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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

2nd ANNUAL JACKSON CLASSIC

Mom, it's really happening - or at least it has to now.
Today, registration for the 2nd annual Jackson Classic golf tournament is officially open. I've got to figure out how to get the form to where you can get a hold of it - any help??
Here's a pic from last year's tournament with mom and all of the volunteers. Too bad you're going to miss this again mom - what fun we had that day!!

I think if you try page 1 and page 2 are at least a way you can get to see the brochures... i think:)

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Congratulations, Kyle and Michelle!

Jeremy and I, along with two sets of neighbors (the Whites and the Adams) got to have fun and throw a party last weekend for another set of neighbors, the DiEduardos. We found out shortly after the new year began that they were expecting and then later, that it would be a baby girl. Since then, they've been trying to figure out a name, but they've already got a nursery together, enough clothes to outfit her for the rest of her life, and 3 sets of "babysitters" that will be willing to help ANY TIME!!
We got really excited because we had a great reason to have a party! We hosted about 30 folks for a cookout in our backyard, and had a great time!
I got a little crafty - I matched up the paper design (toille, milky sage, and pink gingham to SLD's bedding and made a poem:
"We were so happy to celebrate, when we heard your fantastic news...
That you have a little one on the way, be expecting lots of pink instead of blues.
Stella, Sophia, Sarah Sabra, her name we do not know. She's sure to be a cutie, and we're ready to watch her grow. So here's to your family, our prayers, support, and love, we're excited to welcome SLD, a gift from God, a blessing from above." - I though that was pretty good:)
The invitation is sitting beside the poem - it only took hours of lining up the print, but thanks to the Adams, the day was saved!!

Then I got crafty again with the pink gingham. I picked up a yard of this fabric (on sale for only $2/yd) and lined one of my baskets for the buns. I then tied some ribbon with pink hand prints and foot prints to gather the corners - yay!
The Ghents with the expecting DiEduardos, the Whites, and the Adams.
We had a blast and are soooo excited! Keep praying for Kyle and Michelle in the last 7-8 weeks of their pregnancy. We're sure to take care of them all when little SLD arrives!
Check out www.thedieduardos.blogspot.com if you want to follow their story.

Sarah Elizabeth - the newest member of the family..

Papa loves him some Sarah Elizabeth!
Kimberly, Aunt Manni's friend, soaking up some baby love...
My attempt at a "Penny" shot...


and another one...



"Jujie" holding a sweet sleeping baby - she just looks so natural, we think she should go for # 3 to see if it would be a girl:)




Happy 60th Dad!



July 12, 1949 was a day in history - the birth of my father. I probably know more of his childhood than i do of moms. I remember some of his stories - running through the thunderstorm holding his belt buckle, watching the same movie ALL DAY LONG for only a nickle, going off into the navy, having mom pull his shorts down at a basketball game before they started dating...so many funny things.


We were so excited to be able to celebrate with him this year, as he turned 60. Madeline, Jeff, Grace and Sarah all came into town....and so did my friend Kimberly! So, all 16 of us headed to the Cracker Barrel for dinner on the Friday before his birthday, then came back to our house for desserts and gifts.


One of Dad's favorite cakes is carrot cake - mom used to make it for him for special things. I knew that I wanted to have one for this celebration, so I thought I'd buy one. In talking with my sister one evening before she said this "No offense to mom, but if she could make one, you DEFINITELY can!" So with that encouragement, and a little help from Kimberly (and Mrs. Kelso), I was the most domestic I've been in a while - down to grating the carrots with the food processor, using the stick of butter to "grease" the pans, and making the cream cheese icing from scratch...this is how it came out:The best two-layer carrot cake I've ever tasted - and apparently one of the best for the family. There were only 2 slices left! Here is the best recipe - enjoy!

Preheat oven to 325* and grease and 'lightly' flour cake pan - I used 2 8" round pans.

Mix the following together in a large mixing bowl:

2 cups cake (or all purpose) flour

2 cups sugar

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon (or more if you like)

1 tsp salt

Then add 1 cup veg. oil and mix well.

Add 4 eggs (one at a time) and mix after each.

Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract and 3 cups of finely shredded carrots (you MUST shred them from whole carrots - pre-shredded will make your cake flop - thankfully I knew this and didn't learn from experience:)).


Pour even amounts into pans and bake fro 35-45 minutes until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Cool on wire rackes for 10 min, then remove from pans and cool thoroughly.


After cakes comeout of oven, make the frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 to 2 sticks of butter, softenend

1 box or 5-6 cups of powdered sugar (confectioners sugar)

1 tsp of vanilla


Mix well together, frost cakes and taste a bite of paradise:)


HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Oh geez...

I'm a few posts behind...so I must update:
1-Dad's 60th Birthday /the best carrot cake in the world
2-Coolest Couples Baby Shower ever!!
2-Nieces & Nephews visit - July 2009