4th of July Camping

Camping is a very new activity for me.  I remember going camping once or twice as a kid, but it wasn't a regular thing for us.  On the other hand, Casey's family has gone camping for as long as he can remember.  My mother-in-law tells me stories about when she was a child and her and her siblings camped in tents with no bottoms on the tents.  That's just plan crazy!  I must say Grandma Alberta is an amazing woman and she created great memories for her kids.  That's what it's all about, right?  Creating great memories for our kids to pass on to their kids.

I love these pictures, we are doing crazy faces for for the camera. Trying to get everyone in sync is a little challenging sometimes.

I am learning to enjoy camping and watching my girls play.  I love the family time spent together.



In between all the rest and relaxing of course there is playtime.  After all, we do have two small kids, resting isn't really an option.

Thank you Grandma Bert for the gigantic marshmallows!

The girls came home with dirty toes, rosy cheeks and all the energy wiped out of them.  It was a successful camping trip. 

Our next trip is soon so stay tuned for more camping adventures.

Happy 6th Birthday

About a month ago, Morgan came into the kitchen towards me and I instantly saw a young girl.  I don't know if she had a growth spurt or I have been too distracted to realize that my little baby, is now my little girl.

She has been talking about her birthday for months and months now.   I want birthdays for my girls to be an extra special day.  But she almost wore me down with all the talk for her upcoming birthday.

Birthdays in the past have pretty much consistent of mainly family.  Now that she is in school she wanted to invite everyone to her party.  Yes, it's really sweet, but imagine 20+ kindergarteners at your house.  Plus we have family that we want to come.  We definitely had to try and scale it back and think of someplace everyone could enjoy.  So, she decided a "Hello Kitty Bowling" party was the best plan.


With a few friends and family, we had two hours of bowling fun.

Even Brooke wanted in on the action. She studied all the kids for just a short time before she had it figured out.  She had no fear picking up that 6lb bowling ball - Crazy girl!

It was a lot of fun, and it's always great to see Morgan smile so big.

I originally wanted to do Hello Kitty Cake Pops, but a cake from our favorite local bakery was the next best thing.  Maybe we'll have a fun day and make some cake pops, just because.

Happy 6th Birthday to my sweet baby girl - Yes, you will always be my baby.

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My yearly tradition is to interview the girls, on their birthday and ask them all about their "favorites".  Here's what Morgan had to say this year:

1.     What’s your favorite color? Purple

2.    Who’s your best friend? Campbell

3.    What’s your favorite song? The "Happy" song from kindergarten

4.    Who’s your favorite singer? Selena Gomez

5.     What was your favorite trip you went on this year? Disneyland

6.    What’s your favorite food? Chicken noodle soup

7.     What food do you hate the most? Brussel Sprouts

8.    What’s do you want to be when you grow up? Ballet Teacher

9.    Where do you want to live when you grow up? In T*******

10.  What is your happiest day this year? My Birthday

11.  What is your saddest day this year? When I was sick

12.  What is your favorite activity? Play with Brooke

13. Who is the richest person you know? Laura (from mommy's work)

14.What is your boyfriend’s name? zero
15. Who is the happiest person you know? Mrs. G

16.If you had $1,000.00 what would you buy? A House

17.What is your favorite pet’s name? Dora

Cool Corn Salad

Casey told me one year that he knows it's summer when the corn salad makes it's appearance.  Since this salad is served cold, I need the warmer temps and sunshine to bring out this salad.  I've made this so many times, I usually just guesstimate the amounts. 

This corn salad is a great accompaniment to any barbecue.  Goes great with steaks, salmon or hot dogs.  Enjoy!

Here's your ingredients:

Corn Salad

3 Cans White Shoepeg Corn

1 Cup Diced tomatoes

1/2 Cup Chopped green onions

1/2 Cup Mayo (I use light)

1 teaspoon seasoning salt

Serves 8 (with some leftover)

Drain the cans of corn and add to a bowl.  Add the chopped green onions and diced tomatoes to the corn.  I used grape tomatoes since I had them on hand, but any kind will do.  Add the seasoning salt and mayo.  Combine all the ingredients until the mayo is distributed.  Once combined, refrigerate for at least 2 hours until it's totally chilled.  I often put my cans of corn in the fridge so I start with chilled corn.  But keep in mind this still needs to sit for a little while so the ingredients can marinate.