The Ocean

I was so excited to take the boys to see the ocean!  We went to Oceanside California today, and as the ocean came into view, they didn't disappoint, with a perfectly timed Wooooaaaaahhh! 

It was overcast, and a little cool, but they still loved it.  Randy took them out to jump the waves, which were so big people were surfing on them!  

(Sorry about the picture quality.... These are all phone pictures until I get home to download the camera)

Let's start with vacation!

I'm starting fresh today!  We are on a family vacation for the first time ever, so why not begin today?   We are out in California, visiting some great friends, Doug and Christina, who we went to Avila with.  Randy and Doug played baseball together, and worked at FedEx together.  They have 3 cute boys close to our boys ages, and are expecting a 4th baby in August.  

I think everyone should get to experience taking a child on their first flight.  The boys were so excited... Every little thing was exciting, and the very first takeoff was priceless... You would have thought we went on a roller coaster!  When the attendant took their drink order, and they got pretzels and peanuts and soda, it was like icing on the cake.  

At Kansas City International, our plane is in the background...

On the plane

Flying over the Rockies... We switched planes in Denver, so they got their first look at the mountains... I have never seen these from the air, and they are still amazing from up here.

Summer stuff

Once again I've taken forever to do a post....so this is my post to say more post to come! I'm putting it on my to- do list!

Here's some pictures pictures from our recent trip to the Cardinals game...

It was hot (104 at 7:00), but the Cards won, so it was worth it!

We finally took the boys to a Springfield Cardinals game....

Here they are with their cousin Peyton...

Austin's First Communion

 On May 5, Austin celebrated his First Communion.  We were blessed to have a lot family come up and celebrate with us...
During the mass, Austin was invited to come up to the Alter during the preparation of the gifts.  (there were 4 of them receiving First Communion that day)

 We don't get many family pictures, so I had to share this one... my dad must have said something funny...

 Andrew and Austin were excited to have their cousin's visit for the weekend....

My little boy

It was really cool, on the way home from the Mass, we saw about 6 or 7  hot air balloons in the air, and they were almost right over our house!  We stood outside and watched them for awhile...

And that evening was the super full moon... closest the moon will be in it's orbit around the earth....

Andrew's Sick Day

Anyone that knows Andrew knows he loves Egypt.... so the other week he was home sick for 3 days, and by the end of the last day he was feeling better and made his own little Egypt on a big white board we have...

 And then he did a picture of Austin...I think it looks a lot like him!

spring

Thought I would share some of the things I've been able to enjoy this week.... My beautiful tulips are blooming, they've enjoyed all the rain we had this week...

 I've never shared a recipe before, but I thought I would try something new...
So I made egg drop soup from scratch the other day... it was really easy , really good, and low in calories...

Egg Drop Soup

4 Cups chicken broth       1 Tbsp Sherry

1/8 tsp ground ginger  1/2 Tbsp soy sauce

2Tbsp fresh chives  1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch

2-3 eggs

Reserve 3/4 Cup broth  and mix with cornstarch. Heat all ingredients except cornstarch mixture and eggs.  When starting to boil, add cornstarch mixture. Meanwhile beat eggs in separate bowl.  Stir soup in one direction while slowly pouring the beaten eggs in.  Let cook a couple more minutes, and then it's done!

1 Cup= 61 calories, 3.6g fat, 3.2 carbs

And the last thing I am so excited about is Dye-Free advil for kids!  We have been trying to keep the boys (especially Austin) off food dyes, and the only medicine I had found was allergy medicine.  This week the boys both had fevers and I was so excited to find this!

Piano recital

The boys had their 2nd piano recital today...I was very proud of them!  The first video is of Austin, the second of Andrew.  They also did a duet, but I will post that later. The duet they used their music, but otherwise they had to memorize their pieces...I thought they did a great job!