Gardner Clan and Organized Chaos

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The middle of August we made a visit to the Gardner's in SC. The purpose was to see their new domicile and pick-up their 4 kids to take back for a week in Raleigh. This would give Zoe and Stuart some time "alone" -- it was our thank you gift for all of their hard work in our wedding. Plus we just LOVE those Gardner kids.

There is Josh (12) the cool eldest, Macala (11) the prettiest one, Luke (9) the creative sensitive one, and everyone's favorite and least favorite, the famous double jointed mouth, "Bear" (6).

The original plan was that Danny and I would spend time with them. Well, Danny was still working in VA, so it was just ME and the kids. I have a new appreciation for ALL you multiple children families!!! Even with this great kids --- and I do not lie --- they are TERRIFIC kids --- I barely survived the week. We had a blast from going to the lake, the pool, making forts, playing air guitar, baking cake, computer games, movies...... Truly there is no doubt: I AM the *fun* aunt!

Can't wait to play with them again next year!!!

Summer Love

Summer lovin' had me a blast
Summer lovin' happened so fast
I met a girl crazy for me
Met a boy cute as can be
Summer days driftin' away, to uh-oh those summer nights

Uh Well-a well-a well-a huh
Tell me more, tell me more
Did you get very far?
Tell me more, tell me more

. . . . . . . . . HEY! This is a family blog. Sorta. . . . . . . . . .

This summer we got to visit the Gardners. BamBam joined us and well, fell in love with their beautiful chocolate lab Espy. And you can tell why...... that girl is HOT!

July Four + Chinese Five Spice Chicken

We spent our first 4th of July together as a couple at a free concert at the Cary Ampitheatre (a wee bitty version of something similar to Wolf Trap).

We got rained on and missed fireworks. But the best part was a new recipe I tried on chicken drumsticks. Its now a favorite for Danny and I. Its got a killer "kick" to it but it gets dipped into a creamy cilantro sauce. SO GOOD!!

Click here to go see the recipe.