves.

Mommy started working in March and headed to Jamaica in May.

June

We were able to support our Debbie with our 2nd annual team entry in the Race for the Cure.

Gaga was excited with his Father's Day gift of a Draftmark Kitand then a day of golf.

July

July brought my babies' birthdays.  GracieAnn turned 5 and Caleb turned 3.  Of course, Gaga made and decorated their cakes.

Dave came back to St. Louis!

Gracie started dance classes.

Caleb was a very happy boy when he finally got to see the coo coo trains at the Transportation Museum.

August

Kanin headed back to school in August.

 

The kids got their very first look at the ocean when we vacationed in Mexico.

September

Our good friends, Chad and Kelly, came in from Colorado with their daughter Teagan.  We had a great time playing that weekend.

We also enjoyed celebrating the Westerhold German heritage by going to a couple of Oktoberfests.

October

Gaga spent a lot of time and money putting new floors down throughout the entire downstairs.

Although we ended up getting beat in the NLCS, we had a great time during the post season.

The kids loved dressing up for Halloween.

November

My big boy turned 9 and we went to the school to celebrate with him.  Later, we went bowling.

 

We had a feast for Thanksgiving and everyone still loved the cranberry glaze.

Gaga read the Elf on the Shelf to these 3 anxious listeners.

December

December started off with Mommy heading to the Bahamas.

 

We had a visit with Santa Claus.

We made cookies for Christmas Eve.

We enjoyed another year together and we are looking forward to 2013!