Spring Break 2011 - Part 1

Over spring break we did something we haven't done since Cooper joined our family. Family Vacation. That's right! We went out of town for no reason at all. There wasn't a swim meet. No one was getting married. None of our families were having a reunion. I couldn't believe it actually happened!

At first, the idea of traveling on a whim was so foreign to us that we didn't know what to do. At the last minute, we decided to hit the road for Houston because it was just a few hours of driving. A quick trip would be painless and not cost us a fortune in gas.

The first day we went to the Kemah Boardwalk and enjoyed the coastal area. You would never know Abigail was born on an island in the Pacific Ocean and Cooper on the Atlantic coast, because the idea of seeing the Gulf of Mexico was exciting to them.



They were especially impressed with this lighthouse.


Cooper made sure to hug and kiss (yes, gross) the lighthouse, yelling "bye bye, see you later" as we walked away.


The kids weren't able to talk us into riding any of the rides on the boardwalk, but we did enjoy walking through the craziness.


They each tried their hand at being a pirate, but I don't think they will be joining anyone from Somalia any time soon.



This was my favorite spot on the boardwalk, but I hope it's the only time I ever see them behind bars!


After we made our way through the boardwalk, we settled on Aquarium for dinner. It's a restaurant that is surrounded by fish tanks and also has a large cylinder fish tank through the center of the three-story building. While we waited for our table, the kids and Daniel fed and touched the sting rays on display. I wasn't about to join them. I was happy to use the camera as an excuse to stand back.



The restaurant was absolutely amazing. Not only was the seafood delicious (We terribly miss living on the coast and having fresh seafood regularly.), but the atmosphere in Aquarium was awesome. There is another Aquarium in downtown Houston, Denver and Nashville. If you ever get a chance to try it out, I insist that you go for it!

Unfortunately, my camera battery had died by the time we got our table and I only have a phone picture to share. But, it was so amazing that I have to share it!


For a family that stays busy and on-the-go, this was the perfect beginning to our first family (of four) vacation!

Zumwalt Wedding, Otherwise Known as Cooper's Breakdancing Extravaganza

Once the rehearsal dinner festivities were over, I was free to to enjoy the remainder of the wedding weekend. It was a wonderful time with Daniel's family. We always enjoy them, as they have such fun together. Unfortunately, Daniel was stuck at work for the weekend so he missed out on his own family's fun. But, the kids and I enjoyed them for him!

Once the wedding finally rolled around Saturday night, my kids were ready to dance. With all the weddings of the past year, they knew what to expect and were anxiously awaiting! Well, they did let the bride and groom cut the cake...


...but then they hit the dance floor!

As usual, Cooper was quick to find all the ladies who would dance with him.


Abigail tried to stick close to the groom, Travis.


And, they weren't afraid to show some sibling love by dancing with each other a few times.


They also had their first experience with line dancing,...


...danced at least one jig with Gigi (Daniel's mom),...


...Cooper learned the chicken dance,...


... and Abigail two-stepped with Uncle Stephen,...


as well as Uncle Jay.


Cooper did have to take a few breaks as the night wore on, and I was beginning to doubt his stamina. He helped Gamps (Daniel's grandfather) hold the wall up,...


And he excitedly enjoyed a piece (or two) of cake. I can't blame him. Who doesn't love wedding cake?!


All in all, it was a fantastic weekend and we were thrilled to celebrate with Travis and Claire. By the time it was over, we were probably as tired as the bride and groom.

Zumwalt Rehearsal Dinner

A few weeks ago, the kids and I trekked to the armpit of Texas and spent the weekend in Lubbock to celebrate a wedding. Daniel's cousin, Travis married beautiful Claire in a fun wedding. But, to start the festivities, I hosted the rehearsal dinner Friday night.

Since Travis is a Marine stationed in California and this was the couple's last weekend in Texas, we sent them off in style with a Texas-themed barbecue. It was a fun theme to plan so I was inundated with ideas.

I especially had fun putting these invitations together. They were so cute!


Daniel helped put together this sign to greet the guests. I love the rustic look that came together with some boards one of our dogs so nicely donated from our backyard fence. How sweet of Alamo to contribute to the decor! Ha!

The bags on the table around the sign were filled with peanuts as a party favor for the guests to take with them. Again, it was Daniel's idea to print on the paper bags, and it turned out to be adorable. I loved it! I've used this idea a few times since because it's inexpensive and simple to run the bags through my printer at home.


The centerpieces also came together beautifully. They were just Mason jars wrapped in burlap and raffia and filled with daisies and sunflowers. I just love fresh flowers, but it is usually unreasonable to budget for 13 arrangements. Not this time! I picked up the fresh cut flowers in bundles at the grocery store, and my mother-in-law grouped them into these arrangements. I don't think I'll ever use a florist again, because the floral department at the grocery store was so helpful and gave me easy instructions on putting together the arrangements and even helped keep the cost down. Even I was shocked to get all of the stems for 13 centerpieces at less than $70!

 
I wrapped up the flatware in bandanas for napkins and tied them with raffia and a cute personalized tag.



These personalized cups and napkins were a favorite new idea for this event. I can't wait to find an excuse to order more of these cups!



I even labeled the water bottles with four different designs and wrapped "Howdy" labels on the straws. See what I mean?! I had just too many ideas for this Texas theme.



Abigail and Cooper were also in on the action with their western attire.



I am kicking myself for not snapping photos of the actual dinner and especially ones with the bride and groom. Ugh! But, once the guests arrived I was busy hosting. Oh, well. You get the idea...

March Swim Meet

We had a fantastic weekend in San Antonio as we cheered Abigail on in her last meet of the short course season. She swam five events over Saturday and Sunday, and had outstanding times. She even placed (8th) in the 50 free on Sunday. That may not sound like a top finish, but it's the first time she has ever placed in a 10 & Under event. You know, she is 6.

Her young age was truly showing on Sunday in her first event. She swam the 200 (yards) back, and in the lane next to her lane was a 17 year-old girl. Ha! We were laughing at the incredible size difference between the two girls. I think it made Abigail a bit nervous, but she still had a great time.

Daniel was on video duty for this meet, but it was probably the last time. He forgets he is recording and just watches Abigail. If you watch these videos, you'll see how terrible it is. I apologize, but it's all I've got.

This is Abigail in the 50 back on Saturday. She is in lane 1. Well, when she's actually in the video she is in lane 1. Just use your imagination in the rest of the video.


This is her 100 IM (individual medley) on Saturday. She is in the lane in the middle of the screen. And, the camera died just before the last 25 yards so you don't get to see the finish, but again, just use your imagination. Ha!


Here she is in the breaststroke lap of that 100 IM...


...and, here is her butt at the end of a flipturn. I know she'll appreciate this image when she's a teenager. Ha!


In between her events, Abigail is just a normal kid and not a super athlete. Ha!


So as not to leave out anyone, I must share Cooper's recent swimming adventures. You may recall from summer pictures the past few years that Cooper is not fond of the water. He typically spends his summers in his swimsuit and goggles but sitting on the top step of the pool with a bag of chips. We have tried everything to get him in the water. Most of the time that meant we were forcing him into the pool as he screamed violently. We certainly aren't intent on him joining the swim team, but it is a safety issue and he must learn to swim.

Fortunately, he recently made an about face and asked Abigail's head coach to swim with him. I. WAS. SHOCKED. Really, I was in disbelief. I did not believe Coach Adam would be able to get him to swim. Cooper started working with Adam a week ago and has been in the pool every day since. He never looked back. He isn't able to swim 25 yards on his own yet, but he's made major progress in the past week. He's jumping from the diving blacks, swimming a few yards on his own, and swimming 25 yards with a kickboard. I'm still shocked. Since I don't think anyone will believe me, I recorded this (with my phone, please excuse the terrible quality) today at the pool. (I'm too lazy to edit the video view so please turn your head to the left and pretend I did. Thanks.)

Touch With Royalty

The kids and I recently had a chance to attend a USA Swimming meet in Austin. It was amazing! Abigail and I were super impressed to see such fast swimmers in person. She was mesmerized by their talent and took notes on their technique.


Of course, Michael Phelps was the biggest superstar Abigail was impressed by. I was mostly impressed by his mother. We were five seats away from her, and I couldn't believe how fantastic she looked. Having come straight from one of Abigail's meets, I was a disheveled mess from the indoor pool humidity and long day poolside. But not Mrs. Phelps! She was impeccable, even while poolside. I was dying to ask her how she did it!




Phelps wasn't the only superstar there. We also got to see Katie Hoff, Ryan Lochte, Eric Shanteau, Peter Vanderkaay, Ricky Berens, Melissa Franklin (she won almost every event and is only 15 years old!), and Dale Rogers. You've probably never heard of him, but Dale may be Abigail's first crush. He taught a special practice session for Abigail's swim team a few months ago, and she is still in awe of him. As soon as she saw that he had qualified for the finals (and swam faster than Phelps), she couldn't wait to go find him and hug him. When I later told her coach about her excitement, he said he would try to get Dale back to the pool soon. Eeek! Young love... ha! ha!

Tuesday Treats - Crockpot Chicken Corn Soup

Once again, work and life got in the way of my responsibilities and getting a home-cooked dinner on the table was one that suffered greatly the first two months of the year. During my week away from work last week, Daniel and I put together a month of crockpot meals, finished the grocery shopping (all with coupons and sales!), and are now back in the swing of being responsible eaters. After dinner each night, I set aside the next night's recipe and ingredients so that it is quick and easy to throw it all in the crock pot before work the next morning. Some recipes have even been able to put together in the crockpot and store int he fridge overnight, making the next morning even easier. This new plan/schedule is making dinner manageable, so I expect it to last for quite some time. So, you should be expecting lots of crockpot recipes in Tuesday Treats.

Today's recipe is some delicious soup that Daniel made yesterday. It was absolutely delicious and we will definitely keep this recipe on our meal plan each month.

Ingredients
3-4 chicken breasts
1 lg. onion, finely chopped
2 med. carrots, finely chopped
1 med. russet potato, peeled and diced
1/4 c. chopped parsley
1/4 c. tomato sauce
2 cans chicken broth (14 1/2 oz. each)
1 can cream style corn
2 med. zucchini, cut lengthwise into quarters, then thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Rinse chicken, pat dry and set aside. In a 4-quart or larger Crockery Pot, combine onion, carrots, potato and 3 tablespoons parsley. Add chicken, then pour in tomato sauce and broth. Cover and cook on low 7 - 8 hours or until chicken and potato are tender when pierced. At this point, you are supposed to remove the chicken breasts from soup, cool and cut into pieces. However, when Daniel made this, the chicken breasts were so tender that they easily shredded while still in soup. Stir corn into broth mixture, turn heat to high. Cover and cook 15 minutes more. Add chicken and zucchini to soup, cover and cook until zucchini is just tender, (15 minutes ±). Season to taste and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon parsley. (Daniel also added some cilantro.)