lunch... family style

Lunch... family style...

Our family, that is. Meals on the road tend to be a bit different for us. With bunches of mouths to feed, we think twice before we just pop into Culver's or Applebee's (and walk out with a $60 bill). We've learned some tricks to the trade. For instance, the Taco Bell Party Pack. It's 12 tacos for $10. Our crew qualifies us as an instant party waiting to happen. Then there's the 99 cent menu at Wendy's... 10 doublestacks please. No fries, we have our own apples, thanks. Nope, no pop either.

One of our favorites is Sam's Club. We call while we're on our way there and order a pizza or two, run in to pick it up and head to a park somewhere. It's fast, fairly cheap ($7.88 for a whole pizza), and we don't have 7 bouncy kids locked into a booth (Been there, done that, and it's not fun).

On one particular Sunday, we had to make a run up toward the Fox Valley/Naperville area. We called into the local Sam's Club and picked up our pizza and rotisseried chicken (another bargain at only $4.99) and headed to the nearest park. Actually, we really had no idea where a shady park happened to be in the area, so we checked into the next best thing. The grassy area on the side of a parking lot...

You may not believe me, but it was actually quite nice. A shaded, grassy valley nestled between Burlington Coat Factory and New York Street. It was nicer than some parks I've been to. We spread out our blanket and picnic set (that stand at the ready in the back of our van), and we were all set. We ate, had our fun, and loaded back up to finish our trip with satisfied tummies.

Selah's chillin' in her stroller.

The kids had fun seeing who could leap over the run-off drainage ditch without falling in the water. Even Daddy got his chance a few times (yes, he did make it over ).