dream...a wish your heart makes: July 2008

{favorite recipe}

I have been meaning to do a post about one of my favorite recipes to make. I made it last night with tomatoes from my neighbors garden. My kids LOVE it. And it's super simple. I get the shrimp at Costco. The frozen bag that is already peeled and deveined. I make this probably twice a month and the leftovers are even better because the flavors have meshed together overnight. If you give it a try let me know what you think.

{Roasted Tomatoes with Shrimp and Feta}

5 large tomatoes, cut into eighths

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons minced garlic

¾ teaspoon kosher salt

¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1½ pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 cup Feta, crumbled

Preheat oven to 450°F. Place the tomatoes in a large baking dish. Spoon the olive oil and garlic over the tomatoes. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper and toss. Place on top rack of oven and roast for 20 minutes. Remove baking dish from oven and stir in the shrimp, parsley, and lemon juice. Sprinkle with the Feta. Place back in oven for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the shrimp are cooked. Serve warm with crusty bread.

{chicago}

It's official....I get to go with Chris on a business trip to Chicago. I have never been there. And will only be there for two days, but I have no idea what to do. What do you suggest? Oprah is off for the summer or I totaly try to do that...I might go to Navy Pier for a boat ride, miracle mile for some shopping, and maybe Sears Tower. Chris did say we will get tickets to Wicked. So happy. Any other ideas or something I should really check out?

{4th of july}

Check out the shirts I designed and made for the girls. I love my new computer!

Last year it was 108* for the 4th. It was so nice this year. Perfect weather, and hey I wasn't pregnant!

Chris let Ella play with this ball at the pool party. Look at her NEW swimsuit coverup by the end of the day. Thanks Chris. Lucky for him I like to get stains out. It was good as new.

{girl time}

I'm so far behind on posting, I still haven't posted Ellie's birthday party and the 4th of July, but more of that later. This last weekend I got to go to Southern California with my sisters and Dad. Jess wanted to take us with her on her grad trip. We had a blast. Our first day we hit LA. We totally did the whole tourist thing. First we hit Mann Chinese theater. While we where walking around they stooped us to interview us for "Watch with Kristen" on E! We each did an interview, but didn't know if we made until today. So check it out. You have to go to about 4:10.

http://vids.eonline.com/services/link/bcpid1396519019/bctid1662450087

You can tell that I really didn't know what to do. I got to hold the mike and interview Jess. Brooke on the other hand was sooo into it. Brittany did a question too...but sadly got cut. It was about Big Love so she wasn't too upset. Here is what I got.

We also hit "El Coyote" from "The Hills". A favorite spot of Heidi and Spencer. Jess was happy that we found it.

We went shopping at Third Street and my favorite Vanilla Bake shop. I still need to get more pictures, but I do have some videos. I'll post soon. All in all it was a once in a lifetime trip. No kids and no hubbies. I did miss them. And am so grateful to Chris for helping me out so I could go. I know the girls had fun spending time with Dad. More to come.

{happy birthday ella girl}

{how time flies}

Ella had her 1st birthday party. I can't believe it has been a year. It was a County Fair theme. Here is what we did.....

{Carnival Area}
Ashley and Davis playing games

{Coloring Station}
Leah and Deanen

{Cake walk}

{dunk tank}

Leah & Anna

{watermelon eating contest}

won of course by the Wollesen Boys!

{sisters}

{happy birthday cake}

Ella doesn't know quite what to do

{matching again}

Mimi and I really do think alike. Without even talking about at any time, we both showed up wearing the same shirt. This is not the first time that this has happened. It's a bit freaky.

We had a great time. I have been trting to be a better party planner and mange my time so at the party I can really enjoy it. I think like anything it comes with practice. By no means am I perfect at it, but this was the first time I was able to sit, visit and play a good host. Thanks to everyone for coming especailly family who drove so far to be with us. It was surely a special day.

{summertime fun}

What do you do in the summertime when all the sky is filled with smoke. You go swimming of course. Yes, even with all the smoke from all the fires in California, we still went to swimming. We paid good money for lessons. We didn't really seem to be affected by it. Chris said it couldn't be much worse than being outside in Southren Califorina with the smog. So.... nothing can stop us from swimming.

Ashley is a fish. She will swim for hours at a time. I have to drag her out.

It seems like all we do is snack at the pool. Even if we eat a big breakfast right before we go.

Even Ellie thinks she has to snack ALL the time.

{Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust}

What a time we had at our friend Anna's 3rd birthday party. It was quite the party. Mimi made skirts and wands for the girls and pirate stuff for the boys. The kids colored, dug for treasure and watched a movie outside. That was such a treat. The weather was perfect. The food was great. And It was so fun!