Camping Weather

Spring camping weather in the Midwest can be hit-or-miss ... but this weekend's weather was a bulls-eye with blue skies, warm temps and a southern breeze. Thus we were off to the lake for some overnight rest and relaxation with our friends the Beyelers. It would have been nice had it only been our two families but we seemed to have attracted a few local party going folks that seemed to enjoy telling stories and playing loud music in the wee hours of the night. But the food was great and the time spent with friends and family was even better. You just can't go wrong with a camping trip to Leavenworth State Fishing Lake on a weekend with weather like that.

Wired and Amped

If Easter Eggs had circuitry, an on-and-off switch, or perhaps an LCD screen, then maybe Ty would have more interest in them. But as it is, his life revolves around a hot glue gun, a soldering iron, and a 12 volt lawn and garden battery - the latter two items coming from money he earned recently from pet sitting. As much as the rest of the family is tired of hearing about wattage, voltage and amps, it's better than hearing about how miserable his life is with his new braces.

The Nutrition Plan

The word "diet" brings up all kinds of evil thoughts and imagery. We like to call it a "nutrition plan" round these parts. Cody started the P90X routine again but this time armed with the nutrition plan that came with it. That meant a big change in the way that our family eats and the way Paige cooks. Phase 1 ("Fat Shredder") calls for a ton of protein, lots of fruits and veggies and all the other healthy stuff as well. In addition, for a 600 calorie workout like P90X, that means calories ... and lot's of them too! The portion sizes that Paige prepares are enough to feed a small army. Phase 2 will add the carbs back ... which are important for high energy events ... like running ... half marathons. Case in point: Cody's tank hit empty at the 9 mile mark of Saturday's Rock the Parkway race.

Addicted to The Office

You know that feeling you get when you discover something new and you just can't put it down or leave it alone? It stays on the mind and you can't help but think about it all the time? Such is the case in our house when we discovered two things at the same time: Streaming videos on Netflix and NBC's The Office starring Steve Carrell. The next thing you know we're eating dinner in front of the computer watching The Office. Paige & Cody will move the oversized chair over in front of the computer to stay up watching episode after episode into the wee hours of the night waiting to see what happens with Jim and Pam (NO spoilers PLEASE!) We've started at Season 1, Episode 1 and find ourselves nearing the end of Season 3. Tyson's engaged as well - having downloaded The Office theme song to his phone and putting up with his parent's social and personal relationship lessons following each episode. Now ... we just need to wait for the streaming service to come to Netflix so we can move our addiction from the computer to the TV.

Let's Go To Science City!

Spring Break 2010 didn't take us any place warm ... but it did take us to Science City at Union Station in Kansas City, MO! After all, isn't an educational field trip on a day off from work and school better than visiting a warm place under the sun? We got to walk through a blood vessel, experience optical illusions in the "Mister E" hotel, launch rockets, walk through a crime lab and experience science in a hands-on atmosphere! Looks like the rest of the greater Kansas City area was also taking advantage of the discounted admission price. What was even more amazing to Ty's parents were the fact that Ty is at that border line age where such places are almost too little for him. When it was all said and done, we dined at KC's original "Gates Bar-B-Q" where they're famous for saying: "HI! MAY I HELP YOU?!!!"

The Trail Left Behind

Paige's mom once said that you could always tell where she'd been in the house based on the trail that she left behind her. Tyson is no different. Take for instance the "little bathroom" that he uses. Who else would leave behind a Windows drawing on the shower wall?

Bucky, as he is now called, also had five (5) teeth pulled this week in preparation for his braces this summer. We've yet to see the tooth fairy since we've been out here. Perhaps the orthodontist bill scared her away.

Mrs. Fixit

After two weeks of work travel, Cody came home and parked the truck in the garage. Unfortunately, that's where the truck would stay for the rest of the week. You see, the parking brake was stuck and wouldn't disengage. But that's why we have a Paige in the house, the resident Mrs. Fixit. With the back of the truck jacked up, Paige jumped on the Internet to problem-solve the situation. The lil' grease monkey ended up taking the wheels off, removing the brake drum and then just like that ... problem solved and the truck was rollin' again. Now she's recommending that we replace the brake pads as well.