Ten years ago...

Jerry graduated from Friends University with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. This weekend was Homecoming for Friends, and there was a special 10 year reunion party for Jerry's class. We started dating the summer before his senior year, so it was fun to see some of his good buddies, their spouses, and kids! We all went to the parade, and then walked over to have dinner next to the football stadium. They had games and inflatables for the kids, too. It was a beautiful night to be outside! Aaron, Becky, Mike, Jerry, Creighton (all the way from San Antonio!!), Caressa, and RJ
Grayson and Carter with the Friends Falcon =)

Grayson got his face painted

Playing some of the carnival games... aiming for the toilet bowl (aren't boys always trying for that??)

And, bouncing in the inflatables! What a fun evening with friends!

(No pun intended...)

Goodbye, feathered friends!

Last Friday, Jerry took the day off to go prairie chicken hunting with his good buddy, Stu. They met up with two more guys, and shot their limit of prairie chickens. Needless to say, they are in my freezer, but I won't be cooking them. There's just something about seeing the birds in your husband's hands, then watching him twist off their heads and clip their feet, and throw the remains in the trash. Pretty hard to want to cook that meat. =) But, oh well. They had a ball, and Jerry says that he feels so much better after using his shotgun. There's Zoe, and in the very faint background you can see the wind turbines
More hunting buddies

Jerry walking the field with Zoe in front of him

Those prairie chickens had seen better days...

Jerry with the dogs -- Gunnar, Zoe, and Scout after their great day!

Cooking

Well, I've never been a great cook, but I love to try a new recipe! I have really enjoyed watching the Food Network... between that and HGTV, I'm a happy camper. I also subscribe to Kraft's Food and Family magazine, and it has some neat ideas.

Anyway, several of the shows that are DVR'ed on a regular basis on my TV are Giada at Home, Semi-Homemade Meals with Sandra Lee, and Five Ingredient Fix. While I absolutely love Giada (and wish I looked just like her), some of her recipes call for things I don't regularly have on hand. Like fresh sliced salmon or arugula...

So, I have been trying to get some ideas from Sandra -- mixing some fresh ingredients with things I have in my pantry. It's a little bit easier that way!

Here's a recipe that I got from her show, and it is so yummy!

Oatmeal--Peanut Butter Bars
1/3 C. Bisquick (I use the heart-healthy version)
1/2 C. peanut butter (I use the reduced fat kind)
1/2 C. applesauce
1/2 C. raisins
1/2 C. chocolate chips
2 C. oatmeal
1 egg
1/4 C. honey
Mix all ingredients together and spread in 8x8" greased pan. Bake at 350 for 25 min. Enjoy!

What about you? Any fun and easy cooking tips??

Soccer from the sidelines

Here's two more videos from the week... this time from Grayson's soccer game this morning. This is such an easy way to share with the uncles (and Aunt Kristen!) some of Grayson's game, as they're watching from Texas and Pennsylvania.

This first video would make Uncle Dave proud... Grayson (in blue this week) stops the ball from going towards their team's goal -- Dave played Defender -- and turns it around to make a goal for his own team! Yea!

And, Grayson had a fun morning... he scored a "Hat Trick!" Here's footage from one of his goals...

Go Elephants!!!

A little song and dance...

This is one of Grayson's favorite songs at school. It's called "Oh What a Miracle" and he's been singing it all afternoon! The lyrics are:

Oh what a miracle, Oh what a miracle

Every little part of me.

I'm something special, so very special

There's nobody quite like me!

And now for a Carter update... via Grayson!

First week of school

Grayson has loved his first full week of M-W-F morning preschool. He likes his teachers, Mrs. Ast and Mrs. Perrine, and his biggest accomplishment over the past 7 days is this: He is so proud that he can write his own name. He's written it on paper, outside on the driveway with chalk, and on the white board that hangs on our fridge. =)

Grayson's 1st Soccer Game!!

Today was Grayson's first official soccer game! He did a great job, and even scored his first goal. Uncle Dave and Uncle Brentley would've been so proud. Here's his team!!Back: Elyse, Elliot, Eli, Coach Casey

Front: Grayson, Clay, Ben, Jonathan
From L to R (in white): Eli, Ben, and Grayson on the field.
They play 3 on 3, for four 6 minute quarters.

Go, Grayson! Go!

Coach Casey reviewing which goal to run towards with the ball =)

Maybe some of Jerry's athletic abilities are in the genes...

After the game, a little pep talk with Coach Casey

With some soccer buddies... Ben, Clay, Elliot, and Grayson

What a beautiful day with some fun friends... the start to LOTS of soccer games!!