Somebody Pinch Me Please...

Last Saturday, 9.10.11, Nick and I went to the Incubus concert in Camden, NJ. We bought the tickets several months ago. We got seat tickets, since we knew that the pit probably wouldn't be a good idea for a pregnant lady, especially at 7 1/2 months.

This was the fourth time I've seen them in concert, and the fifth for Nick. This day/concert will be a story we can talk about for the rest of our lives: The day Nick surprised me with back stage passes to meet the band and get autographs. Honestly, a dream come true...for the both of us.

Nick had contacted one of the local radio stations that he listens to, schmoozed them, and got the passes...I'm sorry, (but really not sorry), that I continue to toot the horn of how wonderful my husband is :-)

Baby Hinman even gets a piece of this memory, a signed onesie.

An Evening Out

This past Saturday, Nick and I joined Danielle and Todd for dinner in center city. We ate at Bucca di Beppo. The food was delicious; especially the huge brownie sundae dessert :-)

It was a nice get-a-way from the house; a reason to get out of the pj's and into some normal day clothes.

Afterwards, we made a quick stop at the Comcast building and watched the huge wall sized flat screen, then took a stroll through LOVE park, before hopping back on the train to come home.

Basketball Practice

Lindsay, my oldest niece, started learning basketball. A few weeks ago, we went to her practice to watch. It's so much fun watching all the little girls run around, get side tracked, twirl their hair, then go back to running around and trying to get the ball.

Lindsay, in the hot pink

This picture makes me laugh everytime!

She looks deep in thought

While Lindsay is practicing/playing, Paige is playing her own games on the side lines.

She had Nick skipping around. Unfortunately I missed that when recording, but it's still cute.

Frozen Dreams

December 10th, was the celebration of the birth of my sister, Danielle Ute! Happy 22 years Danielle!

Per her request, a few of us met up at the River Rink at Penn's Landing in Philly to go ice skating.

It didn't take long for Nick to get his "ice legs" back.

Todd and the Birthday Girl

Thanks to mom for being the photographer for the evening!

 Following skating, we indulged in dinner and games at Dave and Buster's, before calling it a night.

Collecting all of their tickets

Gatorade or H2O?

This year I was finally able to volunteer at the Philadelphia Marathon. My mom, brother and sister, have been volunteering together for the past 5 years, but I was never able to make it. What a great opportunity to spend time with my family and lend help for such a big event!

We arrived at our water stop location at 6:30am, the sun just starting to show itself.  We were greeted with donuts, pretzels, hot chocolate and coffee for breakfast. Once we filled our stomachs...and woke up, the fun and work began!

Chris and Lindsay

Todd and Danielle

Mom and I

The men unloaded the huge truck filled with tables, hundreds of gallons of water and Gatorade, and thousands of Dixie cups.

Once unloaded, everyone started setting up the tables and lining them with cups, then filling them with gatorade and water. With thousands of runners soon to need liquids, we had to work quickly and carefully.

While waiting, you could see the runners across the river, yet to reach our water stop.

Our water stop provided runners with hydration at two different points in the marathon. Once at 12.5 miles, and then at 24.5 miles.

When the crowds of runners would come together, it was busy! You can only hold so many cups in your hand before you have to run to the tables to get more. Each volunteer finds their own strategy for holding the cups for the runners to easily grab.

How awesome to be a part of such a world wide known event. Even though I don't have the personal ambition to complete this 26.2 mile event, I will be there to support and cheer you on, hopefully a tradition for the following years to come.