Tic-Tac-Toe, Three in a Row!

Playing in the living room.

Really wanting Uncle J's cell phone.

Standing up.

Hanging onto the couch.

Traveling along the couch to where the cell phone was.

Getting closer to the cell phone.

Hey, Uncle J moved it.

Eyeing the cell phone held in mid air.

Letting go of the couch.

Holding her balance.

STEP 1,

STEP 2,

STEP 3!

Losing balance.

Plop, down on the ground she sat.

Everyone clapped.

(She hasn't taken anymore steps since.)

Lemon, Blueberry, Zucchini Bread

 YUM!

After looking online to find a good zucchini recipe, I found one that called for lemon zest and one that called for blueberries.  After a couple phone conversations with my mom I decided to add them both.  What a great combination!  With this recipe I made a dozen large muffins and one large bread loaf.  Anyone who likes Zucchini bread should gives this recipe a try!

INGREDIENTS 

• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups white sugar
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 pint fresh blueberries

• 
  

• DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 4 mini-loaf pans.
  2. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar. Fold in the zucchini. Beat in the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, lemon zest, and cinnamon. Gently fold in the blueberries. Transfer to the prepared mini-loaf pans.
  3. Bake 50 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center of a loaf comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes in pans, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN....

YOU THINK YOUR DRINK IS OUT OF REACH.

YOU LEAVE A BOX OF CRACKERS ON THE FLOOR.

Celebrating 58 years

Recently we went down to Ashland to join the family in celebrating Grandma and Grandpa Cline's 58th wedding Anniversary.  It was a short weekend, but filled with laughter. 

 

The weekend started with a men's hike and a women's walk.  The men hiked Piolet Rock and the woman walked along the TID ditch behind their house. Yes, the men's hike offered amazing views, but I am sure the women's conversations were more interesting.  

Unfortunately the men are the only ones that captured their morning.  I guess this is what it looks like to have five grown men in a Subaru Forester.

Jason, Brian, Uncle Paul, Uncle Rick (Justin escaped the picture)

Later that night we had a BBQ, which is what our family does best...EATS, A LOT!!  We took advantage of the moment and had family pictures taken of my grandparents and their four chidren, as well as with the the spouses.  Watching these pictures taken, it is hard to think that of when we will have this opportunity again.  With the family growing and the distance we live a part, we were so thankful to have this memory with them.

Sheryl, Paul, Grandma and Grandpa Cline, Rick, Nancy

One Happy Family

My grandparents have always been givers.  Their heart is to take the talents and the resources that they have and to extend it to those around them.  My grandma surprised her four kids with handmade quilts.  Thanking them for being a part of their family, supporting them in their marriage, and rejoicing in life's many blessings!  What amazing people; humble in all their ways!

Mom and Dad with their quilt

Kyla's 1st Pigtails

A Much Needed Break

Jason has been averaging 72 hours a week of work.  Jason has gone through a five week rotation of wards (hospital work) and now is just finishing up his first two week rotation of nights.  Although it is a lot of work, we have found that the UW prepared and trained him well for Residency.  We are continuing to adjust as a family.  The one piece of advice that we have gotten is to utilize his ONE day off each week.  So, we challenged ourselves to a well needed break and a day as a family away from home.

The day started with the "breakfast for champions".  We found a mom and pop type restaurant right down the street.  They don't take reservations, so you have to wait in line for a seat.  Luckily to our advantage we have a daughter who wakes up between 7:00-7:30.  The line wasn't too bad when we got there around 8:30.  We got our menu and decided to order Kyla a small pancake, which ended up being almost the size of a small plate.  She enjoyed playing with it more than eating.  Jason got what we call the breakfast of champions!!  Scrambles eggs with cheese and bacon (of course), hash browns, two pancakes (the size of his plate) and an orange juice.  His WHOLE portion of the meal was $10.  It was amazing and sent us home with leftovers.  We cannot wait to go back!!!

We then stopped by the local bike shop to purchase a helmet for Kyla.  We were given a Kangaroo bike attachment that allows Kyla to ride behind Jason's bike.  The guy at the bike shop thanked us for coming in and looking for an infant helmet.  We had our choice between a pink one with little kids on it or the chicken one.  The chicken one it is!!!  If you know our Kyla, the pink one doesn't suit her.  A quick side note...I know some of you think that bike helmets are a little uncomfortable to wear, and are not necessary because they don't match your outfit or give you helmet hair...wrong (although they can be uncomfortable and unfashionable at times)!  For your safety, please where a helmet next time you ride!  You don't have to be traveling fast to get hurt.  Okay, back to the pictures and fun. :)  

Kyla didn't seem to mind the helmet after we started to move.   She was asleep by the time we got to the end of our block.

For my Ashland Buddies

So this post is really for those who live or have lived in Ashland.  I went to Ashland this last weekend and drove by Bellview Elementary School (my former elementary school) and saw the demolition underway.  I couldn't believe that Mrs. Larson's kindergarden classroom is no longer jetting out from the side of the building.  No more "quad" with Mr. Thacker and the infamous candy "dip" jar.  Lots of memories!!  They will have to remain memories in my head now with no building to help recall, except the historical part of the building, better known as the front office and library.  To those who have attended Bellview Elementary with me, look at what is too come.  Can you believe it?