Brew at the Zoo!

Aaaaaaaah, September.  Month of changing leaves, apples, crisp air, football, and beerfests.  Yes, I did put that in my list of favorite things.

We've been to TWO beerfests in the last few weeks!  Fortunately for us, Rip is IN the industry, which means free tickets.  For events where there is unlimited beer.  Score!  Good for the tastebuds, but bad for the waistline.

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Last weekend was "Zoo Brew," which was actually at Potowatami Zoo.  Loved it.  Craft beers from dozens of regional breweries, and a view of the buffalo and peacocks.  We couldn't wander the zoo. . .apparently people have been irresponsible with the animals, which is just sad.  I would have loved to stroll around on a cool evening and admire the animals..

And believe it or not, there's ANOTHER ONE in a few weeks.  It's the South Bend Brew Festival.  And yes, we'll be there in full force, too.

Go, Orange Tigers!

The boys had their first soccer game last Saturday, and won 10-1.  Or 8-1.  Or something like that.  I'm not sure anyone was really keeping an official score.  And it didn't matter.  Not one.  Single.  Bit.

 Coach Rip and the "Orange Tigers."  So adorable how all their jerseys are two sizes too big!

Brody Ray. . .keepin' it real, rocking his Sesame Street Purdue t-shirt and Mommy's sunglasses.

 And the boys' FAVORITE part. . .the game's over!  (It's almost time for the SNACKS!)

"On three. . .ONE, TWO, THREE, ORANGE TIGERS!"

Coach Ray

Poor, poor Rip.

He really wasn't excited about coaching a soccer team full of six year olds. . .talk about unfocused energy!  As Rip put it, "one six year old who doesn't listen is bad enough.  Imagine seven of them!"

However, he was a good sport.   Mason's team had no coach, and hence, couldn't play until a coach materialized.  Enter:  Rip Ray.

Rip Ray who actually does know something about soccer. . .he played competitively from the time he was Mason's age through high school.   He has stumpy, stunted, crooked fingers from breaking them all in his time as a goalie.  He also has his share of broken toes from those days.  Who said football was more dangerous than soccer???

I think he just agreed to coach so he could go shopping.  New soccer shoes, new shorts, a new bag. . .Rip Ray at his finest!!!

According to the State of Tennessee. . .

According to the slogan of the State of Tennessee, the state represents "America at its Finest."  I think you'd be hard-pressed to argue with that.  We arrived here on the second day of our big road trip adventure, and here's what "they" had that we liked. . .

For one, "they have" Daddy.  AKA Mr. Rip Ray, husband and father extraordinaire.  He had been living in a corporate apartment since June while we were back in Texas. The kiddos were missing him so much by the time we arrived in Nashville, they were literally hanging over the balcony rail, waiting for him to come home from work.

"They" also have the Tennessee Titans!  And because Rip's Aunt Sharon is Jeff Fisher's assistant, the boys got to go to training camp and play around with the players and their kids on the practice field.  Fun stuff!

Because there were four of us in a little corporate apartment designed for just one person, we had to get out and about fairly often to keep ourselves sane.  So here's what else we got into during our week in Nashville:

Krispy Kreme!

family pizza night

the Williamson County Fair

the petting zoo

At the end of our week in Nashville, we were a little sad to leave Rip, but we had a plan:  one week in Indiana visiting my parents, a few days in St. Louis to see our friends The Whites, then BACK to Nashville for a long weekend before heading back to Texas in time for Mason to start Kindergarten.  Oh, how I love a good plan!









The Great American Backyard Campout

Rip and Mason have been talking about doing this for probably a year. . .I think Mason wore Rip down, so the two FINALLY had their campout.

Despite promising to help set up their campsite, Mason got distracted very quickly. As soon as the tent was out of the box, Mason thought playing in the sandbox looked like more fun. And clearly (?) that necessitated taking off his pants. When I asked him why he was "nekkid," he said he didn't want to get sand in his undies. Aaaaaah. Gotcha.

As soon as the hard work was over, Mason was all about camping again. He got the inside of the tent all set up with sleeping bags, pillows, toys, and his beloved stuffed animals. He was so very excited.


And Rip was having a blast. He was so happy to sit by the "campfire" (aka the grill), drink his beer, and enjoy the evening. He said at one point that it felt like they were at the Ranch. Since that's one of Rip's favorite places in the world, I thought that was a pretty good thing.


The two cooked hotdogs on sticks, roasted marshmallows, made smores, and talked. It was so sweet to see.

They went to sleep around 9, and I didn't hear from them again until daybreak. They came inside smelling like campfire smoke and boys, and happy as could be.