RECIPE: Strawberrie Mojitos

*You need to make the syrup first, and let it cool!

(makes 1 drink)

1/4 C fresh lime juice (this took about 5 limes)

1/2 C light rum

1/2 C Strawberry Mint syrup (recipe to follow)

1/4 C Club Soda

Fresh Mint Leaves

Sliced Fresh Strawberries

The recipe is for one drink if unblended. We blended ours, and got 3 drinks out of one recipe.

*In a shaker or 2 C liquid measure combine lime juice, rum,

strawberry/mint syrup, and club soda; stir gently to mix.

*Place sliced strawberries, and mint in bottom of a highball glass. Fill glass with ice; pour drink over ice. Garnish with fresh strawberries, and mint leaves if desired.

*BLENDED:

*In blender place lime juice, rum, simple syrup, and club soda (we also added some strawberries, and two mint leaves): add ice and blend. Add ice until blended to how you like it.

*Wet rim of glass with water and place in bowl with sugar. To the bottom of glass add strawberries and mint leaves. Pour blended mojito in and garnish with sliced strawberry and mint leaf.

*SIMPLE STRAWBERRY MINT SYRUP

(makes about 1 quart)

3 C. Water

3 C. Sugar

3 C. fresh chopped strawberries

1/2 C. Fresh mint leaves

In a large saucepan, combine water and sugar over med-high heat; stir until sugar dissolves. Add strawberries, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to med. and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and add mint leaves. Cover, and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain syrup, and cool completely. Store in airtight container for up to two weeks.

MEMORIAL SERVICE:

We attended a service for my in-laws at the end of May. Doris passed away Dec. 1996, and Oscar in June 2008. We did get rained on, but the area was beautiful!

END OF SCHOOL PLAY DAY 2010:

The end of school brings a few hours of fun, and thank you to the weather for holding up that morning!

BASEBALL 2010:

You know.....I really wish the baseball season around here was a bit longer.....7 games just isn't enough! Kali got to try out every position this year, and this was her first year being pitched to. She was excited, even though it was just the coach. I wish I could've gotten a picture of her face when she would bat. It was pretty mean looking. Her goal was to hit the ball to Bubba in California!

RECIPE: BLT PASTA SALAD

12 oz. corkscrew shaped pasta
1/2 C milk
1 pkg bacon
3 med. ripe tomatoes, cut into small chunks
1 clove garlic chopped
1/2 C mayo
1/2 C sour cream
5 C chopped romaine hearts

Cook pasta in large pot of salted water until finished according to package directions. Drain, place in large bowl. Toss with the milk; set aside.

Cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Discard all but about 3 TBS drippings from pan. Add the tomatoes, and chopped garlic. Toss until warmed through. Pour over pasta. Crumble bacon, and place in pasta/tomato mixture. Stir.

Mix mayo and sour cream together; add to pasta. Season with salt and pepper. Add chopped lettuce and mix well.

WELCOMING OUR MARINE IN IDAHO:

Our Marine got to come home, to Idaho, for two weeks after returning from Afghanistan. We surprised him at the airport with family, and friends. While he was home we spent a lot of time just hanging out. We also celebrated a couple of holidays that he missed: We had Thanksgiving dinner, and Christmas. Thank you to all of you who traveled to the airport to welcome Kenneth home, even though it was late at night!

Sister and cousins waiting for his arrival

The welcome group included: family, friends and his 3rd grade teacher!

Sister and cousins holding his welcome home banner

Welcome home signs made by cousins

Here he comes.....he's a bit nervous as to what is going on, and just how many people are here:)

TEARS! All of my kids together....in one big hug!

Father and son reuniting

Dad kinda has to look up a bit now to talk to his boy

Kenneth and his best gal friend Marybell:)

Kenneth and cousin Sherry

Kenneth with his 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Moyer

Josh giving Kenneth a hug....awww!

Kenneth and his Aunt Carol

Kenneth and his cousin Angie

Kenneth and his grandpa Frank

Now with his grandma Peggy

Kenneth and his Uncle Jason

Since we were celebrating Christmas in April, this was the best I could do for a tree!

Welcome Home signs on businesses around town

Kenneth spend a bit of time in Kali's class answering questions about his time in Afghanistan. This sign was on the door when we arrived.

Family day at the indoor race track

OUR MARINE RETURNS TO US SOIL:

The first week in April had Kali, my mom, Trent (one of Kenneth's friends), and myself, traveling to California to welcome home MWSS-372 from deployment to Afghanistan! I could NOT wait to get my arms around that boy of mine!

We got to CA on Thursday evening. We had planned on helping fill goody bags for all the troops on Friday, but that got changed to Sat. so we spent Friday shopping. On Sat. we went on base and put together goody bags that were placed on all the returning Marines beds. The Marines received two bags: one filled with tons of homemade cookies, and the other (pictured below) were filled with toiletries, etc. All of those cards that we sent from Pioneer School students were placed in these bags as well! Once we finished helping fill, and load the bags to be taken to the barracks, we went and had lunch. After lunch we headed to the parade deck to wait for the Marines to arrive. I believe we were there for over 5 hours! They had some activities for the kids, and free food:)

covered area at the parade deck where we waited for MWSS-372 to arrive home
Kali with her Welcome Home sign

Trent holding the Welcome Home banner

Here they are! They marched in for us, and let me tell you it's hard to have your son march in, and stop right in front of you, and knowing you can't get to him for a bit longer!

There he is! Kali was literally shaking in hysterics by this time

Sooooo handsome.....missed him sooooo much!

We spent Sunday shopping, and a bit of time at the beach. This was our last day with him, and really the only full day we had. Took this of him at the beach.

Grandma and Kali enjoying the beach! Grandma wasn't watching at one point and got hammered by a wave!

This kite was buzzing above me

Kali enjoying her Bubba!

Kali and Bubba's feet...just missing Kayla's :(

After the beach the kids spent time in the pool. Kali is perfecting her dive:)