To be like big brother

John David went to Oklahoma with Joel this afternoon. Mom & Dad have strict insturctions on how to care for the injury. We have had a great time hanging out with Drew since he left. This evening we were enjoying the heat, grilling and watching Drew play. Drew was walking in between our new rocking chairs on the porch when he tripped and fell. Guess what he scraped - his chin! It wasn't nearly as bad as John David's. Here is a picture of his chin. What is next in injuries?

Oh, what a night

For Father's Day, I got David tickets to see Jerry Sienfeld Saturday, July 19th. We were very excited because Joel & his best friend, Jeff, would be joining us. Leah had graciously agree to come and babysit the boys in hopes Aunt CC would come, too. Since it didn't work with Aunt CC (because I messed up the dates), Leah came up early so we could all spend the day together.

David and I planned to meet at 5 for dinner at OTB Knox-Henderson with Joel, Jeff, Michelle, and their two month old girl, Claire. I was ready about 5 minutes before we had to leave, thank goodness. Leah was playing with the boys when all of a sudden John David fell hitting his chin on one of our coffee end tables. Leah passed him off to me while inspected the bleeding wound. I mouthed to Leah to get David because I was thinking it would need a stitch or two. David agreed so John David and I quickly got into the car while Leah gathered our shoes. John David was crying & I was trying to get him to hold an ice pack on the wound. We took off to Acute Kids Care not far from our house. (It is such a great place! check it out http://www.acutekidscare.com/ ) He cried in the car until I started praying outloud. He then quietened down for a few minutes. Within 5 minutes of walking in the door, we were in a room being checked by a nurse and a doctor soon following. The doctor said it would be great for gluing shut! It looked like a mini-super glue container. While John David was still crying, the nurse held it closed while the doctor glued. We left within 30 minutes of walking in the door. Sonic was around the corner, so we got a blue slushee. Leah made mac'n cheese for dinner which made the evening good. John David was much better when we left.

David and I left in time to meet Joel & Jeff as they finished dinner. We then rode to Fair Park to see Jerry. After a late start and Mark Schiff (sp?) opened, he came on. It was funny. He joked about the weather, married life, Dallas, kids, meds, etc. We laughed and laughed. After a standing ovation, he came back to answer some questions for about 10 minutes. I called to check on John David before and after the show. Since he had never had a nap today, he was exhausted. Leah did a great job making him feel better & making sure the boys were loved & taken care of while we were gone.

David and I dropped off the boys before heading to Maggiano's for a late dinner. Here are some pics of the injury. There is no swimming for 8 days, no neosporin, and no picking at it.

*Update- According to my cousin, this is a common occurance. How many of you have scars on your chin? Your spouse? Your kids?

The wife of a hunter

David has been hunting for a few years now. He has brought home many deer, different kinds of duck, and dove. I want him to bring me home a turkey or wild hog. I have tried to be very creative (meatloaf, stroganoff) with deer since it is not my favorite kind of meat. I didn't grow up eating it and the steaks are my least favorite. One of our favorite ways to enjoy deer is in chili but you can only have so much chili. It isn't good to have year round anyways. I always like it when David has the meat turned into meatballs, burger patties, or flavored sausages that we can grill.

Not too long ago, David received a cookbook for Christmas called Cookin' Wild Game. It is a very interesting book that is very imformative on how to process your own meats, how to freeze them, as well as, recipes. If anyone ever needs to skin a rabbit, skin a squirrel, or spiral slice a venison heart, this is the book for you! There are recipes for bear, elk, moose, and many other types of creatures made by God. I have tried the Venison Piccata which wasn't bad. (Let me know if you want that recipe.) Tonight we had Mexican Enchilada Casserole. John David helped me mix cheeses, break taco shells, and mix the soup/milk mixture. He is turning into quite the helper in the kitchen. Although his favorite is "washing" the dishes.

Here is the recipe that we liked tonight:
Mexican Enchilada Casserole
2 lbs lean ground deer or other big game
1 medium onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp vegetable oil (optional)
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
3 tbsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 10 3/4 can cream of chicken soup
3/4 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded monterey Jack cheese
1 4.8 oz pkg taco shells, coarsely crushed

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2-quart casserole dish and set aside. In a large skillet, brown meat with onion, garlic, oil over medium heat. Drain & stir in tomato sauce, chili powder, and salt. Heat over medium heat until bubbly & then reduce heat to very low to simmer for 10 minutes; stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, blend soup and milk. In another bowl, combine the cheeses.
Layer in casserole dish, one-third shells, half of meat mixture, half of soup mixture, and half of the cheese mixture. Continue to layer one-third shells, remaining meat mixture, and the rest of the soup mixture. Top with the remaining shells & cheese. Bake for 45 minutes until hot.


I hope I help my fellow hunter wives with all of the meat in their freezers. We still have 16 2lb packages of ground venison and deer season starts in a little over three months! I think the men should have to wait until after Trunk or Treat & little ones' bedtimes before heading out to the lease for the opening weekend.

First Soccer Game

This morning was John David's first soccer game. He scored the first two goals for our team! There were other goals scored but most were from penalty goals without defense. The other team was much better athletically. It was so much fun to watch. I shot video on my little camera so it isn't long or that great. I took lots of pictures while listening to a younger boy scream. Drew and I ran the track several times around the track. He grew very impatient sitting but enjoyed watching some of the game.

I've been trying to figure out how to post a collage for an hour. I'll have to post pictures later.

Drew's First Timeout

Before the grandparents get upset, he had more than one chance! He was warned several times to stop.

We went to school today because I was subbing. Just before lunch John David came over to lay his head in my lap & felt warm. An hour later, we went home because John David had a fever. I felt bad leaving early but they understood. We all took naps and then watched part of Mary Poppins. John David had laid on the couch because Drew kept rocking the recliner. Drew then started hitting John David on the back after I asked him to stop numerous times. I took Drew to time out. He kept getting up to come find me. It only took about 3-4 minutes for him to sit for 1 1/2 minutes. He then had to get up and hug me & John David to apologize.

Here two more pictures from last nights party. It was tough for them to share sitting in the go cart. Ryan is the other boy with Drew. He is 10 weeks older than Drew. His mom, Julie, and I taught at Dove. She is expecting their second child in November!

New Recipe-it's easy!

I have had this recipe for a while but haven't used it until last week. There are four different variations of this "Marvelous Mini Meatloaves." The recipe serves 6 and I got it out of a Kraft magazine. The BBQ ones were a hit!
Ingredients:
1 lb ground meat
1 pkg (6 oz) of stuffing mix
1 cup water
Choose one type of mini-meatloaves to add other ingredients.

Italian
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
¾ cup spaghetti sauce
¾ cup Shredded Mozzerella cheese
Fiesta
2 tsp. chili powder
¾ cup Taco Bell Chunky Salsa
¾ cup shredded Mexican cheese
Mediterranean
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
¾ cup chopped roasted red peppers
¾ cup Crumbled Feta cheese
BBQ
1 tsp. garlic
¾ cup Bull’s-Eye Barbecue Sauce
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Mix meat, stuffing, water, and seasoning until well blended. Press into 12 muffin cups sprayed with cooking spray. Make an indentation (about the size of 2-3 grapes) in the center of each.
2. Spoon the sauce (or red peppers for Mediterranean) into the center of each meatloaf.
3. Bake 30 minutes or until meatloaves are cooked through. Top with cheese and bake until cheese is melted for about 5 minutes.

Parties, Parks, & Trucks

We started off the day at the Grapevine Botanical Gardens at a playdate. We even got to feed the fish! Thanks for bread, Kelly. It was fun to play on everything including the "spiderweb!"
As naptime was ending, David called that with news that my truck was fixed! YEA! We have had a Durango as a rental since Thursday afternoon. It was big enough for us for the weekend but not a vehicle I want to keep. Our front differential was completely rebuilt in the Tahoe. Thank goodness for extended warranty to cover the expenses.
Afterwards, we went to Maren Dunn's 1st birthday party. I taught with Laura (her mom) at Dove for several years. The theme was pink pirates & John David loved the pirate ship bounce ship! The boys both had a great time jumping around and playing with other kids we don't see often.

Self-control

The lake and I have a bittersweet connection. I love going to Lake Winnsboro & have a ton of great memories of swimming, playing, working, and many family skits out there. But then the night comes, the bugs come out! Both nights we were there, I was outside. The first night I sprayed myself several times so I wouldn't get bitten by bugs and I still got bit. The second night I put on the longest covering clothes on and wrapped myself in a sheet. I was hot but I was trying a different approach since I had showered a few hours earlier. It didn't help, I still got eaten by the bugs. My legs are covered and I am trying to show self-control not to itch! It is hard! I took a picture of one of my legs but I don't think you want to see a red-spotted leg.

Mom & Dad, PLEASE buy me my own stash of citronella candles for Keystone. I will go out and buy some different kind of repellent for our trip. ;)

Stephanie had some bites but the guys escaped without too many bites. I had lotion on the first day but after sweating & swimming I thought it wouldn't matter. I promise I didn't put sugar water on me (The Parent Trap)!

July 4th

We went to the big 'ol Lake Winnsboro this weekend to celebrate the Fourth of July. Our friends, Stephanie, Will, & their kiddos went also. We left Friday morning to hit Chili's in Sulphur Springs before heading to the country. Aunt Sylvia & Uncle Peter worked hard to clean up the lakehouse & trailor before our arrival. While some of the kids slept, John David begged to go swimming. After more swimming, the men took a break from swimming to get some fireworks before grilling some hot dogs and burgers. Sylvia, Peter, & Grandmother were able to join us. I think they had as much fun as the rest of us! After dinner & sharing our "most proud American" story (Sylvia), it was time for fireworks. John David and Natalee had a great time! When it got darker, we ventured out to the pier to watch the lake light up with fireworks from all angles. It was fun to watch one side shoot fireworks and then another side answer with more fireworks. We had our own small display that entertained the older kids. Drew & Jack were in bed by 9 pm, Natalee by 10 pm, and John David by 10:30 pm.
I couldn't wait for a shower after sweating, swimming in lake water, sunscreen, bug spray, and dirt from walking around! After a long day, it was nice to hit the sack. Here are a few pictures from Friday. I will write more tomorrow about the rest of the weekend.

Soccer!

John David is participating in his first organized sport this summer - Upward Soccer. It is through our church, FBC Grapevine. David is the coach of his team, the Rams. Thursday night was their first practice and only two boys showed up. It was cute to watch the boys kick the balls and David giving instructions. Drew and I sat on benches watching. Of course, Drew didn't want to sit for too long! He kept watching, pointing, and saying "ba" short for ball. The games will be every Saturday morning at 9 am and the coach is supposed to play with this age. I can't wait!

I have also attached a picture of Drew and his favorite part of practice.

Home

This was the second day the boys and I were home all day. We took my vehicle in yesterday to be worked on. The dealership has been working on it, test driving it, taking it to another part of the shop, overnighting a part, and who knows what else? If the part doesn't arrive tomorrow, we'll get a rental for the weekend. The joys of owning a vehicle. ;) I am sure everyone can identify.

Thankfully one of my good friends brought her kids over yesterday for a fabulous playdate. Today, the boys stayed in their PJ's. John David loves staying in his Spiderman PJ pants all day! It is different staying home all day with the boys. I am sad to say that we get out of the house everyday. We may just go to Walmart or another store for one item but usually it is the gym. Does anyone else feel the same way?

Since my truck wasn't out of the shop last night & we knew it would be late today, David had me called a babysitter for tonight. We went to dinner & ran a few errands just the two of us. It was great to get out! You can't beat MacGrill! Tomorrow David will be home. I know we'll have a great time over the next four days. We are headed to Winnsboro for part of it.