Back to School Party

Every summer since we moved to Timber Heights, we have done a Back to School party with the Lindners.  The Back to School party idea actually originated with my Grandma Danzinger, who invited all 24 of her grandkids for games, a hayride, and sleepover at her house the week before school started.  While our party is a little different, the spirit of it has stayed the same.  This year we had Olympic games.  Each kid dressed in their country's colors (Olivia was Italy - red, green, and white, and Nolan was Japan - red and white) Lucy designed several games for them to play - basketball dribbling, ping pong ball toss, and the wet sponge race (which got a little messy!) There were even medals made and an awards ceremony, complete with the Olympics theme song music and Olympic torches.   After the closing ceremonies, we enjoyed some Taco Bell and had cupcakes.  Our family is grateful to have the Lindners right across the street from us.  It is amazing to have the opportunity to make such wonderful memories with some of our dearest friends.

School Open House

Tonight was Pelican Elementary's open house. The kids got to meet their teachers, see their classrooms, and get acquainted with the school.  Pelican looked a little different this year as it is now home to 4K-5th grade, unlike last year when it was just 4K-3rd.  Olivia has Mrs Powell for 4K this year, and she is so excited since she gets to have them same teacher Nolan did.  Nolan has Ms. Kaster this year, and I think she will be a perfect for him.  The classrooms looked great and the kids are so excited to start their first day of school!

Camryn Comes to Visit

Camryn came to stay for a week again this year, and the kids were thrilled to have the opportunity to spend some time with their cousin.  We went on a few outings to Briar House and Briq's for ice cream, and spent some time playing at our house.  She is such a nice kid, responsible and kind, and did a great job helping out with her younger cousins.  Since we live pretty far apart, we don't see each other very often, but I always appreciate the opportunity to get to know her better and see how much she's growing up.

Grandpa and Grandma come to visit

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit last weekend and we celebrated Grandma's birthday with a delicious meal and coconut cream pie.  I had never made one before, but it turned out absolutely delicious.  Here is the recipe I used:

Mile High Coconut Cream Pie

1 graham cracker crust (homemade is the best)

14 oz can sweetened, condensed milk

1 cup cold milk

2- 3.4 oz boxes instant coconut cream of vanilla pudding mix

1 1/2 cups shredded sweetened coconut

8 oz container of Cool Whip

whipped cream

1. In a large bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, milk, pudding mix, and coconut.

2. Fold in Cool Whip

3. Pour into prepared pie crust.  

4. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours

5. Garnish with whipped cream

August is a month of celebrations for our family with so many birthdays and anniversaries.  It was great to have the opportunity to spend time together to celebrate Grandma's birthday! Happy Birthday, Grandma Marcia!

90

Last night we celebrated Grandma Ruby's 90th birthday with friends and family, delicious food, and dancing out at the Rosewood Barn.  We tricked her a bit by telling her we were heading there to have family pictures done.  We obviously did that, but she had no inkling of what we had planned for her.  She was so happy and excited to see so many turn out to celebrate her.  Beautiful toasts were given to honor her 90 years of selflessness and love. Looking around the room last night, I felt inspired seeing the many lives that Ruby has influenced and changed for the better - her life's work. It really should be a goal for each of us...to create a legacy of kindness and love, so the world is better for us having been here. Happy 90th Birthday, Ruby!

Brothers

Our boys are basically twins.

Happy Birthday, Eric!

Happy 37th Birthday to this amazing guy who fills our life and home with laughter, fun, and all sorts of nerdy stuff!  You are so devoted to your family and we are thankful for you each and every day.  We love you!

Two Front Teeth

Nolan officially has his two front teeth on his Christmas list this year!  He lost the second one the other night while Lucy was babysitting, with much less fanfare than the first.  Love that toothless grin!

Breakfast with Babies

Livi got a couple of seats for her babies for her birthday.  Here she is eating breakfast with Cindy (eating "teh-ssert) and Basketball (eating a potato).

Roxy

We lost Roxy this week.  She was one of the best dogs ever.  What's really crazy to me is that when I met Eric, Roxy was just a puppy.  It feels weird knowing that we were together her entire life!  Roxy was probably the smartest dog I've ever known.  She had weird "people" eyes and looked at you as an intellectual equal...not with the overly adoring eyes of most dogs.  She was pretty serious most of the time, except for every once in a while when she got into a spinning frenzy in the yard.  Eric was good at getting her to do it.  She knew a million tricks, but listened best to Steve.  The rest of us, she'd look at with her judgmental people eyes, clearly thinking "why don't you roll over, lady..."  Steve was her person and she would do anything for him, but she loved the grandkids too, and gently and patiently tolerated their many antics over the years.  I like to think she and I had a special bond because every time I went to their house, she would come over and rub her bearded face all over my pants.  She liked to "talk" and didn't like storms.  She stayed with us a few times when Steve and Patti were on vacation and she and I had many "conversations" about where she was allowed and where she wasn't.  She usually won the argument and rested those old bones on my couch.  She was the epitome of a good dog and we will all miss her greatly. Steve buried her ashes up on the hill overlooking the cabin, which was one of her favorite places.  He planted a tree for her on that spot and the kids made a gravestone for her.  It's as much as any good dog could hope for.  We miss you, Roxy.