Rock'o Salad

That's right all you rock'n rollers and out-of-controllers. Taco Salad is now a rock star. Check out the new ax. Can you handle my sexy? I don't think you can.

Baseball Puts its Head in the Sand...Again

Yesterday fashion designer Marc Ecko unconditionally donated to the MLB Hall of Fame the home run ball Barry Bonds hit on August 7, 2008 (his 756th) to "technically" pass Hank Aaron as MLB's all-time career home run leader. Ecko paid $752,467 for the ball in September '07.

Notably, before making the dontation, Ecko branded the ball with an astrisk to reflect the steroid allegations that have embroiled Bonds and his "record". In particular, Ecko arranged for a five star asterisk to be cut into the cowhide across the "Major League Baseball" moniker.

Bonds responded by calling Ecko an "idiot" and stated that he would boycott Cooperstown if the ball is ever displayed there. Now, a day after accepting Ecko's donation, Baseball is refusing to accept the ball under the guise that it perceives Ecko's donation to be, in reality, a loan.

Surely, this was to be expected, as Baseball has time and time again looked the other way when it comes to the steriod issue.

I say kudos to Ecko for doing the right thing by giving the ball to Baseball, and doing the more appropriate thing by: (1) honoring the integrity of the game; (2) honoring Hank Aaron, his record, and his character; and (3) publicly identifying Bonds' "record" for what it truly is. Especially, since fans cannot expect Major League Baseball to do it.

Deadliest Catch

Those A & E guys have nothing on Taco Salad. Check out this monster, caught on June 28, 2008 at Bullock Pen Lake in Grant County, Kentucky.

All Set Up!

Over the past two months we've been working to get Jack's room ready for his arrival and we are finally finished!

A big thanks goes to Rick for helping paint, my mom for making the beautiful drapes, my dad and mom for taking an entire Saturday and putting together all the baby furniture. Brian and I are extremely appreciative of all the help and can't thank you enough!

The theme of Jack's room is Frogs and Ducks and we think it will be very fitting for our little guy!

Each time I walk past his room, I can't help but turn on the light, sit down in the chair and think of October and how he'll just be sleeping away in his crib, or the nights Brian and I will be comforting him when he is upset. Having his room all in place definitely makes things seem more real.

Little Jack...we're ready for you! We love you and can't wait to meet you! Love, Mommy and Daddy

25 Weeks

I thought I would provide you with a pregnancy update, so here you go! I'll be 25 weeks tomorrow and everything is great! My only complaint is some sore ribs from Jack kicking them so much but other than that I've never been better. Yesterday I had blood work to test for Gestational Diabetes, so hopefully all comes back fine.

Jack has been very active and enjoys listening to classical music. I try to play it for him as much as I can and each time I do he just kicks away. Brian has also been talking to Jack almost every night and every time Jack responds by moving towards his voice. It's moments like these that Brian and I have with Jack that make us feel so blessed.

Brian and I are anxious to meet our little guy and the date couldn't come fast enough for us. We've enjoyed the ride so far and looking forward to this new chapter in our lives.

Are You An Outlaw-Part I?

Can you answer the following questions from some of country music's great storytellers?

1. Name the Highwayman and the profession:
a. " The bastards hung me in the spring of '25, but I am still alive."
b. "And when the yards broke off they said that I got killed, but I am living still."
c. "They buried me in that grey tomb that knows no sound, but I am still around."
d. "Perhaps I'll become a Highway man again. Or I may simply be a single drop of rain. But I will remain. And I'll be back again, and again, and again, and again, and again…."

2. What did Poncho bite and where did it end up?

3. Where did Lefty get the dough to go?

4. Who tells of how Poncho fell?

5. What can Lefty no longer do?

6. How many times did John Henry's daddy break jail?

7. What four things did John Henry's daddy tell him to learn to do?

8. What was the name of John Henry's girl?

9. Where did Sue run into his daddy, when was it, and what was his daddy doing when he found him?

10. Name three animals Sue compared his daddy to.

11. What did Johnny have for Sunday morning breakfast?

12. How long will the work'n man (of work'n man blues) work?

13. What's the one place where the work'n man will never be?

14. What's a big job for the work'n man?

15. Over how many dollars did Hank's buddy living in the city lose his life (bonus points if you can name what Hank would like to do to the killer)?

16. What have all of Hank Jr.'s friends done?

17. What can a country boy do all day and what can a country boy do from dusk till dawn?

18. What might get the good ol' boys and what will never get them?

19. What does the good ol' boy's mama not understand?

20. What makes Hank get all balled up inside and what does he love to hear?

It's a Boy!

This post is long overdue and Brian and I apologize in advance. As the title reads, Brian and I are having a boy! It came as a surprise to Brian because he definitely thought we were having a girl.

Our little guy is absolutely perfect and very healthy. As of a couple weeks ago, he weighed 11 oz and has very long legs just like his daddy. He was even so excited about us seeing him for the first time that he waved to us. Of course, it brought tears to my eyes and will be a moment I'll never forget.

I'm a little over 21 weeks and I feel great and so blessed that God gave Brian and I this precious gift of life. We both look forward to meeting our son in October and have decided to name him John (Jack) Donald Riddell. Hmm, JDR... with those intitals, he is bound to follow in his father's footsteps and become an attorney!

We hope you enjoy the latest pics of Jack!

My Niece Sophie at 8 Months

According to her father, she now growls and crawls backwards. Check out more pics of the little princess at http://www.bradriddell.com/. Thanks to the Dime for sharing.

Babies Galore

More congratulations are in order. This time the well wishes go to my good friend Sara Clark-Davis and her husband Ryan. On Sunday, May 4, 2008, Sara gave birth to their daughter, Alexandra Grace. She came in at 7 lbs., 6 oz., and just short of 19 inches. You can see more pics of Alexandra on her mommy's blog, "Southern Comfort": http://www.southerncomfort-scd.blogspot.com/

Sawyer Does The Dew

Hello Monica Zerhusen

This is a little overdue, but, congratulations to Kelly, Jaden, Lilly, Hannah, and Isabell on the birth of their most recent addition, Monica. All are doing well, and the girls absolutely adore their little sister.

Growing Belly

Hello Taco Salad Readers!

Well, I'm a little over 18 weeks now and my belly gets bigger each day. As of last week, Baby Riddell has been on the move in my stomach.

It was so amazing when I felt the first movement or at least that's what I thought it was. When I experienced it again I knew it was Baby Riddell. Lately, Baby Riddell has been very active in the morning, but I'm convinced that it's enjoying my morning bowl of Cherrios! However, there are times where I feel movement pretty much all day. It's amazing to know that I have this little life inside of me.

Brian and I have our 5 month check up next Thursday and we are both super excited. This appointment will tell us the gender of baby Riddell and most importantly we'll finally get to see our little one!

Stay posted for the big announcement coming to a computer near you next week!