Monday, June 29, 2009

Zucchini!!!










I love Zucchini, mainly mixed with some ingredients in the form of Bread. My mom makes the best Zucchini bread! We have a Garden this year thanks to my sister-in-law's persistence and I am loving the Zucchini we have grown. I have not made bread yet, that's on my list! The kids love picking the zucchini's. I have discovered that I like zucchini sauteed in olive oil, seasoned with garlic salt, freshly ground pepper, lemon basil (home grown), lime basil (also home grown) and grated Parmesan. This evening, I made a pasta dish including my Zucchini we picked from the garden today(this is our sixth one so far). I made some of my seasoned breaded chicken. I sauteed the zucchini with the seasonings I listed above and threw in some tomatoes (I only had two little ones, so that is all I used- I wanted more). I added the noodles at the end and slid it onto my plate, topped it with chicken and I garnished it with a sprig of parsley and Voila!! It was delicious! Jason loved it and so did Lindsay and Stacy. I love having a Vegetable garden. I can't wait for my tomatoes to finally ripen!

Best Friends



Tyler and Aiden are BEST FRIENDS. I love Tyler, but he is not always the nicest boy to those around him, especially to boys that are younger than him. He can be down right mean sometimes! Not with Aiden, he loves Aiden. Aiden is a little older than Tyler. They play really well together and are so funny. They are very kind and they love each other. I feel he is Tyler's only true friend and it makes me so sad that he is moving this Wednesday. I think sometimes it is harder on me when one of their good friends move away. I know that most likely they will never see them again. It breaks my heart to see Tyler's Best Friend leave because I know Tyler will miss his friendship. He's been good for Tyler. I hope that someday we can go and visit Aiden and his family in California. We miss them already!!!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

My Girls






Lindsay got to go to a My Girls party for her friend Emily, complete with a Hot Pink Limo ride. The Limo takes them to the My Girls store and they get all glammed up- they get their hair, nails and make-up done. Tons of hair and body glitter. They get to pick a favorite dress to wear and then they have a fashion show at the end where the parents can come and take pictures. I had ALL the kids with me, so I was actually 10 mintues late. I missed the fashion show, but I managed to get a picture of Lindsay and her friends that were still there. Lindsay had a great time and loved being with her school friends again. It's a cute place. The cake frosting was even lime green and hot pink. This is Lindsay's second party to go to there. I'm not sure why people spend sooo much on parties, but it's fun to participate!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Father's Day





So, Father's Day wasn't exactly what I would have imagined. Jason woke up on the wrong side of the bed and was on edge during most of the morning. It couldn't possibly be that he stays up until 2:30-3:30 watching his shows that he DVR's during the week, could it? What do I know, I'm just the wife. Although, thanks to my constant nagging and usually wise counsel, I think he is starting to realize that maybe, just maybe, staying up late isn't agreeing with his 34 year old body. Anyway, we spent the afternoon at church and instead of the King Size Candy Bar the Fathers have gotten every year for the past 4 years (thanks to my friend and former YW President, Natalie) this time they got a Sprite. A pop for "Pop." Cute idea, but not what he or the kids were expecting. I guess it got the kids off his back! Usually they are swarming around the candy begging for "just a piece!" The Primary sent the kids home with bags of Hershey kisses, and with four Primary aged kids, that's a lot of kisses. So, he did get his chocolate sweet after all (that is whatever was left for him after they dug into "his" treat). Anyway, then we came home and I wanted a picture of the two of us and one with him and the kids on Father's Day, but he took off upstairs and changed his clothes (I guess that's my fault for not verbalizing my plan.) So, I had Ali take one of just me. The girls did not want a picture together in their matching dresses, so I took one of my camera lovin' DIVA, Emily. Not sure what pose she is doing, but she looks like she's 2 ft. tall.

Stacy was so proud of her money she made daddy in Nursery and decided to keep it for herself.

After church I spent the next couple of hours getting ready to receive Jason's family over for Father's Day dinner. I made a Reese's Peanut Butter Cake. I spent time on it and it looked dang good. I love Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in anything. I love them in cookies, brownies, cake, cupcakes, in a blizzard from DQ, in the from of an egg, tree, pumpkin. No matter what the form, I LOVE IT! I know Jason loves it to, or so I thought! Apparently he was looking forward to a Strawberry Pie (that would explain the HUGE Costco size carton of Strawberries he brought home Friday.) A part of me knew that is what he would want, but I wanted to make something new. We ate dinner and they went outside and hit the volleyball around for awhile and then we all came in and had my huge chocolate lovers dream of a cake. And my husband thought it looked amazing, but said after eating a few bites, " This would taste good as a brownie, then you could control your portion." This is coming from a man that shovels the sweets into his mouth without a thought in his mind about "portion control." What honey, you are suddenly on a diet??


Now, to his defense, the cake is pretty much Death on a Platter- the cake has Reese's P B cups chopped up and mixed in and then there is PB frosting in between the two chocolate cakes and and more chopped Reese's PB cups on top of that. Then to top it off, I covered the top and sides of the cake with the peanut butter frosting and topped that with a chocolate fudge frosting and then more cut up Reese's PB cups. There could possibly be 1000 calories per slice. (J/K- I HOPE!!!) Anyway, despite the insane amount of calories lingering in this Chocolate Dream, it was SENSATIONAL! I thought it was amazing. Apparently they all thought it was good, but a "little rich." I tried not to let it spoil my night. Sorry Jason, maybe next time you can have that Strawberry Pie! Overall, I think the day ended ok.



I sure am lucky to have such an amazing man in my life. He is my best friend and I am grateful for every day I have with him. He is a great father and has done so much for all of us. He is very talented and extremely handy. He is also a man of integrity, which I love. He never ceases to amaze me. He reminds me of my father who I feel was an amazing man. I miss my dad. It has been over 13 years since he passed away and tears still come to my eyes when I think of him. I wish Jason and the kids' could know him. He was incredibly talented and had such a love for life, especially for his wife, my incredible mom! They had something rare, he had such a love for her that anyone in their presence could feel. He was a good man and a great father. I feel blessed to have had him in my life for 22 years.




I am also grateful for my Step-father, Harold Oaks. He is an amazing man as well. He is so good to my mom and I am grateful that they have each other. He is the only Grandpa on my side that my kids know and they love him so much. I am so glad that they have connected with him. He is great with kids.




I can't forget Jason's dad. He set an example for Jason and taught him to be a hard worker. Dennis has always been a great mentor for Jason. He is a hard worker and has done an amazing job providing for his family. We feel fortunate to have his parents close by. They have been great at helping out when needed.



I feel very blessed to have such wonderful examples of father's in my life and my list could go on to grandpas as well. How grateful that such wonderful people paved the way before me. I hope I can effectively teach my children of their great heritage. We are truly blessed!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Dance Recital

They did it! Alisha and Lindsay performed this weekend and I am glad that is over with. This dance recital stuff is crazy. The Dance Rehearsal was 5.5 hours long and then we had to be back a couple of hours later for the recital that lasted 3.5 hours. And then had to do it all over again the next day. I love watching them dance, but 3.5 hours is way too long for a program. I am in search for a new studio, but that is another story! I thought the girls were amazing. They loved it and are very comfortable on the stage. I love the shimmer that comes along with Recitals. The eyes, the hair, the body- GLITTER everywhere! The more the better. There was glitter swirling around me when I was in the dressing room. Anything to help your daughter "SHINE" up on that stage. This one girl was covered and I mean COVERED in glitter! I loved watching all the numbers and seeing the different costumes. Lindsay was only in the Friday night performance. She had three dances and Ali was in a total of 6, three each night.














































































Is it just me or does it look like Lindsay is the only one doing the right move?


















































































Daddy got them flowers. It is a tradition!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Subdivision BBQ

This Sat. we went to the clubhouse for the Annual BBQ and Pool Party for the Subdivision. The kids love going. they have a huge bounce house, Spunky Beans- the balloon lady, lots of food and tons of give-aways. When you have 7 people in your family, the likelihood that you will take home a prize is very likely. We didn't realize we would win 4 door prizes. The kids were so excited! They are all got fun stuff to play with. But, the thing they loved the most was Spunky Beans. She is amazing! She can make anything you want Alien, baby rattle, fish on a fishing pole, princess wand, hat with a baseball coming off the front and a bat, a sword, a flower bracelet, a butterfly, the list just keeps going on... Anyway, the kids love watching her make these balloon creations. This year, the older girls wanted palm trees. She can even do that! Tyler actually went fishing with the Blakemore's and we had their daughter Brianna. Since he was not there, Alisha got him a fish on a fishing pole. It was perfect because he didn't catch a fish that day and was sad about it. He was so excited to see the balloon. The girls set up a chair and made him cast his line and pull the fish out of the "water." It was so cute. We will have to take Tyler fishing again and hopefully he will catch a real fish.

Little Aspiring Photographer

We rarely take pictures together since I am usually the one behind the camera. Alisha, our little aspiring photographer, took these pictures of us. I do let the other kids attempt to take pictures, but they usually end up really crooked and almost always blurry. Alisha is the only child, at this time, that is capable of taking pretty good pictures and actually making sure we are in the shot! Good job Ali!


Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Saint Louis Zoo


We went to the Saint Louis Zoo for playgroup last Thursday. It was a beautiful day, a perfect day for the Zoo. For all those who follow my blog, you know that over a year ago I lost my one and only son. It was a terrifying experience. Something I would never want to relive or wish upon anyone else. To venture to the zoo now, causes me a little anxiety. Jason said he would come with us this time, so we went. What a treat! It has been a long time since he has come with us. We showed him the land marker where Alisha and Brianna found Tyler the time he got lost. We had a great time. All the kids were really good and had fun together. I love watching my kids have fun with their friends. After reviewing these pictures, I think Lindsay may have a crush on a certain young boy. How funny! She just started thinking boys are kind of cute! Alisha still thinks they are gross and I'm fine with that. Boys stare at her and it annoys her. Girls are so funny. Anyway, we all left the zoo with the same amount of children we came with, so that's good! The Saint Louis Zoo is free, it is beautiful, and there are tons of animals. What more could you ask for?
































The Lion was up in a tree. I have never seen that! I hope she wasn't stuck cause that's what it looked like.










Could we all look the same direction PLEASE! Where's Lindsay? Seriously, why does it have to be sooo hard to get a family picture??








"Twinners"- so that if I lost Tyler and they asked me what he was wearing, I could point to Jason and say, "He looks like him!"





Does Lindsay have a CRUSH?? How cute! Notice in both pictures they are doing the same thing.



















This is the closest we have ever gotten to the Giraffes. The kids loved watching him eat right in front of them.


















Wow, that can't feel good to bend that way!














The Penguin exhibit was closed when we finally made it over there. The kids were bummed. We look pictures outside the exhibit and hopefully they will have fond memories as they look back at the pictures and forget that they didn't get to go in. It's not like they haven't been every other time we have gone to the zoo. They were so tired after all the walking around we had to carry Tyler and Stacy part of the way back to the van. It was fun, I'm glad we went!