Sep 8, 2009 | Uncategorized
We had a last minute wild idea to make a run to Texas to see my grandma and aunt Kathy and her wonderful family. We left Saturday and drove down, visited with aunt, uncle, cousin and Grandma over dinner. We lucked out and found a hotel that must have been open only a few days. It is very obvious that I need a camera before our Disney trip! (Any suggestions?) The camera phone is not cutting it- can’t focus or zoom.
Kids in front of the new house
Sunday we met the family and drove over to see their new home. It’s really going to be pretty and it’s on a great lot, right on the golf course with green space behind them. We left there and drove to Fort Worth to see their zoo. We always go to the Dallas Zoo– thought this would be a nice change.
Our new friend who came to lunch with us (actually kept coming up under my feet and to Scott’s hand!)
Lesser Kudu Family (they had lots of cute babies!)
It was so busy, and hot! It was a nice zoo, but honestly, I think I like the Dallas zoo better. They have more for the kids to do that is interactive (we especially like the little water play area!) Also, there didn’t seem to be anyone cleaning up after the multitudes and dirty diapers, cups, food, were everywhere- even in the theater and in the exhibits. Nasty! Why would anyone throw a diaper down on the ground? I really don’t get that. How hard is it to find a trash can? Come on, people! They did have a neat aviary where you can buy little sticks of seeds to feed beautiful canaries, doves, and starlings.
Em feeding the birds
Headed home on Monday morning before the sun was up because we had to be in Ozark for my grandpa’s early 92nd birthday celebration. My aunt snuck him up there on the pretense that they were just going to lunch at his favorite Thai restaurant (Thai Steakhouse.) Little did he know that 6 of his great-grandkids, 2 grandkids (and spouses) and 3 of his kids would be there!
It was fun, and a great lunch!
Popie, the Pirate Captain (for the day)
Our motley pirate crewHome again, home again, jiggity jog…
Aug 31, 2009 | Arkansas, Travel, Uncategorized, United States
The kids between a rock and a hard place
This weekend was gorgeous. Friday I had a Girl Scout startup cookout here. Then we just hung out here on Saturday and enjoyed the pool- but the kids were itching to run- so Sunday was a road trip day. We drove to Petit Jean and hiked.
Rocky “face” with fern beard
Scott just hanging out
Cole enjoying the view
What I saw the most of (trying to find my family)
Aug 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
At the zoo (A is for ape)
Jac is learning how to read. A major life accomplishment that, as his mom and teacher, I am privileged to witness. My smart cookie now knows all his alphabet sounds (although maybe not the names of all of the letters.) To celebrate we’ve been making an alphabet book with pictures we’ve taken. After going through our pictures yesterday we realized most were animal pictures so we’re going with an ABC zoo theme!
I was going to make the book using Shutterfly (I had a free 8×8 book coupon and I’m cheap) but…
I didn’t get it done in time. I found this site that has the CUTEST templates for an ABC animal book (just like the one I want to make.) You can even customize it! I’ll keep you posted when I get it done (and printed!)
(Z is for zebra)
Aug 18, 2009 | Uncategorized
I REALLY didn’t feel like heating up the kitchen today since it was so hot and muggy. Everyone wanted to know what was for supper, so here’s what I threw together…
(some Pepperoni & Cheese, and
some Basil, heirloom tomatoes, & baby bufalo mozzarella)
Salad with Yellow Heirloom ‘matos, almonds & goat cheese
Fruit Salad
I kept the silly looking place settings in the picture because I’m so proud of my little guy’s job of setting the table! It’s so nice when they can “help!” Not bad for a 4 year old!
Aug 14, 2009 | Travel, Uncategorized
My cousin has a new fun Mr.Linky on her site. Here’s my answer…
Oh, I love to travel. Luckily my honey does too. Some of my faves…
Coba, Mexico (on the steps to a pyramid)
With family in Playa del Carmen
We love Quintana Roo, state in Mexico. We honeymooned there 17 yrs ago. We went every year for awhile. A couple of times with friends and once with family. We like to stay in the Iberostar chain hotels, but now our family is larger (and they only allow 4 to a room) we haven’t been back but once I guess. Have to rent a house there soon!
City Museum
Then there is St. Louis. What an awesome family trip! Last year we drove up and hit all the hot spots (City Museum, Arch, zoo, Transportation museum, Blue Owl Bakery…) FUN!
And
San Antonio! We rode the train there over Spring Break and had a fantastic trip. We stayed at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort & Spa (I sooo recommend this place for families! Free bikes and trails, fantastic pool and beach, close to Sea World, great food…) Hit the Witte museum, SA zoo, Alamo, Riverwalk…
Another great trip was our drive from Arkansas to California! We saw lots of fun things that were along the old Route 66, went to the Grand Canyon, LA, Pasadena, La Jolla (Scripps museum) San Diego…
on the way back went to Arizona and saw more fun things. (Hint, if you join a science museum close to you then usually it’s reciprocal with museums all over the world. We usually don’t have to pay a dime anywhere and a family membership is around $70 for a year.)
Picture of Train in Grand Canyon (Max took this!)
Legoland
Our next trip is Orlando (Disneyworld) this fall. Can’t wait! I would like our trip after that to be Panamá.
Aug 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
I love granola. I love making my own. I haven’t quite found a recipe that I can go by all the time, but here’s sort of the ones I follow (combined.) I do improvise with whatever I have in my cabinet at the time.
6 cups of oats or more (I use what’s on sale, but Bob’s Red Mill are my faves)
1 cup coconut (today I didn’t have any)
2 cups wheat germ (sometimes I do flax seeds ground up or half and half)
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup chopped pecans
1 package of sunflower seeds (didn’t have these today)
1 cup of baby oats or wheat flour
1 cup dried fruit (more or less to taste, I’m allergic to most fruit so I use dates, cherries, or apricots)
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 cup molasses
1 cup honey
1 stick or less of butter melted
Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, (or whatever floats your boat)
Put all dried ingredients in a large bowl and mix. Then take a microwavable measuring cup and place wet ingredients in there plus butter. Cook til butter melts. You can use juice if you don’t want the honey/molasses, or part juice. Pour over dried ingredients in bowl and mix.
Bake at 350, checking every 5 minutes to stir, until lightly browned. (About 20 minutes or so total.) Just depends on how brown you like it. (I like my crispy to stand up in the milk!)
Store in the oatmeal containers!
*I’d love your input on granola. Here is a post to my
friend’s recipe. She is a fantastic cook!
Kids in front of the new house
Lesser Kudu Family (they had lots of cute babies!) 
