Baseball and Bristol

 Jake had his first Western baseball game on Saturday morning!  Riley and I loved watching him!  <3

baby brother :)

Jake's neighbor and friend, Josh

Riley watching Uncle Jake!

On Saturday after Jake's game, Riley and I rode to Bristol, Tennessee for an annual family reunion with my parents and brother.  Ronnie had school, so he was unable to attend.  Poor boy had a weekend to himself...so sad.  LOL

I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked to because I was so involved in talking and catching up with family, but here are a few.

Doctor visit, finger paint, and pasta!

Poor Riley spiked a fever again today (was sick last Thursday and Friday!).  We left work a bit early and headed to the doctor again.  He hasn't been eating much, seemed a bit out of it at times, and has this icky fever.  Doctor (again) said it's just viral and he has a red throat.  No strep though! :)  I wouldn't be so concerned with a diagnosis if we weren't going to be out of town all weekend in Bristol, TN!  Poor guy.  I hope he feels better very soon. <3

Pics from the doctor :)

Thing one, Thing two, and Thing three :)

<3 this baby.

While I prepared a delicious dinner (if I may say so myself), Riley played with paint :) 

Dinner was Pesto (home made by Aunt Julie!!!) whole wheat pasta with zucchini, onions, garlic, and turkey kielbasa sausage.  It was delish!  I think it was Julie's pesto that made the whole dish!

Uploaded sideways :/

Bunnies, Bok choy, and BBQ!

Today we had an incredible downpour.  We are in desperate need of the rain and I'm nothing but grateful...since I'm supposed to be.  I went to the back door at work and looked out to watch the rain fall and spotted three tiny blobs barely moving in the grass.  I also saw crows surrounding the near sky.  I grabbed a bucket and an animal lover at work and we were able to rescue two of them from the awful birds.  The third...hopefully escaped.  We called our local veterinarian, Lawndale Veterinary Hospital, who kindly came to get the babies (who we later found out are only about two weeks old!) and are working on returning them to 100% happy little bunnies :)

On a dinner note: :)  We tend to have "interesting" collaborations of dinner toward the mid-end of the week when we're running out of groceries, but can't shop until Friday.   So tonight consisted of some local BBQ, Farmer's market corn on the cob, and Farmer's market Bok Choy (sauteed in sesame oil, garlic, and soy - delish!).

Bok Choy sizzling :)

The farm we bought the BBQ (and many other pork products) from!

Eastern style BBQ sauce, and Frank's red hot :)

I love days off!

Today my sweet family and I did a whole lot of nothing!  Jake spent the night with us, so we got up and took him home, had breakfast at my parent's house, played in the play room, watched some television, and ate some really good food.  I cleaned the hell out of our apartment, did a million loads of laundry, got our breakfast and lunches packed and ready for tomorrow, and flipped through a couple magazines while Riley napped.

For lunch we kept in simple with grilled cheese and tomato soup with fresh grated parmesan!

Dinner was Ancho-rubbed flank steak, garlic sauteed green beans, and salad with fresh balsamic vinegar soaked mozzarella, tomatoes, and radishes.

Ancho-rubbed flank steak:

you need:

• half teaspoon salt
• half teaspoon brown sugar
• half teaspoon ground ancho chile powder
• fourth teaspoon cumin
• dash freshly ground black pepper
• one pound flank steak
• two teaspoons olive oil

Combine first five ingredients and rub evenly over both sides of steak.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
Sear steak three minutes on each side (or until your desired degree of doneness!)

Labor day cookout with the neighbors!

As I've said before, I love my parent's neighborhood and simply can not wait to get back in it!  Last night we attended a Labor day cook out at Sandy and T.J.'s.  Everything they make is absolutely amazing!  Caprese salad, asparagus and tomato pasta, apricot jam with pound cake.  Yum yum!  We marinated and brought an amazing pork tenderloin that we purchased last week at the Farmer's market.  Everything was lovely and of course the company is always great. :)

What a life :)