A quick Recipe

This was a hit with all my boys and it was easy and quick. It doesn't have a name yet but they were asking for more.

25 uncooked shrimp
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup apricot preserves (I use sugar free)
5 skewers

If your skewers are wooden throw in water to soak. Peel the shrimp and turn on the grill. Mix together soy sauce and preserves. Skewer shrimp and baste one side with sauce. Place on grill and baste other side. Cook approximately 3 minutes and flip. Baste again. Make sure shrimp is white all the way threw. Serves 4 in theory but my boys wanted more.

I served with broccoli and sweet potatoes candied on the stove.

Onward to North Carolina

From Virginia we headed south to North Carolina and stopped to visit friends in Raleigh. It was enjoyable and allowed the boys a car break after 4 hours. That night we went further west and arrived in Salisbury. We had an enjoyable three days. The weather was warm and the food was good. This is a couple of pictures at the farm. Perry's grandfather plays guitar and a little fiddle and was encouraging the boys. The boys music left a great deal to be desired but a good time was had by all. I was able to watch Uncle Jonathan in a school play, enjoy good eats and visit with family we hadn't seen in a while.

Sophie and Papa's Birthday

Kim did an amazing job on this party even coming up with a really nice present for Papa. She put together a scrapbook of all the great grand kids even the ones in Germany. She also had Papa cookies made and made both of these cakes. It was great fun. Sophie was quite civilized in her cake eating. She began with a finger and worked her way thru the center.

The boys enjoyed playing in the water. We had told Andrew that he had to wait to get in until we had finished eating and had cake. Andrew's solution - I don't want cake can I get in now. To which we informed him he had to wait till the grown ups ate cake. As you can see we did eventually let them in the water. Wonderful fun on a hot day.

Birthday present opening.

The end to a very nice a day. We were walking back from supper. Both boys up on shoulders they were loving it. It should also be added I have no pictures but Uncle Gabe went swimming that night with boys at the pool. They loved it and slept well.

Cheap Entertainment

This is a fun video a water ball fight that broke put because mom was encouraging the boys to throw the ball to her. This is the result and Uncle Gabe even got into the action.

Busch Gardens

Our trip South began a day earlier than planned. We had intended to come down to Virginia Beach late Friday night. But after talking to Mom and Dad we decided to come a day early and go with Sophie and Anthony to Busch Gardens. We took in a show or two. Funky Physics even held the interest of the 2 year olds but I don't know how much physics they learned. They liked the flying objects. Grandpop took all the boys on the sky tram which Andrew had dubbed the airplane. After a while we took the littlest ones home for food and sleep and Grandpop stayed on with Andrew who was definitely still going full speed. I returned with Aaron(Anthony was still sleeping) and here are a few pictures from the return trip. Riding the train with two tired boys. The first thing we had to do when we got back was ride the log in the water(plume ride). Andrew had already ridden it 3 times.

We tried this kiddy ride with Aaron. Andrew had ridden it earlier and liked. Aaron decided that this ride was not for him. Andrew also liked the kiddie roller coaster.
This was more Aaron's speed.

Overall a good time was had by all.

Happy Mother's Day

Today for me was a wonderful a day. It began with the church men making breakfast with made to order eggs along with pancakes, fruit and bacon. It was followed by a lovely card and enjoyable time drawing pictures with my boys. This day was not totally a day of leisure but did involve me getting to go grocery shopping childless. Perry helped me do some major cleaning that was helpful and I was able to do some paperwork. So overall a really nice day.

Tina

Tina is Mom/Dad and Gabe's dog but when they are out of town Tina joins our family. The boys love her but I am not sure how much Tina loves them. They run her around and around outside and wonder why she wants to stop and rest she is only 9 years old(they tell me that is old in dog years - She has the gray hair to prove it). They also love to cover her in blankets and see if she will walk around. She is very tolerant. The boys on the positive love to fill her water dish and pet her. And Aaron if I let him would even share his food off the spoon. We however frown on this due to sanitation issues. Tina will be leaving us soon and will spend the month recovering but until then she adds to adventure and the fun at our house. We do like having her here unfortunately she can't tell her parents if she liked the babysitter or not.