Update Overload

I have finally gotten around to blogging about all the fun things we've been up to these last few months.  So keep scrolling down, and down, and down...

Fruits of His Labors

Paul planted three jalapeno plants a couple months ago.  As they've ripened one by one, he's made guacamole and pico de gallo, but this weekend there was a major haul and he made jalapeno poppers.  By the way, did you know that jalapenos turn red if you leave them on the vine?  Paul was hoping that they would be extra spicy, and they were!  Way to go on your garden, Paul!

Matt's Open House

My brother Matt got married in April in Colorado.  I love my new sister-in-law!  Her name is Jamie and she's the best.  Their wedding and reception were beautiful and I'm so glad we got to be there.  It was actually a close call; our flight got delayed 5 hours because the Denver airport got shutdown due to a blizzard.  A blizzard!  In April!  Craziness.

Anyway, I offered to plan an Open House for them in Boise and that was pretty much all I did from the middle of April to the middle of May.  I'm grateful that I was in a position to help, and I would do it again in half a heartbeat, but I'm glad that it's done.  I was starting to get stress headaches and stomachaches and I'm sure that Paul and Parker are happy to not be so neglected anymore.  The Open House was a success and thank goodness for the people who helped set up and take down, or I don't think I could have pulled it off.

Instead of having a traditional guest book, we had a photo booth where people had their picture taken.  Then, they signed a scrapbook page which I mounted their picture to once I got it developed.  Here are some of my faves:

 Matt and Jamie:

 Papasan:

 Jamie and her niece Talia:

 Aunt Emily and Uncle Dave:

Parker and Grandpa:

 Me and Parker:

Four Generations!

 

 Grandma and all her boys:

Silly brothers:

 Table with the props and scrapbook pages:

 A shot of the table decorations:

 

My friend helped me design these cards to put on the tables:
 

It was such a fun Open House and I'm happy I could be a part of it!

4th of July

We had a wonderful 4th of July celebration.  We went to the Lake Forest parade in the morning where Parker got to wave a flag and eat lots of candy that was passed out.  The highlights were definitely the classic cars and VW buses. 

After Parker's nap (yes! He stayed in his bed for a nap!) we went to Aunt Karen's for dinner.  They just moved into a beautiful home not too far from us.  They had several fountains in the backyard that Parker and a new friend played in until they were soaking wet.  After dinner we played Ticket to Ride, the American version, obviously. 

Then home again, home again.  We set off for the church parking lot to do some sparklers and a few small fireworks before bedtime.  Here's a couple videos that accurately portray Paul's and Parker's reactions to the fireworks:

Paul loves fireworks:



Parker doesn't:

Paul's Golf Course

Over the last year Paul has taken on the project of creating a golf green on our back patio.  Here's the finished project.  Note that it's complete with a sand trap and water feature (between the edge of the concrete and the rough).  Isn't it beautiful?!  What a green thumb he has, unlike myself, who has killed off too many plants to count. 

Newport Harbor Boat Rental

For Paul's birthday he bought himself a Groupon for a boat rental in the Newport harbor.  The boats max out at 5mph, so there weren't any daredevil stunts, just a nice relaxing cruise at sunset.  For weeks afterward, Parker couldn't stop talking about driving the boat.