Meema weekend!

The weekend before Labor day every year Matt and his friends get together for their fantasy football draft. This consists of a 4 day, 3 night getaway to the lake house in Oklahoma with lots of boat time and gourmet cooked food. Every year I say this, but seriously does Fantasy football draft need to be that long?! They're so funny! Anyways, when the boys go out and play, the girls go shopping! My mom came in town to stay with me while Matt was gone and to get some quality time with Roman. We had a great time of shopping, cooking and playing with Roman!

We had lots of yummy home cooked meals!

Roman got so much love and attention from his Meema! He even called for "gandma" lots after she left!
Love those sweet hugs!


Roman isn't usually a cuddly little guy. This was such a sweet moment when he stopped and just snuggled with Meema!

We were all sad to see her leave!

We miss you Meema!!

How do you spend your summer Fridays?

We pretty much stay in our swimming suits all day! Matt, Roman, and I had the best time just playing in the back yard and goofing around.

We climbed the stairs a lot!

We had a dancing, singing party

We even did pull ups!

It all ended with my "go to" meal...

Tortillas filled with the following fresh ingredients diced

Spinach

tomatoes

jalapenos

cilantro

red peppers

cheese

topped with homemade salsa and homemade guacamole

The hatch peppers were sliced with a cream cheese mixture and then baked at 400 for 15 minutes. Amazing appetizer!

"Cream Cheese mixture"

cream cheese

shredded Gouda cheese

diced peppers from the garden


It was a fabulous day with a fabulous dinner! We ended the evening with homemade peach and blueberry cobbler.

Rice noodles

A girl at work brought me a package of authentic Thai rice noddles to try out. I got this recipe online and Matt did the rest. It was a fabulous meal! Roman didn't like it so much, but oh well. We loved it!

Ingredients
1 pound Thai rice noodles
10 med. size shrimp, shelled and cleaned
2 Large eggs
1 tbsp. coarsely ground peanuts
1 tbsp. pounded dry shrimp
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. ketchup
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 lemon wedges
Coriander leaves
1 c. bean sprouts
Chili powder
1 tbsp. salt
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 tbsp. minced spring onion
Additional bean sprouts

Directions

If dry noodles are used, soak them in hot water for 15 min; drain. Place the bean sprouts in cool water. In frying pan brown garlic in oil. Add in shrimp and cook till done. Mix shrimp and cook till done. Mix sugar, salt, ketchup, and slightly beaten Large eggs; add in to shrimp mix. Then add in noodles and fry till noodles turn orange. Drain 1 c. bean sprouts and add in to mix and dry till sprouts are cooked, about 1-2 min. Place on serving platter; arrange remaining bean sprouts on outside. Garnish top with dry shrimp, ground peanut, chili powder, green onion, coriander, and 2 pcs lemon. Serve warm.

We're not the only ones cooking

I mentioned to Matt's mom a while back that Roman would like a kitchen for Christmas. He loves to cook in "play kitchens" when we go to his friends' houses that have them. Next thing I know, Bill was in town dropping off a cute little kitchen stocked with all of the utensils and food! It used to be the triplets and now they have outgrown it. Roman was so excited! He literally played in his kitchen for 2 whole hours! Unbelievable!!! Thank you Pa and Grandma for coming through again! You're the best!

Roman loves to grill his steak in the grill just like daddy!
mmm... pizza!

Opening the oven

play date time!

Last week I had to work a couple of days from home because Roman's school was closed. I had Tiffany and Lindsey come over Wednesday afternoon late so Roman could play with their kids. I checked my emails and sent out a couple of drawings in the meantime, but we got some great play time in too! The kids had a blast!

Roman woke up from his nap to everyone playing at his house. Wow, what a fun way to wake up! Pounding on the ottoman like a drum is always a hit!

After Lincoln found a fun new "toy" to jump on, Roman has now decided that it is fun too! We find him doing this all the time now! Uh oh! Older influences!!! Boys will be boys and I love it!
Silly, silly kids! See, now it's Roman's turn to stand on the ottoman!

Roman and Christian are about to jump off the fireplace

Lincoln wet through his diaper, so Tiffany had to take his pants off to dry. Christian decided that he needed his pants off too like his brother. This is why the Karam twins were pant-less the whole afternoon! Ha Ha!

They loved all the toys, even my exercise ball!

Lincoln came and grabbed my hand, pulled me into the playroom, and pointed at the camera. He simply wanted me to take a picture of him. Seriously, how cute!!!??

It's time for everyone to try to fit in the basket!

We attempted to get a picture of everyone

Chloe had her hands on Roman's shoulders. Adorable! She loves Ro Ro!!

I just love these kids! Thanks girls for bringing them over! We had such a great time!!!

Let it rain, let it rain!

It has been so miserably hot here in Texas lately! Over 100 for days! One evening, it actually rained! Matt is a sucker for rain storms, so he grabbed Roman and they went and played in the rain.

I just love this picture!

Matt was loving the rain! He kept trying to get Roman to "feel" it on his hands.

My boys! This is the outfit that Matt had Roman in when I came home from work. Who needs pants? Roman also insisted on having his tennis shoes on all day!

Someone was not so happy to come inside!!!
He's still cute even when he cries!!

hanging with my best friend!

A couple of weeks ago, Matt and I were hanging out on a Saturday morning with nothing to do. I called and woke up Lindsey (he he) and had the Longs come over for some Saturday morning fun! We filled up the pool and got out some sidewalk chalk. The rest is history! Roman loves his best friend Chloe. He can even say Chlo Chlo now!!

Bubbles and chalk... it doesn't get much better!

Bouncing on the side of the pool was so much fun!

They love to read together!

Roman was being so silly!