Alex's 1st baseball game

Sunday, we took Alex to his 1st baseball game. We got to see my favorite team - the Cincinnati Reds. Of course, we were there on the hottest day in Ohio this summer, so we spent several innings under the stands in the shade.
We spent the night in Cincinnati, then headed to Ikea the next morning to buy stuff for our house (Briana got a new desk since she's going to be a big 1st grader next month). We also hit the outlet mall on the way home for some back to school shopping. Alex really enjoyed the "mini-vacation".

An afternoon at the zoo

Last Monday afternoon we went to the Columbus Zoo. As I've mentioned before, we are members; however, we probably don't go as much as we should. We passed a bond issue last year and the zoo has had some major renovations since the last time I went. The zoo also bought the neighboring water park (now called Zoombezi Bay). Between the zoo and Zoombezi Bay, a small amusement park was build.

This was Alex's 1st trip to the zoo. He seemed to enjoy seeing the animals.
However, he still had to get his afternoon nap while we were there.
We ended the afternoon going to the amusement park. Briana really enjoys the rides (she even rode the roller coaster). Unfortunately, Gretchen forgot she gets motion sickness and got really sick after riding the Whirligigs. I don't have pictures, but I do have video (look for it on the Christmas DVD).

Meeting an even bigger legend (at least for me)

Earlier, I blogged about meeting Cal Ripken, Jr. Well, tonight I got to meet my hero - Coach Jim Tressel, our head football coach at Ohio State. He was signing his new book, The Winner's Manual.
As you might expect in Columbus, there were a lot of people at the book signing (much more than Ripken's, even though Coach Tressel is doing 3 book signings in town this week). To help with the crowd, the bookstore started passing out numbered wrist bands this morning at 9. I had an appointment at that time, so Gretchen was kind enough to go and get me a wrist band (#86 - Thanks!!!). The book was released yesterday and is already #16 on Barnes & Noble and #34 on Amazon.com. Briana went with me tonight (dressed in an Ohio State dress, of course) and when it was our turn, I introduced myself to Coach Tressel. To my amazement, his reply was "Oh yeah, I know who you are."
He thanked me for working with one of his football players that graduated last December and started our master's program in the Winter (he also asked how the player was doing in the program). The player had a chance to enter the draft, but decided to come back for his senior year. I had heard Coach Tressel remembers everybody. We had never officially met, but did exchange a few short emails. He really knows how to make people feel good.
I should also point out that the proceeds from the book are going to the renovation of our main library, not to his pockets. What made the event even more special was I got to share it with Briana. She enjoyed meeting Coach Tressel, too (her favorite coach). She also got to take a picture with Brutus.Meeting Coach Tressel tonight has got me even more fired up for the upcoming season. Ohio State should be in the top 3 in the preseason polls and I am looking forward to another great year. As I have said before, we are so lucky to have such a great man as our football coach.

Uncle David & Caleb & King's Island

We were lucky enough last week to have wonderful visitors from Texas! David and Caleb came to see us on David's only week off in the summer. Boy, did we feel special! We decided to celebrate by taking a day trip down to King's Island, which is an amusement park about 1 1/2 hours south of us. As you can see from the picture, we were all very happy to be there. It was a perfect day with bright, sunny weather-about 80 degrees. Lots of great family fun and bonding took place :)
This picture is right when you walk in-what a photo opportunity! We don't have too many pictures of the four Turners, so this is kind of special.

David definitely had his hands full the entire day. He got a real taste of what it is like to have children. He spent many hours reconnecting with his niece and getting to know (and love) his new little nephew.
Briana was off swimming on her own while Uncle David introduced little Alex to the water. Just look at that manly chest on our boy (Alex, I mean).

Here are the boys (and Briana) taking a break in the shade. There were lots of great spots to relax and shoot pictures.

David and Caleb took Briana on some pretty exciting rides. This one spun around while it went high in the air. She giggled the whole time while some other people screamed like little girls :). It's OK, Briana was brave enough for everyone.

We had a great visit with our Texan kinfolk. Between shopping, ice skating, and King's Island-it took us a little time to recuperate. But it was worth every minute!

Bill & Luke Walton on Father's Day

This is the video I mentioned in my Father's Day blog. I particularly like the exchange at the end (around the 2:50 mark).