The Lancaster Journey: "Today is your day so we're sending you away!"

Joey's Birthday was this past Saturday.
Since Joey is an only child he really likes to be by himself (not that easy with three kids) so for his birthday we sent away without any kids.

First thing that morning the kids woke him up with presents

Inside those bags were words printed that was music to Joey's ears....

"Today is your day so we're sending you away!"

There was a map to a nearby lake and some gear to go fishing

Well I thought would be good gear, a cute watch, coffee mug, and shirt.
Apparently they are called accessories and you need much more stuff to go fishing :)

The boys wanted to go with their dad but after some negotiating they settled on getting

a photo and then mom would take them somewhere special

Joey's did end up haveing some company on his trip, his dad went with him

Once dad was gone we loaded up and headed out for a haircut for Ayden and then to the Pickle Festival. Ayden told me to stop and get some coffee... I guess even at five years old he knew I better prepare myself for taking three kids to a festival by myself :)

As soon as we got there the kids spotted the animals.

As always Ayden ran straight for them and Brock screamed not to take him near them.

I had to remind him not to try to lodge his head in the fence to get close to the animals.

Next we headed over to the Big A Challenge Championship

What is the Big A Challenge????? Well, it's

over 50 ounces of meat on a burger bun with the minimum of four trimmings; a side of fries, and a 24 ounce soft drink. If you can eat it in 30 minutes or less it’s free but if you can’t well then your out about $25.00

At the championship we bring together all the people who have qualified in the least amount of time to compete again each other. This years contestants were "Furious" Pete Czerwiniski, "Gentlemen" Joe Menchetti, Dave Brunelli, "Munchin" Mike Longo, Dale Boone, and local qualifier, out of Jacksonville, NC, Brandon Akins.

We got lined up early to see it

Ayden & Shane took out time to pose with our ring girl Amber (Andy's Home Office Data Entry Girl by day)

Andyman visited, there was a twist contest and a drawing for a lucky person to win a cheeseburger special a week for an entire year!

This year's winner was Furious Pete Czerwinski, with a recorded a time of 3 minutes and 2 seconds!

Pete & I had something in common; he is from Canada where a lot of my family is from.

"Neat ay?

Second place went to our previous 3 time winner Gentlemen Joe Menchetti with a time of 4:24, and in a close third place was Dave Brunelli with 4:47.

After watching all of these guys get to eat cheeseburgers my kids were wondering where theirs were so we headed to the Andy's of Mount Olive for some of our own.

When we got home Joey was back from his fishing trip.
They caught a few little fishes

Their most exciting find was a little turtle who we later named "Stinky", and Ayden calls him "Nasty"

We didn't know what kind of turtle and when I looked him up we found out that he was a common musk turtle or commonly called a "stinkpot" due to its ability to release a foul musky odor when they get nervous. Just what I needed! another gas releasing living being in the house! I told Ayden and he laughed hysterically and said "I've got a farting turtle mom!"
After we got the turtle all settled we went out to eat so Joey could have his favorite meal.....a steak!
Next we headed to his parents house for cake and ice cream