Lagoon Bounceback

Jenny and I had our first time sans 2 boys last night as we bounced back to Lagoon. It was somewhat nostalgic as our second date was to Lagoon. It was really nice to have some time to ourselves. As much as we love Boston and Jaegan, I think every couple needs to have time alone together, even if its in the midst of hundreds of people while riding on roller coasters. We owe Syd big time for watching the boys on short notice. It's also reassuring to know that they can behave when we're not around.

Since it was only $7.50 to get back in, we didn't feel like we needed to take a whole day to get our money's worth. Monday was again a pretty slow day with school starting this week. We were able to get in as much riding as we did a couple of weeks ago. We hit up Wicked first thing and didn't have to wait too long. We rode all the rides on the south end and hit Wicked one more time before moving on. I dragged Jenny on Re-Entry (she REALLY hates that ride!) but she made it through. We went on Rattlesnake rapids and got a little wet and then went on Cliffhanger and got REALLY wet. We decided to call it a day but stopped for a ride on the Tidal Wave before we left. I totally wasted my voice in the screaming contest as the boat rocked back and forth.

We went and got the boys at about 8:30. Syd managed to get Boston to sleep (no small task, trust me). It was a fun night and I learned that we need to do it more often.

The Lagoon Experience

Yesterday we decided to go to Lagoon for the first time in a couple of years. They have a new rollercoaster that I couldn't pass up experiencing in it's first year of existence. I didn't want to be the one guy in Utah who hasn't experienced "Wicked." We decided to go on a Monday to avoid the large crowds that seem to show up on every other day of the week. This wasn't overly convenient with my work schedule. I had a meeting scheduled at 12:00 that was pushed back to 1:00. By the time I got out of there, it was a little after 3:00. Meanwhile, Jenny had taken the boys with her and the rest of my family to swim in the morning at Lagoon-A-Beach. They had a good time, but Jenny got sunburned pretty bad. They came home to eat and I met up with them shortly after they returned to the park.

We spent the first little while getting the kids on the kiddy rides. Boston was a pretty big wuss. I don't know if it was the Disneyworld experience (which he didn't like too much), or the fact that the first ride Jenny took him on was the Terror Ride. Either way, we pretty much couldn't get him to go on any other rides and even had to force him on the train. He was fine by the end of the ride after seeing all the animals. I got to go on Wicked a couple of times before the lines got too long. I must admit that it's a pretty solid ride. Although it's not the caliber of a "Hulk" or "Mr. Freeze", it has it's unique qualities that make it fun. Going up at 90 degrees and coming back down at 90 degrees is pretty intense. The fact that the harnesses do not go over your shoulders also made for a fun experience, especially during the barrel roll.

We had a good time, but I am definitely not as young as I once was. While I used to be able to go all-out all day, the 6 hours I was there just about did me in. It was hot and hectic trying to keep track of all the kids. Boston was exhausted by the time I got there, so he was pretty restless and grumpy the rest of the evening. Jenny was tired and sore from her sunburn. I didn't get anything to eat and wasn't about to appease the price gougers in the park, so I subsisted on water, a few fries and a salty nut roll. By the time the park closed and we headed home, my feet were sore, my head was aching and I was so tired I pretty much just crashed when we got home.

All in all, though, I still like Lagoon. It has its character and a lot of fond memories of my youth. I still live by the adage: "Lagoon is as fun as you make it!"

Jami challenged me to do this little quizzy deal, so here I go:
Jenny's Responses:

4 jobs I have held:
Cavaughans girl
DayCare Provider
Recepinist
Book Keeper

4 movies I can watch over and over:
Sence and Sensability
Brother Bear
Sweet Home Alabama
Italian Job

4 places I have lived:
South Weber, UT
Eatonville, WA
Clinton,UT
Shoreline, WA

4 TV shows I enjoy:
The Office
My Name is Earl
Heroes
Dateline

4 places I have been on vacation:
Seattle
Burmuda
Florida
Wyoming

4 of my favorite dishes/restaurants:
Chick-fa-la
Costa vida
Lemonberry Slushy
Costco Hotdog

4 websites I visit daily:
Not daily, but often
Hotmail
Target
Old Navy
Parenting.com

4 places I would rather be right now:
Hawaii
On a roller coaster
Asleep
Bermuda

4 people I would challenge to do this:
Erik
Keri
Adam
Jami

Jenny and I have started a new full time job in addition to our regular job. It is potty training Boston, and it is a full time job. We try to be diligent in asking him regularly if he needs to go, keeping up with him so he doesn't have accidents, try to get him excited about going on his own (treats, toy cars, heaps of praise). I will say that he has made progress in the past week. We have stopped buying diapers and purchased a small inventory of briefs to keep things fresh. He has an accident or two per day, but if we stay on top of things, he does pretty good. We are hopeful that he will catch on and that we don't give him a complex that would scare him off the toilet until he's five.

Yesterday, we were able to attend the baptism of our neice, Chloee. Jenny and Chloee have a special bond and it was fun to be a part of things. Boston was excited, too. He wanted to get in the water with Chloee and his grandpa. We were lucky that he didn't jump in like he does at the pool. It was satisfying in a way to have him be so excited about being baptized. Jenny has also been working on teaching him about missions. I came home from an early meeting before church and they had been singing "I Hope They Call Me On A Mission." He told me he was going on a mission and then Jenny and him sang the song for me. These are the moments that make being a parent worth it.

As for the past week, it was business as usual at our house. We are pretty low key during the week as work and two kids keep us busy. At least this entry isn't overlong like the last few have been.

Challenge Accepted...

Jami challenged me to do this little quizzy deal, so here I go:

Ben’s Responses:

4 jobs I have held:

Clinic Administrator
Medical Biller
Cell Phone Jockey
Amateur Landscaper

4 movies I can watch over and over:

Batman Begins
Any of the Bourne Movies
Star Wars (Old Trilogy especially)
Memphis Belle (Most underrated WWII movie of all time)

4 places I have lived:

Chandler, Arizona
Boise, Idaho
Kaysville, Utah
Issaquah, Washington
(Thanks Adam! And I'll add for effect: Sariaya, Philippines)

4 TV shows I enjoy:

The Office
My Name is Earl
Heroes
The Office
And The Office
Oh, and I've become a fan of 30 Rock as well
(Sorry, went a little overboard)

4 places I have been on vacation:

Seattle
Maui
Bermuda
Orlando: Disney World

4 of my favorite dishes/restaurants:

Chicken Fried Steak @ Chili's (I'm serious; try it!)
BBQ Beef @ L&L's Drive In (had some last night, sooo goooood)
Tiny Spicy Shrip @ Mandarin Palace
Chicken Sandwich @ Chic-Fil-A

4 websites I visit daily:

www.comcast.net (to check my email)
www.cougarblue.com (to check up on the Cougs!)
www.espn.com (they aren't the wide world of sports for nuthin')
benjengunn.blogspot.com (to see if anyone is commenting on my sparce posts)

4 places I would rather be right now:

In Bed
On the golf course
On the beach
At Sonic getting a lemon-berry slushie (should have put that as a favorite dish)

4 people I would challenge to do this:

Jenny
Erik
Adam
Jami
(2 down, 2 to go!)