One Fantastic Cookout

On Sunday, Sarah and I had a cookout at Ray and Debbie's house. It went so well, I'd like to call it, "our 1st annual cookout", assuming we will do it again next year.

In attendance: Sarah, Cliff, Jack, Me, Rick, RJ, Heidi, Jeremy, Keely, Cooper, Kate, Stella, Jill, Ben, Eliza, Lily, Gus, Holly, Ashley, Cole, Ross, Jamee, and Emily...and Amanda and Nick stopped for a little while too.

There was a bubble machine and "bubble world". There was sidewalk chalk, water guns. A triple slip and slide (we missed you Evan) and a kiddie pool. There was wood on the jeep, kids underwear on the ground and adults on the slip and slide. Hot dogs, Cheese Dogs (if you were lucky), smores and some fantastic potato stuff. Lots of swimming in the big pool too. Seriously, a fantastic time.

There was lots to drink, including margaritas that I brought. Is 3p.m. too early for tequila? I didn't think so. They all got drank, but I have to admit, I didn't have much help.

:)

-a

Storytime, New Boots, and Park Time

Tuesday, we attended storytime at the community center.....the kids had a really good time. Jack, Eliza, Lily, and Gus were all there too. (I'd like to add, how beautiful I think Jill and Ben Bierman's kids are!) RJ even got chosen out of the audience to help with the tamborine band. very cool.

I decided it was a good day to give the kids the new boots I bought them at Christmas, and then we headed to the park to play with Hannah, who was staying at MeMee's house.

a good day

:)

-a

I am not plastic

so, apparently we are killing the earth.......

I recycle cans......but I do throw away a ton of plastic water bottles. About 2 weeks ago, the great Ashley Bunton posted about these cool Sigg aluminum bottles.

Of course, I just had to have one. I also started using reusable bags at the grocery store.

That's about it for me though. I will continue to run my airconditioning at 66 degrees and leave every light on in the house......

one person can't do it all!

:)

-a

Kung Fu Panda

Rick and I got home from my wedding (shout out to the Ghast family for putting on another fabulous wedding) on Saturday night and I was just itching to do something, so we headed over to Robinson to take the kids to see Kung Fu Panda at the Eagle theatre.

Apparently, we are the only horrible parents that would consider taking our 3 and 5 year olds to a 9:30 show, but it was fun! We were the only ones there, so we laughed as loud and as hard as we wanted and even switched seats a few times too!

Kung Fu Panda got a thumbs up from us. Message is good, and no crude humor.

:)

-a

Random Answers.....

I got tagged by Sarah of Sarah Sez ...... so here are some Random Questions answered by Amber

Favorite person: I'm totally gonna go all soft and say Rick and the kids.......

Favorite food: Buffalo Wings, and tequila

Quirks about me: I regularly have terrible nightmares that wake me up, I can't have my feet under the covers while sleeping, and I never wear shoes. And for the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would want to scan a picture in and print crappy copies of them.

What can you NOT live without: my laptop, my blackberry, my mp3 player, Google Reader , and Bears football

Favorite blog: I check 43 blogs every day....... I think my favorites change, but nothing is better than checking them and seeing a new post.

Who do you wish had a blog: Jason and Michelle Fulton, Mike and Kate Passalacqua and Larry and DeAnn Dorn

What job would you pay not to have? Teacher or a daycare provider. (it takes a special kind of person to do those jobs, and I'm not it.)

Guilty pleasure: Guitar Hero on the Wii

One thing you are bad at: pretending that I'm not irritated when I am. well that and sports.

If you could change one thing about your current circumstances, what would it be? Sometimes I'd like to be able to relinguish control at the studio. Unfortunately, I can't do that, because I'm a control freak. It sure would be nice to give someone a to do list and have it get done though. (oh, and of course I want to be independently wealthy)

Who would you like to meet someday? Will Ferrell, Barry Manilow, and Jessica Claire Ideally we'd all be in the same room together. Jessica is a fantasically talented photographer. She could take all the pictures of me, Will, and Barry(and Rodney). :)

What is the hardest part of your job? It's hard to turn work down when we are too busy....It's hard to balance the studio and the house. I spend most nights working instead of sleeping.

When are you most relaxed? Sundays during football season when we just lay around as a family

What stresses you out? the Christmas season at the studio........

Favorite quote: (After hearing this on Girls Night Out, it's my favorite quote too, so I have to copy Sarah's answer on this one.....) "I'm a rumor spreader, not a rumor starter"...Chad Farley

Why do you blog? It's a nice way to keep my parents and sister and brother caught up with the kids.....and it's fun sharing all of Rodney's adventures.

:)
-a

Blazin' Challenge Survivors

For Father's Day, we headed to Buffalo Wild Wings. Nothing says I love you dad, more than taking your kids to a bar!

They have a wing "challenge" called the Blazin' Wing Challenge.....Rick and I are no pansies when it comes to hot sauce so we knew we could do it. (the blazin' sauce is the hotest they make)

Rules are:

12 wings in 6 minutes.

nothing to drink.

nothing to eat (celery, ranch sauce, etc).

no touching your face.

We hooked the kids up with their food (RJ eats mild wings, Heidi gets mac and cheese and celery), and our server, who's name was Zach even though his name tag said Nick, started our time.

Rick finished in 4:45 and I finished in 5:15

We are now the proud new owners of Blazin' Challenge Survivor T-shirts and we also have our picture on the wall at Buffalo Wild Wings. And of course, Rodney was there to see it all!

:)

-a