The family goes to Washington!

We just got back last week from a great trip to Washington D.C. Our kids have never been and Mike and I haven't been since we were first married! It was one of our greatest vacations! We saw SO much...yet there's still so much more we could have seen! We were surprised how large the White House was...and I was surprised how close to "downtown" it was...it was just up the block to a store that sold souvenirs of the White House..that was very strange to me...Somehow I thought it would be much more secluded and private! It is set far back from the street...yet somehow still so visable to the public! My girls both said they wondered if the President's girls secretly look out and watch people and wish they could go bike riding or to the park!

We had a fantastic tour of the Capital building...We set it up through our local office and had a wonderful tour by a college intern! We learned so much (I"ll admit..I wasn't looking real forward to this tour but Mike was and it was great!) We got lucky and at the end of the tour when we went back to the office our State Rep. walked in the door and we had a great photo opp!! I was in awe of the art work and the gorgeous pieces of art and fixtures and marble work and paintings and statues the Capital had! We sat in and listened to people approaching the "floor" in hopes that the President will hear about their proposals! We heard great history of previous Presidents, we saw where Presidents are laid out when they die for viewing...we walked underground tunnels to get to the Capital from across the street at the State Rep's offices...it was amazing and we would highly recommend this tour!

This is the one thing that made me so emotional...The wall that holds the names of fallen soldiers in Vietnam..My dad was in Vietnam and I stood there so thankful I wasn't reading his name on that wall! I discretely watched people with a map of sorts discover where, perhaps a loved ones name was and I watched a lady hold her hand on the wall and softly cry "oh daddy"..Did she every know her daddy? was her mother expecting her when he died? was she a toddler? did she remember him....and it still meant so much to her as an adult...I stood frozen ...thinking how unimaginable that would be......and then I was overwhelmed at the magnitude of names and the grief this must have caused......What a beautiful way to honor these men! I was struck at the silence and the quiet hush over this area of the park ...There were maybe 100 people walking but all you could hear was the soft spoken tour guide explaining the wall and how to find names and I smiled watching my own children being instinctively quiet and thought-filled.

and YES.........here I am Miss Julia Child myself!! haha This was at the Smithsonian of American History...Yes I realize many of you will find it quirky that the ONE photo I post is about...COOKING! haha There were amazing things to see there, some sad, some old, some new...There was an amazing display of the dresses all the first ladies wore for the inaugural ball...Accept for Mrs. Ford, since her husband was made Vice President when President Nixon left she "chose" her favorite gown to be on display..they were all gorgeous! Mrs. Obama's dress was stunning..all white with little crystals and her jewelery was amazing!! Even their shoes were displayed....Mrs. Lincolns waste on her gown was so small I couldn't imagine what she looked like!! That was a great display. There was a moving display during the Civil War times.....Many many many more....I loved the little "fun" ones...The Ruby Slippers from Wizard of Oz, Fonzie's leather jacket, Archie Bunker's Chair, Michael Jackson's hat....and of course: JULIA CHILD'S KITCHEN! I love the movie Julie and Julia so to see this kitchen was a treat!! She was ahead of her time on organizing and having gadgets!!

We also went to Arlington Cemetery.....We only made it half way because it was 99* out and 100% humidity and many hills to walk! But I was amazed again at the quietness and respect of those visiting! We saw where John F. Kennedy was buried and the eternal flame at the base of his burial place...When I saw all those little white gravestones I was so taken aback... I couldn't believe how many and how young the soldiers were when you read their dates of birth and passing! The grounds were stunning and tied in so well with the reverence that was just naturally there as you walked along the grave sights.....It's amazing to me that they took such care to honor these soldiers in such a beautiful and serene place!

It was a great vacation....one that kept us thinking and remembering almost daily since about some part of it! My kids learned so much and so did I!!

Summer lovin....

School is out and we're lovin it already!! The weather has been very rainy this week though so we're missing being in the pool but we needed rain (maybe not this much at once! poor farmers!) We had piano recital a few weekends ago and as always I was a proud mama....Makes me so glad that Mike's mom gave us the love for piano music and all three of our kids play...Jordan has played since he was in First Grade and will be a Sr. next Fall....I love watching him at the piano..I think his playing is a stress reliever to him sometimes! The piece he played at the recital was HARD and he worked since last September on it...he did great! The girls did great as well!














Father's day it was gorgeous outside so we had a pizza party outdoors and some people went swimming!! Here's my hubby.... THEEE best daddy to our three kiddos I could ever ask for!! He had a nice day of being celebrated....Thankful for him and the great daddy that he is!!














I dropped this gal off to church camp for the week last Monday...I'll be picking her up tomorrow morning and knowing her she will talk a million miles an hour to fill me in on all the GREAT stuff she did all week! She was learning more about lovin Jesus too so I always love that!! This camp is a super fun time and you have to have completed 3rd. grade to go...this is Grace's 2nd. yr. to go and it was Macy's first year not being able to go (I think Grace was sorta glad about that!! haha) I miss her..things are quiet with just a 17 & 13 yr. old home!! Grace usually keeps us in stitches so I look forward to her stories!! AND I JUST KNOW she hasn't brushed her hair all week...she hates brushing it!! haha I keep my expectations low!














This guy is working lots of hours at the Pool shop testing people's pool water and lots of other stuff, and then after work he goes out with our cousin to install pool liners or do pool openings! We never see him before 10 p.m. and so it was great to spend all day Sunday with him for Father's day...He treated Mike to a movie that night and they had a great time!! He's growing up and we miss him but we know it's just the beginning of his Independence! He's a great kid and we're so proud of him! he works hard and we love him so much!!! And this girl below was soooo happy 7th grade ended!! she is a SUMMER LOVER mainly for the late nights and late mornings!! We enjoy staying up late watching The Waltons and she reads reads reads....she has already read 2 FULL Chapter books this week alone...We had a great shopping trip yesterday while Grace was gone and it was so fun watching her pick things out and primp and choose jewelry etc. She is such a sweetie and so into "clothes" and the like right now....Her hair is always "just so" and it reminds me so much of myself at her age and I often think of my parents and the rolling of the eyes at the crazy outfits I came up with! SO we are just enjoyin the Summer already....I LOVE LOVE LOVE the late nights especially, reading leisurely by the pool and grillin up a hot dog for lunch...ENJOY your Summer all!!!

Birthday and Summer temps!!

Well....we've had a full and fun May and part of June!!! On May 11th. I had my Birthday and as asked for I got a super long Gold Finch feeder and 12 lbs. of seed!! The Goldfinches are so cute to watch...the seed is a tiny little black seed and the devour it! we are noticing as it gets hotter out that they don't come as often, perhaps because they are finding real food in nature one of my friends suggested! We always have fun at our family Birthday parties and laughter rings through out!!

It's also our Anniversary in May...this year 22 yrs. of wedded bliss!!! My standing "JOKE"....."It's been the best 10 yrs. of my life!" haha Really though, I am blessed beyond any life I could have imagined for myself!! and Mike surprised me with: TICKETS TO A TONY BENNETT CONCERT IN AUGUST!!! My mom always describes me as an old soul, since I love old music and Tony is at the top of the charts for me!!! He does not do concerts in the North very often and as a matter of fact he hasn't been in this area for a decade or more so I'm very very very excited....Macy and I already discuss what I'll wear...something black and with sequins she says since I'm in row 15 main floor!!! can't wait!!!

This precious boy turned 17 this May!! He continues to be the joy of my life!! my "boy" ...my only boy!! He got a real job this yr. at a Pool shop and he also helps open pools after store hours...He is a hard worker (he started working for my dad doing lawns years ago and that work ethic paid off!) We MISS him when he's gone working so often...he is busy with track conditioning and just teenage "stuff!" I suppose this is to prepare him for real life...when he doesn't live with his mama and daddy anymore....but I'll think about that another day and take the days I get!! We are able to sneak off to a local Cafe' sometimes and he LOVES it there so I can always talk him into it!! He's a delight to talk to one on one and he is so funny!!! He will be a Senior in the Fall.......my the time has flown and we are so proud of the turn out!!

This little dolly, Macy turned 13 last week! It's been her dream to have a surprise party all her life and so some of her friends had that idea...So we hosted it at our house and MAN OH MAN WAS SHE SURPRISED..I haven't download the photos from her reaction yet (of course we had to switch out memory cards during the party! ha) She had a blast that night with a few friends spending the night! We had a family party separately and she got so many cute things...A monogrammed bag we got her with the word: BABYSITTER on it! She will begin her babysitting career this Summer ...she is anxiously awaiting that first call for a sitter! haha We got her an IPOD and she's had it stuck to her ears since the minute she got it....We bought it from a friend whose daughter wanted to upgrade hers so it was loaded with tons of great music...she LOVES it!! She is a delight and I envy her sweet spirit!!! She also...got makeup on the morning of her Birthday...I was hesitant because...Macy isn't so fast on getting ready in the morning so I knew it would add to the "time" but she's been fine and looks very natural thankfully!

We're enjoying Summer temps and the pool and bike riding! We tried a bike trail about 15 miles from here and it was a hot hot day but fun.....there's a cool wood bridge to bike over (which I have to say...for Macy and I was kind of high and it was a little daunting to ride over the long bridge on a bike without feeling a bit whoozy but we did it...well Macy WALKED her bike! ha) We love being outside, grilling burgers, making s'mores on the grill, swimming of course and just hanging out!! School is soon out and we are READY to relax!!!! Hope you all enjoy a wonderful Summer!!!

CAKE!!

Black Forest Cake (This was a recipe that Mike's Grandma made all the time and we love it! This is one of my go to cakes when I make one to take to someone for funeral, celebrations etc! It's so easy and yummy!

1 Box chocolate cake of your choice(OR a Cherry Chip or Strawberry cake)

3 Large eggs

1 Can Cherry Pie filling

Beat eggs, add to cake mix and then add can of cherry pie filling and stir. You can make this in a 9x13 but the layered cakes are so pretty! Divide batter into 2-8" cake pans ( A great trick I learned from the Queen of cooking Miss Paula Dean...use a ladle to do this so you can get even amounts in each pan and even cakes. Also spray your pans well and place a square of parchment paper in the bottom and spray that if you have it, if you don't spraying works!)

Bake 35-40 mins. until toothpick comes out clean. Cool a few mins. and invert.

Frost with 1 1/2 cans Chocolate icing (if you use 1/2 of a 2nd. can then you have it in the fridge next time you need another 1/2! ha I just don't think they put enough icing in those cans anymore especially for a layer cake!) and I like to doll up the top! You could sprinkle it with powdered sugar after the icing sets up, or sprinkle the soft icing with any kind of sprinkles, chocolate chips, nuts of any kind but this time I had some beautiful strawberries so I melted a few Tbs. of Chocolate chips and a bit of Crisco in the microwave and dipped those berries and set them on a plate with wax paper and popped them in the freezer! YUUUUMMM!

This baby boy is turning 17 today!! amazing how time has flown....We've spent this year watching him run Cross Country and Track, do alot in his leadership group at school, he loves his Youth group at church and enjoys discipling younger kids, he got his first "real" job including paycheck this Spring, we made a college visit and I think he's decided on that too....Crazy to be doing all this stuff with him when just yesterday we were watching Toy Story 3 and he was singing along with Buzz and Woody! boo hoo....He is a wonderful young man and we couldn't be more proud...I'm so sad he will leave home before we know it but I guess this is why we raised him, to go out into the world and do his thing...and he does a pretty great job!!

Busy with fun....

Well I haven't blogged in a few weeks...I've been too busy having fun!!! We have enjoyed having Spring finally feeling and sounding like Spring around here! We've enjoyed tulips popping up, and the gold finches coming out, and ducks basking in the sun....
We've enjoyed tea parties!! A gal at our church throws a tea for two for mom's and their daughters 1st-5th. grade! So Grace and I went! I've gone in the past with Macy and with Macy and Grace together but this year Macy was a helper in the little ladies boutique....where the little ladies can get their nails done and make up and pick feather boas and fake jewels and fans to wear during the tea!! So much fun!


Here are the girls and I! It was a cold day so we were still wearing out sweaters! The host had three kinds of tea, finger sandwiches and many tasty mini dessert treats! She tells the story of how afternoon tea began.......way back in the day a "fine lady" decided that waiting between lunch and dinner was too long....they ate lunch and then did not eat their evening ten course meal until sometimes 7 or 8:00! So she asked her cook to make her tea and some small sandwiches and treats...soon the Queen began the same and it became tradition! A "high tea" is served with dessert after the evening meal! You don't want to confuse the two! It was a lovely afternoon for the girls and I and I won a door prize with a beautiful set of plates and place mats and TEAS of course! My favorite new tea was Cinnamon Plum! mmm

Mother's day...it was nice and sunny outside and here came my "baby" jumping into my arms and I savored every moment since she's 10 and won't fit in my arms like this much longer!!! What a blessed mom I am of three fabulous kiddos that are the light of my life!!

Not to forget the great daddy who shares in this fun adventure of raising these little ducklings with me! He goes all out to make it special for me all the time!! I love that our Forsythia bushes are in bloom!! a true sign warmth is coming!!

And MY BIRTHDAY.....I am getting to the point where I can remember how old I am turning now on each Birthday! After 40 perhaps you lose count...which is ok, why does it matter? ha My Birthday goes on and on...on the day of my Birthday it was our Weds. night church service so Mike and the kids grilled steak and made a yummy dinner...Then the day after we had a family party! Here I am with aunt Roz's famous lemon cake with homemade Lemon Butter cream icing! OH HONEY! my fav!! that's aunt Roz to the left!! mmm mmm We had a great time! I got an E Reader from my parents! a total surprise, and a long 4 ft. Gold finch feeder I've wanted badly from Mike and the kids with seeds and all! I asked for a real Kick Ball because I love to play kick ball and we play with a soccer ball which hurts my toes!! haha A few gifts of money I'll use to buy flowers to plant soon and gift card, an adorable apron from a good friend, books...lots of cutie little stuff!

I am a blessed lady and May is a month full of celebrating for me! Mother's day, my Birthday and my Anniversary which is next week...22 years of wedded bliss to my honey!!

I hope you're all having a fabulous Spring!!

Apricot chicken and noodles

I am a huge fan of Apricot flavored foods so this chicken dish was so good over noodles!

4-5 boneless chicken breasts

Olive Oil

1 ts. garlic, minced

salt

pepper

1 18 oz Jar Apricot Jam/preserves

Serve over No Yolks or Whole Wheat Egg noodles

Heat 2 Tb. Olive oil in a large skillet (I use an Electric skillet so it fits all of it but if you don't have one that large cook the chicken in batches. Salt and Pepper chicken and saute' in Olive Oil (add more oil if you do this in batches) until browned and put lid on pan for 10 mins. on med/low heat. Remove chicken to a plate and add 1 ts. garlic to hot pan and stir about 1 minute. Add 1/2 C. hot water to pan and turn heat to low....After chicken has sat for at least 5 minutes cut into large chunks and add back to pan. Spoon 1/2 a jar of Apricot jam into pan and let simmer on low for 5 minutes until thick and bubbly. Serve over Noodles or Rice! This would be great with red peppers in it but I didn't have any one hand, you can saute' the red pepper after your remove the chicken for a few mins. and then add garlic and proceed as the recipe says.

HAPPY SPRING!

Easter....family and food!

We had a wonderful Easter again this year! We colored eggs, and did baskets but most important we celebrated the TRUE meaning of Easter! Jesus dying and rising again!!! HE IS RISEN!!! My kids will never be too old to get Easter baskets and I still hide them and they still look! Here are the girls checking out what's in their basket! Jordan was slower on the go Easter morning...he isn't as enthusiastic about finding his basket as he gets older! ha

Jordan did help me make chocolate bird's nest cookies! I'll share the recipe below! they are such a yummy treat and so cute for Easter/Spring!

I should have not made them for Easter though...we had TOO much food and too much dessert to really enjoy them! haha We ended up with EIGHT Chocolate bunnies!! It makes me cringe that I know they are in this house....they call to me all day!! and sad to say I've downed one whole Crispy bunny since Sunday!!! oh well.....perhaps it's out of my system! (yeah right!)

We bought a Tie Dye egg coloring kit this year! it was fun and made really cool looking eggs! I always love to crack the eggs open for devilled eggs or egg salad and see the colors that leaked through the cracks making a cool pattern on that bright white egg! Jordan didn't join in the fun this year.....I can picture him in college in a few years WISHING to come home and color eggs with his sisters...so I can wait him out!

Easter Sunday I cooked for 13!! my mom and Mike's aunt helped bring food! as always it was all delicious and we had lots of fun! The sun was shining so it made a nice day for all of us! It's a blessing to all of us to have grandparents join. My Grandma has a tougher time getting out easily so we missed her this year but Mike's Grandpa was able to join us and he was in great spirits Easter Sunday! We were laughing at him getting into the Easter Candy! I suppose once a sweet tooth always a sweet tooth! He's thin so he can afford it! We played some games including "Headbands" it's alot of fun so he was a good sport and played along!!

We treasure our family times together and the laughter we all share rings in mind for days after!! Hope you all had a great Easter!!

Birds nest cookie:

1 bag Chinese crunchy noodles (these are the cracker type noodles, they are crispy and you usually put them over chow mien)

1 bag chocolate chips OR butterscotch chips

1 ts. Crisco

1/2 C. mini M & M's

Place waxed paper on to two baking sheets. Pour Mini M & M's into a bowl. Melt chips and Crisco in a glass dish in the microwave until melted. Stirring every 25 seconds until completely melted. Pour 3/4 bag noodles into a large bowl and pour chocolate over that and stir until coated. Spoon by Tbls. on to baking sheets to form nests and put 3-4 M & M's into center of nest. Chill in refrigerator or on the counter overnight!