You're Going Down!

Nothing spices up a marriage like some good, old fashioned competition!  Brandon and I took advantage of my in-law's visit to go on a little bowling date.  Aren't we cute?

Bowling Date

Every time I bowl with him, I remember back to freshman year of college when I vowed never to bowl with him again.  He got soooo mad when he screwed up a shot!  Thankfully he now laughs at gutter balls and I've retracted my vow.

Have I mentioned that I'm awful at bowling?  I was magically only one point behind Brandon during the first frame.  I knew I'd better commemorate the occasion with photographic evidence.  We both knew I wasn't likely to be that close again soon.

Janelle Scores Higher Than Brandon!

Being awful at something makes it all the more fun to trash talk about it.  Real trash talk is stupid.  Trash talk that mocks your own inability is fun. Oh, game on!

Trash Talk Face

But what's this?  I scored better higher than Brandon in the 6th frame too?  I'm pretty sure a pig just flew by!

Janelle Dominates

Then all was right with the world again and Brandon kicked my butt.  He was sooo close to breaking 200 in our third game.  And I was soooo close to breaking 100.  Our awesomeness deserved more photographic evidence.

Ok, fine.  Brandon wins.

Fifteen dollars well spent.  We played four games in our hour bowling period and went home aching.  When did we get so old? 

Graffiti

I believe that the key to a happy home is the proper balance of individual, couple, and family time. It is hard to find that balance with two working parents, opposite sleep schedules, and a little one to watch. So I implemented bi-weekly family dinners, a weekly mini date night at home after Rachel goes to bed, a big monthly date, and a weekly family outing.

This weekend was our first official family outing. I don't care if the outing is as common as a trip to the grocery store or as exciting as a trip to the zoo as long as we are all together.

The mission: to pay the mortgage and make a little surprise for the grandparents.

We had our supplies in hand. Snacks: check.

Envelope: check.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. We had to endure traffic signals…

…famine…

…and drought.

Our driver remained calm, however, and got us to our destinations safely.

Mission one went off without a hitch. Onwards!

Rachel performed a little reconnaissance for us when we reached her grandparents’ house.

Luckily, the blinds were closed…
…and the door mysteriously barricaded.

It seems I had planned my mission well.

We stealthily performed a little flour-based lawn graffiti. They’ll never know what hit them!

Run away! Run away!

Whew! A clean getaway!

What a harrowing adventure! Shoes were muddied.
Rocks were stolen.
And even a parting tear was shed.

But don’t worry. It was quickly followed by triumphant screams and a victory lap around the neighborhood.

Indulge

Nothing says "I support your hobbies even though I don't enjoy them" like football strawberries.

Or maybe this is just my way of celebrating the end of the season.