Sunday, June 13, 2010

Michigan

Here are the pictures of our trip to Michigan finally! I actually have a few more to post of Weston's first swim in the pool, family pics etc. But this will do for now :)
We had such a wonderful time and it was very special to me to bring our son to where all of my family is from. Everyone, except my mom's sister, had not yet met Weston either! So he was introduced to many cousins, aunt, uncles and of course my oma and opa. I was also special to see one of my closest cousins Ryne get married! His brother Sean and my sister are very close in age, and Ryne and I are very close in age- so as you can imagine the four of us got into all sorts of adventures/trouble growing up! Ryne even saved me from drowning in the fifth grade- u will have to hear that story another time.
It was beautiful there, everything in bloom, and I even got to hear a real live thunderstorm! Something I really miss here in CA. The flower pic above is from my Oma's big beautiful garden.
Vines on the barn at my grandparents farm

My dad with Weston in the U.P. where the wedding was held. ( on Lake Michigan)
In the U.P. we went to this really neat old town that produced iron in the 1800's. It is well preserved and pretty fascinating to learn what life was like there.

Where coal was made- my cousin Peter and his wife Jess with their two monkeys Jack and Brian


My Aunt and Uncle with their grandkids
The beautiful and fragrant lilac was everywhere in Michigan

My cousin Aaron's wife Laurie at the wedding
The wedding was held at a beautiful remote point along the Lake with this lighthouse




My cousin and his beautiful bride Jen


After the wedding we headed down (a 6 hr. car drive) to my grandparents house in Saginaw. We all have taken a turn at this old piano as infants in this pose!


Andrew cutting the grass in this fashion for the first time! He loved it. My grandpa is unable to do this now and really appreciated it.
Make up time! Going out to lunch
Mother and daughter, can you tell ?
My Opa with Weston

A few more to come!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Chicken Lickin' Good

On Tuesday I received this GIANT shipment of chicken for a recipe development project/job! The company I am doing this for is trying to market a new product line of chicken for commercial use- specifically fajita chicken strips. So since Tuesday I have been creating and cooking away, and every one within a 10 mile radius has received some chicken entrees! I have until next Tuesday to develop and perfect 10 recipes- 12 servings each. Lots of work and lots of fun!
Mole Chicken Empanadas

Pineapple Chicken Tacos

Fiesta Quiche

Smoky Southwest Penne

Chicken and White Bean Chili

More to come :)

Monday, June 7, 2010

11 months and 16 weeks

Here is baby #2 at 16 weeks! Growing nicely and right on track. We had an appointment last Thursday and the hemorrhage has healed as well, praise God! We also got confirmation that this baby is definitely a boy. But from the first pics, we had no doubts :) The pic below is me at 16 weeks with Weston!
And Weston is now 11 months old and changing so much socially. He now waves hello and bye bye and Andrew taught him how to give kisses, so sweet!
He also is really enjoying the summer berries on sale these days- especially raspberries!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Home Again

We are finally back home from two wonderful vacations( 16 days total!) with a day in between them to repack etc! We got in last night from my cousin's wedding in MI ( pics to follow) and had a wonderful time. As promised, here are the pictures from our visit to Manteca. Miss you guys already :( What a joy is was to spend the last 16 days with both sides of my family. We are truly blessed and don't deserve the love that our family extends to us!
Yummy Tapas dinner at Nanni's house

Enjoying his cousins and the outdoors in the jumper



Uncle Brian came down for the day for our trip to the beautiful Lavender farm and grilled pizzas for dinner that night :)

The sweet Mendoza clan

After the Lavender farm we stopped by Andrew's grandparents ( Kerri's parents) grave site. Weston can't wait to meet them in heaven some day!