Pima County Fair 2008

So we took Ben to the Pima County Fair on Thursday evening. Luckily, Sean scored free tickets at work. Just parking and walking through the entrance can be quite an investment. It was such a breezy, mild evening and the sites and smells were really enjoyable. Ben had a blast on the kiddie rides and fed all the animals at the free petting zoo. After watching an Elvis impersonator belt out "Suspicious Minds", purchasing a blue "light-saver" and eating some astronomically expensive fair food, we called it a night.

P.S. I regret to announce that, yes, we forgot the camera.

They're Back.....

Tonight. Sweet.

Baby Audra is here!

My sweet sister, Cindy, gave birth to a darling baby girl on April 1st. Her name is Audra Jeannine Cottrell and she is wonderful! Such a sweet natured little gal with beautiful eyes and dark hair. She weighed 7 lbs 2 oz and measured 19 inches long. Audra's big sisters, Allison & Corynn, just adore her and are taking very good care of their new sister.

Grandma's girls:

Proud Daddy:

Going home:

Sweet baby girl!

My Mother Taught Me....

My Mother sent this to me and I appreciate it because I say some of these things to Ben. I won't tell you which ones. I have to say that the older my Mother gets, the smarter she gets! I now realize that when I was ignoring her in my teenage years, some of what she said made it through. Thank goodness! P.S. Number 25 causes cold sweat to run down my back.

I OWE MY MOTHER

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother tau! ght me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you "

Thanks Mom.

Friday

Another Friday is blowing by. Where DOES the time go? I'm off to Bingo tonight at Tracy's and I'm hoping to win the pot because, hey, I deserve it. We're all bringing a little something for a gift swap so that should be fun. My boys will be here at the house doing who knows what. Ben went to his friend Jaxon's birthday party today so he's pretty hopped up on sugar right now.

Ok, so I saw this video on YouTube and I'm sure some of you have seen it but it just cracks me up!

Did you say Satay?

So I tried a new recipe and it was a hit. We had grilled Chicken Satay a couple of nights ago and WOW, we all loved it! Ben ate three skewers of chicken and he rarely eats three of anything so we considered it a success. I enjoy trying new recipes and sharing them too.

I should have taken a picture when the plate was full but you have to watch yourself when you're feeding hungry boys!

I looked up several recipes for this dish but couldn't find one that I liked so I have combined several and modified them to fit our taste.

Chicken Satay with Peanut dipping Sauce:

1 to 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (I used thighs)

1 bottle - Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame dressing/marinade

Chopped green onions (optional)

Chopped cilantro(optional)

Wooden skewers that have been soaked in water for at least 20 minutes.

Cut chicken breasts or thighs into strips and place in large plastic bag. Pour marinade into bag with chicken and marinate in the refridgerator 3 to 5 hours. Reserve 1/2 a cup of the marinade. Thread chicken strips onto skewers. Grill skewers over medium heat approximately 8 to 10 minutes on each side, brushing occasionally with reserved marinade. Garnish with chopped cilantro and green onions.

Peanut Dipping Sauce:

1/2 C peanut butter

1 TBS brown sugar

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 TBS soy sauce

1/4 C rice wine vinegar

red chile flakes ( to taste )

Combine all ingredients and blend well. Serve with chicken skewers.

I served the Satay with yellow Saffron rice and green beans. If you decide to try it, be sure to let me know how it turns out!

Easter Schtuff

We had a great time celebrating Easter 2008. The Easter Bunny was really good to Ben. We've had several discussions about E. Bunny and what he looks like, talks like, etc. Good stuff. Ben's got quite the imagination.

We had Easter dinner and the Egg Hunt at Grandma & Grandpa Judd's house, complete with the traditional Bunny cake.

Ben hunted eggs like he was looking for diamonds. I've never seen such determination on his face.

My Boys

Ummm hello? Can I get a ball here people?

All in all, we had a wonderful day. It was great to see cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents. We're so grateful for our family and for the Resurrection of our Loving Savior.