So far we’ve had a fabulous summer… lots of fun, adventure, trips and visitors!! Jodi has recently had some special visitors as well….

Jodi’s sister in law came for a visit! It was very special because although she used to live close to her (her in PA and Jodi in NJ) she moved to Israel when Jodi was pregnant with her oldest. Then they moved from there to Colorado. She had a baby and Jodi had another baby so she had never met either of Jodi’s kids and Jodi had never met her youngest. They had a great time catching up and Rebekah (Jodi’s daughter) got along great with her cousins! She especially took a shining to Elizabeth, the oldest. John and Jodi haddn’t seen her in about 4 years and boy did she get big!

Jodi gave me some photos to share with you…

Jodi’s SIL Patty, holding her nephew for the first time.

The cousins playing in Bekah’s room the first day they visited.

It’s amazing how they have never met but warmed right up to each other right away, oh to be like a child.

The next day they went to the zoo. This is Elizabeth, Rebekah, Elijah and Patty.

Rebekah and Elizabeth were inseparable! (I remember being like this with my cousins when we were young)

Then yesterday they just hung out here at Jodi’s house and ordered pizza.  YUM!

Isaiah, Elizabeth, Rebekah and Elijah

Jodi’s Hubby and his sister and their kids…

This last photo Jodi edited. She really wanted a picture of all of them but John’s dad was here and since he was itching to get into a picture she just couldn’t tell him she wanted just her family so she let him get into the next shot. By the time she was done, everyone was ready to be done with the photo shoot so she didn’t have a chance to get into any photos. Oh well, the life of the photographer lol (I’ve been there). Jodi took several pictures but John’s dad was always making a goofy face or looking at Elijah so I just got rid of him. Jodi didn’t get to be in the picture but at least she was able to manufacture a picture of the two families

(minus Jodi  ).

Can you spot the differences?

Here’s the before….

And the after….

I think she did a fantastic job!! I have a few photos I should do this with. Especially having kids… you know how hard it is to get all your kids looking and smiling at the same time and place in one photo… like never!

It’s always a challenge when you have family that lives far away. It just means we all have to be a bit better at keeping in touch and sending those photos!! We have family in five countries!! I spent the morning on facebook chatting with family in Scotland:)

How about you?? Do you have any family that live far away?? How do you keep in touch??

Baskets of Blessings!  Well I just got out of church and can I say.. This is the day that the Lord has made, I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!  This has been a great week for me, I was blessed to spend a few days at our house in the Texas Hill Country with a girlfriend and we just talked and talked till our ears hurt!  Chilled on the Frio River and just caught up on girl talk.   Aren’t those kind of friends great.  Oh but I was in constant communication with my digi BFF Tabby!  Can I also put in a plug for our Book Club here at GS?  Its just a fun way to chat about what we are reading and I am so loving my ereader that I can’t stand it.  So nothing better for me than relaxing and reading in bed.  Oh and for any of you who know that I started jogging about 3 months ago, I am still a “joggernut” and am up to running for 3 sets of 18 min with a 1 min walk in between.  And I hit the big -30 lbs!  Whoot!  I am going to try to find a zumba class close and check that out and even a yoga class.  I guess when you are my age, you got some time to do those things and now I want to experience some other modes of exercise.  So this week I didn’t see any new questions so I just thought I would share a favorite reciepe with you chikaroos!  Hope you enjoy it and it makes quite a bit so great for covered dishes at church or family reunions.

Oriental Salad

Amount  Measure       Ingredient — Preparation Method
——–  ————  ——————————–
1               head  cabbage — chopped

1              bunch  green onion — chopped

2             packages  Raman Noodles — chicken flavor (*** for my low carb I do 1 pkg.)
1            small pkg  almonds — sliced
1/4        cup  sunflower seeds

DRESSING
1                cup  oil
1/4           cup  sugar
1/4           cup  red wine vinegar
2               tablespoons  soy sauce

First, take a mallet and break up the noodles before you open the packages.  If they are not broken up, they will not break up after you have sauted them.  Saute the two packages of noodles with the almonds in a small amount of oil.  When brown, remove from stove.  Add this to the sliced cabbage.  Pour the seasoning from one package of noodles over the salad.  Add 1 bunch of green onions to the salad.  Make dressing and pour over cabbage.  Enjoy!

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 268 Calories; 26g Fat (83.5% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 8g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 174mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 5 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

NOTES : This makes quite alot of salad and would be great for large gatherings.  It also last for at least one week.

https://gingerscraps.net/gsblog/2010/07/1511/

I can’t believe summer is nearly half over. We really need to enjoy what’s left! Here is what some of our ladies are up to…

Here’s a super cute photo from Julie!!!

This is Julie’s little guy Tyler and he went to his first Football practice this week…well it’s really like his 1000th practice…haha. Julie’s 14 year old son has been playing football since she was pregnant with Tyler. Her 2 little ones are called “Bleacher Babies” They have both been on the Football field since birth!

(funny story..Julie’s water broke with Travis her 3 YO during Football camp 3 years ago)

Tyler..he is so ready to actually “Play” football, but, he is 5 and has one more year to wait to “officially” be on the team. But he is on the practice field this year! Julie’s hubby is coaching and they got the OK for him to practice with the team! He was so excited.
OMGosh he is so darn cute out there!

What a fantastic photo Julie!!! He definitely looks very excited to be part of the team!!

Mandy’s family have come up with a great idea for a fun family activity. They decided to make a summer bucket list. It’s a list of things they want to do before summers over and the kids are back to school. This is what they have planned.

* We live next to two large national parks with 100’s of km’s of hiking trails… we plan on hiking one a week at least!

* Camping!! I haven’t been camping for 2 years. We used to camp quite a bit but now with one daughter working and the other making her own summer plans it’s hard to get everyone on the same page!!

* Trip to visit G’ma and G’pa. I would love to travel the 900 km’s to visit with my two favorite people:) I usually make it up two times a year… I hope to go during blueberry picking season so mid August!!

* Working on the house!! We are building our own house and it keeps us pretty busy!! The Hubster is now on holidays so we should be able to get some work done! Can’t wait till it’s all complete and we will love it forever:) I have to keep reminding myself that there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

* Finish the 4 kits and collab that I have started… I have too many ideas rolling around up there!!

*Must jump on the trampoline everyday and must go swimming at least 3 times a week!!! Self explanatory I think;)

* Geo-caching!!! My daughter and I have started a new hobby!! It all started when I got my new iPhone… I found an app for Geo Cashing!! For those who don’t know, Geo Caching is an online hobby/game. It’s a world wide scavenger hunt using your GPS.  All you have to do is look around for a few websites you can join and look up the coordinates for a Geo Cashe take your supplies ….. GPS, iPhone, pencil, paper, water, prize to trade and some good walking shoes!! Follow your GPS or iPhone and search for the cache!! When you find it sign the book included and trade the prize for something of equal value, for the most part they are trinkets but still very cool!! Here are a few photos of caches we found in our area…

This one was hidden under a metal sign….

This one was at the river edge… the hint to find it was “My first fishing pole was a willow stick”. Yup we found it under a willow tree! <—- after a good 45 minutes of searching the wrong side of the river!!

So as you can see they are all different shapes and sizes… some filled with awesome treasure and some you just sign your name…. it’s a really fun activity that allows you enjoy time with your loved ones and going on an adventure!!

So what’s on your summer bucket list?

Good afternoon scrappers! Thank goodness I have a geek in the house because it took me an hour to get my computer up and running. I love my geek! DO you want to know who else is in love??

Teri and her hubby, this is what she wrote to me…

Gossip Girl if my hubby and I make it till July 17 (ha ha) we will be married for 34 years! I met him when I was in 8th grade and we started going “steady” then. Divorce was never an option for us.. Murder yes but divorce no!!! Oh and we knew it would be an ugly custody battle for the kiddos.. you know.. who would have to take them!!!!!! LMAO just kidding…. kinda T

Ahhh must be bliss! I think I can relate:) Happy Anniversary Terri and hubby!

I was also chatting with Mandy… she’s re-cooperating from her Ethan hangover. She was being a fun Auntie again! This week it was Rye’s big brother Ethan who kept Mandy busy! I hear they battled Bower and turned the inversion table into Auntie Mandy’s tickle torture machine.  Ethan just learned how to ride a two wheeler so they went on many bike rides and went swimming everyday!!

Julie has also been keeping busy!! They have been painting the living room with a fresh coat of paint. I hear it’s looking great! She is planning to make a “photo wall” so she went to the goodwill and got a start on some frames. She seams to find the best stuff!!! Can’t wait to see some pictures of the completed project!

On Wednesday she was busy having a photo shoot with this amazing family and their beautiful horses….

What a good looking family and I have seen some of the other photos that Julie has taken during this shoot and I have to say she is one talented lady!!!

Today is a special day not only is it Teri’s anniversary but this little guy is turning three!!

Happy Birthday Travis!!! Hope you have a fun day!

What a sweetie!!!

I still haven’t heard from Kathy… last we saw of her she was on a road trip with her three beautiful children… if we don’t hear from her by next week we will send out a search party:)

Cya next week:)