Bunco, Babies, and Bings....

Just had to keep with the alliteration :)

First off BUNCO!

This week was chock full of fun! Tuesday night kicked off the first official Bunco night! I caught the Bunco bug and started a group out here with some friends in the ward. I hosted the first month and we had a blast. I finally dusted off the ice cream maker we got for our wedding and made some homemade cookies and cream ice cream. The caramel brownies didn't turn out quite like I expected, but I think the peanut butter popcorn drizzled in chocolate make up for it! Not a good time to be dieting- although props to Rachel N., who was on her last day of "no sweets for 2 weeks". She has some major will power! (I think Denyse may have OD on the sugar, though.:)

Rachel and Melissa are holding out with only a week or two left til they hit their due dates!
That leads us into BABIES!
We threw a baby shower for Rachel for mutual on Wednesday. Here are the girls making the gifts...a diaper cake, bib, and beanie...

and a frame.

We enjoyed some treats,

and of course played games. They are trying to draw a baby on top of their heads in this shot. Britta's drawing won!

Here she is with some gifts. The girls were way cute and had some great advice to give her. We will miss our secretary when her little guy comes!

Ok, this has nothing to do with anything, but on Thursday I spent my afternoon weeding the garden and this is what my knees looked like afterward. I just think it's funny because I started out by sitting on a stool (wanting to stay clean), but that wasn't working, so I just bent over until I thought my back would give out, then I got on my knees. It was just easier that way. I kinda felt like a kid in the dirt. It was fun.

And lastly, BINGS!(or wings)

Tommy want wingy!!

That was the war cry Saturday afternoon when we headed downtown to participate in our city's proudest event, the National Buffalo Wing Festival. We did it last year and had such a fun time we decided to make it tradition.

Of course the main event was the National Wing Eating Contest. In this shot we have the #2 ranked World Eating Champion on the left, Badland Booker in the middle, and Sonya "The Black Widow" on the right. Let's be frank, watching this was disgusting. I didn't know if I would have an appetite afterward. Luckily, wings just smell too dang good to pass up. I love that the guy on the left has a whole wing hanging out of his mouth while he shreds up another in his hands. You can't buy this kind of talent folks.

Sonya was the winner. Go girl. The only female in the bunch, she definitely had the majority of the crowd rooting for her.We sampled wings from all different vendors like Wing Zone, Legend Larry's, Hurricane Grill, etc. It was fun to try flavors like Chipotle Raspberry or Salt and Vinegar.

It was a warm afternoon and Collin was pooped. I love when he rests on my shoulder. He hardly ever gives me the pleasure.

Seriously people. This wing is ridiculous. I think we got our money's worth on this one.

What came first, the chicken or the wing? Or should I ask, what left first, the pride or the dignity? Just kidding, I'm really jealous. I think I'll have to get one our last year. :)

Collin and Ryan like to coordinate what they're wearing. These are two cool kids sporting the Mesa pride for sure.

We went with the Carters and Shaws but ended up seeing the Shaheens, Majerones, Taylors, and Reheisses while we were there. It was the place to be! It's a two day festival and the Wing King (yes it's a real person) said he ordered 30 tons of wings and we went through 25 tons just on Saturday. While standing in line, we met a couple that had driven from Ohio, just to come to the wing festival. This is religion out here! And we were happy to be apostate for the afternoon. :)