Julia worthy????

After watching Julie and Julia, I have been craving this.  So, with Matt's help this morning, I was able to make a variation.  As I was cooking, I realized that I did not have red wine on hand - just port... so I used a little of it.  I also used Shitake mushrooms which was expensive -- but oh so yummy!

Sadly, I had to strain everything but the beef to get the liquid out:

Once strained, I cooked the remaining items (beef, mushrooms, pearl onions) on the stove top until Vince came home:

The mushrooms were a wonderful addition!

I cooked some Penne pasta for the children but had some myself, along with crusty bread for dipping.

It was delicious and I will make it again -- but will follow the recipe a bit closer.
Bon Appetite!

Happy Birthday Mom (Tran)

Vince's Mom turns 60 on the 14th.  We celebrated at this place and it wasn't bad.  I ate to my heart's content -- forgot to take photos of the numerous plates I filled up!

MG made her a very beautiful card.

And she helped to pick out this bouquet of flowers -- MD picked out an orchid plant which is sitting on the table.

Photos with the grandchildren -- that's Christine in blue, holding Allyson in white hat that was made by grandma, Tracy is next to Ally, Nancy (she's a cousin), Elizabeth (she's a cousin), EC is being held by grandma, then MD, MG, and Allen and Taylor are in front (they are Elizabeth's children).   

Happy Birthday Mom!

Donuts anyone???

While MG was doing this:

Because her hair has to stay healthy in order to fulfill her goal -- to be able to do this.  After her split ends were trimmed off, she was informed that it would need to be at least another 4 inches...  we're getting there!

Back at Matt and Leo's house, he had already made these!

They were the bomb!  The end!

See?

Once upon a time...

a man who loved his horse went for a ride on his horse.

A young prince came along and asked what he was doing.

I am going for a ride on my horse, he explains to the young prince.

So the man went up the mountain on his horse and the young prince followed.

But the young prince remembered that he, too, was on a mission.  He had to save the princess!  But where was she?!  He got on his horse and went to find her.

The man said, do not worry, I will find her for you and save her!  The young prince went to look behind the mountain anyway...

Oh, the man found the princess and they rode away together!  The young prince is so happy he applauds the man and the princess as they gallop away!

Yes, that is the story they told today!  Their own original story!  Clare and I watched with huge smiles on our faces -- it was very cute!  They had been practicing in this room for awhile before we were invited to see the play.

Easter in Review...

2004: Her first Easter!

2007:  Doesn't MD look so much like E now?!

2008:  We spent Easter in Alpharetta, Georgia with our new family member, Ryan who was only 2 weeks when we arrived!  Look how tiny E was -- age, not size!  Look at those cheeks!  I want to take a bite out of him again!

2009:  We spent Easter in Anaheim!  The Easter Bunny visited our hotel that morning... that afternoon we drove from Pasadena (after Gina's wedding) to Anaheim and visited Disneyland for the first time with all 3! It was amazing!!!!

I love looking back through the years!  I wish I had more photos... we lost a lot when our computer crashed!

Happy Easter!

These are some of the cards the children made for Jim, Clare, and Corinna... They are excited to go over to Jim and Clare's today to celebrate Easter!

This morning (thankfully, MD was up first and I was able to convince him to lay down with me until 7:45... Then he was so loud EVERYONE was up!)  This is why he was so loud...  (quickly glance down and then look back up to allow me to finish  my thought)  Now for your info, I was NOT planning on buying this -- we had recently spent an evening with friends and their children had these.  So, he asked and asked and since he wrote that very nice letter to the Easter Bunny...  (I am a sucker for a child who is willing to write his or her feelings down on paper!)  I gave in because Vince didn't think it was going to harm anything by allowing this item in the house.    Anyway.. new item to sleep with now!  (But he still loves his bear blanket and puppy.)

He woke up last and was trying to truly "wake up" and figure out what was going on!

Then he got into it!  Morgan is reading her note form the Easter Bunny.  She is shocked that he knew her tooth was loose!  Imagine that, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny know each other!

Then they were off!  (I made them wait until Ethan was up and was able to look trhough his loot before they hunted for eggs.  And they waited patiently.)   AS you can see here, she has no problem shoving her little brother out of the way to reach her 22 quota first!  (To ensure fairness, a limit is always given.  In the end they share their reward of chocolates, but it's more enjoyable when they help each other reach their final number.)

He was so proud when he discovered these!

He was just excited to be able to finally hunt those eggs that he's been eying since 7 in the morning!

Happy Easter!  More excitement to come....

So it's now almost 10 PM...  We went to Jim and Clare's and had a fabulous time!

Some eggs she had on display:

They played in the "toy room:"

He remembers this being his favorite when he was younger... he loves revisiting some of these toys whenever he sees E playing with them:

This is Lukas' sister (5 mon), Marieka and Mom (my mom, not hers!):

Then we ate lunch.  I made this (it's the one in the big white bowl at the front).  I think I will use plain sundried tomatoes next time, rather than the sundried tomatoes with herbs.  And I did not have red wine vinegar (but I was pretty certain I had it in my pantry!), so I used balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  It was okay...  What did I tell you about me liking to cook but not really following exact directions!

Finally the egg hunt was on!  It had to be indoors because it was pouring rain today!

E found an egg in Kathy's hood!!!

Morgan's proud because she's fast and her bucket is getting full!

Working together... but not really....

Now checking out the loot!  Yahoo!!!  She is mighty proud of her collection.  Years of experience has sure paid off!

They were finally rewarded when we said, yes, you may have some chocolate eggs and whatever treat you collected!

And so did the adults!  I made this (it was good...if you like tarty treats (is that a word?  It is now to me!).  I used lime rather than lemon because mom has a lime tree.  I wonder now if lime is more tart than lemons.)  

My dish is on the square beige platter -- a wedding gift from Kate's mom, Mrs. James.  Thanks again Mrs. James!

And we all had some time to chat... about people who tweeter, do facebook, and blog.  "Where do they find the time?!"  That was what everyone was asking.  I sat quietly and then explained that I find the time because I cannot scrapbook.  This is my way of remembering for the children.  I will eventually make this into a bound book for the children!

While we chatted, the children went back into the playroom and played some more... Star Wars, anyone?!  Will he ever get tired of this????

He and Jim finally worked on a wood puzzle together...  That kept his interest for about 10 minutes!

Before the end of the evening,Clare gave each child a new toy to play with:

What a great day it was for everyone!  We hope yours was full of laughter and friendship too!