Birthday Dinner-Maddie's 10th!

Maddie's Birthday- June 30, 2008

Every year, the children get to choose where they want to go eat for their birthday and every year, Maddie chooses Bonsai Japanese Steak House. The kids love having their food prepared right there in front of them-all that fire and the chef tricks! And Maddie absolutely loves the steak and shrimp!

In Memory of Dave Lant

Yesterday morning, we lost a good friend and an employee in a motorcycle accident. Bob's long time employee, Dave Lant, was killed when a semi truck driver ran a red light and hit Dave while he was on his way to work. Dave had been working for us for quite some time and was Bob's right hand man. He was a skilled pressman and a dedicated employee. He was so very loyal to Bob and we are going to miss him. Dave was also Bob's friend-when you work with someone, you actually spend more time with them than you do with your own family. My children loved to see Dave-he loved to tease them and give them candy-they will miss him too. Things at the shop will not be the same without him.

This tragedy has made me so grateful that families truly are forever. And also that this life is so short-sometimes too short as in the case with Dave and can be over in an instant. He left behind his wife of 14 years and three young daughters. We love you Dave and we miss you!

KSL article and video here

Menu for the Week

This week will be a catch-up week on the meals we missed the past two weeks...with the holiday and family in town, we've missed some of the meals on our menu. At least I don't have to come up with new ideas. And the Parmesan Chicken with Cream Sauce was such a hit, we're doing it again!

Photo from Martha Stewart's Dinner Tonight

Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Cream Sauce, couscous, asparagus

Fish Tacos, watermelon
Frozen breaded tilapia filets at Costco, corn tortillas, cabbage, LiteHouse jalapeno Ranch dressing and Harmon's store made salsa

Venitian Rolled Pizza, crispy romaine salad, raspberries

Asian-Style pork chops, cucumbers and tomatoes in olive oil and red wine

Pork Tenderloin with honeyed butter, roasted potatoes, steamed broccoli

Cold Cereal
Keeping it Real!

Happy Fourth!

This morning we had our annual 4th of July Breakfast at the Cole's beautiful home. The food was delicious-Bob was a pancake chef! Everything was so festive. There was a fishing pond, balloons and face painting for the kids. And of course, Claudia's home was spectacular!

Now I just have a cake to bake and pasta salad to make and we're off to Grandma and Grandpa's house!

Take Your Daughter...

or your 5 year old son...he loved it too :)

I took Maddie and a friend (and Will) to see this movie yesterday. We really enjoyed it. The story takes place during the Great Depression...and at times, I must say, it was really sad...okay, I cried. The struggles families went through were heartbreaking. It was good for Maddie to see that life is not always what you want, but you can get through it. I liked that it was a movie for children, but it was real...people losing their homes, cars, clothes, food, and even their dad...I try to teach my children that not everyone has it as good as they do (and there are many others who have A LOT more than we do). But seeing it in that setting...it made her think.

She made a couple of comments last night that made me realize she understood that life is not all Nintendo, Disneyland, new toys and FUN! Sad...but true. (dangit)