Thursday, September 11, 2008

Buffalo and Chicken Obessions

Today is the first day I've had in weeks that I have absolutely nothing going on and I can actually sit down and blog. I had a stress-induced breakdown Saturday night and amidst all my crying I told Nate,"I haven't even blogged in two weeks and have only watched one hour of TV." For me this is a big deal, and apparently devastating. I have realized over my insanely busy summer that I am one who loves and needs down time, and as I look at my relatively empty calendar over the next few months, I am happy that I will be able to enjoy it again. So, I have a ton of posts I need to catch up on. I'm going to start with the most recent and work my way back.

Sunday night, my younger brother, Travis and his wife Kat (sorry, Kat, I don't think I can switch over to Kate) came to stay with us for a few days as they are moving from Virginia to California to start his first job out of law school. When we were trying to plan out what we wanted to do while they were here, his main goal was to see buffalo. For those who don't know Travis, he is a really cool guy, who is also quite quirky and that's what I love about him. For instance, he explained to me how "Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo, buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo," is a legitimate sentence and encouraged Harrison to tell his pre-school teacher that. Anyway, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to help him meet that goal, because googling "Buffalo in Colorado,"didn't really help. So, yesterday on our way to Colorado Springs he said he was going to look for buffalo the whole way there. Sure enough, he spotted some. So I immediately got off the freeway, put my SUV to the test and off-roaded to as close as we could get to them. Then we proceeded to take a bunch of pictures and observe the "tatanka."



Here are Kat(e) and I showing how the trusty Pilot got us out into the middle of that field with the freeway in the background. This is Elizabeth and me at the Visitor's Center of Garden of the Gods continuing with the buffalo obsession. Here are Trav and Kat at the "Balancing Rock" at Garden of the Gods.Our favorite rock formation was "Kissing Camels." So of course we had to take kissing pictures in front of it.
Trying to get a 20 month old to take a successful kissing picture was not an easy fete, but we did it!
Then we went to the Olympic Training Center, which was pretty cool, especially with the Olympic Spirit so fresh in our hearts!

It's probably a toss up whether the highlight of the day was the buffalo sighting or this next part. For me, I think it was this. Most of you are probably aware of my obsession with Chick-Fil-A. Well, it's now official. Last night we went to the party I won for being a "Chick-Fil-A Raving Fan." A few months ago we were there, done with our food and waiting while the kids played on the playplace. I saw a little sign that said something like, "Tell us why you love Chick-Fil-A in a hundred words or less." Well for me, a hundred words is not enough, but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway. I proceeded to write a short essay while Nate made fun of me the entire time. A few weeks later I received a phone call from Chick-Fil-A and thought, "Oh my goodness, could I have possibly won the contest?" Sure enough, I did. Now, I figured I won a free meal or something of the like. No, I actually won a prize that comes close to reflecting the amount of love I have for the place -- an all you can eat party for 30 friends and family. For those of you wondering why you weren't invited, they wanted to have it on a Weds. night, which is mutual, so I started with the young women and the other leaders (and their families). I wish I could have invited all of my friends and had more family there. But I do have 5 coupons for free food, that we had to raise our right hand and promise we would give to someone who had never tried Chick-Fil-A. So, if any of haven't, first repent, then let me know and I'll give you a coupon so you can become a "raving fan" and possibly have a Chick-Fil-A part of your own one day.

We ate ourselves silly. I figured we probably each ordered $10 worth of food, so it was almost $300 total! I'm sure I've spent at least that much there in my lifetime though, so at least it wasn't some half-hearted "fan" who won.

P.S. So much for my totally free day. The elders just called to remind me I signed up to make them dinner tonight. Oh well. At least now if I happen to hear the song, "Have you done any good in the world today?" I won't have to say no. Maybe tomorrow. . . :)
























10 comments:

Melissa said...

Oh my gosh, you are hilarious. I would have liked to read your essay. Is it on the Chick-fil-A website? I've only been there once or twice, and that was with a coupon for a free sandwich. Just the regular one with the bun, chicken, and pickles. I've never had anything else there. So if you can't find someone who's never tried Chick-fil-A, I come close!

Jordan Merrell said...

I love that you won the Chick fil A contest. That is the funniest thing I have ever heard! Way to go. I am huge fan as well!!! That is fun that Travis and Kat got to stay for a few days. And I am glad that you succeeded is finding buffalo.

Welsch Family said...

Michelle, I love your blog! I have been blogging for so long, so I hardly ever check my facebook. But I did tonight and found your blog! How fun! I love keeping in contact with friends through blogging. Your kids are so cute! Talk to you later. -Alyssa

Welsch Family said...

BTW, how do you know the Merrell's? We used to be in their ward in Springville. -Alyssa

Unknown said...

I should say I can't believe you won but that would be a lie! That is so hilarious. Trav wanting to see buffalo seemed to turn into a fun trip! Elizabeth is darling.

Jenna said...

I am ridiculously jealous of your win. I am a raving fan also. We say we go to Arizona to visit my brothers, but really it's just because there is a stand alone store around the corner from their house. I think in the 5 days we were there last time, I ate there 4 times. I LOVE IT!! I HATE that they don't have them here!!! Boo hoo!

Kelly said...

Michelle:

I can't believe you didn't tell me about the Chick-Fil-A contest. That is one of the funniest things I've ever heard in my life! Leave it to you Michelle, that's all I can say. I love you and miss you and am excited to read your upcoming posts!

Luisa said...

YES!! I can win something too. If you're willing to mail a coupon. I have actually never eaten at Chick-Fil-A.
I know, I haven't lived yet . . .

Shannon Harris said...

I would have been in chicken heaven to get all you can eat chick-fil-a. I never had it until I moved to GA and good heavens how did I go 26yrs before without it!

Melissa said...

Put your essay on your blog! I love Chick-fil-a . We have one here and it's our favorite place to go. YUMMY! Plus the kids can play and they love it just as us mom's do.