From Chef to Chef Boyardee to Chef Menopause

Whoever said it gets easier with time is a liar.  A big, fat liar.  Five years ago today you took your last breath in my arms.  It still seems like yesterday.  The look you gave me as you left this life is forever burned into my memory.  So many questions still plague me. . .Why you?  Why so young?  Who came for you?  Are you ok?  Are you happy?  Do you know how much I miss you?  Did I tell you I love you enough?  Was there anything I could have done to save you?  Will this heartache ever diminish?  Will I ever be able to look at a picture of you without dying a little more inside?  

I miss you Wayne. And, I love you.  Still. . . always. . .

Ok, someone tell me when they started making helmets and pads in sizes 18 months.  Isn’t that what he should still be wearing?  When did he grow up???

Ok, so here’s some free advice learned the VERY HARD WAY. . .

You cannot delete photos that have been uploaded to blogsome. . . .I (silly me) thought I’d try to clear some space on my computer and was "cleaning up" a bit.  I thought that since all the photos I had uploaded had been used in posts, that I could delete them and make it easier to add new ones.  BIG MISTAKE!  It deletes them right out of your blogs as well!  I spent the past two days cleaning up a bad decision made in the middle of the night. 

I’ve got to start sleeping at night. . . .Oy Vay! 

I just ran across some photos I forgot to post with our vacation pictures from this summer’s trip to Washington.  These were taken at Ocean Shores.

LB with his cousin that came with us

BB drawing in the sand

BB holding up a piece of a crab he found

This was taken at Pike’s Street Public Market, these guys put on quite the show throwing the fish back and forth.

My niece is having a baby!  I finally get to be a Great Aunt!  I am so excited!  And. . . it’s a GIRL!!  My sister, mom, and I threw a baby shower for her a few days before she had to head back to Virginia for school with her husband.  My younger sister made the most amazing cake!!

The baby and blanket are made from fondant!  She is so talented!  And not only was it adorable, it was good too!  mmmmm

I made up some appetizers, and I don’t know why, but I took pictures of them before the party started. 

These were tarts made from sugar cookies, dipped in chocolate, then filled with strawberry whipped cream and topped with strawberries, kiwi, and blueberries.

I made chicken salad with craisins and cashews and put it in mini phyllo cups.

I had always wanted to make these, and couldn’t believe how easy they were!  These are lemon Mexican Wedding cookies.

These are just fruit kabobs with a strawberry flavored fruit dip.

We also served sweet and sour meatballs, fresh shrimp cocktail, and as per the Preggo Princess’ request, her favorite dish, hot artichoke and spinich dip with veggies and chips. 

Here is a picture of her holding up a present from my mother. . .baby cowboy boots that her mom wore when she was a baby!  I think it is so cool that my mom kept those all these years and can now pass them down to my niece!

Mom was in charge of games, this is my older sister (Preggo Princess’ mom) taking a turn at Baby Concentration.  It was a really cute game!

She got a lot of really cute baby clothes, I wish there was room on here to post them all!  I can’t wait to hold a newborn again!

BB turned 10 on June 15th.  He wanted to have a carnival this year to celebrate his "double digits" lol.  So, I did the best I could on a small budget to give him a carnival birthday.  He invited his friends for the afternoon and we had the family party in the evening.  We set the carnival up at Grandma’s house.  There was an AstroJump, ring toss, fish pond, bobbing for apples, lawn darts, bubble gum bubble blowing contest, snow cones, hot dogs, chips, cookies, soda, and lots of candy!  The kids were given tickets to use at the various games and to "buy" food items.  I made cupcakes shaped like hot dogs and popcorn buckets.  And, he wanted a separate cake for the family party, so it was just decorated with balloons.  We had the AstroJump for 7 hours and left the games up till dark.  Everyone had a great time!  And, BB finally got his Heely’s!  He’s been begging for over a year.  He assured me this was his best birthday ever!

"Hot dog" cupcakes

"Popcorn bucket" cupcakes

Family party birthday cake

The most popular feature of the day!

Bubble blowing contest

Bobbing for apples (and later it became a "dunk tank!")

The "Snow Cone Shack"  (We served over 60 snow cones that day)

LB was baptized on June 30th.  We waited a few months so that the entire family could be in town and attend.  It was so nice to have everyone there!  The entire program from opening hymn to closing prayer was done by family members.  It was wonderful!  LB was baptized by his uncle and confirmed by his uncle.  We had a joint party after the baptism for him and his cousin (who was sharing his birthday) at grandma’s house.  It was a great day!

Anxiously waiting for the baptism to start

LB with his uncle

LB, BB, uncle, and a rare photo of me (there was one of me smiling, but LB and BB both had their eyes closed!)

I made CTR cookies for his after-party, along with his other requests

Ok, I know this is five months late, but I’m trying to catch up!  LB celebrated his 8th birthday on March 5th.  He got to have two parties this year, one with his friends from school at the YMCA, and a family party at my sister’s house.  He had his mind set on having a "sea turtles/ocean" theme this year.  He always has a unique idea, one which is hard to find decorations for!!  LOL.  But, I lucked out, Zurcher’s Party Store actually had a whole section dedicated to "Ocean" themes, sea turtles and all!!!  There was a 6 ft. banner that went around the room that had sea turtles on it.  I decorated the tables with sea animal gummies, shark crackers, shark gummies, seahorses, crabs, and turtles.  It turned out pretty cute.  He wanted cupcakes for his friend party, so the tops of those were decorated with sea animal gummies and they drank blue punch.  After cake and ice cream, he opened his presents, and then all the kids were turned loose to go swimming, play basketball, rock climb, or play in the game room.  They all went home with goody bags filled with sea turtle stickers, pencils, suckers, and lots of candy.  He said it was his "best birthday ever!"

Then, for his family party he wanted the same theme, just downsized a bit!  This time he wanted a cake, decorated like the ocean. 

Happy Birthday LB!  I can’t believe you are 8 already!

Awwwww, aren’t they handsome?  I’m prejudiced, I know

First day of 5th grade, last year in elementary school

First day of Third Grade

Ah, brotherly love

Aren’t we cute?

The boys bounded through the front door at 3:50 p.m. today smiling from ear to ear.  BB yelled out, "My teacher is sooo cool!  I’m going to have the best year ever!  Even on the first day of school she was awesome!"  LB yelled out, "I LOVE third grade! This is gonna rock!" 

*sigh* If only they would stay this excited about school forever. . . . .

P.S. Update on my uncle - I spoke with him this afternoon, he is still in CCU.  His leg is bleeding where they did the heart procedure.  His right thigh is at least six inches bigger than his left leg.  They did an angiogram and it showed his artery is leaking.  They are going to do surgery tomorrow.  Good luck uncle!

Oh my heck.  You would think they are leaving for Disneyland in the morning or something!!!  The boys are literally jumping off the walls and cannot settle down.  Meet the Teacher was tonight, they took their school supplies to their classrooms, met their teacher, found their desks, and caught up with old friends.  School starts in 10 hours and they are still not in bed.  We’ve been "getting ready" since 7:30 (putting clothes out, shoes ready, backpacks ready, lunches made, showers, etc.) and it’s 10 p.m. and they are still up!  Gonna be a fun day tomorrow!  LOL.  Goodbye summer, hello madhouse.