Fine dining, family memories, and birthday fun

Tomorrow is Quinn's 6th birthday so he got to choose his supper tonight. Well kind of...his first choice was Monicals and yes, it's delicious, but it's also the most expensive pizza in town. So, we suggested McDonalds. :)


And no, this isn't Quinn but I didn't get a picture of him eating so here's Cole.




After eating 1/2 of their meal, they wanted to run and play. When they had all left, I told Bart this was a good place for a date night! You don't even have to pay a babysitter!









After supper it was off to the Bowling Alley. Remember those gourds the boys sold? Well, with the money they made we told them they should tithe some, save some, and spend some. The spending was on a game of bowling. Our boys love it!








Hangin' out at the alley. My niece, Emilie, is here for a few days and got in on the fun.









This was also kinda for Quinn's birthday. At least, he thought so. ;)








Look at Cole's thumb....in his mouth! Now, this is normal for him but tonight just really grossed me out. I don't know why but I just think Bowling Alley's are dirty. His hands had been all over those balls, the benches, shoes, etc......gross.








Yo, yo, yo, I'm bowlin' baby. :) This move cracked me up.

Finally home to celebrate the birthday. A pirate ship. He loved it. Happy Birthday Quinn! You are a treasure. So considerate of others and compassionate. I love your gentle spirit.

Be Aware

This month is almost over, but it is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This means so much more to me today than just a couple weeks ago. Yesterday my mom had a double masectomy. We are so thankful that she had a "contained cancer" and that the masectomy makes it 98% curable. I wasn't sure I wanted to blog about this, but after seeing this ribbon, I thought it was a good approach. My mom had a digital mamogram and the Dr. said they wouldn't have detected the cancer if it had been a regular one. I'm just urging all of you to be aware and pass on the news.

I'm a little behind

Last weekend we went north for the Chicago Marathon. We met up with several frineds and had a great time. If you've never been there, you're really missing out. The atmosphere is electric. This was Bart's 7th marathon and by far his favorite. There are about 45,000 runners and about 1.5 million spectators. Runners write their names so the spectators can cheer as they go by. Here's some of the runners on Sat. night getting painted up for the big race.

Early morning before the race, the crowd has all arrived.

This is kinda like "where's Waldo?" Bart is in the yellow shirt. I know I'm not the best photographer. :)

Bart carried the camera for the start. Kinda cool. There are so many people that you have to walk for a while until you actually get to the starting line. Hear the cow bells and cheers from the crowd? Make you want to run a marathon?.......nope, me neither. :)

After the marathon, we headed to my parents to get in on some harvest time. The weather was gorgeous and my boys loved every minute of it!

If I have to

Okay, I've been tagged and if I have to, I guess I'll be a good sport. I don't really think I have anything interesting to say about myself but I've read that others say the same thing and I enjoy reading them. So, here goes!

1. You should have figured this out from the last post, but I hate cooking. Unless I'm cooking with someone. That's not quite as bad.

2. I can't make decisions. "Where do you want to eat tonight?" Me: I don't know, you pick. "We don't have any plans tonight, we should do something." Me: Yeah, good idea. What should we do?

3. I once killed a bat to protect my children. :) When we lived in our old house, the boys and I walked through the front door just in time to see a bat fly out of our chimney. I took action and called Bart! :) Realizing that he would be a while and seeing this thing fly around my house, I decided to roll up my sleeves and make a plan. I took the three boys into my bedroom with a game of Hi-Ho Cherry-O and proceeded to shut all the doors in the house. Then, I went to the garage and retrieved a big tennis racket (haven't you seen The Great Outdoors?). I went inside the house and tracked the bat. He was swooping back and forth through the house in the same pattern. I planted my feet in the line of fire and when he came around "Whack!". I think I probably screamed at the same time. But, I saw that little thing dive under the couch...dead thankfully! Just then, Bart walked in with a net. (He had gone to Kmart and bought a big fishing net). Looks like we don't need that now dear. :)

4. Appetizers or dessert? Love dessert. I could always go for a little something sweet after dinner. Preferably chocolate.

5. I'm not an animal lover. I grew up with a dog, but have zero desire to have one. I hate cats. We had a fish for a while and I didn't even like that. The only thing I half way like are horses. My grandparents had horses when I was little and I've always thought I wanted one. As long as I can hire someone to take care of it. I just want to ride it. :)

6. I always use way to many smilies when I write. :) Notice??

7. Although I grew up swimming, skiing, and boating, which I love, I have to say, fall is my favorite season. My dad's a farmer and I love going home and riding in the combine. I'm a country girl at heart.

Okay, so now I tag Heather, Erin, Rachel, Kristy, Mindy, Sandra, and Dawn. Have fun, no pressure. :)

This just might be a first....

So tonight as I was making supper for my family I had to think, "this is so unusual!" (Not cooking, although it'd be nice if that were unusual.) Thinking back over our week, my family has eaten every lunch and supper at home all week. Wow! I think it's a first. Really, in 11 1/2 yrs. of marriage, can it be? Well, considering that I would rather scrub toilets or clean the shower (this has to be the worst housekeeping job) than plan and prepare a meal and considering that my husband loves to eat out, yes it might be true. Now please understand, we don't high dine. With each additional child and with trying to stick to a budget, we have limitations. But there are ways around it. Taco Bell might not have much nutritional value, but at least I don't have to prepare it! And Domino's Pizza is pretty darn cheap and just happens to be right across the street from Bart's work...a call in at 5:30 means, please bring a pizza home! And when choosing a credit card, we found one that instead of giving cash back, gives gift cards to...Chili's, our favorite. Anyway, I was so proud of us tonight that I decided to celebrate...Dairy Queen for dessert....oh wait, did that just wreck it? :)

My sister in law, Mindy, just gave a great tip for those who like to eat out as well. Sign up on different restaurants e-clubs. When it's your birthday, you get a coupon for a free or discounted meal! Some of the places she has received coupons....Cold Stone, Qdoba, Lone Star Steakhouse and Flat Top Grill. Sounds easier than cooking. ;)

Great deal on gourds

I know this place where you can get gourds and indian corn for a great price.







These boys have been known to sell at a roadside stand...






or they might just come right to your door! For a tip, they've even been known to arrange the sold items right on your front porch.