On Schedule

We did it again.  We sent our son off to college for another semester.  This time Alex had to get up early in the morning and he was thinking it would be an easier goodbye because everyone should still be sleeping.  But in a house with lots of girls goodbyes are never easy.  I was putting Isabella to bed and he came in and said good night.  Not too terribly bad, Isabella isn't quite sure what all is going on.  Then I told Cassandra to tell Alex goodnight and the waterworks began and didn't stop till the last sister  was in bed.  Poor Alex, I sure hope we don't make him feel bad for leaving but just feel good because he knows he is loved and missed.  Then a couple days later I had to say goodbye to our dear friend Ivy, as she went off to college also.  We went to lunch and found another friend who was getting ready to sent her daughter off to college also.  Then today a couple of my friends sent off their boys.  Not fun.  Tis the season.  

In order to keep our schedule the same as Alex's we began school on Monday.  I want to be able to be on the same breaks when he comes home.  It was good to get back to a schedule and be able to do school with the girls again.  Aidric adds a little more excitement to our day but so far so good.

One fun part of the end of summer is all the tomatoes we grow.  I really enjoy making meals with fresh tomatoes.  It just adds a little more taste to spaghetti, lasagna, a salad, and whatever else we might be making.  Here is a recipe we enjoy, hope you enjoy it also.  If you are also one of the many sending your beloved child off to school or the one going off, know we're all in this together and God works all things together for good.  Have a great day.

Alicia

cute op ripe tomatoes

cooking down the tomatoes

Spaghetti and meatballs

1 can tomatoes (I cook down 3 cups cut up tomatoes)
1 can tomato soup
1 small can tomato paste
1 can tomato cause (not needed if you cook up fresh tomatoes)
1/4 - 1/2 tsp cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice, thyme, cayenne, paprika
salt and pepper
2 Tblsp sugar
1 Tblsp olive oil.

Cook and simmer.  Add meatballs before serving.  Serve on top of cook spaghetti.

Meatballs
1 lbs ground beef
mix with 1 bag crushed saltines
1/3 cup catsup
1 egg
salt and pepper
roll into balls and bake 350 degrees 20 minutes.  Add to sauce.  

Amusing Amusement

One summer when I was in early grade school my parents decided to take us to Lagoon, a nearby amusement park.  We were all so excited.  My mom had us ride our bikes around collecting aluminum cans for money so we could go to "Lagoon."   We would watch for cans on the side of the road as we drove and quickly pull over and grab a can and drive off.  I guess we were going green before it was popular.  Really we were trying to get spending money at Lagoon.  We took in our cans to the recycling place and got our little money and off we went.

Like most true adventures there must be mishaps along the way.   We took our traveling trailer and loaded up.  Before we were even out of town our trailer's tire blew and blew a hole in the trailer.  Quite exciting and I was afraid we would not make it to Lagoon.  Well, we did and it made it all the more exciting.  I remember driving up to the park, there were people all around The sound of the Big White Roller Coaster and people screaming made my heart beat crazy.  Inside the park there was such confusion but we found that white roller coaster and I was terrified but went on it. The trip was a success and we decided to go back a couple years later.  Once again we collected our cans, saved our allowances and off we went.  This time I was way too terrified of that white roller coaster and cried at the thought of going on it.  After the trip I was very disappointed that I hadn't gone and from then on I try to overcome my fears and go on all the rides I can.  I actually still get that crazy heart beat and the thrill of going up the first hill of the roller coaster gets me every time.  By the time we reach the top I can't help but explode in screams.  I just love it.  There are better and smoother rides there now but I still enjoy that old creaky roller coaster.  Unfortunately they are replacing the old white wood with new brown wood, but it still has the same thrill.

This year we went with the family.  Alex is leaving for college soon and we really wanted to do something exciting, so off to Lagoon we went.  My mom is absolutely a joy to go on roller coasters with.  She taught me that if you scream it just makes it that much more fun.  So, as children my mom embarrassed us terribly, but truthfully we love it.  Now as a mom my kids get a similar kick out of going on the rides with me.  As a couple of the girls were a little hesitant this time I encouraged them to scream and it just makes it that much more fun.  How I so love watching my kids go on the rides and enjoy themselves.  Cassandra was priceless to watch as she went on the Tidal Wave, a big boat that swings back and forth.  It was her first time on a "big" ride and she jumped right in her seat. Then as the boat began to swing her eyes got huge, her mouth hung open and at every swing she sunk a little lower in her seat.  I couldn't stop laughing,  The people facing us were laughing too and I think a bit afraid of Cassie losing her lunch, but she didn't.  As we got off I asked her what she thought.  She said it was ok but that she didn't need to go on it again.  By evening she was telling everyone it was one of her favorite rides and by the next day wanted to do it again and did.  Isabella enjoyed herself so much.  She even went on big rides and laughed and squealed.  I had almost decided to stay home with Isabella and Aidric but I am so glad we all went together.  Some friends went with us also and it was a good time.  

Now we are getting ready to settle down to school and send my oldest boy off to school again.  I'm sure it gets easier but not yet.  He has been so busy with work and activities this summer that I feel like we didn't get to spend much time together.  I look forward to Alex coming home for Christmas and think of how much Aidric will change in the mean time.  Aidric is just now starting to sit up, grab things, and roll over.  By Christmas he should be doing all those with ease and crawling and pulling himself up to things.  Time just keeps on going, so I am so thankful with the time we get to spend together and getting trips here and there as a family is priceless.  Well, hope you enjoy the pictures and give your family a hug.   Have a blessed day.

Alicia

Off we go

Rattlesnake rapids everyone enjoyed but got quite wet

The girls on the swing together

Aidric putting his feet up and enjoying the day

Latisha with friends on blast off.  It shoots you up hundreds of feet and drops you.
Sierra and Danika went on it also.

Alex and Sierra on the wild mouse

everyone exhausted on the ride home.  Very thankful for our motohome.

Family Reunions

A few years ago I was at the library when a security man approached me.  "Alicia?"  he asked.  I quickly looked around to count my kids and make sure one hadn't left with an unchecked out book.  "Yes," I said hesitantly.  He smiled, "Married to David, right?"he asked tentatively.   "Yes,"  I answered.  "It's Nic,"  he said.  I had no clue who he was so I just smile and racked my brain.  "Your cousin,"  he said.  I could have fainted right there.  I didn't recognize him at all.  He didn't look like the teenager I had last seen several years earlier who was named Nicolas.  But it was him.  I stared at him in disbelief as he explained he lived in the same area as we did and worked here.  Several of my cousins live in the same valley as we do but generally the only time I see them is at a family reunion.

As a kid I remember our family reunions as being such a big deal.  Going to see how much everyone had grown and who had been born the past year was so exciting.  My grandparents on my dad's side had seven kids.  One of my uncles never married but the rest did and had kids.  There are now 24 of us grandkids, 65 greats, and this year the first great great was born.  I know this because I just got home from my family reunion.  We didn't make it last year so I was so excited to see everyone this year.  I must say I was a bit disappointed.  Every year our reunions seem to get smaller and smaller even though there are more being born.  It is hard for everyone to make it and it just gets neglected.  Each year one of the seven siblings plans a reunion, the same date, but they choose the place.  Generally we camp, but that is hard for some people. So, the day reunions where most of the family lives is the best attended.  I personally love to camp with everyone.  My grandpa's family has had a day reunion for years in Missouri and I believe it is still on the same weekend and same place but their numbers are dwindling also.  My mothers family has had several reunions spaced several years a part.  They hold them at a local park or at a camp.  I think my favorite is at a camp.  At the camp you pay a small fee per person and you can still bring your RV but those who don't have RV's stay in the cabins and the camp cooks and cleans all our food.

David's father's side of the family has a reunion about every three years.  When his grandpa was alive he planned them and they were all over the western part of the country.  This was so fun because we got to go to some place different.  When Grandpa passed away the reunions did also until one of David's cousins took charge and is working so hard to plan the next reunion.

I really think it must be less stressful for everyone if the reunion is just at a camp.  Of course this can be financially challenging so day camps every few years are nice also.  I have been to reunions that have lots of games and activities, pictures, matching t-shirts and all other kinds of creativity, but this is such a burden on those planning it that they get overstressed.  Maybe taking a family cruise would be the easiest, all that is planned and the meals are provided.  The most important thing is that we get to reconnect with one another.  We see family that we haven't seen for a while so when we pass them in the library we recognize them.  We find out the struggles and success all are having and just be together.  David and I have discussed what we will do in a few years.  Will we just have our own reunion?   For now we'll make to the ones we can and enjoy the time we have together.  Here are some pictures from our weekend.  What kind of family reunions do you like?  Enjoy and God bless.

Alicia

Grandma with six of her seven kids

Small turn out but happy to see those who made it. 

Grandma with 4 of her 7 new offspring born this past year