Best Friend Time

This past week I got to spend some quality time with best friend Jaime. She lives in Manhattan and it has been a couple years since we have spent much time together. Is there anything better than spending time with someone who you know loves you no matter what? That has known you since you were an over dramatic teenager, seen you through all your major heartaches and bad choices? I love her perspective, her humor and her amazing ability to juggle 3 kids under 3 years old. And I would love to lure her away from the big city so I could have her closer for selfish reasons, but I completely understand her reasons for loving NYC. I am just glad that I have had some time with her and her sister/nanny, toddler, and the baby twins. Unfortunately, we have yet to take any pictures together.

On Thursday we went to the petting zoo at Thanksgiving Point. Zach enjoyed the Hogle Zoo much better when the animals were much father away and had glass separating them. We started things off with a visit to a baby cow that immediately licked Zach's face. He didn't like that much and it was all downhill from there...

Pony rides are very scary.

I tried to convince him otherwise, but it didn't work.


But the huge sink made it all better.

Jack attacking the snacks.

The 2 toddlers together was pretty funny. Doesn't he look like he is up to something? But the couple sitting behind us wasn't very amused.

Jaime, Ilene, Jack, Zach, and the twins. Lunch was definitely an adventure.

I took the 2 boys outside and their favorite part of the day was just pushing the empty strollers around. Seriously, this is more fun than a pony ride??





Earlier in the month we visited Seattle for my sister's reception. I didn't bring my camera so I have to add some pictures from my friend Caprene's camera. But these pictures my dad took and I just love how they turned out. Zach and the green northwest seem to mesh well.

I love his crusty faces he makes.

He looks so old to me in the picture!

Hawaii

The last week of April we flew to Kauai for my sister's wedding. We stayed in Kapaa and the west side. We stayed at the Waipouli Beach Resort. http://www.outrigger.com/hotels-resorts/hawaiian-islands/kauai/outrigger-waipouli-beach-resort-&-spa . It was so much fun to be on vacation with all my family. The last time we all went on vacation together was to Disneyland in 1993! The resort had a restaurant next to the beach and that is where we had my sister Kelley's wedding. I will add more wedding specific photos in the next post. But here is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. Baby brother Michael, myself, Dad, big Sis Kelley, and big brother Ryan.
Notice my tan and we had only made to LAX in this picture, how did that happen?? Zach had so much fun meeting everyone in the airport. At least 10 passengers learned his name and kept saying "hi Zach" while he walked up and down the aisle on the plane. His favorite thing to do was to walk up to someone, pat their knee and then waive and say "see ya!" He was great on the plane and probably watched about 3 hours worth of Elmo. JJ and I were supposed to trade off every 2 hours on the plane, but weird that that never happened...

The wading pool and had little pebble sand for Zach to play with. Here he is with grandpa.

I am so grateful for the invention of rash guards for kids. When we were little, my siblings and myself had to always wear t-shirts in the pool and take time outs from the sun.

The beach by our hotel.

On our zip line trip. Everyone tried to make it across the bridge without touching the sides. I made it the farthest without touching.

JJ zipping. We did 9 different zip lines that were about 150 feet above the water and forest in Princeville. The longest zip line was 800 feet.

Zach was so confused.

Aunt Kelley and Zach with an ice cream stache.

This was honestly the "kid's pancake plate." Guess who ate most of it? It wasn't Zach.

Kristina, Scotty and Robert at the rehearsal dinner.

Zach is attacking my sister's soon to be husband while hanging with Daddy, cousin Josh, and grandpa.

The sunset from our hotel room. One night we were able to watch whales slapping their big fins at each other while we ate fresh Ahi.

The roosters run wild all over the island since the hurricane in the early 90's. Zach was fascinated and he made his first animal noise in Kauai thanks to the chickens.

My stepmom Liz and my dad.

The "binky only in bed" rule went out the door on vacation. Between constantly eating out and cutting molars on the trip, we were desperate for some binky soothing.

The falls close to our hotel.

After a week in Hawaii, check out my tan now!! We finally got to snorkel on the last day of the trip. I almost chickened out but JJ helped me relax. The fish were amazing and I can't wait to go again and spend a lot more time in the water.

It was so great to spend time with both my favorite guys. I miss Hawaii!

Easter

Zach and his two cousins. This was the best picture we could get!
I don't want to toot my own horn or anything, but could his outfit be any cuter??

His Easter bucket for his new sandbox.

My hot husband...

Zach didn't like the fake grass as much.

Family and a Recipe

A few weeks ago we were able to spend some time with my family. My beloved Grandma passed away the day after Valentine's day. While that was a sad time for all of us, we were so fortunate to be able to spend some time with her, all together, before she went home. I am grateful for some many things she did for me and our family. We were so lucky to have her as long as we did. And loved the chance to have my family at our home after the funeral.

I went out on a limb and made a new recipe that I hadn't tried for family gathering after the funeral. We also celebrated my nephew Robert's birthday and my little brother's birthday. I don't want to toot my own horn or anything, but it turned out so well! I searched for various "Cafe Rio" recipes. I found one on a blog and tweaked it a little. Everyone keeps asking for it, so here it is:

PULLED PORK:
6 pounds pork shoulder (for just your family, use 1lb tenderloin)
2-15oz cans tomato sauce
1 can of Coke
2 garlic cloves diced
2 cups brown sugar (reduce by a 1/2 cup if using tenderloin)
Place all ingredients in Crock Pot on high for 4 hours and then low for 4 more hours

Creamy Cilantro Dressing:
1 pkt. Hidden Valley Ranch Mix
8oz. Salsa Verde Grenn Salso
1/2 bunch of cilantro with the stems
2 cloves garlic
3/4 c. sour cream
1/8 tsp. hot sauce
Mix in blender

I didn't have time to try the rice, but here is the recipe:
8 c. water
8 cubes/tsp. chicken bouillon
2 tsp. cumin
4 cloves garlic
12 tbsp. butter
12 sprigs cilantro
4 c. rice

Pictures from the weekend:

Zach actually sat still for a good 20 minutes and cuddled with his Aunt Kelley who wasn't feeling very well, which is why the binky is in the mouth still. I call it my "germ blocker.'

Kelley, Scotty, Kristina (my brother Ryan's wife), and Robert.

My brother Michael and his beautiful wife Amber.

Zach was loving all the people in the house.

Joshua his cousin wasn't quite as happy. I love this picture! He is so cute.

The birthday boys.

Zachary loves his grandma Liz.

Dad loves to make us all get together for pictures.

Zach livin' it up with Uncle Dave.

What is my dad laughing at?