01.31.11
“It’s a beautiful song”
Dean’s been working on his guitar chops quite a bit lately. Lindsey captured this moment the other day.
“It’s a beautiful song.” from Matt Hopkins on Vimeo.
Free Food!
Pei Wei recently offered coupons for their new Korean BBQ. If you grabbed up the coupons you were given a free entree during the week. Matt and I were fortunate enough to benefit from the free food give away. On Monday after we returned from Kentucky we decided to head over and try the Korean BBQ. It was rather tasty. Although it’s hard for me to venture away from my Pei Wei faves the barbecue is one that should be tried. I’m not a huge fan of the salad they put on top. I’d ask for that on the side next time but otherwise yummy.
**I forgot to take a picture before I started eating so this is after the salad was consumed!**
Dean enjoyed learning how to eat his rice with chop sticks. Matt was a very patient teacher. It was a bit difficult since Dean has barely mastered silverware!
The Bluegrass State
Matt and I were able to plan a short trip to Kentucky to visit our friends Linsey and Steven Schafer. My mom was sweet enough to take off 2 days of work and come play with Dean so we could get away kid free! We scored super cheap tickets thanks to a SWA sale but it also included 3 stops along our short journey. I figured that since we were traveling kid free our long journey would be fine – after all we could read books and magazines in peace…
Once we arrived in KY Linsey and Steven were the best hosts and friends could have asked for. They had scouted a list of fabulous restruants (Vietinemese, Japanese, Greek, and Itaian) which were all fabulous! We enjoyed the cultural meting pot of foods Louisville had to offer. According to the Schafers there are more resturants per capita in Louisville than any other city. It’s quite amazing! There is such variety and so many mom and pop stops. Our italian lunch was quite the dive but oh so yummy!
Saturday morning began with a tour of the Burbon Trail. We visited 3 distilleries (1/2 of the 6 on the trail) – Wild Turkey, Four Roses, and Woodford Reserve. The process is similar to wine tours and smells just about as bad! I’m sure any wine or bourbon connoisseur can site the vast differences between the two but to me…it’s all the same! I do have a new appreciation for Burbon but am still very much a wine drinker. Matt and Steven enjoyed savoring all of the flavors of each 0.5 oz sample we were provided.
Sunday we were able to visit Steven’s church – Ridgewood Baptist. It was nice for us to meet their congregation and to hear Steven preach. Their church is such a cozy, welcoming place. I certainly look forward to going back. After church Linsey fixed a fabulous lunch and we set out for some sight seeing. We visited Churchill Downs, The Louisville Slugger Museum, drove across the bridge to Indiana and saw the rapids of the Ohio River, along with visiting Linsey’s work and the University of Louisville. We ended our day gathered around the kitchen table playing games. It was the perfect end to our trip.
We are so thankful to Linsey and Steven for their generous hospitality and for the amazing weekend we had. We can’t wait to visit in the spring or fall when we can see the true beauty of Kentucky.
01.27.11
Community Worker Salute
Today was dress like your favorite Community Service Worker day at Dean’s school. He chose to dress as a fireman. It was hard for me to compete with his breakfast as I was trying to snap a photo or two before we ran out the door. I did the best I could. Cutest fireman I’ve ever seen!
Dean prefers to wear his helmet backwards…
Practicing for the Fireman’s Calendar
The back view
The front view. He’s also working on a career as a rapper. I didn’t think they qualified as community workers so I made him go as a fireman.
01.23.11
Why I Love Chick-Fil-A
1. It’s clean
2. They carry your food to your table – so nice when you are balancing
a super excited 2 year old, your wallet, and a icy cold diet Dr.
Pepper!
3. They offer stick down place mats, tubs of cheerios, and sanitizing
hand wipes – What more could a mom ask for?
4. Their high chairs roll – again, helpful in the ordering, condiment
grabbing and seat selecting portions of our meals
5. They give you free food! – LOVE the free chick-fil-a product
previews!
6. I feel like it’s healthier than a burger – at least I tell myself that.
7. Waffle fries – the ketchup just ooozes right through them!
8. They have diet Dr. Pepper
9. I can split a meal with dean and get a side of fruit…we both walk
away happy. A meal for 2 under $6 bucks. Yehaw!
10. They have balloons, great kids meal toys, and family fun nights!
Matt and I feel that our experiences here are well worth the extra bucks! Dean agrees!
