Mini Summer Vacation

I will call this a mini summer vacation because without Vic, it's not a big summer vacation. But, the day after the boys completed the fence, Atticus, Grace, Pop and I drove back to Sanger for a few days. Actually, we ended up staying 9 days! We stayed at Grandma and Pop's house for 6 nights and then Melbo, Pa & GG's for 2 nights. And our days were filled with fun! A few of the highlights:

• Trip to the Frank Buck Zoo in Gainesville where Atticus discovered flamingos, stuck his head through every fence to see every animal, and then cried his eyes out during the train ride with Pop (apparently he thought I should be on the train too....sometimes being with mama 24 hours a days makes his expectations specific). We even saw our former Ag extension agent to visit; she is in charge of part of the zoo.
• Attended the Denton Water Park where both Grace and Atticus floated the Lazy River and Atticus played on the Splash Pad with Molly and Pop. Our only downfall there was when sunscreen got into his eyes twice (Note to self: no longer using Coppertone for Kids spray sunscreen).
• More pool time with Adley, Stormy, and Tabatha plus seeing their wienie dogs. Atticus is getting better around animals and not being scared of them.
• Celebrated July Birthdays of Grandma, GG, and Molly with a family trip to our friend Jan's house and swimming pool. This is where Atticus learned to jump (aka fall forward into someone's arms into the pool). He was not scared at all (but I was!!)
• Went to Gattitown in Frisco for pizza and arcade games. Atticus loved the bowling and whack-a-shark games.
• We also visited GG's friend, Rita, where we got to see two other dogs and play in another kids playroom with ALL NEW TOYS. Atticus, however, is still learning to play and sometimes just dumps out bucket after bucket of toys.
• Atticus and Grace met their second cousin Caitlin when she came down to visit the Vickery's and Memaw.
• Grace took her traditional, special, sheepskin photos. These are photos that Mom and Dad took of us three kiddos when we were babies (on sheepskin in the saddle shop) and I have continued the tradition with Atticus and now Grace.

But, by far, the BIGGEST highlight of Atticus' trip were the "doats, dontey, palf, tows, horses, bubbatat (Bubba the Cat), Sthip dog (Sam the dog), gashoppas, bo doat (bo is a goats name), foot pass (free pass is a goats name), and yoki doat (Yoki is another goat's name). It took a couple hours the first evening, but after that Atticus was not happier than when he was convincing one of us to go out to look at the am-mulls. From the second he woke up in the morning, his first words were "doats, dontey, alf, tows" and he would immediately leave the bedroom and head into the living room to poke his head through the curtains and look out into the pasture to see the animals. Then, once we went out to the pens and pasture, he couldn't get enough of them. He would pet any that would let him and we'd walk the entire pasture to get to them. He played in the round bale of hay, looked for grasshoppers and checked the water. He'd say their names over and over and ask questions over and over. He couldn't get enough. When we would go to Melbo and Pa's throughout the week, we would have to go to the pasture or barn to see the horses and the new heifers. And, in the house, where Bubba the Cat usually curls up to sleep all day, Atticus would walk over to pet him. In the past, although Atticus was obsessed with needing to know where Bubbatat was, he would not touch him. It is by far, one of my favorite memories.

It was just a wonderful, relaxing week of family (sadly minus Vic), animals, country life, playing with old farm toys and trucks, playing on the Ipad, eating lots of fruit snacks (lots of any kid snacks actually), going in and out to the hot outside to look at animals, few naps, fun baths in new tubs, new movie (Despicable Me - pretty cute!), and new adventures.

And, while Grace was a great little girl and Atticus had so much fun with new things, and it truly was relaxing, I have to brag on myself a little. Until this trip, I don't think I have ever been so organized. It is amazing how much stuff you have to bring for two little ones plus backup everywhere you go. And we went somewhere every day! Diaper bag, extra clothes, swim clothes, towels, sunscreen, gas drops (you never know - and yes they are for the kids!), boppy, carseats, stroller, extra shoes, specific toys, cameras, etc. Sometimes it would take me 10-20 minutes just to check and double-check my stuff and load the car with stuff and kids. And, honestly, I had plenty of help around me to get it done. But, if I can handle this past week of organizing for day trips, surely I can handle any trip with kids, right?

The week in pictures (I took over 500 but here are just a few of them):

 



How To Build A Fence

A couple of weeks ago on July 3rd, Daddy & Charley came down to help Vic build a new fence on 2 of the 3 sides of our house that are fenced in. Daddy and Charley have built a lot of fence in their lives and Vic had the July 4th holidays off of work; so, it was a perfect combination of brains, strength and fun guys to complete the job. It was a last minute decision to do it that weekend, but the weather was a few degrees cooler and I was really excited to have them all here.

So, what does it take to build a fence?

• 4 days of 8-9 hours a day (gotta have some time to eat delicious meals and play with the grandkids/nieces/nephews)
• 25 sacks of concrete
• 20 post holes to dig
• approx. 175 feet of fence to replace
• 420 pickets
• 2500+ screws
• 2 gates
• 36 specialty beers
• 18 coors lights
• 18 gatorades
• lots of water
• 90 - 95 degree heat (not really necessary)
• one pretty little girl who melts the men's hearts each evening
• and one little boy who looks up to his pop, uncle charley and daddy

The week in pictures:

And that is how you build a fence. I do, however, remember Vic telling Charley that he could show off his handiwork to his friends when he got home. Charley said he wasn't telling his friends he knew how to build fence....they might want him to help them one day! And, even though I think they enjoyed themselves during those 4 days, building fence is hard work!! But, it sure looks good...and saved us lots of money! (free labor, ya know?)

Friday Favorites: Pulled Pork and Carmelitas

Today's Friday Favorites are two recipes I've cooked this past week: Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork in the Crock Pot and Carmelitas. If you remember from last week, we made the pulled pork for our family summer fun night, but it made a lot of servings. I mean...a lot. We ate it from Friday night until the following Wednesday at noon. But, honestly, it was just so juicy and delicious and one of those kinds of leftovers we did not tire from! My tip: put it in a soft tortilla with some pico de gallo and you are set. Here's the recipe for Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork in the Crock Pot:

2 1/2-3 lb pork butt (also known as a pork shoulder)
24 oz. (2 cans) Dr. Pepper1 medium onion, cut in quarters and then again in half
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons dry ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
Barbecue Sauce of choice (we used HEB Texas Style BBQ Sauce)

Place the chopped onions in the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the pork butt on top of the onions and add the garlic, ground mustard, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Pour the Dr. Pepper on top and cook on high for 4-5 hours (or on low for 8 hours).

Very carefully, because the pork will be hot, remove the meat from the slow cooker and place on a large cutting board. Using two forks, shred the pork by pulling away from each other. The meat should be very tender by this point. Place the shredded pork back into the slow cooker and continue to cook for an additional hour.

Drain the remaining juices and toss the meat and onion mixture in the barbecue sauce of choice. I don't have an exact amount listed-just add a bit at a time until you get to your desired sauciness!

And here is the Carmelita Recipe: (I always double it!) I have made these twice now. Saw the recipe on this blog via Pinterest. They are ooey-gooey delicious but also kind of heavy that even just eating one square is pretty filling. Do I want to eat more than one square? Yes. But, I can get my sweet fix very easily with just a little.

32 caramel squares, unwrapped
1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Combine caramels and cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until completely smooth; set aside. In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, flour, oats, and baking soda. Pat half of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of an 8x8" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove pan from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over crust. Pour caramel mixture over chocolate chips. Crumble remaining oatmeal mixture over caramel. Return to oven and bake an additional 15-20 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool completely before cutting.
*A stint in the fridge will help them cool off if you're pinched for time. They shouldn't be served cold, but all of that molten caramel takes a long time to cool down. They should be stored and served at room temperature.
**If you want to use homemade or store-bought caramel sauce in place of the caramel/cream mixture, use 1 1/4 cups of sauce.
***To make a 9x13" version, simply double the amounts.

These are my favorite recipes of this past week!

4th of July

Happy Fourth of July!

June Weddings

June has been a month of weddings! I love weddings. I can remember back to middle school times when GG would be invited to weddings and started letting me come along. We'd talk about the décor and the dress and food and everything else wedding related as a way to think about planning my wedding long from then. And even now, 5 1/2 years after my own wedding, I love attending other's special days.

Two weeks ago, we attended Andrew and Amanda Naeger's wedding. Andrew was Charley's best man and college roommate, and since they were freshman, I've kept track of him through Charley. Andrew is one of the best guys I think I know. He has been the most kind, loyal, and funny friend to Charley. And his wife, Amanda, is as sweet as she can be!

Their wedding was our first night to get dressed up and go out without kids since Grace was born! It was a really nice time for Vic and I to spend together; all of this was thanks to Molly and GG who took care of Atticus and Grace for us. The entire day and night were fun! The ceremony was refreshing and you could just see the bride and groom's young love for one another. In fact, one thing I remember most about their ceremony was the priest telling us how important the scriptures read at their wedding were and how we should go back to our own wedding scripture and read them again. So, Vic and I said we would do exactly that. The two scriptures read at our wedding were:

I Corinthians 13; 4-7, 13:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But, the greatest of these is love.

Psalm 128:

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
    who walk in obedience to him.
² You will eat the fruit of your labor;
    blessings and prosperity will be yours.
³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
⁴ Yes, this will be the blessing
    for the man who fears the Lord.

⁵ May the Lord bless you from Zion;
    may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life.
⁶ May you live to see your children’s children—
    peace be on Israel.

Isn't this what a wedding should mostly be about? The reception and food and flowing drinks are fun, but the ceremony is the heart of the wedding and a time to share God's love with everyone in attendance. Not only were we able to watch two people take vows to one another to love and honor forever, but it gave us a chance to also remember the vows we took on our own wedding day. Any moment in our lives that lets us reflect on what is most important is a special one.

 

This past weekend, we were also happy to attend the wedding of Kevin and Charlotte Verett. Kevin is the father of Katie, Keller, Kinsey and Kirsten, some more of our favorite people that you've heard about many times on this blog. Kevin's wife passed away a few years ago from cancer just a couple of years before Keller also passed away. This family is one of the strongest, kindest, and most giving families we know and we are lucky to have them as friends. Recently, God went to work, as he usually does, and found a wife again for Kevin; Charlotte, whose husband has also passed away. He put them together to form another family. While emotional, bittersweet memories of Keller were present during the ceremony and slide show, we were happy to see Kevin become happy in marriage again and wish them so much happiness.

So, thank you to Amanda, Andrew, Kevin and Charlotte for reminding us, with your wedding ceremonies, the unique love and respect that is a part of our marriages and thank you for letting us share in each of your special days.

This makes me even more excited for Jill and Geoff's wedding coming up in just less than one month! The pictures below are Kristofer and Grace after Kevin and Charlotte's wedding. We went to their hotel restaurant to visit for awhile with Kristofer, his Katie, Steve and Patricia. For the record, I am going to hope for a girl or two first for Kristofer before he gets his boys to carry on the family name. This is just too adorable.