I saw Sarah Palin today!

Today Chris and I left the kids with a babysitter and we headed out at 9a.m. this morning and headed toward Chillicothe, OH. We got there at around 10a.m. And we started lining up at 11:40. Entered the gates at 1p.m., the rally started at 2:30p.m. and Sarah Palin spoke at 3:30p.m. It was very cold and we were froze half to death from standing in the cold for about 5 hrs. GO SARAH PALIN!!!! There were tons of people there and of course there were all kinds of Secret Service Agents, State troopers, city police, and snipers that were on tops of the buildings. I am so glad that I went to see her.

Here is the line that was behind us and we were pretty close to the front. By the time it was time to go through the gates, the line was MUCH longer.
The line in front of us.

These are some secret service men standing at the gates.

Chris standing in line. Doesn't he look thrilled. :-)

Some of the snipers on top of one of the buildings. They were looking around constantly with binocholers.

Someone dressed their child up in an elephant costume. He looked so cute.

Okay, this one is really cheesy, but we were freezing and we were really close because of all of the people. This would be us trying to stay warm.

Another sniper.

I thought this sign was so funny.

The red and white pom-poms waving in the air.

The great and wonderful SARAH PALIN!!!

Don't you love her buckeye necklace.

She said the weather here made her feel like she was back at home in Alaska. It definitely was cold.

Her husband Todd.

Don't you love the look on one of Sarah Palins personal guards face.

Another personal guard, actually two of them. The black man and the one right beside him with glasses. By the way, as she made her way around to shake hands, etc. There were also more guards going through the crowd not to far from her. Two of them stood right behind me and they were so close, they were breathing down my neck and the one had one of their hands on my behind. Let me tell you, they were very serious about their job and they really didn't care what you wanted to do. You moved for them so they could keep up with Palin or they would just move you themselves.

She was right in from of us signing papers, posters, etc.

They were giving out these hats before we entered the gates. Chris got one and guess what. Sarah Palin herself signed it. We were so close to her that he could hand the hat to her hisself and she thanked Chris for coming. Now I on the other hand could not reach her because I had the personal guards behind and in front of me.

My great grocery trip

I wanted to share with you all on my great weekly grocery trip. I have been trying to go through my weekly shopping ads and then plan my food menu for the week by what is on sale and what is in my cupboards. Then I clip out coupons for the stuff that is on sale and save alot more money. My total bill for this weeks grocerys and household neccessities was $52.15.

$18.42 - Wal-mart
$3.98 - Save-a-Lot
$29.67 - Kroger

I was very very happy. So was my budget. :-)

Youth Challenge weekend

Hello to everyone and hope that all of you had a great weekend. We had a busy weekend, but a great and fun one. We left Thursday to go to Youth Challenge. On the way, we dropped the kids off with Mom and Dad and then later picked them up on Sunday afternoon. My grandmother and her boyfriend were in on Sat. and Sun. We went to Mom & Dad's on Sun. to eat dinner with all of them and to pick up the kids. Madelyn & Joshua were definitely excited to see us since we had been away for four days. Today has been the great big unpacking, cleaning, laundry and spending time with kids day. I have done pretty good on everything, there are things that are not done, but I guess you can't always get everything done in one day. I thought I would take a picture of our supper tonight. I fixed sliced pork loin (I baked it with canned apples over the top of it with a little butter and white and brown suger. I did it in the oven on low for four hours), steamed frozen vegetables, homemade biscuits(my mom gave them to me on Sun.) with butter and apple butter on them. It was very delicious.
On our way to meet mom on Thurs. so she could get the kids, we passed this dead buck deer that someone had hit the night before. And guess what, Chris had to stop, he wanted the head. So while we waited for our friend to show up with a hax saw, this is what the kids did. They kept petting it and trying to lift it's head up. Ugh!

Chris and Travis Johnson helped with the 3 on 3 basketball game. Travis was the announcer and Chris watched the stop watch. They had alot of fun and there were some great games.

As always at Youth Challenge, we got to see alot of friends and people that we haven't seen for awhile. Our great, dear and best friends, Andy & Sharilynn Stroud.

There was one point before one of the services, I just happened to look over and saw Darrell III chowing down on this apple. I thought it was so cute.

The great Travis Johnson in the afterglow. :-) (I am sure he would just love to see this picture)

Madelyn's friend Gracie Stetler. Gracie was asking about Madelyn and wanted to see her. She is such a sweet little girl.

Okay we stayed at the Comfort Inn with choice hotels. We have never had a bad experience except for this one. The hotel was very unclean, we were not impressed at all and will never stay there again. We were standing at the elevator waiting for it to come to us and my brother-in-law just leaned up against this wall and the trim completely came off of it. This place was a joke. I do believe they need new management.

Me and Lizzie Stetler. It was alot of fun to get see you again and spend time with you guys. Can't wait to see ya'll again.

Me and Merillee Stetler/Luther. It was great to see you again and to spend time with you and get to see the baby. He is a doll and can't wait to see you guys again.

My grandmother and my dad.

My grandma and her boyfriend. They were looking at some pictures.

A great time with Uncle Ricky

My brother flew in from Florida last Saturday. He has been here all week and we will also get to spend time with him at Youth Challenge. We haven't seen him since Christmas, so it has been a long time and we have had a great time with him these past few days. The kids have absolutely loved their time with Uncle Ricky. In fact, Madelyn was choosing to do things with him over doing them with my dad. (I think it kind of hurt his feelings a little.) She told my dad that, "they were going to play frisbie." And he said, "Oh we are." She replied with, "No, not you. Just me and Ricky." She later told him that when her and Ricky were done playing then he could play. We were there every day and he came and spent the night with us one night, also. Today I am staying at home and trying to get some housework done, etc. Anyways, here are some pictures of the past few days, I hope you enjoy them.

This is our bonfire we had one night. It was really nice. Madelyn roasted her own marshmallows and did a very good job at it. Sorry, I never did get a picture of that part.
Pappy with his two "pride and joys".
Joshua playing on the golf cart. He loves this thing and wants his pappy to take him for a ride on it all the time.
Pappy and his buddy resting for a little bit. (A little secret, my dad had been asleep, also. He had just gotten off of work.)
Nana and Joshua

Pappy and Joshua grilling our supper one evening.
My brother. He can be a weirdo. Love ya, bro.
Joshua and Ricky. Ricky was really cold. It wasn't really that cold for a hat, but hey when your use to the WARM Florida weather I guess it does feel really cold here.
Madelyn and Ricky. I loved this picture of them.

Ricky and Madelyn playing basketball. I think he was showing her some tricks.

Joshua kept saying, "Ball, Ball."
Madelyn and Ricky raked some leaves. Madelyn told him to let her do it because it was really hard. So he laid down and she piled all of these leaves on top of him. This is the end result.
She loved it.
I don't know if you notice all of the wood neatly laid on the fire ring. Well, Joshua did all of that. He carried the wood and placed it on the fire ring so he could help his pappy out. Then he went over and got his seat and pulled it over by the ring and sat down. He is so cute.

Ricky reading a book to Madelyn on Sunday afternoon. And mom that dinner was really good. Thank you. :-)

Don't you love this picture of my brother?
I believe Madelyn was watching Ricky do something with the basketball.
I love this picture of Joshua. He has a very focused look on his face.
This is all I have until this weekend. I must finish the packing for Youth Challenge, plus we have church tonight. Hopefully, I will see some of you at YC. I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend.