Becoming a Teenager

I can't believe 13 years ago, my little (and oldest) niece was brought into this world. My post about her 12th birthday last year was complete with photos from when she was just a little tyke until our joint birthday celebration. I have absolutely loved watching her grow each day and every year. Through the ups and downs, I have bonded with my fellow March baby more than probably anyone - I mean, she is pretty much like me, which is a little scary as well as wonderful.
This year, since Olivia was becoming a teenager, I stopped at Bredenbeck's Bakery in Chestnut Hill to pick up some signature cupcakes. We love trying new bakeries (for us!) and enjoy decorative cupcakes. I also wanted to hit up a local bakery that generously donates to The Eye Institute's "Looking Out for Kids" charity fundraiser each year. Here are just a couple shots of the fabulous creations and Liva blowing out her candles.

My two nieces, Abby, and Olivia - Abby wanted to help Liv blow out her candles as all little kids love. 

Eagles vs. Browns

After being given tickets to the August 25th preseason Eagles game (my first), I was super excited to bring my niece, Olivia, along for the fun. Although it rained during the majority of the day and night, we were able to catch a good hour and a half of the festivities.

My dad drove into the city to pick my mom up from work with Olivia and Joseph in tow. I met them after work to grab some dinner on Passyunk Avenue before the game. My parents and I enjoyed pizza and antipasto while Liva enjoyed shrimp scampi and Joseph had some soup at Marra's Cucina Italiano Restaurant, 1734 E. Passyunk Avenue, in South Philly before making our way to the game.

It started to rain again right as we were getting closer to the parking lot, which was included with our tickets! We smuggled a small umbrella into Liva's purse just in case it started to rain - it was a necessity after the game! Entering through the Red Zone Suites, Liva was extremely excited. As a joke, we kept saying "VIP What?" because our tickets said VIP on them. We ventured to our seats, right next to the Xfinity couch, where they were filming mini segments about their proximity to the field. One of the camera men were actually sitting in our seats so we scooted over a little. And, we were two rows from the field to the right of the goalpost - for a first game, even though it was preseason, it was definitely great and an experience for Liva. As the game continued and Vick threw some great passes, I helped her understand the logistics of the sport.

Liva holding her ticket

The scoreboard across the field

Cheerleaders - my friend Tracey is second from the left.

The camera man directly in front of my seat. 

Goalpost 

Xfinity couch - seat #11 was our seat.  

After the rain started, at 9 p.m. like I predicted (love http://www.weather.com/), Liva and I headed out to the entrance and took photos by the compilation decades in which we were born.

1999

1982

(Notice my soaking wet hair, which had to be put into a ponytail because I didn't have a hood like Liv!)

The first decade they had posted.

Lincoln Financial Field sign as we were leaving...rain drops?!

Last year, I attended a special FedEx event at Lincoln Financial Field for work, which included a tour. I figured it would only be appropriate to include some of those photos here. And, I do have some video of LeSean McCoy and Desean Jackson during a Q and A at that event too.

Quintin Mikell's locker space - he hosted The Eye Institute's 2010 "Looking Out for Kids" Charity Fundraiser.

Locker room 

Press Conference Room

FedEx stage where LeSean and DeSean signed autographs.

Not the best photo, the video was much better!

More to come...

Sporty skills

This spring, my niece started playing softball for the first time. Although she danced when she was younger, she was a little apprehensive yet excited about actually playing organized sports for the first time. Now, just a month after her initial game, she warmed up to being the team's catcher. She also has a pretty great swing, although I haven't captured that on film yet.

Here she is at third base following her first hit. And, then we just had to capture a quick shot of the siblings after the game.  

"Somewhere behind the athlete you've become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back... play for her."

~ Mia Hamm

Joseph, who has played t-ball and now enjoys both basesball and basketball is an old pro on the field. As a little boy, he also loves anything that moves! Recently, my brother promised him he would be able to ride an ATV, which he absolutely loved (even if he stopped too quickly at times!) and couldn't wait to ride again.

Making a sharp turn and stopping for a picture.

"It is not how big you are, it's how big you play."

~ Author Unknown

Happy 12th Birthday!

With so many cute pictures of my oldest niece, I couldn't choose just one to say Happy 12th Birthday! Wow, it was only yesterday she was crawling around (and this blog has taken super long to actually finish because I needed to purchase more space!)

As any one who knows me knows, I love my nieces and nephews - they are the absolute BEST!

Happy Birthday to my Liva...one more year until you're a teenager! Yikes!

First Halloween and Thanksgiving

Wasn't she adorable?

Summer at the Beach...she LOVES it there, still!

My high school graduation...so cute!

And, then came Joseph...September 2002.

She loved being a big sister!

Easter in Lancaster

Matching shirts at a Baltimore Orioles Game when they lived in Maryland.

2007-2008

School year

Happy 12th Birthday

Love,

Aunt Lexy



Olivia's MB Night

My niece, Olivia, wasn't able to come to Max Brenner the night of my birthday so we headed there once again to celebrate her birthday a week later. Once our night was finished, she said she doesn't know how we don't come back everyday - I think that's a testament to Max Brenner's yumminess!
This time though, we only had dessert.
We split Peanut Butter Chunky Chocolate Crepes and Crispy Chocolate Eggrolls and the three adults had coffee while Liva enjoyed a milkshake in a fun 'drink me' ceramic glass (which I later purchased).

Crepes with caramel sauce, bananas foster and a dollop of ice cream

Crispy Chocolate Eggrolls 

Liva and I before she bought her chocolate pecan truffles