PA, Day 5

This day was pretty relaxing. Michael and Kevin took all of the kids and were supposed to go geocaching. I think that they found one cache, but then took the children to the park to play. Leta packed lunches for everyone, and they ate while they were out.

Leta and I headed into town to do some shopping. We went to a very nice thrift store, had lunch at a place called Neato Burrito, and spent the rest of the time at JoAnn's fabric store (Leta is making a few things for Livi. I'll post picture when they get here!). It was nice to have some one on one time!

We all met back up at the house and then headed over to the Barr's home. Dave and Dorris Barr were neighbors in Africa. They now live 5 mintues from Michael and Leta. After dinner Dave brought out his Ladder Ball set. It was a lot of fun. It was pretty chilly outside, but I loved it!

Little monkeys!

They're ALL loving the spinner!

I love Benjamin's face in this one!

I'm a fan of action shots. I like how you can see Jonathan hopping on and Benjamin's hair blowing!

Livi LOVES swinging!

She loves it even more when Brother is pushing her!

Up....

..and down!

Moving up in slide difficulty.

Katrina on the rings! Notice the long hair swinging around!

Olivia and her best buddy, Julia.

Wave to the train man!

Fascinating!

Olivia telling Mrs. Barr something important!

Speaking of action shots. I LOVE his face!

Uncle Michael kicked the ball so hard that his shoe flew off!

Olivia found more shoulders to sit on! I really like Michael's face in this one.

Olivia learned that she can kick the ball and play by herself!

Michael taking his turn at Ladder Ball.

Seriously, Olivia is always on Kevin's shoulders...even during a game of Ladder Ball!

Olivia learning how to kick from the pros!

Mr. Barr teaching Benjamin how to play.

The Bulgrien children and their fathers.

Kevin and Michael cracking up about something....this is unusual!

A boy and his sister. Awww.

PA, Day 4

On day 4 of our Pennsylvania trip, we went to Hershey, PA to go to Chocolate World. After that, the children played in the park with Mike and Leta while Kevin and I went to get pizzas. We had a pizza picnic in the park! The kids (and the grown ups) had a lot of fun!

Katrina getting in some swinging before we head out!

Olivia really loved Uncle Michael and Auntie Leta's piano!

So happy she can't stand it!

The Welcome sign.

Red bushes that look like chocolate. Nice!

The streetlights in Hershey alternate wrapped....

...and unwrapped!

We went on the Chocolate Tour. It tells you all about Mr. Hershey, his business, and how they make chocolate. Very interesting!

Cousins...and friends.

The cow telling you about the beginning of the tour.

The singing cows telling you about needing milk to make chocolate.

At the end of the tour they give you a fun size chocolate bar. I didn't think Olivia knew what it was, but she did. And she wasn't happy that she wasn't getting hers ASAP!

Now she's happy. Girls and chocolate, what can I say?

Benjamin was amazed at the chocolate fountain....not the chocolate part, all of the machinery stuff!

Olivia having some pizza with Uncle Michael.

She really, really liked Uncle Michael. (psst...he liked her just as much)

Bulgrien family pizza party.

All 5 Bulgrien kids!

Happy boy!

Olivia and Julia playing chase. Olivia had a blast!

An exciting game of Duck, Duck, Goose!

Olivia helping Auntie Leta cook! She would stir the air in her pot and then lick the spoon. It was funny!

I'm still working on getting all of these pictures up in between our regular posting. It's hard to keep up sometimes!

My sweet boy is 6!

I used to hate it when people would say, "Oh, enjoy your time, it goes so fast." I have learned that they were so right. I cannot believe that it has been 6 years, 2 hours and 55 minutes since I had Benjamin. I adore this child! I have learned more about myself and about love in these past years than I ever did in the previous 24 years. He is a huge, undeserved gift...for which I am very thankful. He makes me smile even when I'm down. He loves me even when I fail. He has a smile that lights up my WORLD! His heart is so sensitive. He is smart. He is very friendly. He is kind. He loves his family. He is a loving big brother. And he loves his Jesus. Oh, Father, thank you for this baby who came into my life and turned it around. What a wonderful way to teach people about love. Sweet Benjamin, if you ever read this, I want you to know that I love you...."a hundred and a thousand and sixty!" ;-)

A Thanksgiving surprise! There was turkey on the table and a bun in the oven!

Our sweet boy. Born on July 11, 2003

We are quite smitten with this little one!

ONE year old!

TWO years old!!

THREE years old!!!

FOUR years old!!!!

FIVE years old!!!!!

SIX years old!!!!!!

But....forever Mommy's baby.

We love you, Benjamin Isaac Bulgrien!! You are the best boy ever!!!

Hearty Tex-Mex Chicken and Squash Casserole

Does the name of this dish really need to be so long?! Anyway....

A friend asked me to send her this recipe, so I thought, "Hey, since I'm going to have to type it up anyway, I might as well blog it!" So, here ya' go! It has a lot of ingredients, but don't be scared of that! It's easy to make!

10 oz. frozen spinach, thaw and drain
3 yellow squash, slice thin
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 T. olive oil
3 c. cooked chicken, shred or chop
12 6" corn tortillas, cut into 1" pieces
1 can cream of celery soup
8 oz. sour cream
8 oz. picante sauce
1 small can green chiles
1 packet (1.4 oz) fajita seasoning
2 c. cheddar cheese

Saute' squash, bell pepper, and onion in oil until tender. Stir in all remaining ingredients expect for 1/2 c. of the cheese. Spoon into a lightly greased 9x13 casserole pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with leftover cheese (more if desired....we desire!!) Bake 5 more minutes.

This stuff is so good it'll make you slap your Momma**!

**The Bulgrien Family blog does not recommend really slapping one's Momma. That will get you killed, and we're against killing.

Little Rabbit Foo Foo gets a conscience!

Today I was singing the Little Rabbit Foo Foo song to the kids. Olivia was just dancing...as Olivia is prone to do. Benjamin, however, was analyzing the actions of Little Rabbit Foo Foo...as Bulgriens are prone to do.

For those of you who aren't familiar with this song, you can find the lyrics here.
(just for grins, notice that there is a warning at the top of the page telling you that this song is sensitive and may be offensive to some. Perhaps they are picturing this rabbit:)



Anyway.....

Benjamin: Mommy, why does he keep bonking those field mice when she tells hiim not to? Why does she keep giving him chances (side note...we don't do X number of chances at our house. Do it the first time!)?

Me: I don't know. He should just obey the first time, huh?

Benjamin: Yeah. Mommy sing it again, but make him obey this time.

Mommy: Ummm. Little Rabbit Foo Foo went hopping through the forest...

Benjamin: Mommy, he probably shouldn't go in to the forest if he can't do the right thing when he is there.

Mommy: Huh? Oh. Right!

Benjamin: Sing it again.

Mommy: Little Rabbit Foo Foo didn't go hopping through the forest...

Benjamin: That's good. Now make the Good Fairy tell him no more chances.

Mommy: ...And the Good Fairy said, I won't give you any second chances because you should obey the first time...

Benjamin: Mommy, I love this song!