Chicken

My kids love chicken. Nuggets.

Whenever we go out to eat, that's what they want. If there's a chance to eat them at home, that's what they want. If given a choice, that's what they want.

I made a quick run to Sam's Club last night and was tempted by the smell of rotisserie chicken while waiting in line at the check out, so I backed up and got one. Mmm. Thoughts of this weeks chicken salad and other goodness filled my mind as I breathed in the aroma.

I hurried home from the store and was going to make meatballs and mashed potatoes for dinner, when Logan spied the chicken and asked me what it was. I told him it was real chicken and offered him some. He was really hesitant at first (he even backed away from it!), but after some thought he decided on a "crispy part". Of course after seeing Logan taste it Bergen decided to give it a go herself.

I laughed out loud as the three of us hovered over that bird while I picked meat off the bones as fast as I could. The drumsticks were gone in a flash! Then after we'd had our fill, I finished removing the meat and put the rest of it in the fridge. I'm taking a break from it today (went to The Panda for lunch with my friend Laura), but am hoping to enjoy my chicken salad tomorrow.

I am SO excited that my kids tried something new! I love rotisserie chicken! It reminds me of my mom, who used to do the same thing with me when I was at home - pick and eat, pick and eat. Yum.

Logan kept saying in an enthusiastic voice, "Mom, I l-o-v-e this chicken! This is good chicken! I want to have this chicken again." Bergen just kept asking for more. Needless to say we will be having it again. Soon.

The Tippecanoe County Fair

Craig and I had talked about taking the kids to the fair on Tuesday (family night), but that darn job of mine got in the way. I even thought he might take them on his own, but he didn't. Then I got off work a little early on Wednesday so we went!

Logan told me when I got home Tuesday night that "Daddy said we were going to the fair", but I didn't know that meant we were really going! It was a nice surprise.

We stopped at McDonald's for dinner so we wouldn't be tempted to buy every yummy thing the fair had to offer, but we did get the kids some cotton candy. Mmmmmm.

We started things off by watching some lawn mower pulls! Woo Hoo! I laughed my head off at those things. Then we headed to a tent to listen to some music. Craig grew up with a guy who always wanted a band, and wouldn't you know it, he has one. And it's good! In fact, he opened up for George Strait at Verizon on July 24th.

After keeping the kids entertained with music as long as we could, we were off to see the animals. Logan and Bergen both got to feed a pig some gum drops and enjoyed looking at the rabbits.

The kids loved the cotton candy! But didn't eat as much as we thought they would, which just meant Craig and I got to have some too.

The rides were fun for the most part. Logan was terrified to go on the Ferris Wheel, but did alright once we were up in the air.

Bergen wasn't thrilled about the Dragon Roller Coaster.

The wave runners were a hit however, and they both liked the simple arcade game they got to play.

All in all I'd call it a successful outing. The fair was fun! So much so that we're looking forward to going next year.

Louisville Zoo

My sister was going to be visiting my nephew in Kentucky and we were invited to go too! We left Lafayette early on Friday morning and met up with them around 10:00am at the Louisville Zoo. It was nice to see some of my family. The animals were just an added bonus.

 

It was Logan and Bergen's first time at a big zoo and they loved it! They saw all kinds of animals...

 

and even acted like a few!

 

 

Here's a shot of Bergen with Aunt Audrey in front of the gorilla exhibit.

 

And one of Logan hanging out with Tera.

 

Sorry no pictures of Brandon. But seriously, if you saw him, you would never leave this page on my blog! Here's everybody else though. A bunch of animals watching a bunch of animals, I tell you.

 

The best thing about the zoo was the water park. Yes, you read that right. In. The. Zoo! (And it was free.) We were a little more than half way around when we saw it.

We weren't prepared for it (no swimming suits), but that didn't matter. Logan's shirt and shoes were off in a flash and he was having fun.

 

Bergen was hesitant

 

but it didn't take her long to get into the groove.

 

Note: We had her follow the shirtless example so she wouldn't be wet for the rest of the afternoon.

 

I think those kids would have stayed in the water all day long if we'd let them.

 

They had such a good time

 

splashing around!

 

After drying off and stopping for a tasty picnic lunch, we were on our way again. There were so many things to see!

One of the things the kids thought was really cool was just outside the petting zoo. We practically had to pull them out of "Fillmore" (The van from Cars.) in the "Indiana Jones" setting! They thought they were in a movie scene! Silly kids.

 

And last but not least, Aunt Audrey treated them to a ride on the carousel. Look at those faces! Thanks Aunt Audrey!

 

We all had a great day!!

 

Stay tuned for more about our fun night.

Employment!

I HAVE A JOB! And I'm thrilled!

A friend told me about an opportunity a couple of weeks ago so I delivered my resume and filled out an application. Then on the recommendation of that friend, I got a call.

I had a 9:30am interview at Curves yesterday morning and was offered the job at 11:00am. Then I went straight to work watching a training video. I left at 1:00pm, then returned at 4:30pm to meet my manager and go over some basics. I was finished in an hour.

 

See that lady in the middle of the circle? The circuit coach? That will be me!

 

I went shopping for some workout clothes on my way home from "work" (I haven't had decent work out clothes for ages!), and was happy to get home to see my kids before they got ready for bed.

I will be working evenings at the central Curves location, which is in Market Square. My official training will start on Monday and after two weeks or so I'll be on my own. Wow.

We're having an open house this coming Thursday and Friday if anyone would like to come in. I also have free passes so you can try us out!

I am excited. This is going to be a great new adventure!!

The Incredible Hulk

The kids painted outside on the patio table yesterday. I wanted to take a couple of pictures, but was in the middle of doing something so put it off. Thanks to Craig for capturing the aftermath...

Logan was happy to mix all of the paints on paper -- in a big glob! This was Bergen after she'd finished with the paints. I think she used what Logan left behind.

 

The Incredible little Hulk!

 

An Evening Out

We met some friends for a picnic and a quick trip to the Columbian Park zoo last week. It was fun. The kids all played well together and the adults got to have some great conversation!

Of course the evening wouldn't have been complete if someone (Logan and Bergen) hadn't gotten completely wet. Those two are attracted to water like bees to honey!

 

 

 

 

It was a good thing they dried off enough to walk over to the Igloo for ice cream afterward. Mmm Mmm.

Thanks for a fun evening out everyone!

A-Mays-ing!

I admit it. We have watched a few episodes of Pitchmen. And not at all to Craig's and my surprise Logan LOVED it! Or was it Billy Mays he loved? Or was it the idea of being Billy Mays?

The boy has been dressing up again... in tan pants and a blue shirt this time... using a loud voice and talking with his hands... promoting things like Oxi-Clean.


I was surprised when I learned that Billy Mays passed away a couple of weeks ago. We'll miss him at our house.

Air Show

We had talked to our friends the South's about going to the Mount Comfort Air Show several weeks ago, but plans changed and we weren't able to make it there together. I took it as an opportunity for Bergen and myself to bow out of the excursion and left Craig and Logan to go it alone. Well, they weren't really alone; they took Grandpa Don with them! (If I had gone I think there would be more pictures to post for posterity. However, the guys were too caught up in the moment to think about that.)

I was told it was a great event.

Craig has seen the Thunderbirds and has wanted to see the Blue Angels for ever and now he can say he has! Logan was excited to see all of the planes, especially the Blue Angels and Fat Albert. He even got to climb up and see the inside of a helicopter and sit in the cockpit of a jet trainer!

 

 

 

I'm glad you had a good day boys! I've already made a note on the calendar for next year.

The 4th

We had a pretty uneventful 4th of July this year. Which was nice.

The Tour de France began with time trials so Craig watched them while the kids played and I made deviled eggs and potato salad.

Then, after spending the majority of the day relaxing at home we headed over to Lee and Nicole's new house for a BBQ. Yummy ribs, sparklers, and a walk to a nearby elementary school to watch fireworks "in the round" proved just the ticket for our low key celebration.

 

It was a good day. Albeit one without many pictures.

Another Goodbye

One thing I still have a hard time with living in a college town is that often times the friends you make aren't here to stay. We have had to say our share of goodbyes over the past nine years...

The most recent one being to the Darland family. And they aren't even in college!


Carri and I "met" a few years ago when we became visiting teaching companions. A true blessing in my life. We clicked. We laughed. We loved. We became friends. And our kids did too.

Last week Mike, Carri, Ben and Luke moved. Mike has been working on a project in California for several months, returning home on the weekends, and Carri has been holding down the fort. Literally. Today she was deployed to Iraq. (For the second time since I've known (of) her.)

As much as I will miss my friend, I can only imagine how much my kids will miss her kids. We stopped to say goodbye last weekend before they drove to California so Mike and the boys could get settled before Carri flew back here and then headed out.

Logan would have been devastated if he hadn't been able to see Lukey and Ben before they left. I'm glad I got these pictures for him. Unfortunately Bergen was asleep so wasn't able to be in them.

 

 

I'm glad I got one with Carri too.

 

Take care dear friends. And God be with you.