What A Weekend!

I mentioned briefly here about my plans to surprise Emily with a trip to her dream store, American Girl. As far as she knew, it required a trip to New York, that we just couldn't take. Truth was, there is a store in Atlanta, GA which is much more doable, lol. With Sam's team racing in Atlanta the weekend before her birthday, it was a great way to get her there without questions. I decided to keep the plans from Blake too. Saturday morning at 6am I woke them up and asked them to get dressed because I had a surprise. I already had their bags packed and the car loaded, so we jumped in and left town. Not one time did they question where we were going, but Blake's suspicions were confirmed when we crossed the Georgia state line. Sam had put us in for credentials (garage/pit passes), so we made our way to the tunnel and hopped on a tram that took us to the infield. Sprint Cup practice had just gotten over, so it was really crowded. We were crossing through a barrier when Blake spotted Dale JR. His chin dropped to the ground! We hussled to the truck garages only to find them empty, so we continued out to pit road. Blake, again in awe, kept asking "Are you sure we're supposed to be out here Mom?". We found the ACL pit area, and that's where we stayed for the entire race. Blake was in heaven being about 10 feet away from live pit stop action! I had a tough time following the race and at one point I looked up at the tower and saw 2 in the first spot. I had to ask Blake how many laps were in the race, lol, and when he told me there were only 5 to go, I got giddy! I took out the video camera and started recording the guys in the pit. Most were perched on the wall, Ernie & Kevin were on their feet, Sam was pacing. When I gave him a thumbs up, he said "we've been here before" and shook his head. He rested his head on the pit box for a bit before pacing again. On the last lap, everyone heard Andy say "inside, inside" and they all threw their hands down in defeat. Ryan dug in and made a comeback though, and when he rounded turn four, they all jumped with joy! It was quite the moment! The first thing Sam did was come give Blake a high-five and then joined his guys to celebrate and head to pit road to greet Ryan and lead him t Victory Circle. The kids and I didn't have Victory Circle credentials, but Sam got us in and we were able to savor the moment with the whole team. Very cool! I tried to back out of the team photos, but Mr Newman (Ryan's dad) pulled us in. As much as a goof as I feel about being in them, it is pretty special for the kids. Post-race inspection took a long time and the kids started asking if we were staying the night, so I told them "Yes, that's surprise #2". We hung out and watched some of the inspections and went out to play kick the can where all the other haulers had cleared out. When things finally wrapped up, we headed North to Alpharetta. The entire way Sam kept sighing, he was so happy and relieved. Happy Anniversary! That day marked 11 years of marriage for us and I know he'll never forget that day. =)

When we arrived at Embassy Suites, Emily was thrilled. It's been her favorite hotel since our trip to CA in 2005. We went in and after watching some clips of the race/celebration on the Internet, headed for the pool. We played for quite awhile and Emily asked to go back to the room. We crawled in bed and said goodnight to a great day.

The next morning we took our time getting up-and-at-em. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast and had to convince Emily that it would be fun to go to the mall. We packed up and drove to North Point, which is a big place. As we drove past directional signs, Emily was reading what stores were listed. Suddenly she got quiet. Sure she must have misread something, she started again at the next sign. This time she screamed out loud "THERE"S AN AMERICAN GIRLS STORE HERE"! When I said "Happy Birthday Emily", she started to cry tears of joy. When we arrived, the store wasn't open yet, but she refused to budge. We waited and she was the first person in the door. She must have spent 2 hours in there looking at everything. She picked out the Bitty Twins, a couple outfits, a couple toys, and a carrying bag. Then we went in the Bistro for dessert. She never stopped glowing. She said at one point "Mom, I know I've said it before, but this is the best birthday ever". I hugged her and told her that it's a good thing that the best keeps getting better!

A Breather

Between work & household duties and getting ready for Trick-or-Treating, I've found myself with a spare minute, so I thought I'd get a post in. =) For starters, I got my old camera working. I guess it was the rechargeable batteries that were bad. I was relieved and disappointed at the same time. I'll be sticking with my 3.1MP camera for a while longer.

I mentioned that we had taken a trip to the pumpkin patch with a neighbor family, so I'll start with a few pictures from there.







I had also mentioned Emily's chorus performing at the PTO meeting. Here are a few pictures Sam took.






I'll fill you in on last weekend next...

Happy Halloween

I promise as soon as I have time to post more than a sentence or two I will. Until then, Happy Haunting!

TAG

I was tagged by Karen on this one...

Name/Meaning: Blake Allen Roebuck - His first name is just one we both liked. His middle name is from Sam's dad.

Age: 11 1/2

Nicknames: Bubba, Bubbie

Favorite Activity (ies): Playing video games, watching races

Favorite Foods: Mac & Cheese, Hot Dogs

Least favorite foods: Vegetables

Favorite Music: Rock

Favorite toys: Video Games, diecast cars

Favorite books: NASCAR Magazines count?

What makes him happy: His dog, making his dad proud

What makes him sad: Getting teased

WOOOO-HOOOO

Wow, what a weekend we had! More to come soon...

Sorry For Being A Slacker

Things have been kinda busy here I guess. During the week school and work takes up most of our time. All of which are going well.

Saturday before last we had been invited to the Hornaday's Halloween party, but getting Sam to dress up in a costume was out of the question, lol! We did go to a party at the home of our friend Dan Deeringhoff(from Walla Walla). Our other friend Doug Lusk (from Yakima/Tri-Cities) built an incredible grill that he towed over to roast a pig. There was a musician from a Lake Norman piano bar there for entertainment and the sprint cup race was playing on the projector outside. It was really good to see our WA buddies. I think we only saw the Craig's once this summer and haven't seen Damon and Robin Lusk since the weekend we moved into the house. Good times!

Sunday afternoon we took Blake to get a haircut and then the kids picked out their Halloween costumes.

Last Thursday Emily had Girls Scouts. I was able to take her and it seems like a nice group of girls and parents. Their leader surprised them with pumpkins to decorate. Good thing, because the one Emily picked at the pumpkin patch already went rotten. With a replacement, it was a little less emotional.

Last weekend Sam's hope for a win went down the tubes when the truck ran out of gas on the last lap. He tells me the Toyota's get better gas mileage and they hadn't been in their fuel window yet when Benson came in, but they had to come with him. Had their been more cautions (like the 18 in the spring race) they would have been okay. Just wasn't in the cards.

Sunday afternoon Sam took the kids and met up with our good friend's The Craigs at the Renaissance Festival. I posted pictures from last year when I took them. It's like you wander in to the Sherwood Forrest. Sam said they had a great time. This year Blake did the bungee-trampoline thing and loved it.

Tuesday night Emily's chorus performed at the PTO meeting (which are big events here). I had to work, but Sam was able to get her there and watch. Monday she said she was a little nervous because it had been so long since she performed in front of people. When I got home from work I found her in my bed though. Apparently she was wound up and couldn't get to sleep. Silly girl.

I'm glad Sam has been able to spend quality time with the kids lately. It helps ease the guilt I have over taking them so many places while he's been at work. ;)

Tonight he is down in Atlanta getting things all set for Ryan Newman who will be driving the #2 truck the next couple weeks. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, but I hope it holds out or clears enough that they get some good practice in.

I'm busy getting things together for Emily's sleepover next week. School is out the 30th & 31st, so she gets to have her party on her actual birthday.

I think that's about all the excitement we've had around here. I'm going to sign off and tend to my owies (got about a dozen fire ant stings while running the weed whacker behind the back fence a couple weeks ago, nasty buggers).

Tune in to cheer KHI on Saturday afternoon. Good luck to Jeff Barkshire in the last West race of the year too!

Happy Birthday Kerri!

You are a great friend and I am so blessed to have you in my life! Enjoy your day!

Top Five

Since my camera broke down, I've been doing a little research on newer models. I really like the Canon I have and since I'm so comfortable using it, I'm hesitant to switch brand. Although, our film SLR is a Nikon, and I'd love it if it were digital (never thought I'd say that). A D80 would toot my horn, but I really don't know how to use many manual features (I can't imagine using a D300 or D3!). Besides, what I need is a small point & shoot that is easy to carry around. I loathe lugging the big one even though it yields extraordinary photos. From the info I've gathered so far, here is my top 5 list of cameras:

1. Nikon D80

2. Canon G9

3. Canon SX110is

4. Canon A650

5. Canon SD790is

Menu Monday

Ya I know, a day late - sorry. Here it is in all it's glory:

Parmesan Chicken, Texas Toast, Green Salad
Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Corn
Fajitas, Spanish Rice, Refried Beans
Ribs, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw
Grilled Salmon, Rice Pilaf, Caesar Salad
Brats, Fries
Roast Beef, Potatoes, Carrots, Celery & Onions, Rolls

I've realized I've also been leaving out the promised weekly recipe so I'll share... Fajitas!

Slice steak into thin strips & saute in 1tbs oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes
Add sliced bell peppers & onions & saute until onions are transparent
Add 1 package of fajita seasoning & 1/2 cup water, simmer until liquid is gone
In microwave heat 1 package of flour tortillas
Fill each tortilla with meat & veggie mixture & top with sour cream


Yummy!

Weekly Update

Hi all! Sorry for the delay again. I try to get a post in before I go to work in the mornings, but the weekly updates take more time than most are are tough to get done.

From my last post you already know we had horrible news this week. Our friend Connie had been diagnosed with cancer last summer. She under went numerous treatments and fought hard, but it became too much for her body. My heart aches from the loss of such a wonderful person. I think Sam is struggling with not being able to be there for Don. I hope he knows our love and thoughts are with him.

I'm sure most of you have heard already that KHI released driver Jack Sprague on Monday. Jack will be finishing the season back in the Wyler #60 truck. Kevin Harvick will be driving the truck in Martinsville and Phoenix with another driver, I'm not sure if I should mention yet, filling in for the rest. Hopefully the guys will have a chance to prove what great equipment they have been preparing week after week with top-notch drivers in the seat. Tuesday they flew to Chicago to do some testing. When the rain began to pour they decided they had accomplished what they needed to and flew back! They've been busy trying to get prepared for the final 5 races. This is Sam's last weekend off until the season is over. Tonight he is is down at Lowe's with the Nationwide team.

Work is keeping me busy. I have just enough time after work to have some lunch and maybe run an errand before the kids get home from school. Once they are here it's time to help with homework and then start dinner. I've been volunteering at the school when I can, and working at Kohl's a couple days. I found myself thinking today that I wish I didn't have to be a grown up with so many responsibilities. I haven't been doing a very good job lately. *sigh*

Last Sunday we and the neighbors went to a local farm for some fall festivities. We took a hayride, picked pumpkins, and enjoyed some apple cider. It was fun and I wondered how many more trips like that we'll have with the kids growing up. I got a few photos before the camera gave up, but I can't even download them. =( I know everyone looks forward to seeing pictures, but you'll have to bear with me for a while. We have alot of other things on our plate right now. Hopefully we can make a new camera a priority sometime in the near future.

One year ago we were enjoying a fabulous Caribbean vacation. Oh to be relaxing there again. I don't think I posted many, if any, pictures last year so here are a few:











Happy Anniversary Jason and Angie! Thank you for inviting us to spend your special day with you.

Hope everyone has a good week. Take care. We love you all!

Candles For Connie

Our dear, dear friend Connie, who was an angel on earth, has left this life and is now flying freely. Her cancer riddled body could no longer hold her spirit. I light these cyber candles in remembrance. They will remain that way for her on my page and in my heart forever. I invite my friends and family to copy them and do the same.




May her endless numbers of friends and family find comfort in these difficult times.

Top 5 Tuesday

This week's topic...... horror movies. I am in no way an expert on this subject. As a matter of fact I try to avoid horror movies as the visions never leave my head. I made this list from what I have been convinced to watch over the years.

1. The Birds - I am still affraid of birds to this day after a 9th grade teacher made us watch this.
2. Friday The 13th -
3. Nightmare On Elm Street -
4. The Ring - Sam played horribly cruel tricks on me after talking me into watching this with him.
5. The People Under The Stairs - I was convinced we had people under our stairs!

Menu Monday

Another week has gone by already, whew. As I suspected, we didn't have many family meals last week, only one actually. So, this week's menu looks pretty much like last week's with the exception of replacing Spaghetti with Parmesan Chicken and Pork Tenderloin was on sale, so I picked that up instead of ribs. I'll also be throwing in Boo Bugs one night. They are one of the kids' favorite Halloween meals.




Parmesan Chicken, Texas Toast, Green Salad
Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Corn
Fajitas, Spanish Rice, Refried Beans
Pork Tenderloin, Baby Red Potatoes, Asparagus
Grilled Salmon, Wild Rice, Caesar Salad
Club Sandwich, Fries
Boo Bugs

TGIF

I had the entire day/night off, woo-hoo! I even stayed in my pjs until noon. =0 I got some laundry and dishes done, re-arranged our closet, and got out the Halloween decorations. I also went through a couple magazines and made a shopping list of ingredients for some fun Halloween foods. One year I tried to make a fun meal every day in October. I quickly realized it was more stress than it was worth. This year, like last, I'll do one a week.

This afternoon I volunteered to help Blake's class tie dye tee shirts. It's always fun for me to meet his classmates and get to know them. Blake could hardly wait to introduce me to all his friends. He really seems to enjoy the school. When we got home he gave me a big hug and thanked me for going. It warmed my heart that he hasn't grown past that yet and still enjoys me being around.

After school we worked on putting up some Halloween decor. Funny, my two bins of stuff didn't go far in this big ole house! I add a little to my holiday decor every year though, so some day I'll have it all decked out. Both kids are really into making things spooky this year, so that's fun. I know I promised pictures, but I'll have to add them in later since it got dark on me so quickly tonight.

This evening Blake and Emma (as she told her teacher she wants to be called) have the neighbor kids here to sleepover. It is so nice having a brother and sister the same age so close. Not to mention, they are great kids and a pleasure to have here.

As for the rest of the week, there hasn't been too much exciting going on. I think I mentioned that Emily joined the school chorus. This week she also joined girl scouts.

Sam and I both have been busy with work, but not much else. We enjoyed last Saturday together by being lazy most of the day. That evening we went out to dinner at Red Rocks with friends Jeremy and Jannell (Niessner) Toriano. Afterward we strolled around Birkdale and finished off with a nightcap from Coldstone. Sunday I had to work, but after cleaning up the house, Sam took the kids fishing. Emily got discouraged after loosing 3 hooks to being tangled up, but it sounded like overall they had a great day.

It's been a little crazy here between the gas shortage and the Wachovia sale. I hope the gas situation is straightened out early this week. It's going to get crazy with all the people here for the race next weekend. *scared*

I've been watching all the political happenings too. I have yet to figure out how the senate passed the new bailout bill with even more pork in it than the first one, arrrgggg. My sister-in-law sent me a link to a Youtube video where a guy claims that the bill (well at least the first one) had no stipulation stating that the money was for US assistance. He says the money is going to end up being used to pay off foreign debt, oye! Can you believe that nonsense? And most Americans have no clue what the government is pulling on us.

On a better note, I really enjoyed the VP debate, well except when Mr Bidden began to cry. That was more than a little uncomfortable to see. I sure hope it wasn't planned, but for some reason I have suspicions.

I guess I better get off my soapbox and sign off for now. I hope you all have had a good week. (((HUGS)))