Saturday May 17th was a special day...

First off, let me just say to you all out there in FamilyLand...I love you each so very mucho! I'm so glad you picked me to be your mommy and that you picked such wonderful people to be the mothers and fathers of your sweet, talented children...making it soooooo fun to be the Mimi! Yesterday beautiful Lainie was baptized by her handsome father, Luke! We were all gathered there to witness this great even in her life ...sorry Uncle Steele left the building before we snapped this photo of the confirmation group with Lainie. Then off to another meetinghouse for a delectible luncheon orchastrated by Rennie - great job and thanks to all who helped her make it a fun time for everyone. Luke gave very clear and precise clean-up instructions...NOT!
Thanks Uncle Kim for spending part of your day with us - you rock as a supportive uncle! And a special thanks to Rennie's parents Rob and Sally for mopping up after us! Hey, you two, it sure was fun having you stay here with us - you are ALWAYS welcome (they are great houseguests and I highly recommend them to you all!) Next, Stephanie, Jackson, Allison, Papa and me went to watch Kylie and Jadyn dance in their lovely recital...while others found places to nap (Jackson's house was a very popular choice). Great job Mel and Emma - your spring recital was fabulous - and good luck on a great summer enrollment!
NEXT, we all gathered at MHS's best ball field! I loved that we got the one with grass instead of the dumb dirt ones! The kids took turns batting with the adults and that kept the outfield interested enough to play for 3 hours!! Thanks Sammy for heading up this long due gift to Papa for his birthday! It was WELL worth waiting for, and I think you've created a new family tradition!! Let's shoot for early spring and late fall for semi annual games, if not MORE! Crazy Ned served up an awesome sub and Lainie shared all her left over goodies from her baptizm luncheon...and Sam & Ruth's homemade rootbeer was a hit (as soon as Allison got through sitting on the lid, that is!) I thought my camera had a dead battery so I didn't get but one photo (the lid just wasn't shut tight enough to hold them in - dang it!) So I'll share what I got. Thanks again to all the Hallows, Gouldings and Parkinson's for making Sat. May 17, 2008 a VERY SPECIAL DAY INDEED!

Frosted Orange Ginger Fruit Salad

Hey Little Girls...It's time to make a really healthy summer treat for your families!
If you love this...let me know - I'm full of 'em! Enjoy!

Frosted Orange Ginger Fruit Salad

Description
For the same reasons this fruit salad makes a great breakfast, it also makes a great snack. It is light, naturally sweetened, and smothered in a smooth yogurt and ginger topping. Often, we find ourselves so busy that we quickly grab less-healthy foods to satisfy us. Make this ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator, or take it to work in a covered container.


Ingredients
2 cups washed and sliced fresh strawberries
2 cups grapes
1 cup washed, cored, and diced apples
3 oranges, peeled, seeded, and cubed
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from the 3 peeled, seeded, and cubed oranges)
1 cup plain low-fat yogurt (optional)
1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger
2 tablespoons honey

GARNISH
12 sprigs mint


Instructions
Toss all the fruit together in a medium bowl.
Whisk the orange juice, yogurt, ginger, and honey in a separate bowl. Pour the dressing over the fruit. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to marry the flavors.
Spoon the coated fruit into 12 small dessert dishes or parfait glasses. Garnish each with a sprig of mint.

Newsflash!!

Well, Luke and Rennie and the chitlins are staying with us a while till their "home on the range" is ready, and it's so dang fun hearing the pitter patter of little feel early in the morning! Seriously...it IS! But as luck would have it, I've been going to work with Mike ever since they moved in, so I haven't been there during the day to play and swim...and now they're down on the ranch for a few days and I went and got myself hired full-time at BHN...so no more leisure Mimi time! So if any of you kids need your mama, you know where to find me. My desk faces Allison's so I can keep and eye on her {she's so cute}and anyone else who wanders into my space. This is going to be fun - I worked for Mike 19 years ago when we first got married and it was a blast! Real Groovy! So I'm expecting it to still be that way. I got set up on a brand new computer today - hence the blogging. I remember when the boys, Jeremy, Steele, and Luke worked here with us during the summer...what a riot - we still have the logo-perfect files Steele drew for us - stop by anytime and see the artwork! Well, just wanted to let you know that I won't be floating around in the pool all summer long - I'll be sitting here under these fluorescent lights, turning a lighter shade of pale!

Thanks mucho...

Not much time to write, but just wanted to say thank you to all the wonderful family and friends who have given words of comfort and cheer since my darling Daddy went to heaven to be with my angel Mother. We all miss him so mucho! He loved everyone in the family and had such wonderful things to say about each one of you. Someday when I get organized, I'll share more than these few pictures...hope you still enjoy the slide shows below - I just can't get enough of them!