8.31.2009

Being Remembered

My husband remembered I wanted one of these...



A dear friend remembered I wanted one of these...



I did get other lovely things that I am grateful for but these two things stand out the most.

Yes, another birthday for me. I guess that makes me 33.

Swim Day

Boys will be boys...



Little girls will be little girls...



1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9...



and JUMP!!!!!!



Thanks to the Flory family for inviting us over!

Doug's 40 now!

What to do when your husband says "I don't want a party when I turn 40".

Gather just enough friends so it doesn't seem like a party and go out to eat!

We didn't even have to sing Happy Birthday to him since a birthday song kept playing every so often...not quite the happy birthday song we all remember but it worked.




No grand entrance or fancy dining atmosphere but the food is well worth it, if its the kind you fancy. No menus. Everyone is served fresh bread, beans, soup, green salad, potato salad, lamb stew, french fries, and red wine and then an entree of your choice. Either pork chops, leg of lamb, fish, chicken, NY steak or tri-tip. I would recommend the tri-tip and Doug would recommend the leg of lamb. Now you, will just have to go try it for yourself sometime!

8.19.2009

First Day of School

Here we go! Enjoying School...at home! Our momentum is good and lets hope it stays that way!

Brooke is doing 4th grade this year...lots to do and the stack of books should keep her busy.



Ryan is taking on Kindergarten this year. Love the slow start as we build each day. His favorite thing right now? Taking all the large number flashcards and putting them in order all over our couch. Numbers 1-20 takes up all our couch in case you were wondering. Great fun.



And Lindsay has learned that saying "what can I do" over and over will GET you something to do. Whether its coloring, cutting with scissors or glueing she's the girl for the job. Or working through Ryans hand me down preschool book. Anything will do for her.



Our first visitor...Uncle Mike



Grandma stopped by for awhile too. Listening in with Brooke as she gets her instructions for her penmanship class.



Yep, we are doing school, just doing it at home as Ryan likes to say.

To the Fair

We went to the fair twice this year. Usually it is a 1 time deal and we have our fill. This year The Newsboys were in concert on Monday night and Ryan & Lindsay stayed with Grandma since it was a late night. So we went back on kids night.



They had a Rain Forest exhibit this year that we went through and it had creatures. The kind kids like to look at. I like to look but then I get grossed out. This snake left me to wonder about going to the Amazon or anything of that sorts. He was pretty much HUGE and LONG and this tank was pretty big. This picture is deceiving. Believe me. This was just a small part of him.



We did the chickens, goats, bunnies, petting zoo, pigs, sheep, cows, etc. We only got a couple pictures of this. I guess child # 3 doesn't get as many fair pics.



And then we waited in line for a funnel cake which is just what we do every year. Ryan had his first fair corn dog while we waited in that long line. Funny how some things just taste better at the fair even if we can make them at home.

Waterpark Fun

Antioch Waterpark
The perfect waterslide park if you are between the ages 3 and 9.

Humphrey Slide



Tad Pool



Rattlers Run



Another go down Rattlers Run



Can you feel the excitment?

8.01.2009

Summer Time

Just a pic post of our summer...

May 2009

My cousins stayed with us a few days over the GB annual meeting

Brooke Dillon Ryan & Lindsay


More cousins came over for Dinner

Darin, Ivan, Kyle, Lindsay, Ryan & Brooke


June 2009 - Camping at Lake Malones:

Grandpa and Lindsay


Ryan loving the water this year


Brooke trying out wakeboarding for her first time


Madeline liking the boat in spite of her lifevest


Jordyn, Emilie and Brooke



We celebrated Lindsay's 3rd Birthday



July 4th - Fireworks on the Delta:

Eating at Tower Park


Jordyn, Lindsay, Brooke, Mike, Lynelle, Ryan



Sailboats lined up and ready for Fireworks



July 2009:

Hawaiian Party at Callaways



"Us"


BBQ Meatballs or Chicken

I grew up eating my mom's BBQ meatballs and have always loved the sauce. When I saw this sauce on heavenlyhomemakers.com site with chicken I knew it sounded familiar. Sure enough it was almost identical except my mom's recipe used the brown sugar. After trying it over chicken in the crockpot (I used chicken tenderloins & honey for the sweetener) and loving it; how could I not share this? Enjoy!



BBQ Sauce:
1 c. catsup
2 T. minced onion
1/4 t. garlic powder
1 t. liquid smoke
1 T. honey, molasses, sucanat
or 3/4 c. brown sugar (this is how much my moms recipe calls for)

Mix ingredients in small sauce pan. Simmer for a few minutes until flavors are blended. Note: Double this if you are using for meatballs.

Crockpot BBQ Chicken:
Place pieces of skinless chicken in crockpot, dump sauce over the top and let it slowly cook for a few hours.

BBQ Meatballs:
3 lb. hamburger
1 can evaporated milk
2 c. oats
2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
2 eggs
1 c. chopped onion
1/2 t. garlic powder
2 t. chili powder

Mix everything but hamburger first. Then mix well into hamburger. Shape into balls and place in single layer in baking dish (a cookie scoop makes this go quickly). Should make 40-50 meatballs. Mix BBQ sauce and pour over meatballs.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Note: This can be frozen before cooking and I have used this sauce over a different meatloaf recipe.