Killer Bunnies!

Our good friends Phil and Aunna Hasler came over two nights in a row to play this game with us. We can't get enough of it! What is better than a couple friends, cookies, cheesecake, and a good board game on a Sunday evening.

This is the most addicting game on the planet. Bryce and I love this game. It's called Killer Bunnies and it is all the rage right now. And since we are so cool and hip, we own this game. It comes with two sets of the cards and there are about 10 more expansion packs/booster decks you can buy to add to the game. We only have three of the 10 booster decks, but we slowly add to our collection. Once you get all the decks there ends up being over 700 cards in play. Try it, you will love it. Just a warning though: it takes a while to learn. The rule books are like novels, and you will be blown away by how many rules there are. I suggest learning with someone who already knows how to play, it makes it so much easier to learn.

Shakespeare in the Park

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.
There is a charming amphitheater right down the road from our apartment. It is next to a big pond and a beautiful rose garden. It's called Greenwood park and it is our favorite place to take a nice relaxing walk. I always feel that it is a shame that the amphitheater doesn't get used more often. Last weekend there was a few theater companies that came and did Shakespeare in the Park. We got to see Julius Caesar and A Mid Summer Nights Dream. Here is a scene from Caesar. Caesar has just been murdered by his fellows. I loved it so much. I couldn't believe the lines they had to memorize.

Sure, it floods in Iowa . . . but wow is it GREEN!

I'm sure you have all heard of the floods here in the midwest. We are so fortunate to be affected so little by this traumatic event Mother Nature has given us. I know many others can't say the same, and I pray nightly for their safety. However, as the flood waters subside and the sun comes out from the behind the storm clouds, this is what we see. How gorgeous. I just thought we would all like to enjoy this picture and thank our Father in Heaven for the beauty of his earth that we have. (I took this picture in Boone Iowa right above the YMCA summer camp grounds)

Jambalaya Yumbalaya!

I made a yummy Jambalaya for dinner the other night. I have never made it before, but Bryce has had a weird craving lately for Jambalaya. So I consulted the experts, (my Mom! I tried to consult with my brother in law Shon because I know he makes a mean Jambalya, but I just kept playing phone tag with my sister and never got a hold of him), and I produced a delicious concoction. As Bryce described it: "It was so good it melted my face off."

I wanted to splurge and get Prawns to put in, but the little shrimp were still fantastic.

My Mother will be proud to know that the recipe called for onions and green peppers, neither of which I enjoy, and I put them in. All of what the recipe called for! It was not a mistake either, what a taste.

Recipe:

1 pound shrimp
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/3 c. chopped celery
1/4 c. chopped green sweet pepper
2 cloves garlic minced
2 T cooking oil
2 c. chicken broth
1 14 1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes (undrained)
8 oz. andouille or kielbasa sausage cut
3/4 c. uncooked rice
1 t. dried thyme
1/2 t. dried basil
1/2 t. ground red pepper
1 bay leaf

In skillet, cook onion, garlic, celery, and green pepper until tender. Stir in Chicken broth, tomatoes, sausage, rice, thyme, basil, red pepper, 1/4 t. black pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 15 min.

Stir in shrimp. Return to boil. Simmer, covered, for another 5 minutes or until rice is tender. Discard bay leaf, and SERVE!

Happy Dad's Day

Happy Fathers Day

Long Silence

I'm sorry to all of my frequent blog followers. (Emily, Holly, and that about tops it off huh) I really have been swamped lately. Not unlike all of us I am sure, but I feel like I am totally out of time for anything. So, just as a quick blog entry I will do that Tag my sister Emily said I wouldn't do!

8 Random Facts About Me:

1: I love High School Musical AND High School Musical 2. I actually have a secret obsession with all things Disney. But High School Musical is my favorite. I know all the songs by heart and could even dance along if you wanted me too! Plus, I laugh so hard at Thats so Raven. LOVE HER.

2: I have to get up at least twice every night to use the bathroom. No, I haven't had kids yet, and I've heard it gets worse after that. It happens like clockwork at the same time every night. I try to fight it, but it just wakes me up and I end up treckin it to the pot.

3: I love Juvenile Fantasy books. Yes, all of them. Harry Potter and Twilight are a few of my mainstream favs. However, I love to read the ones that no one knows about and then recommend them to people. Sometimes I feel like I should read more adult books with a more of a message. So I do, and I don't have near as much fun, and I always end up depressed. Why is it that adults like the be depressed?

4: Every time I see a show like American Idol or Nashville Star I think that my family should enter. Mostly my sister Whitney and my brother Bryan. I know I am probably biased a little, but they are both way better than anyone who has ever won those shows. I come from a musical family and I think I know a good voice when I hear it, and Whitney and Bryan have "it." They could be FAMOUS. This is very true.

5: I hate brushing my teeth before I go to bed. Not that they don't need brushed, I just hate doing it. As a matter of fact, I hate getting ready for bed. It is such a process. Take out contacts, brush teeth, wash face, get pj's on, yada yada yada. Bryce gets ready in two seconds flat and it takes me a good 10 minutes. Sometimes, I try to go to bed without brushing my teeth, but Bryce always catches me and makes me do it.

6: When I go shopping I always check the clearance rack first. I won't buy anything without a big clearance tag on it. I usually get a big load of things that I want to buy, and on my way up to the check out, they all end up scattered throughout the store on random shelves they don't belong on. I'm sure the workers HATE ME! I then walk out of the store without a thing. It is a huge waste of time, but I have a hard time pulling out that trusty wallet sometimes.

7: I feel more comfortable talking to children than I do to adults. This is a semi-recent development. I have been working SOLELY with children the past few years and I feel very comfortable with them. Put me in a group of crazy, wild kids and I will be right at home. Put me in a group of adults, or anyone over the age of 6, and I am so SCARED. If we are at a party and people have their kids there, I usually spend more time with the kids than the adults. Sad huh.

8: I love rules. I am a TOTAL and COMPLETE rule abider. I have the hardest time even going over the speed limit 5 miles. I am in constant fear of getting caught and getting in trouble. Yes, I know that should have passed about 10 years ago, but I am totally driven by the fear of getting in trouble. Nothing is worth the thrill if I think I'm going to get caught. I never was rebellious and I never will be. I am a square. I need help with that one I think. Any suggestions are welcome.

I tag Erin Pitcher, Tiff Taylor, Charlene French, and anyone else.

The Cruise Continues