Adventure: 1002
Where: Bayfront Park, Duluth

Next adventure planned: Day with Baby Lily, Spending the night at Nana's

Description of adventure: Wednesday Night At The Races! Its that time of the year again where Grandman's Marathon sponsers races for kids. If you can recall Hayden may have had some issues running before. But not this year! He kicked butt! He was rearing to go and got 6th place! With a time of 1 Minute 40 Seconds for an eighth mile. It was Hot, they usually do a quarter. Daddy ran with him and almost beat him, good thing Hayden passed him at the last moment.

Favorite memories: Giving everybody highfives as Hayden ran down the chute. Standing so proud of his ribbon he received.

Photos/Videos:

Adventure #1001

Place: Home
When: Summer 2008
What: Learning To Cook

This summer I have learned that I like to cook and can cook. I have found love in a few blogs that have tips and advice on how to save money, feed a family and great recipes. I found I love Cumin, so, so yummy! It has a very nice smokey flavor. I told Jason I am going to put it in pancakes now too!

A Great place to look for recipes is Recipezaar. You can look for recipes through ingredients, recipes and members, plus lots more. My favorite recipes so far are Oven Fried Chimichangas, they are so delicious! I used fresh Cilantro and Green Enchilada sauce and garlic. These were so good. Another great recipe was Baby Red Salt Potatoes. I made these for a little party i had and everyone loved them. We also had some not so good recipes like this one. Today I am making This and This. I will let you know how they go!

Any favorite recipes? Let me know!

**Update** 10:10 pm
My supper turned out pretty darn well. I served my carnitas on a warm tortilla, cheddar cheese, and lettuce. I also decided to make homemade spanish rice, that was very good too. The only thing was the Carnitas was it needed SALT! I also didn't make the Oatmeal Cream Pies, soon! I made Candycoated Puffcorn. We had this at Relay for Life and it was very yummy! I couldn't find a recipe but just melted a package of Vanilla Almond Bark in the Microwave with a little shortening and then dumped the whole bag of puffcorn into a paperbag and then drizzled the melted almond bark on top and then I shook it.

Take a look at what we did this weekend:

That's Michael's house on Lackawanna if you are wondering! Hayden was an awesome little painter and helper!

Happy Saturday! What a beautiful day we had! The last couple actually. Today we had my family reunion at Anna Gene Park. It was fun and we got to see and meet lots of people. We ate lots of yummy food, visited, and played. It was a very nice outing. We then came home and enjoyed the evening on the swing in the yard and with a little yard golf. Right now Hayden went to "Nal Park" with my mom and dad for a walk. He got a little light up "Spy Watch" from the MCD today and has been talking in to it all night, he brought that with him and "called" me and told me to clean his room, I did. Gotta make the kid happy, right??

On Friday Hayden and I went to the park in the morning. I realized it was going to be a hot one so we came home packed our bags and hit the beach. We went out to WI Point and enjoyed the beach basically to ourselves. We had a great time playing in the sand, swimming and riding the waves. He was giggling so hard he flipped over his floatie while riding the waves. It was great. He is so awesome some days, most days. He is becoming such a little man. We had a lot of fun just the two of us! Well we decided we needed a little Daddy time too. So we went home picked him up and went out to Lake Minnesuing for a little swimming. We had a blast out there too. The boys played football and swam and i got to take pictures. We've been wearing the little guy out the last few days he has been going to bed early! I don't mind!!!! Pics up above and a few to share with you guys!!!

We've had more fun the last few days! Jason was lucky enough to have both Monday and Wednesday off.(this is a rarity this summer he has been working a ton! Almost all 6 day weeks, yuck. But thats okay i am making up for it by not working!!!) On Monday Jason, Hayden and Papa Smith went Golfing at Norwood's. They said they had fun! But while they were golfing i went shopping at some new stores in Superior. Earth Exchange across from the Library. It has new, old, and used stuff. But I found something beyond great. A set of Noritake Rosay China dishes. 12 full place settings. I also got with my set a serving platter, 2 oblong bowls, round bowl and divided vegetable dish. Plus Salt and Pepper shakers, sugar bowl, and creamer. Each place setting has a dinner plate, salad plate, bread/butter plate, fruit bowl and Cup/Saucer. I got the whole 81 piece set for...........$39.95. One tiny chip thats all that's wrong with it. I don't know why it was so cheap but they were crazy. Its beautiful and i am beyond excitied about it. A lady on Ebay sold her set for $500 last week. So very cool.

Anyways on Tuesday night we went and watched Brandon play baseball. I took a bunch of pictures. Hayden was tired and crabby so he is laying in the grass in a bunch of them. He fell asleep on the way home, goofball. The fair is in town and we wanted to go show Hayden but that didn't happen.

On Wednesday we had a picnic at Playfront Park with my mom, dad, Brandon, Jason, Hayden, Don and Anthony. We had yummy food from Famous Daves and then we played for a while. There were a ton of kids there though. Then later we went to the Fair. Hayden went on a ton of rides, he is fearless. We looked at the cows, horses, bunnies etc with Smith and Papa. Ate of course and then headed home. We had lots of fun and Hayden won a sword. He hasn't put it down all day! Gotta love cheap plastic toys.

Another week went flying by. We really can't believe that August is almost here. Where did this month go? I swear the 4th was only last week. But we still have a lot planned for August so we aren't slowing down yet!

On Saturday we were surprised with a visit from Jessica, Lisa and Grandpa Blakey. We ate pizza and played! We had lots of fun. Hayden and Jessica got along SUPER well. That always makes me feel better!

On Sunday we visited Big Gram and Big Papa Smith out at the Cabin. It was weird to be at the cabin without any other kids, only Hayden. He loved it, he didn't have to share his favorite swing. He also went swimming, sort of, he is afraid of the Lake. We'll work on that! Hayden also went and had grown up conversation over ice cream with Nana and Papa. None of us can believe what a little man we have. He talks to us like an adult. He can carry on a conversation very well.

On Friday we went up to Cirrus aka Smith's New Work and enjoyed their family picnic and airshow. It was neat, I'd never been to an airshow and didn't really know what to expect. They are loud! We all had a good time and then to enjoy the beautiful weather we went out on Lake Superior in the big boat. It was neat i saw MN point from the Lake and was surprised that those giant big houses are not on the beach nor did it look like many people had Lake views. The boys did a little fishing, didn't catch anything only a few bites. We saw a boat getting filled with taconite and a beautiful sunset, and oh yeah i took pictures, a lot of pictures. Which are on top now. I'll keep the current month up there.

On Thursday Baby Lily came to visit. She isn't much of a baby anymore but that's what Hayden calls her. She is so sweet and you forget what a great age 18 months(almost) is. She was into exploring and tasting. She is quiet and then all of a sudden she says Thank You in the littlest sweetest voice. But I took a ton of pictures of her too! Click HERE to View Lily

We had a picnic last week in Billings Park too. Hayden got to play lots of baseball and was a very happy camper! My dad's friend Don and his son Anthony came with and played with him. Don pointed out Hayden's monster sized hands! He is just like a puppy who hasn't grown into his paws yet. Hayden had fun playing with a 7 year old, who was very good to him. They played on the playground and went on a little walk together, very cute!

On Wednesday we went Mini Golfing. Hayden got a hole in one on the first hole. He was actually pretty darn good. We kept his score and he got a 48, Jason a 42, Me a 43. At least i can still beat him at Mini golf! He loves his sports. He golfs in the yard all day long, then he plays t-ball, then soccer, then basketball and then a little football. This kid is crazy! He loves them all too! Someday i will be that Soccer Mom driving him to practice all week long.Such a boy.

Okay I went on and on. Look at the pictures on top. If you want to get right to certain pictures (like Jessica pictures) just click on the slideshow and it will bring you to the album through Picasa. Then you can download them, print them or just view them.

Ahhh! I can't believe I haven't blogged about all this stuff yet! We've had a lot going on and nothing at the same time! Last Tuesday Hayden bumped his head and I was looking at it and he had this HUGE bump I look and it and I freaked out because it had legs! I scooped him up and brought him to McDonalds to see Jason. Jason was like yup its a monster woodtick, super stuck in his head. Okay off to Urgent Care we go. So he had it removed at Urgent Care with both the nurse and Doctor saying Gross! (how can a dr say gross, really??) He got a little shot of something good and out it came with a hunk of skin. So he got a huge bandage wrapped around his head(See picture below) due to his head bleeding. He was like whatever the whole time. The woodtick was flesh colored and the size of a lima bean, it was nasty! I learned that ticks don't lay eggs on humans or other hosts they will only lay eggs on the ground. Good!

I was lucky enough to see Sarah, Casey and Breckin a bunch before they had to leave for Arizona. Breckin is so cute and loved me! He would coo and smile at me. I forgot how sweet they are at that age just learning to interact, oh he melted my heart. Hayden liked him too. Telling me he had beautiful eyes and little tiny baby ears.

Jason, Hayden, and I went to Port Wing, Herbster, Bayfield, and Washburn on Saturday. We had a fun little family outing. (We had plans on Saturday and they got sick, we hope they are feeling better!) We hiked at Twin Falls Park, played at an awesome little park in Herbster and went to the beach there. We headed to Bayfield for lunch, ice cream and a walk about the town. Hayden saw a pirate ship on the water, he thought that was pretty cool. Then it was off to our dairy in Washburn for milk and ice cream. We had a very fun day!

Sunday Hayden and I went with my mom and dad to the Greek Festival in Duluth. We had very yummy food. Hayden loved the meat he had(lamb or pork, I can't remember) and ate some other dishes we tried. We also walked on the Lakewalk that night with them, Jason too! Take a look at the pictures there were beautiful clouds and colors on Sunday night.

All right I am going to brag about my son, so beware! Hayden is learning to spell! He knows religiously how to spell his name and write it without help. I am so proud of him, granted he does have an easy name to write and its only Hayden I haven't even started with Smith yet. He catches on so easy! I have been spelling words for him when he asks questions. Like what a new remote did. I told him to push the ON and he did and i asked him what that word means and he said ON(He isn't dumb I suppose I should give him a little credit!) the same with OFF. Good Job Hayden!

Pictures!

This album is called the Colorless Collection, but I added 2 colored pictures! But Enjoy!

There are a lot of things i fudge a little on with Hayden but there is one thing that i am very strict about, car seats. He will always be in a booster seat and in the back seat until he is 8 and 12. I think this article proves why:

3 year old uninjured

I know if you live locally you probably heard about this, but i find this amazing. A 3 year old was uninjured from a car accident that left the other 2 people dead and 5 other people hurt. Put your kids in car seats, always.

Ahhh, I don't even know where to start!

We have had an amazing week! It started off with gorgeous weather at Cragun's. One of our favorite places in the whole world. We have been so lucky this summer with nice weather(knock on wood) and that just continued at Craguns. We joined my mom, dad, brother and sister up there Monday afternoon and had a quick picnic and then hit the outdoor pool. Hayden LOVED the kiddie pool. He even pushed his Nana in there! There was so many people it was crazy but thats okay. Hayden and I swam in the deep end and jumped in and went under water. He is becoming a very strong swimmer. Very confident too. He likes his lifejacket on but is swimming without it too. I don't even know how long we swam but it was a very long time, we spend almost all of tuesday in the water too! Tuesday and Wednesday were spent by the pool or beach. We did all the Cragun things too! Wild Animal Show(Hay liked the camel, he didn't really know what a camel was until then), Trolley rides w/Kurt, Movies on the Beach(My favorite new thing) and of course campfires. Papa sneaked us over to Madden's Resort and had ice cream too. I threw Hayden's away, it was a down right tragedy, but he told me he was done. He got over it! Sadly we had to leave at 1 on Wednesday because Hayden went to His Cabin with Smith and Papa.

Thursday brought a day with no Hayden and lots of cleaning and grocery shopping, we had NO food! We had dinner with Micheal and Laura before they headed home to Texas.

Friday, Happy 4th of July! We went to the parade with Sarah, Breckin and Tanya. Hayden got the most candy! Whole handfuls. He loved it, but it was hot. Hayden has been a hoot lately. Sarah's favorite thing he said to me at the parade was "Mom, settle down, settle down, I am right HERE" Silly boy. Got to love 3 1/2. We headed to the Smith cabin for the Jen's 21st birthday and 4th celebration. We had lots of fun, I took tons of pictures of Baby Lauren and watched the Fireworks.

Saturday we went to Gordon with My mom, Dad, and Brandon in Jason's new truck to watch the fireworks. They were pretty fantastic. My mom and dad secretly were jealous of Jason's truck the whole time too! (Firework Album!)



Sunday we shipped Hayden off with my Mom and Dad and Jason and I went to a party for Breckin. We had fun but it was HOT. It was 96 in town today and 86 in Lake Nebagamon.

We have nothing on the block for the week! Except i am having people over on Friday so i will probably clean and get ready for that. I hope everyone had a fun and safe weekend, we had a blast.

Check out all the new pictures too!