Baseball, Bowling & A Birthday Party

This weekend we had lots to celebrate.  On Saturday Matthew played in an all-star baseball tournament in Omaha with other little dudes (er...I mean all-stars) from across the state.  It was quite an honor for him to make the team and we were proud of Matthew.  We finally had a break in the weather so it wasn't too bad outside to catch a game.  Nobody can refute the fact that the Whys are fair-weather baseball fans.  At first the girls were kind of into it, but their interest quickly waned about an hour into the game.  Matthew's fan club kind of fell by the wayside when it started to heat up outside.

C&P totally engrossed...
in their IPODs.

About an hour into into the game, C decided to take a break after complaining of being thristy, tired, sick...basically any excuse under the sun she could use so we could go home.

To round out the weekend, we had a bowling birthday party for ME!  I think everyone had a pretty good time.  Even Maddie rolled a few balls down the lane.  I can't remember the last time I've been bowling so it was kind of fun to try it again.  I think Tim is going to join the pro-bowling circuit.  She busted out a 180+ on her first game!!  My range is typically around 30 (yes, it's really that bad) to 60 (no joke, I'm really that bad).

The bowling crew.

Giving You The Shirt Off My Back

As if I hadn't spent enough time outside on Friday for the company event, I thought it might be fun to have a picnic with the Whys and Kays on Saturday evening.  Our destination was a large park with huge play structures for the children.  The weather seemed to have cooled off a little so I didn't think it would be too bad.  As we drove up to the picnic rendezvous spot, I spied something with my little eye.  It appeared that Dustin was going to be picnicking with us sans shirt. 

Now I know we all have our little quirks--a few of mine happen to be the smell of Fritos and Cheerios (I seriously feel like I'm going into anaphylactic shock {I'm being a bit dramatic} when I get a whiff of them), maple syrup (I can't stand the stickiness), walking down the pet food aisle at the grocery store (the smell is overwhelming), and grown men in tank tops (only excusable if said grown men are playing basketball).

Not knowing what was going on, I asked the kids not to say anything because I didn't know if Dustin was just feeling hot and felt he had to take his shirt off  to feel cooler because of the weather or if he had misunderstood my invitation and thought I might have said "let's have a redneck picnic" rather than "let's have a picnic."  Of course, as soon as we got out of the car, my unfiltered mouth yells out, "No shirt, no shoes, no service!  Put a shirt on, for heaven's sake, this is West Omaha!" 

I quickly learned that Dusty's nude-i-ness was due to Baby Emm getting sick all over Tim's shirt upon arrival at the picnic.  Being ever so gallant for his lovely bride, Dusty decided to disrobe and literally give his lady the shirt off his back so they could stay for the picnic because her shirt was destroyed.  After a lot of jokes and teasing and even commenting that the players in the nearby soccer match weren't even playing "shirts and skins," Kris decided to take his shirt off too so Dusty wouldn't feel so self-conscious.  At that point we called it a night and bid everyone a fond farewell.  The picnic was officially over.  I'd had more than I could (love) handle(s).

Sorry guys...here it is...

Awesomesauce

"Awesomesauce" has been a buzzword of Peyton's lately.  The past couple of weeks have been extremely exhausting.  It's been busy at work and we've been suffering through a massive heatwave.  It feels like we've been marinating for days in a giant crockpot set on high.  For those who can relate, Friday seemed like the hottest, smelliest, worst-day-ever kind of detasseling hot that you can remember.  On a positive note, our A/C has been awesomesauce throughout this heatwave.

Last night we attended a company BBQ and baseball game which was somewhat of a bookend to my hectic schedule in July.  I figure if I can plan a party for 800--everything else is easy-peasy.  Everything went smoothly and nobody succumbed to the heat (that I know of).  My duties were finished and the Whys were taking a stroll on the Werner Park concourse to get some air.  After stopping for a smoothie, some Dippin' Dots, and a lemon ice, Peyton announced, "There are some sauces down there."  On the concourse there are many food vendors with gigantic bottles of ketchup, mustard, and other sauces set up in self-serve stations.  I thought she was referring to one of those stations.  Because I couldn't drum up the energy to even respond to her comment other than give her a tired smile, she said it again and asked me to come to the edge of the deck.  Lo, and behold, there were some sauces down there.

The sauces were getting ready to race on the field between innings.  The winning sauce was "hot"--for those who were wondering--and won a combo meal for everyone in Section 103 at the ballpark.  Awesomesauce!

A Duran Duran "Do"

Earlier this spring I heard Duran Duran was going on tour.  I was so excited and secretly hoped the tour would hit my town.  I could see it now...me and all of the Real Housewives of Douglas County* would be at the concert singing "Rio" and my personal favorite hit, "The Reflex".  The only way the evening could get better would be if Rick Springfield was the opening act.  Apparently, it was not meant to be.  I recently heard Simon had issues with his vocal cords and the tour was cancelled.

While strolling through my local Walmart seeking out inexpensive school supplies (I refuse to pay more than 20 cents for a bottle of glue!), I looked in one of the bargain bins and found something I actually really wanted.  Whenever I've looked in those bins in the past, I'll find some really strange items like "Howard the Duck" and "Breakin' 2 - Electric Boogaloo".  Imagine my delight when I stumbled upon a Duran Duran CD for the BARGAIN PRICE of $5.00!

At home the kids started unpacking the bag and noticed the CD.  I reminded them of some of the songs they had heard before.  Peyton took a quick glance at the cover and asked if Duran Duran were boys or girls.  {Gasp!}

 
*I shop at Walmart which automatically excludes me from being a member of the Real Housewives of Douglas County.

Soarin' Over Colorado

On our recent getaway to Colorado, we had the pleasure of visiting the Royal Gorge.  What an amazing place!  After looking around, baking in the sun (it was extremely hot that day), and riding the incline railway which descends (at a snail's pace) at a 45-degree angle to the bottom of the canyon, we were looking for something more. 

Hello, Skycoaster!  You and your nearest and dearest are strapped into a big holster.  You are pulled 100 feet into the air and then you pull the rip cord.  We could feel the cool breeze on our faces as we barreled 50 miles per hour over the gorge with a bird's eye view of the Arkansas River 1,200 feet below.  It's been voted the world's most scariest skycoaster, but it was AWESOME!  If we ever go back to the Royal Gorge we'll be first in line and will have Cameron right next to us.  She was going to ride it with Kris and me, but decided against it at the last minute.  I guess at 8 years old, she just likes to pace herself.

The Ess Cousins and Peyton enjoying the ride.



Kris and I on the Skycoaster.




My view while on the Skycoaster.
Kris' eyes were closed most of the time.

Freckle Juice

Freckles are cute and I think they are especially cute on little girls.  I don't know if you recall reading Freckle Juice by Judy Blume when you were younger, but I loved it along with all of her books.  Cameron's complexion reminds me of what I pictured Nicky Lane might have looked like.

When Cameron was really little she referred to her freckles as 'polka dots'.  Back then, she had only ten or so polka dots sprinkled across her nose.  It's amazing how many new polka dots appear each year.  I always tease Cameron and tell her she needs to sit still while I count them.  So far, I'm at 838 and counting...

A girl without freckles is like a night without stars.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

This past week we were able to get away for a few days to enjoy the scenery in Colorado with the Ess cousins.  We enjoy trying new activities and had an adventure-filled time and shared lots of laughs.  I'll have to post more about our activities later on as I wanted to keep this post brief.  We just got home today and I am worn out.

Inevitably, when we travel a distance there is usually one in the bunch that gets motion sickness en route to our destination.  What I don't understand is that we can go on crazy, looping roller coasters but we can't hardly travel more than a few hours via plane or car.  This time I think the altitude was a factor along with the winding roads and Kris' marginal vacation driving skills.  Something we haven't tried yet (along with Dramamine) is traveling by train.  Who knows--that may be the ticket!   

And yes, I probably will not win the "Mother of the Year" award for snapping this pic, but I couldn't help myself.  Cameron's glasses were killing me.