Fair time!

Today was the Riley County Fair in Manhattan.    We haven't been to a county fair since last year.   The girls love them and I do too.    I like looking through the livestock, quilts and other 4-H projects.   Of course, that is boring for the rest of the family.    Since it was such nice weather today I suggested we go for a drive.   I mentioned to Daddy what I had in mind...he didn't have his hearing aides on and said "That sounds like a great idea!"   Well, only in my mind he said that.  

It's been a long time since we have been to Manhattan so we took the scenic highway and I saw towns that I hear people talk about all the time!   Our timing was fantastic as the roads were wet but it had stopped raining.

Found the fair grounds and it was arm band night!   The girls took off in different directions to ride the rides! The faster around they go the better the ride must be.   (I don't do rides so I couldn't tell you!)   There was a cool frigid breeze and only in the 60's.   Daddy stood around for about an hour and then decided that he was going to go sit in the car.   I encouraged the girls to ride the rides as many times as they could because we were not going to stay all night.  

I had just told the girls that I was freezing and ready to go so ride the ride they were in line for.   About that time I started gettting a very nauseated feeling.   Wonderful!   They ride the rides and I get sick watching!!   That brought the night to an end quickly.

I think they had a good time!!

Momma has some new bling!

And I am loving it!!

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Tis the season!  
3 eggs
1 C. vegetable oil
2 C. sugar
1 T. vanilla extract
2 C. shredded zucchini (1 med)
2 1/2 C. all purpose flour
1/2 C. baking cocoa
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder
Beat eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla.  Stir in zucchini.  Combine dry ingredients, add
to zucchini mixture and mix well.  Pour into 2 greased and floured 8x4x2" pans.
Bake 350 degrees 1 hour or until done.

Enjoy!!

Moving along

A week or so along on the deck and it is taking shape!   Unfortunately this week it was going to be about done and we have had rain.   Much needed rain.   So we can't be too upset that the construction is on hold.

I love my girls!

Even though my head is scratchy with bits of hair here and there.   My girls still want to cuddle with me.   I love to cuddle with my girls.  Every single one of them.   RaeAnne thinks that she is too old, but I make her sit on my lap every so often.   Jordis is the same way, but I think it is because she was older when she arrived.   Zora loves to cuddle on my lap and she likes to crawl in bed with me and giggle!   She can be such a loving kiddo sometimes and then the ADHD kicks in and she is a witch with her broomstick!!

Tessa and Kendalan are pretty jealous of each other, however they will not admit it.   They were both trying to sit on my lap the other night.

I sure love my kiddos!!   And the feeling is mutual!!

A work in progress

We have been in our house for 5+ years now.   Our house was built by a wanna-be-contractor.   He did not know what he was doing but he tried.   Our patio is one of those things that he just didn't have a clue.  He used the cheapest wood he could and I don't think it had a lick of stain or protectant on it.  Two years ago we had to replace one of the support legs because it was warped and cracked so bad I was scared to even put my foot on the deck.  

Now the old deck is gone and the new deck is in progress!   It is going to be B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L!!!   And it will add more living room to our house!   Dad thinks that it will be a great place for the girls to bring boyfriends in a few years so we can keep an eye on them.   Actually he thinks he will be in a rocker with his shotgun across his lap while he questions the boys about their plans with our daughters :)

Can't wait to post the finished photos!!

Forever Family Day Kendalan!!

Last night we celebrated Kendalan's Forever Family Day.   Each girl usually has her restaurant picked out in advance.  We start hearing about their choice each day for a week before and it changes each day.    Kendalan evidently hadn't thought about it much.   She started trying to decide about an hour before we were going to leave.   Then everyone was giving her suggestions.  She starts off with Golden Corral.   I blew that one out of the water as we had just eaten there a few weeks ago.   So I started naming all the places in town.  Outback Steakhouse, Chili's, Red Lobster, Longhorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Jose Peppers, Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel, Red Robin, Johnny Carino's, Hunan, Coyote Canyon, HuHot and On the Border.

So all those choices and she finally chose Olive Garden.   I am not sure what is different at Olive Garden.   I had read an article last year that they were struggling to keep afloat.   They have changed their menu several times...usually taking the things off  that I like.   They now have a seafood Alfredo.  Yuck!   I loved their Alfredo before but the shrimp in this tasted old and the pasta was not fully cooked.   Of course, I can always blame it on the chemo!   My taste buds have gone through a complete overhaul and I never know if things are going to taste "right" or "off."   The salad has always been the best at Olive Garden.   Well last night I could have sworn that they had changed the dressing.   The crotons were a mushy crushed mess and the dressing was bland.   And since I can, I will go so far as to say that our service the last two times has been the worst!   Olive Garden makes the changes and the customer pays the price.

So we ate and Kendalan basked in the glory of HER day which is the whole point anyway :)

Happy Forever Family Day Kendalan MianYi..we love you to the end of the Universe and beyond and back many, many times!!