25th Birthday

This year on July 1st I turned the Big 2-5! I had a lot of fun celebrating my birthday - over 4 days. We had a blast. The night before my birthday Morgan, Andrew and I went out to one of our favorite restaurants in Athens. On my birthday Morgan was working from sun up to sun down, so I went out to Alpharetta to spend it with my family. Then on Saturday we had all the family together - it was great! We ended the evening with some fun fireworks, too. I think this'll be a birthday to remember.

Love this pic!

This infamous sombrero picture at La Parilla
My little Fam on Saturday....

This was Morgan and Chris' first time setting off fireworks... legally. They had a blast! (sorry for the pun!)

Having some fun with Lollie's fancy dancy camera.

Speaking of Lollie - I am LOVING all the nice pictures I'm getting this summer. I don't know what I'm going to do when she moves to China next month!

Caught in the act

I love my iPod Touch.
I think I may be a little addicted.

Tubes.

On Tuesday morning little Andrew had tubes put in his ears. (After having 8 ear infections in just 6 months with fluid STILL in his ears) He was a trooper! The surgery was only 15 minutes long. Thankfully, Bananas (his bear - best friend) was able to stay with him through out the duration. He (understandably) was grumpy while the anesthesia wore off. By Tuesday night - he was back to his bubbly self. We're glad that all the fluid is out of his ears. We're hoping that his hearing will improve and his speech will pick up in no time!

Because he was just too darn cute in his smock - here are a few photos....

We're glad your bouncing around again, Andrew!!

Zucchini

Every year I'm the gracious recipient of some Monster Zucchini. From what I hear these babies triple in size in just days. I know most of you have been given one of these babies. So, What do you do with MONSTER Zucchini? (Other than making Zucchini Bread that would be consumed fully by yours truly) Seriously, these things are huge. They measure 13 inches long... and they weigh a whopping 3 pounds a piece.


I've been trying to figure out what to do. They have sat on my counter top for over 2 weeks. Today, I decided to bite the bullet. I was determined to make dinner with them.
I give you: Baked Zucchini.

Yum, Yum, Yum!! I made up the recipe, and boy was it tasty!! Here's the unrecipe recipe...

1 Monster Zucchini
1 pound ground turkey
2 small cans tomato sauce
Mushrooms
Onion
Garlic Powder
Oregano
Italian Seasoning
Grated Parmesan Cheese

First, cut that monster into halves. Scoop out the seeds, leave the flesh intact.
Brown turkey, drain. While turkey is browning, sautee onions and mushrooms in some EVOO. (yeah, I'm borrowing Rachael Ray talk...)
Once all the onions and mushrooms are cooked the way you like, add them and some tomato sauce to the turkey. Add seasonings.
Spoon mixture into the hallowed out zucchini boats. Pop them in the oven at 350 for about 30 minutes.

Enjoy!!
I think next time I'll sautee a clove of minced garlic as well.

Best thing about this, to all you out there who are Weight Watcher people.... a fourth of this recipe is only 4 points! That's a ton of food! (And easily 2-3 veggie servings too!)

(Speaking of Weight Watchers.... guess who is getting closer to the big 20 pound mark?!)

Light of my Life

"Be a Mother who is committed to loving her children into
standing on higher ground than the environment surrounding them.
Mother's are endowed with a love that is unlike any
other love on the face of the earth."
- Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Happy Birthday to (me)

The Big 2-5
You better believe that I'll be having this same cake.
I'm a sucker for good ol' yellow cake with (homemade) chocolate icing!
(I'll try to keep the frosting off my face, though!)
Here's to another great year!