Picking Fruit

One of Ryan's students invited us to her house to pick fruit. It was fun and something I'd never really done before. We got peaches, plums, and grapes. I canned some of the peaches and some of the plums, juiced the grapes and made peach jam and plum jam. It was my first time canning all by myself. I think I did a pretty good job. I think my favorite is the plum jam--YUMMY!

 

Lindsay Birthday

Lindsay turned 8 years old this year. I can't believe she's already 8! Her parents planned a surprise party for her at the Mayan---one of her favorite restaurants. The food is OK, but the atmosphere is pretty fun, the kids especially like the divers. We love Lindsay so much! She is such a sweet girl.

 

Happy Birthday Ryan

Ryan's birthday wasn't too exciting---his wife didn't plan a big party or anything. He did get a lot of new clothes though. Lucky guy! Happy Birthday Ryan! I love you

 

3 down eternity to go

Wow! 3 years down! I'm sure Ryan could argue that it seems MUCH longer. We had a fabulous dinner at Cheesecake Factory. Ryan got me a beautiful necklace with a heart and a key because I hold the key to his heart. His present from me wasn't quite as romantic, he got Smallville Season 6. We also got each other bar stools for our kitchen and a fabulous clock, it's supposed to go outside, but it's so darling I keep it in the house. I love you Ryan!

 

La Missiona Italiana di Padova

My mission president was released just over 10 years ago, so some former missionaries decided to have a 10 year reunion at the President's Family Farm. It was great fun to see people with the spouses and children. I was discouraged I couldn't remember everyone's name. I got to see 4 of my 7 companions, Denise, Erin, Susan, and Melanie. 2 even traveled far distances to be there. It was so fun. Erin tried to make Denise and I recreate a picture of the 3 of us in the train station in Firenze, oh how I've changed :( I was a little nervous to go, but glad I did, plus it's always good to see my mission president and his wife. I can't believe 10 years have passed, I'm not THAT old.

Baseball's Magical Mud

Tonight we went to a Bee's game with some people from my work. I have been taking a class called Baseball 101, from the Carmelo School of Hardball. Anthony is the professor and Ben, Linda and I are his students. (That's right, your tax dollars hard at work.) I am of course his star pupil :). It has been fun learning more of the ins and outs of baseball. One of the things I learned about is this special magical mud. Lena Blackburne who played for the White Sox and then managed the Philedelphia Athletics discovered this mud in New Jersey that when rubbed on a new baseball would take the shine off the ball, but not dirty the ball like regular ordinary dirt or mud would. He began marketing his mud and now 80 years later all Major and Minor League teams use the magic mud, the exact location has never been disclosed and remains a family secret. I am FASCINATED with the mud. We had awesome seats--front row, right behind home plate, (Thanks Dad), so I asked the ball boys about the mud and even got them to let me hold the mud (I promised not to contaminate it) so I could take a picture. They thought I was so wierd. But then again so did my husband, brother and co-workers. I however LOVED it---anything for a picture, right KC?! I was even more excited when I read the label on the mud and it even said "Baseball's Magic Mud" I knew it!!! It really IS magic! I must say the evening was loads of fun---just how big was my hot dog?

Morgan

Little Morgan--or Mo-Mo as her siblings call her is getting so big. She was playing with Josh's cowboy hat and I just couldn't resist taking her picture. I love all her dark curls---she reminds me of a fancy movie star from the 20's with her curls and (usual) headband with big flowers.