The PigBear »

Jun 12 2013

papa’s favorite bar.

When Brent and I were dating we spent a good bit of time in Panama City Beach. And inevitably we’d end up at Fun Land. It was a smoky little arcade on Front Beach Road that had beer, ice cream and arcade games that delivered some serious tickets.

Thankfully in the fifteen years since then the smoke has cleared but the tickets are still in high demand and the beer is still cold making Fun Land Papa’s “favorite bar on the strip.” (His words, not mine.)

After Ephraim hit his first ten he was good for the day. He went on to play every shooting game he could find without a care in the world for the tickets it would (or would not) deliver.

Sarah on the other hand was a girl on a mission. She and Lily asked around and found the game with the highest ticket per token ratio,

and then they milked that thing like a mama cow…

and she delivered.

(Note the awe and respect on the face of the young man playing next to them.)

Jackpot!

Ephraim either realized we were going to make the girls split all those tickets between everyone, or he truly just didn’t care. Because while all that was going on he was happily parked at the (minimal ticketage) air hockey table.

And Sarah was still pulling tickets from her machine.

(Lord, please don’t ever let a 21 year old Sarah discover slot machines.)

Lily answered the siren call of the Skee Ball game…

Sarah continued to milk her machine,

And Nate played a fierce game of air hockey,

while being coached enthusiastically by Papa…

When all the kiddos’ tokens were exhausted the real agony of our Fun Land trip began. Picking out the loot.

It.

Took.

Forever.

But finally the toy rings, junk candy and stuffed animals were secured and we could move onto the real reason we were at Fun Land: so the mommies and daddies could play Guitar Hero.

Tory and I rocked it out.

Shamefully so.

After I thoroughly embarrassed myself Parmy tried her hand at Deal or No Deal for a shot at a whopping 40 tickets.

I guess you can see how that ended.

But all’s well that ends well and the looks on these faces tells me one thing:

that Papa’s favorite bar was a hit with the grandkids.

5 comments

Jun 11 2013

ten on tuesday.

1. First of all, I’m horrified by the images on the web of the Colorado Springs area on fire once again. It was our home for three years, Brent’s home for seven, the place we brought our baby girl home, and the place where so many of our dear friends still live. Praying for all of you right this very minute.

2. Also, this. Prayers.

3. I haven’t blogged about Ephraim’s first swim meet yet because, well, he’s learning to read. And one day he might want to read this blog. And if he does I think he might appreciate me waiting for a more, um, triumphant post about swim team. His first meet was far closer to traumatic than triumphant so I think I’ll leave it at that for now. Of course his awesome coaches still managed to finagle him a spot as “Swimmer of the Week”, choosing to focus on his participation and persistence rather than the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth that was actually the substance of his first meet. Rachel and Susan, you guys rock.

4. Also, Ephraim has been telling everyone he swam across the pool in 29 seconds. Which would be true if you first added two minutes to that 29 seconds. But what fun would that be?

5. Speaking of fun, a Parody of Taylor Swift’s “22″ that pays homage to 32? Yes please. I’m particularly appreciative that the writers chose to highlight my least favorite thing so far about my 30′s with the line, “yeah…I’ve got wrinkles and acne at the same time…”

6. You guys. I’ve found the perfect shorts. This is big. Especially because they’re from Target which meant I could buy a pair in every color instead of buying one khaki pair from J. Crew that I would have to wear every day of the week. The link says they’re on sale for $15 but I snagged them at my Target last Thursday for $12 so check ‘em out in store first! And also? Cute prints.

7. An Erin Cobb Photography newsletter went out today with some super sweet stuff inside. Check it out in a browser here.

8. My Dad rolled into town at seven o’clock Sunday morning with moving van and car in tow. He’s now settling into his new home two blocks away from the Cottage and we couldn’t be happier to claim him as a Huntsvillian!

9. Have I mentioned that Sarah has my old iphone? Even though it doesn’t have service on it she can connect to iMessage via our wifi network and text with a few friends and family members. Most notably this week she’s been using it to get the word out about her new duct tape business which is going strong thanks to LeeLee, Aunt Lori, and her cousin Charlotte. She is also mentoring her friend Caden regarding his paper airplane business after his homemade drink business folded last week. I have no idea where she gets all of these marketing ideas…

10. On that note, Clean Color for Photoshop and Elements retires Friday. Don’t miss your chance to grab your copy before it’s gone.

3 comments

Jun 10 2013

beach bay: mission accomplished.

A couple of weekends ago we loaded the kiddos into the truck and headed for the Gulf. Some much needed cousin time was in order.

The Navy base in Panama City has a fantastic little beach area on the bay where the kiddos have always had great luck finding hermit crabs. That became their first mission.

Their second mission? Looking super cute.

Brent soaked up a few rays while enjoying his free cup of Starbucks thanks to his brother’s Starbucks bag-saving ways*.

*Technically I think Tory is just hoarding the bags all the people in his office are using. He’s too cheap to buy Starbucks coffee in a bag OR a cup.

Sorry ladies…they’re both taken.

I know, I know. Not fair.

Unless you’re me or Parmy. We think it’s very fair.

The kiddos’ third mission of the day? Build a house for hermit crab.

Taking all proper water precautions of course…

The adults’ only mission was to sink low into some beach chairs and enjoy each others company.

Easier said than done, right Papa?

I kid.

I insisted on taking at least one picture of Parmy in her cutie beach gear…

And Papa insisted on taking at least one of his “Big Girl” playing with the kiddos.

Yeah, he calls me Big Girl. See why enjoying each others company is easier said than done?

Kiddos’ mission #4: dig a hole to China.

And then, look real cute some more.

And I’d say,

with the exception of “Big Girl”,

that was mission accomplished.

1 comment

Jun 04 2013

ten on tuesday.

1. Crazy running girl strikes again. I would totally forgive you if you denied knowing me on the street. (Bib# 3349 if you can’t follow the link.)

2. I think we may be on the brink of Ephraim swimming in his first swim meet (tomorrow night!). Fingers crossed. Just the thought of it totally brings back this memory from two Summers ago.

3. Speaking of the pool, yesterday Ephraim was being tailed by a couple of cutie five year olds. In fact they were the same girls he told me earlier in the year were “his wife and his girlfriend.” In an apparent attempt to impress the babes he stood on the edge of the pool, turned toward them and announced, “Watch and learn, ladies,” before belly flopping into the frigid water and “swimming” for his life toward his dear mama. I’m sure they were spellbound. I most certainly was.

4. T-4 days before my Dad rolls into town with moving truck in tow. Woot!

5. My awesome Aunt Lori sent the kiddos a couple of these last week as a “welcome to Summer” gift. How she always knows exactly what they’ll love is beyond me but they immediately built a target and have been playing with it ever since. Score.

6. I made myself a note to link to Jen Hatmaker’s “Worst End of School Year Mom” blog post, but then the rest of the internet went and had the same idea and now it’s old news. But for the two of you who haven’t read it yet, you’re welcome.

7. My kiddos are enrolled in Heifer International’s Read to Feed program for the Summer, via our church. Sarah says she’s going to read 60 books this Summer and I’m pegging B-Ro for another 20. If you care to sponsor a Cobb kid, shoot me an email!

8. I know you guys have heard me gush before about my sweet friend LeeLee who owns my favorite restaurant here in Huntsville, Lyn’s Gracious Goodness. Well LeeLee posted her first how-to video on YouTube this week. You know you’ve always wanted to know how good ol’ Southerners make biscuits. Added bonus is LeeLee’s undeniable adorableness! Check her out here. “Mix it until the dough follows the fork”…BRILLIANT!

9. And speaking of brilliance, Angie launched our collaborative line of Photographer’s Marketing Kits on Photo Card Boutique this week. And our Minisession Marketing Kits are still available there as well. The full marketing sets are on sale right now so don’t miss your chance to scoop one up!

10. And finally, you probably read last week that Clean Color for Elements and Photoshop are retiring on June 14th. Both versions are available now for $50 and the Lightroom version (which is sticking around) is on sale for $100. I’d really love for as many people as possible to get the word about this so as a personal favor to me would you link the new up in your Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/forum feed if this tutorial is something you’ve benefited from in the past? Love you forever! Link here. Happy Tuesday!

7 comments