Our Week in Photos #43

This week took a slightly different turn because we were down to one car while Darryl's van got repaired.  It meant we spent more time at home and also I had to really move towards a "zero spending" mindset to make up for the unexpected expense of the repair.  But, even at home, fun things can be done!

 We celebrated Father's Day. 

 This was one of the gifts Josh picked out - yes, those are Cats in Space on that shirt. 

 Nate picked out a ball for Darryl as one of his gifts.  I think really Nate picked out a ball for Nate HA! (Don't worry, Josh also picked out a ball for himself  Darryl. 

 Monday had a heat index of close to 100 degrees so the kids got out water stuff - water guns, the sprinkler and the slipe-n-slide.  The idea was just to get wet and cool off! 

 VBS started on Monday night.  The boys always love the singing! 

Tuesday they created their own fun which included playing UNO on the trampoline and helping Darryl clean the garage!

 On Wednesday I told the kids that they couldn't play inside all day so they went out and rode bikes.

 And Blew bubbles! 

 Thursday night brought the last regular night of VBS - they had to dress up as scientists.

 And they played water games.

 Friday they attended an event at a different church on Bible Super Heros. 

They made some awesome crafts. 

And we ended the night with the VBS Carnival.  It was alot of fun with a lot of candy :-) 

Weekly Menu

After two weeks of not having to cook much, it's time to get back into planning and cooking again.

Friday - Tonight is the last night of VBS and it includes dinner and a carnival for the kids.  It should be a fun night and a great way to wrap up another busy, fun week.

Saturday - We have open houses to attend today - based on the times, my assumption is that we will be well covered for food so, I guess I'm still not cooking!

Sunday - On my summer plans, today is a date day!  But, we are on that spending freeze due to the unexpected car repair so, Darryl's working and we will eat at home.  Ham and Cheese Quiche, Roasted Asparagus, Lemon Parmesan Roasted Potatoes, and Lemon Raspberry Coffee Cake.

Monday - I think it might be time to cook HA!  Tonight, though, will be simple before I head to practice.  Frozen pizza is always an easy and quick meal (does that really count as cooking??)

Tuesday - Wait, tonight the boys start attending a running camp - they need to eat before so I'll make Tacos.  It's easy and we can eat in shifts if needed.

Wednesday - The boys have running camp so I'll make them chicken and nuggets.  I'll have leftovers.

Thursday - Running club!  Spaghetti is easy and quick.  (I'm still not really "cooking", am I?)

Red, White and Blue Trifle

Red, White and Blue Trifle
adapted from Skinny Taste

photo credit Skinny Taste

I made this recipe probably 4-5 years ago for a family gathering and just have never had a chance to make it again.  Gathering with family on Father's Day made me want to make some light and yummy for dessert and I came across this recipe that fit that bill!  Besides being super tasty, it is easy when you buy a premade Angel Food Cake!  I'm thankful I pulled this recipe out because there are a few other events coming up this summer that I will use it for as well including the annual church 4th of July Picnic! 

INGREDIENTS:

• 10 oz angel food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes*
• 2 pints strawberries, sliced
• 2 pints blueberries

For the cream filling:

• 6 tbsp fat-free sweetened condensed milk (I used Borden Eagle)
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• 1 small package white chocolate or cheesecake instant pudding mix
• 12 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Whisk the condensed milk and water in a bowl.
2. Whisk in the pudding mix for 2 minutes.
3. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set; fold in the whipped topping.
4. Arrange half of the cake in the bottom of a 14-cup trifle dish.
5. Sprinkle evenly with a layer of blueberries.
6. Spread half of the cream mixture over the blueberries and gently spread (I piped it using a plastic bag and cut the corner off).
7. Top with a layer of strawberries.
8. Layer the remaining cake cubes on top of the strawberries, then add more blueberries and top with the remaining cream mixture.
9. Finish with the remaining strawberries and blueberries, arranging them in a pretty pattern.
10. Cover and refrigerate at least one 1 hour.

Summer Plans Week 3

This week created a lot of it's own plans because, well, it's a busy week!

Sunday - We are spending the day with family getting ready for my niece's wedding. The boys worked out and swam alot!

Monday - Today is Wedding Day!

Tuesday - The boys and I traveled home and we "hope" to make it home in time for them to attend Vacation Bible School (VBS) at our church.  We DID make it home in time for VBS.  I will admit, my boys were DRAGGING but they still went and had fun too! 

Wednesday - The boys are attending their first camp - a day camp.  Then, VBS in the evening.  The two extras and I will hit the grocery store, laundromat and maybe do some "free" summer bowling if time. Camp was great.  The boys had fun, despite still being tired from our trip!  They had about 2 hours between Camp and VBS so we squeezed in showers, filling out their papers to earn points at VBS and dinner. The photo below shows Josh at Branch Adventure - I took it from their facebook page :-) 

Thursday - Same as Wednesday!  Today the two extras and I will attend a free Library event. Josh and Nate enjoyed Camp and VBS and my two extras and I enjoyed time at the Library!

I think photos from camp totally depend on the counselors so I am getting a lot that have Josh in them posted to Facebook (and I then download!) but I haven't seen a single photo of Nate yet!  BUT Nate tells me every day how much fun he has! 

Stormy the Magician was at the Library on Thursday.

Friday - Last day of Day camp and there is a program in the afternoon that we will attend.  Friday evening - I think we might all just crash HA!  What a week! The last day of Camp was great!  I got to attend the last hour or so and see what camp was all about! 

Saturday - There are a couple of things going on in town - A Chalk Art Festival and a giant slip and slide at a park in Grand Rapids.  I'm not sure if we will do either thing to be honest.  OR we might head to my mom's for a visit with my brother and sister-in-law before they go back to Brazil OR  After a busy week we might just relax at home or go swimming.  I like having options though :-) When I wrote my summer plans, I was 99.9% sure I would take the kids to the Chalk Art Festival because it looked cool.  Well, by the time Wednesday hit I was 100% sure we would go no where on Saturday HA!  The kids were exhausted by Friday.  Instead, we are running a couple "must do" errands and staying home (plus it's supposed to be in the 90's).  

Our Week in Photos - week #42

As you already know, most of our past week included wedding festivities. 

 Rehearsal fun.  Amazingly, we managed to get through the rehearsal outside before a HUGE Thunderstorm hit!  

Fun at the hotel was a huge hit. 

Having fun dancing at the Wedding. 

And then the rest of our week revolved around Day Camp and VBS. 

The boys loved Day Camp!  ( I didn't get any photos of VBS since all I do is drop them off and pick them up!) 

Weekly Menu

So last week was busy and I kind of did meals on the fly.  Not a whole lot of real cooking going on truth be told!  Well, welcome to this week where it's about the same HA!

Friday - I think I actually put Friday on last weeks menu and the plan is still tacos.

Saturday - Burgers on the grill and Fries

Sunday - Today is Father's Day so Darryl gets to pick what we eat!

Monday-Friday - Are you ready for this?  The boys are attending a Vacation Bible School at our old church which also includes dinner every single night.  Yes, I do plan to take the boys for that at 6:00 - having dinner provided is such a blessing.

A little vacation with a Wedding thrown in for fun

This past weekend the boys and I headed out on a road trip with my mom to Ohio for my nieces wedding.  This also included lots of laughs, time with family, and swimming!  I made a few observations as I drove through Ohio.  1) There are random construction signs.  For example, at one point there were signs saying that the left lane was closed ahead so everyone moved into the right lane.  Then, we drove about a mile and there was not a lane closed at all.  OR, there was a road construction sign that said "Road construction 4/10 of a mile; followed quickly by an "end construction sign".  Really?  2) The roads really ARE better!  3) The random speed limit changes from 55 to 70 to 65 and back to 55 keeps you on your toes! 

Our adventures started out with a Bridal Shower for Marisa.

 While my mom and I attend the shower, Josh and Nate enjoyed Donuts with my brother Kelly before heading back to where Kel was staying to hang out until later.

Following the shower was the rehearsal and dinner.

 Josh and Nate loved playing with their cousins.

We finally headed back to the hotel where the boys and I went to the pool and had some fun.  After swimming, we headed down to get some ice and ran across a gentleman with a pizza.  Josh commented on wanting pizza and guy said, "Hey this is leftover from a pizza party I just left, you can have it"  HA!  So yes, we enjoyed pizza from a stranger at about 11:00 at night before heading to bed!

Sunday started with attending church where my niece attends.  It was a really great service and I'm so glad we went.  We then headed to lunch with family where we had a cook out.  Then, we went back to the hotel where Josh, Nate and I spent a few hours in the pool and ended up with my brother Ken there too.  The boys loved getting to spend time in the pool playing frisbee!  Oh, and the boys spent 30 minutes in the work out room excercising!  That evening many of us gathered at Applebee's for dinner after my other brother, Jeff, and my niece and her husband arrived from Texas. 

The boys had been waiting for Uncle Jeff to arrive because he promised to solve the Rubix Cube and he did not disappoint!

Monday was the big wedding day.  We hung out at the hotel until time to leave and the boys and I enjoyed the pool one last time.

 Finally, it was weddindg time! 

These young men looked very handsome with their bow ties :-)

Wedding time:

Finally, before heading for home, some of the family gathered at Cracker Barrel for breakfast together before going our seperate ways.

 Uncle Jeff solved that Rubix Cube in 2 minutes 8 seconds.  The boys were very impressed. 

Such a great time with family!