The One With the Forced Fun Family Fall Fest

 

Yesterday, we decided to celebrate the first day of fall - or have a Mabon fest - as Emmie likes to put it.

 That meant the entire day was dedicated to fall fun. This included:

 

1. Bringing in food from Nick and Andy's.

2. Apple picking at Russell's Orchard, which was fun because we got on the back part of the orchard for the first time ever.

3. Emmie made her epic hot apple cider and showed Kiff how to make it.

4. Emmie hosted a Mabon fall festivity and writing moment.

5. We went to Jimmy's steakhouse. YUM!

6. We watched It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and Curious George Boo Fest.

7. Emmie and I watched The Glenn Miller Story.

 

The One With Post Poned Malone

 

 

Yesterday seemed like it was going to be an ideal day. It was a Saturday. The sun was shining. A fall wind was in the air.

And we had tickets to Post Malone. Now, I know what you're thinking. Post Malone is not necessarily my ideal concert, but Bri and Kiff are fans. And so, we got tickets to see him months ago.

I should have known something was up when I realized Emmie wouldn't be able to go because of the cold she had. She felt miserable. Bri had made other plans because she forgot, although she was planning to go once we reminded her. However, with Emmie's change of plans, we decided to let her stay home, too.

 So now, it was just Kiff and I. But, we were going to have fun. We left at 5:00 for an 8:00 concert with plans to make it to the TD Boston Garden and have something to eat before the concert. We parked in the North Station garage and walked up through the garden. Then, we noticed Tasty Burger outside the garden and decided to give it a try.

 We picked a good place. There was definitely no line - which would prove ironic later - and was not too crowded when we went in. Kiff had a milkshake, fries, and burger while I had nuggets and fries. The food was good, and as time went on, more and more concert goers came in. However, like most places, they were short staffed, so we waited a while for them to take our credit card (people around us took notice and had their's out when the wait staff brought the bill).

 As we paid, we noticed a funny line being formed outside the garden. Now, having gone to many events at the garden, I found it unusual. I've never waited outside, But, some concerts give away those glowing watches, so I began to wonder if that is what was going on. Kiff kept wondering if we were waiting to get in - but from the people in front of us and behind us, as well as the people who held signs for "Post Malone" in the line, it was clear we were in the right place.

 Around 7:20, it became clear why there was a line. Several people, either working for the TD Garden, or Post Malone, came out and said the concert was post poned. They gave no reason, other than that he "posted a note on social media." Honestly, they should have taken the time to tell us exactly what was happening because people in line could fine nothing posted on Instagram or Twitter.

 Eventually word did pop up on social media. We felt bad - Post Malone was actually in the hospital. Our evening out definitely turned into a memory for a different reason....but that's okay. We will catch Post Malone when he comes around again and hope he recovers quickly.

The One Where Bri Gets Angry

 

 

 

 It is always interesting when Bri gets angry...especially when she plays a sport. Because when she does, she tends to up her game. We have seen it in the past before when she has played indoor field hockey and softball.

So, when we suddenly saw Bri all over the field in her field hockey game yesterday, we knew something must have happened. In the second half of the game - in a cool, windy day in Middleton, Bri began racing all over the defensive side of the field. She seemed to be intent on stealing every pass, every dribble (yes, there was a player on the opponent that liked dribbling by bouncing the ball off her stick), and any shot.  Emmie and I reasoned that something must have "ticked her off."

When the game was over, we asked Bri about that. And a player definitely raised her dander. According to her, a player knocked her down in the middle of a play, which caused her to see red. As a result, it became her mission to stop any and all people wearing red.

 

And, the other benefit - she won the player of the game stick for JV

 

 

The One With Bri's Bump on the Head and Field Hockey Game

 

Today was Bri's third field hockey game of the year. She definitely had a memorable moment. Although I missed it - the game started early and I got there a little later than planned - it must have been quite a hit. She hit a ball which bounced off an opponents stick then hit her in the head.

The only way I knew something was up was when I saw her walking toward the bathroom at half time. I figured she had to go the bathroom, but when she came back with an ice pack, I realized what happened.

The most fun part of the game was hearing a student in the crowd actually looking for her when talking to someone else. and pointing out that she did a good job. That was a "proud dad" moment for me.

The One Where My Mom Turns 87

 

Today, I went to the Cape and joined Mark to take my Mom out for breakfast. It happens to be her 87th birthday. It is soooooo hard to believe.

 

Happy 87th Mom!

The One With The First Football Game

 

This Friday, Bri and Kiff performed in their first football game together as members of the marching band. It was so phenomenal to see.

It was so much fun to see them performing together. And, it was a blast to see them enjoy the third quarter pause in the game as well.

Kiff did a great job with the trumpet. Bri was awesome as part of the color guard, especially with their new, competetive dance.

They are quite a duo.

The One With Imagine Dragons and Macklemore

 

 

Last night, we went to a concert at Fenway Park to see Imagine Dragons with opener Macklemore. 

 

We started the night by going to the Cask and Flagon. We arrived at 4:30, but  found out, unlike eating their before the red sox game in july which was on a weekday, the restaurant fills up quick on a weekend. We were literally there 2 hours....but the food was good1 I love their buffalo chicken wraps.

 

after that, we went next door to the concert. of course, we had to make our obligatory visit to the souvernir shop to get IG gear...which was fun.

 

We went in and - to be honest - it was the hottest it has ever been when I've been to fenway. but, it is still a swell place to watch a concert. we got to our seats shortly before macklemore took stage. i was only familiar with a couple of macklemore songs, but i have to admit, he is a true showman. What a show! He got fans excited on multiple occasions, told stories (he had spent a lot of time in MA as a kid), and had many guest singers on stage with him. He even performed a song for a crowd called "ManiaC' or the first time since it had been released the day before. Amazing Show...he was like a younger, rapping donnie wahlburg.

 

The Imagine Dragons followed and they were simply spectacular. in fact, i would now add them to my to 15 groups list. their songs told a story, much like the weeknd did earlier this year. The music was crisp and robust, as well as diverse, and i recognized many songs. we learned that three of the current members - the two guitarists and the drummer, who is a red sox fan - went to Berklee around the corner. The lead singer had so many amazing messages - including ones about therapy and overcoming obstacles - was phenomenal and definitely connected with the audience. He admitted that he wanted to go to berklee, but his mother said that byu was a better option because he was a member of the church of latter day saints (the other member who was on backup instruments went there, too). There were a lot of kids there, and he dedicated a song to them. they also dedicated a song to ukraine, as well as one to teachers (including mr. white, who taught the three berklee grads). They dedicated "Demons" to anyone who lost someone in their lives through death, breakup, and drifting away...emphasizing our need to be connected. They were fantastic.

 

one thing we did learn - don't park in our usual lot when you are at a concert and plan to stay until the end - there was a road closed that really, really, really messed it up.