Nate turns 6!

Nate turned six this past month. I can hardly believe he is actually six years old. Time really does move so fast. Nate is headed to first grade in a big kid school and I will have to say it scares me a bit. We had a rocket themed party and it was lots of fun!

Popcorn refreshments by request.

Two of the little guys were involved in an intense frisbee match!

Here is the throw moments before the frisbee nailed Jase and the camera - too bad we didn't have video camera going!

In line for the pinata.

Elin meant business as far as candy was concerned.

Love those smiles!

Nate trying out his skates.

The berries!

We love berries this year with the rain we have quite a few large blackberries coming in!

Nate and his friend getting lost in the bushes. They go out there and eat cupfuls.

We love blackberries, but after picking them you can understand why the stores charge for them. They can be wicked!

Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

I had to share this recipe with you because it was soooooo tasty. The perfect summer-time dinner! I've had several fish tacos in the past, but this was definitely one of the best. If you like fish and melon, try it!

Recipe:

Grilled Salmon- season however you like. we use olive oil and a salmon seasoning or just salt and pepper. (about 1 lb fish is plenty for our family of four. also you may use tilapia if you don't like salmon. but who doesn't like salmon?)

Salsa-

3 cups of 1/4 in. diced melon (whatever melon you like, we used mango and watermelon)

1 Tbs lemon juice

1 Tbs honey

1 tsp fresh ground pepper

1/4 tsp salt

2 Tbs fresh cut-up cilantro

Mix together. Make this fresh as it will turn soupy over time.

Tortilla- we like wheat flour tortillas. Spray each side with a little vegetable spray and cook in a pan on stove 1 min. each side. (This is a must as the toasted/soft texture of the tortilla adds a lot to the taco)

Put it all together in the tortilla, top with some fresh greens, and bon appetite! Very tasty and full of healthy bits (and, Janet, lots of colors just for you!)

4th of July Cabin Trip

Over the 4th of July weekend we took a trip up to Mimi's cabin for a few days. We only have a few pics since we actually forgot our camera. It was a fun weekend- rowboats and paddleboats, fishing, biking, lots of good food and ice cream, mini-golf and pony-riding, and even some dutch-oven cooking. And of course LOTS of fireworks- we actually brought our own and Nate had a blast. Just wish we had more time!

Our car loaded up and ready to go...

It was an interesting game of mini-golf with these two. Elin looked like she was playing a game of curling more than put-put, but they both had fun.

One evening Aunt Kathy gave Elin a treat- nail polish on hands and feet, and even some little girly decals- she loved it, of course. Apparently she even showed them off to her teachers at school.

And, of course, fishing. We had a lot of good luck on Kathy and Mick's lake.

Here's Nate's big catch- he was very proud! I think Nate's patience level for fishing will develop over time (I had the same problem, just ask my Dad), but overall I think he did great! Good job, Nate!

Anyone for some strawberry jam?

One of our annual summer activities is making strawberry jam. The process isn't necessarily fun, but the product is great and lasts all year long! There were so many strawberries to cut, I thought my fingers were going to shrivel up and fall off. These pics are just a part of them. We even tried a few strawberry-kiwi jars when we didn't have enough strawberries in our last batch.

Nate got in on the action as well. "You mean I get to eat them, cut them, and smash them up???" What could be more appealing?

And the final product... lots of jam. In fact, 72 cups of jam. Yum!

Day at the Amusement Park

We recently spent a really fun day at a nearby amusement park. This is a place we try to get to a couple times a year... it's great, only costs a quarter per ride, usually short lines, and the kids love it. There are a lot of kids rides, a swimming pool, small train, and parks to play on.

Hand-in-hand... what a team!

Elin excited for her first ride.

The little swings (as opposed to the big swings later).

Awesome slide! I think I liked this more than the kids.

Here's the crew on a train that circles the park... Nate giving his thumbs-up approval.

And the big swings... I was surprised Nate did this one, they go really high and you feel sideways on it. He loved it, of course, wanted to do it again. I had to wait for my head to stop spinning.

One of my favorite parts- a twist cone!

By the end everyone was pretty worn out, especially Elin. Perfect time for a nap!

Thoughts by Nathaniel

We were driving again - that is where I hear the profound thoughts. We were talking about the President speaking tonight about the oil spill. A few minutes later I heard this from the back of the car.

Nate - "Mom, I think I would like to meet the President."

Me - "Oh, yea?"

Nate - "Yeah, I would like to shake his hand and stuff like that."

Me - "That sounds good."

Nate -"Ya know, Mom, he would like it too, because I am one pretty spiffy guy."

Me - "He probably would Nate - you are one pretty spiffy guy."

I am thinking about sending it to the White House . . . you never know.

Oh My, the Butterflies!

Elin had her third birthday party. It seems odd to me, because she really thinks she is about 8 or so. I have to remind myself sometimes that she is really just three years old. Anyway, she wanted princess, I vetoed that. I thought a tea party or something like that and Jase vetoed that. So thanks to Fancy Nancy we all settled on a butterfly party. :) Here are some pics of the big day!

Here are the decorations & cake - all Jason's wonderful efforts!

Elin loved the cake! I thought it was pretty cool myself.

Appropriate don't you think!

Cute friends!

Fly Butterfly Fly! -In the background you can see Nate's show of solidarity. He put on some styling wings after his sister said "Please." He would like everyone to know though - they were blue - and there are real butterflies that are blue, orange, green - but not purple and certainly not pink. Elin and her friends were not really bothered by this oversight.

Viaje a Mexico!

I'm posting just a few pics from our recent "Trip to Mexico!" Actually, since we didn't do much but lay around, read books, swim, and eat lots of good Mexican food, we really don't have a lot of exciting pictures. But such a great trip! (big thanks to "Mama and Papa" for making sure our little ones survived while we were gone... they are already missing you!)

April being lazy in our room.

April being lazy on the beach.

Jason being lazy on the beach. Starting to get the picture???

April deep in thought on our terrace... no doubt trying to figure out where to relax next ;)

At 90 degrees, I was in and out of the water all day every day... felt soooooo good!

April is enjoying her mango drink at the fantastic on-the-beach grill.

This would be my view for most of the trip...

Que tenga buen viaje!