Family Dinners

This summer, it feels like we have been getting together more frequently as a family for dinners and celebrations. This has been a lot of fun, as I have been able to see more of my nephews and nieces that I am not able to see as often. This past celebration we had on July 4th. It was also a farewell dinner for my brother, Steven and his family as they are moving to Michigan for work. My mom commemorated the event with a "Michigan" dinner... pasties and Boston Coolers (Vernor's and ice cream), and Blueberry cake. I couldn't refuse the food, as I rarely get these, and they are some of my favorites. Unfortunately I was also reminded that I can't eat these foods afterwards.... but it was sooooo worth it :)My mom with the infamous "Aunt Ginny's Blueberry" cake... it was sooooo good!

Steven preparing to make his "Boston Cooler"His Uncle Don was able to get him to laugh so hard that daySeveral people took advantage of the day off... and slept....Last family picture pose.... until October :)

Day 122 - Saturday, July 26, 2008 - Family Dinner

Sat-ur-day is a special day, it's the day we....

... do as many things possible!!! I woke up early and despite being on vacation still went for a run (also despite only getting 3 1/2 hours sleep). After, I drove my friend Aaron to an appointment (car broke down earlier that week), than I helped my dad finish organizing and cleaning the garage. After I quickly got ready, and Holly and I went to pick up Aaron and see if we could help get his car started. Unfortunately it was not the battery, so we decided to play the remainder of the afternoon. There is a Chinese market near Aaron's home that has the BEST tea and I haven't been able to find it anywhere else. This was the first time Holly had been to this market.

This is basically what she thought of the place.... I forgot how she has really sensitive smell.

We found some really interesting things there, that I hadn't seen last time. One was "green rice." I was so tempted to get it to see what it was like.

But then I saw Holly's expression of it, and decided not to torture her anymore with it. Perhaps next time, we visit... this would be fun to get and have a "green" party of some sort, or even green eggs and ham + rice party.
I was able to buy the "squash candy" they have there. It's so good, and healthy as well. Too bad you couldn't see Holly's expression of this candy.

I had to go get a few more things that I could only get in Arizona, and one of the stops we made was to Ulta (of course) to return a exchange a product I had just purchased previously.

That evening we met up with my other family members for a fiesta/ birthday party. We were able to swim, talk and reconnect that evening.
I hadn't gone swimming in a LLLOOONNGGG time. We played several fun games with my nephews and nieces. One was Marco Polo... I need to practice that one so more I realize.

Later I watched for the very first time "Rocket Man." I had never heard of this movie before, but it is hilarious! I laughed through the whole thing practically. Beware it is korny. But I like that kind of movie.

Day 116 - Sunday, July 20, 2008 - The New Spaghetti

New Spaghetti Recipe

My family has a get together dinner once a month. This Sunday, my cousin and her family were in charge. They choose to have a Spaghetti Dinner feast! This sounded superb, and if you know this family, they tend to make the BEST of anything. I can at least tell you that when I walked in the house, it smelled really, reALLY, REALLY GOOD!!!! But I am not able to spaghetti at this time. I cooked spaghetti squash that morning to take. I realized that I didn't have time to make a sauce, so I invented a new recipe in place of it. I sauted onion, mushrooms, green pepper and garlic. I cooked up some frozen stir fry vegetables and added a bit of salsa to it. Then I combined the sauted vegetables and stir fry vegetables in one. This was then added to the spaghetti squash. All the flavors worked extraordinarily well together. So as everyone feasted on homemade spaghetti and meatballs, I was able to relish in my new creation.

Breakfast for Dinner

Our family has a tradition where the family on my mom's side get together for a dinner every 3rd Sunday of the month. We have titled this the "3rd Sunday Dinner." We rotate responsibilities on hosting the dinner, and planning it. My cousin, Holly and I were in charge of it this month. Since we were both out of town this 3rd Sunday, we changed the date for the 4th Sunday this month. The theme for the night was "Breakfast for Dinner." We had scrambled eggs, waffles, sausage, fruit, juice and of course many desserts. This has been a fun tradition I look forward to each month because I know that one night a month I will be able to enjoy good food, fun conversation and get to know my family a bit better. During this dinner we also celebrate all of those who are celebrating a birthday that month. Sometimes it feels like it is just one big party!

Luke, Trevor and Andy celebrated a birthday in January!

After dinner we tend to just sit and talk or play with toys available. At times we are able to be entertained with many of the cool tricks and tumbling gymnastics that the kids have been able to master so far.

At times we find that we need to prepare ourselves for fun with the kids.

Sisters catching up from the past month.