Aidan's First Wedding

This weekend, Aidan and I caravaned with some friends from HB to a wedding in Grants Pass Oregon. Trevor had to take a continuing ed class in Sacramento on Sat so he was not able to go. The girl getting married is a family friend of ours, Colleen McMurray. She married a nice boy from Oregon and is now, Mrs. Nathan Sleadd. I do not know Nathan, but anyone who gets Colleen is a blessed man. The ceremony was beautiful, and so was the bride. We had a blast dancing to the dance band at the reception, especcially Aidan. He danced until we left at 9:30pm where he passed out in his seat on the drive back to the B&B. We stayed with some friends who own a B&B in Ashland Oregon (one of my favorite cities.) We were sick the whole weekend, but Aidan was so good, and although we came home VERY tired, we are glad we could celebrate with Colleen on her BIG day.

Waiting for the ceremony to start. You will be glad to know that during a serious part when the pastor was taking about Colleen and Nathan starting their own family Aidan let out with a loud, "UH, OHHHHHH!" He talked during most of the service, but he was making us laugh so, oh well.

Having fun at the reception.


Megan Garcia, Heather Finch, Colleen Sleadd, Nathan Sleadd


The bride and her daddy, Brad McMurray


Dancing with Mama. He loved the dancing.

CHEESE!

Aidan just keeps getting more and more communicative. After I have told him multiple times this is an outside toy, he looks up at me and says, "Cheese!" He wanted a picture taken of him. I couldn't help but laugh and grant him his wish.

The Neighbor's Got Hitched

Our next door neighbors Jerry and Lindsey got married on Saturday, and I had the honor of helping make the bouquets. A week ago she called and asked if I had ever done this and I said, yes. I had helped someone do this for a wedding at camp and was sure I could figure it out. Lindsey bought the flowers and this is what we came up with.

The bride's bouquet:

The bridesmaid's bouquets (there were 2):

The boutonnieres:


They had a blast at the wedding (in Tahoe) and said everything was beautiful. Yeah!

Playing with Daddy

Mommy's Little Baker

Just doing my part to encourage a lifelong love of baked goods.

Making bread.

Making Grandpa's Bday present. Yummy cookie dough!

A Change of Seasons

We went to the Pumpkin Patch just last weekend to get some pumpkins and had a great time. Of course the day we went was the one day we had our first rain of the season. At first we thought we were crazy because as you can see, no raincoats, but the rain stopped and we had a great time.

Aidan and his big cousin, Chloe. (We went with Nathan and Kristi and the kids.)

Aidan got so cold that Trev took off his sweater and wrapped it around Aidan's head to help him stop shivering. He didn't seem to mind so much, he was determined to pull that wagon all over the place.

Last night as Aidan was enjoying his apple I got the camera out and he immediately stopped and gave me this big cheesy grin. He cracks us up all the time.

And one more for me. I made Challah last Friday. We celebrated Rosh Hashana a little late. I guess its ok as we aren't even Jewish. The bread looked GREAT, but I will try a different recipe next time. It came out a little dry and too crusty for Challah. But it looks great, yah?

Superwoman

(click on title above to hear the song)
I don't always respond this way to what I call "girl power" songs, but this one caught my attention. The reason being is in the chorus that is repeated over and over.

Even when I'm a mess

I still but on a vest

With an "S" on my chest

Women have this unique talent to hide the truth with an "S" on their chest. It is a badge of pride, but it is also what holds us back. Back from true friendship, back from honesty with our husbands, back from taking our true humble position before God.

So ladies, lets stand with pride with our "S's" in place, knowing really what those "S's" mean. We can't do it all, and we need God and each other to help us through. Maybe the "S" should stand for surrender. That should give you something to think about.

Knead Not Sourdough

(Click on above title to go to receipe)

So, many of you do not know, but I love to bake. Especially bread. So far this is the easiest bread receipe i have found, and it is delicious. It is VERY crusty. I make it often because with good bread being so expensive, I might as well make my own.
This is the shaggy mess of bread before the 19 hour rise.


And this is the final product. I make this in my Le Cruset dutch oven, and it works GREAT! I use a lot of corn meal to keep it from sticking to the towels and the dutch oven. Mmmmm, just thinking of this bread makes my mouth water.