The kiddos

Here is a photo of a few of the kiddos. There names are as follows: Priya, Ari, Eli (see Eli's story below), Abby (see Abby's story below), Matan, Trent and Oren. What a different world...of names!

Oh Abby

I co-teach with two other ladies. Molly and Lauren are very nice and I love working with them. This was a conversation Molly had with a 3 year old little girl named Abby during lunch today.

Abby: Molly, do you know what's the best think ever?
Molly: No. What?
Abby: Mangoes! They're delicious!

JCC

So, for those of you who haven't heard yet, I got a job. I am currently working at the Jewish Community Center of Ann Arbor. Stop laughing. It's actually been really fun! I work with 3 and 4 year olds from 9-6. I know...a long day for little ones! Anyway, I have enjoyed being with children again and hearing their oh so funny one liners. Yesterday I was talking to a little boy Eli about his plans for the day. This is our conversation.

Me: Good morning Eli! Are you excited for free time?
Eli: Yes.
Me: What are you going to do during free time?
Eli: Play in the house area.
Me: What are you going to play in the house area?
Eli: Class.
Me: You mean school?
Eli: No.
Me: What class do you mean then?
Eli: Yoga.

How funny is that? Next time you're bored try playing yoga...Eli sure made it look like fun!

Halloween Cookies

Keeping with recent tradition, I made festive cookies for our friends and neighbors here in Ann Arbor. Since Halloween is the occasion I made these great ghost cookies with a recipe that my girlfriend Jill showed me back in our college days. It's so easy and they taste great! All you need is a flat of Nutter Butter cookies, one package of almond bark coating and a bag of miniature chocolate chips. Melt the bark, dip the cookies in, place two eyes on the warm chocolate, let them harden on waxed paper. Viola! I placed a few in plastic to-go containers with a cute Halloween colored bow on top. It's an easy recipe to do with your kiddos...or just make them for yourself to enjoy! Happy Halloween!

Chipati's

From the yummy chipati sandwich to the delicious chocolate malts, Pizza Bob's has become one of our greatest weaknesses! We gave in to tempatation tonight and ordered dinner from Pizza Bob's and even though Nathan doesn't seemed thrilled in the photo, he was! A chipati is a baked-to-order whole wheat pita bread stuffed with lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, sweet red peppers, mushrooms, cheese and a secret sauce! Next time your in Ann Arbor you HAVE to order one...try not to do it on gameday's though...then it takes FOREVER!

The Old Man is Snoring...

Could you sleep through this every night? I didn't realize a puppy could snore so loudly! Again, sorry for the dark lighting in the family room!

Where's the Puppy?

I took this shot of Sampson tonight after one of his many naps. Don't you think he looks so HUGE? He will be three months old this Friday!

A Little Pest

My parents brought Maddie along with them this weekend. From Friday night until Sunday morning Sampson bothered poor Maddie. At first she was hesitant to fight back, but the little pest really got to her and she finally nipped back at him! It was so fun to see them play together...plus a bonus of two exhausted dogs! This is a video of Sampson barking at his buddy...sorry for the dark image, we obviously need a new light in the family room!

A Family Affair

Nathan was able to buy two extra tickets for the Michigan vs. Minnesota game so my parents could attend. On Friday night we got them all prepared to stand for the whole game in the grad student section when Nathan's phone rang. His friend Brian offered us four tickets on the 40 yard line right below the press box. WOW! So, of course we jumped at the chance to not only be in such a great spot, but to be able to SIT for the game! Although my Dad was a bit upset that his alma mater didn't win, I think he enjoyed the game! The weather was beautiful and the rain clouds left before the game started and didn't return until after we got home from the game! We got back home in time to eat some warm shepards pie for dinner and snack on homemade popcorn while we watched the rest of the college gameday!

Fast Friends

Sampson and his new best friend. My parents came to visit for the weekend and these two had an especially great time together! Sampson always managed to find his way to Dad for a nice scratch or belly rub and sometimes a quick nap. I think he also enjoyed being up on the couch which put him on Maddie's level!

Chow-da!

I had the greatest soup tonight...it tasted like homemade chowder! Yum! My aunt sent me home with this box of chowder and I am so glad that she did! I made it tonight for dinner and it was fabulous! All you have to do is heat it on the stove with milk! As you can see, I had a bowl of chowder along with a slice of whole wheat bread and it hit the spot on this chilly night in Ann Arbor! I just love "semi-homemade" dinners...Enjoy!

Home Sweet Home

I got back tonight around 10:30. Cooper and Major were nice enough to take care of Sampson while Nathan and I were away. (A HUGE thank you to Katie, Mark, Jacki and Sean!) So, Jacki and Sean dropped Sampson off tonight once I got home. I can't believe how much he's grown since I left 10 days ago! Jacki made me feel so much better about being gone so long when she said "Well he never greets us like that!" after Sampson walked in and gave me some instant kisses! About 30 minutes later and two successful trips outside he was out cold in my lap, just like the good ol' days! I am so happy to be cuddling with my little guy again!

Nathan has been in New York City since Sunday meeting with different investment banking firms. Cross your fingers that an internship comes his way soon! He gets back late tomorrow night...Woo hoo!

Mt. Hood

How would you like to see this from your backyard and/or your neighborhood? I swear, Portlanders have such a magical life! This was the view from Misty Lane which is in Mary and Rich's old neighborhood. Their old house is still for sale if anyone's interested...this could be what you see when you're going to work! Who could resist?

Gertrude

I caught a salmon! After church on Sunday we headed back up to Vaune's cabin to fish. This time Vaune came along with her son Nathan (what a great name, right?) and his buddy Ben. We had great luck that day and I was SO excited to have finally caught my first salmon! Vaune was nice enough to filet all 27 inches of Gertrude for me (yuck!) so I could freeze her and take her home to show Nathan. While we were packing up our gear Vaune had me sign in her "cabin guest book" where I wrote my stats from the day. Before I did that, Vaune handed me a bottle of booze and claimed that it's tradition to take a swig if you catch a fish (and are over 21). Barf! It was so nasty! Vaune was shocked that I didn't like it, especially since MY AUNT was the one who got her hooked on it. Mary walked in a take a big swig...BARF! It's called aquavit...try it if you like black licorice flavored nastiness! I'll stick to Miller Lite, thank you!

We rushed home from Vaune's so Mary could change out of her fishing gear and jump back in the car to go pick up my uncle Rich at the airport. When they got back he was nice enough to vaccuum pack Gertrude and freeze her for her trip home. Thanks again Rich!

Now, I've never considered myself an outdoorsy girl, but this trip has totally changed my mind! I love to fish! Thanks to some great guidance from Mary and Vaune I think I'm officially "hooked!" Ha!

Go Cavs!

Friday night we drove to Jack's football game in Lake Oswego. His team, the Clackamas Cavaliers (try to say that five times fast!) played their hearts out, but ended up losing. It was a cold and rainy night but we had a great time cheering on Jack and his teammates! Mary and I huddled together under some blankets and cheered from the stands. We also managed to witness a love triangle between some Clackamas parents. Mary and I decided that we love to hear about other's drama, but don't want any in our own lives! After the game, and the dramatic triangle-ing, we went down on the field to greet Jack. I was so excited that I was able to see Jack play and he even granted me one "football player posed" photo. Is he a football stud or what...Go Cavs!

The Rock

Friday morning bright and early I dropped Maggie May off at school and stopped at the Carver General Store to buy myself a fishing license! Mary and I met back at the house and then headed up to her friend Vaune's cabin farther up river. Vaune is from the same area of Iowa that I went to college in...Go Norse! Anyway, we fished all day long! Guess how many bites and fish we caught: none! We were both so disappointed...but we had a great time bonding on "The Rock" that we stood on to fish from. If you look closely you can see my aunt's fishing vest is officially licensed by the FSA...she and her friends are referred to as "The Fishing Slut Association" and they are proud of it! Does this FS look happy or what? I have to admit, I might be hooked as well!

The Lone Herring

After school on Thursday the four of us, Mary, Jack, Maggie and I, went to Costco. It's very similar to a Sam's Club but so much nicer! Anyway, we splurged and bought all kinds of fun and yummy things from shrimp to the movie Transformers! My aunt splurged on herself by buying one of her favorite things...pickled herring! Nobody noticed her item until the parking lot. Jack and I were unloading everything until he saw her purchase and yelled "Oh no, I'm not putting that in the car!" He was so serious that he literally closed the trunk and got in his seat with the herring still in the cart. I thought it was so funny...so a took a shot of the "lone herring" to share with all of you. Poor Mary, all she wanted was a yummy Norweigen treat...but all she got was teasing from Jack Flack! Don't worry...I put it in the car...

Surprise Makeover

So Mary scheduled a cut and color for us and a cut for Maggie at her favorite salon in downtown Portland. I got Maggie from school, which was luckily only a half day!, grabbed some Baja Fresh for all of us and we all met at the salon. My stylist, Shannon, was amazing and reminded me so much of my stylist in Charlotte, Ashley (boo hoo!). Anyway, like Ashley she bossed me around told me what I needed to do with my hair and instead of resisting I just said "Go for it!" This is what I ended up with...it's shorter in the back which makes for some interesting mornings of hair straightening! Doesn't my cousin look great! She was so nervous when we got there, but she went all out and cut her hair and got some funky bangs which you sadly can't see well in this photo. Look out boys!

Lunch with the Girls

Mary took me to lunch at a fabulous Vietnamese place in Portland to meet her former coworker Emmy. We had a great time and I got to hear a lot about Mary's life as a child abuse pediatrician...These ladies did some amazing and heart wrenching work! Mary and Emmy got the traditional soup that the restaurant's known for...basically roast beef floating in broth...Mary wasn't impressed. I ordered the chicken and shrimp bamboo rolls...and this is what came to me! The peanut sauce was amazing with it...I think Mary was a little jealous, especially after I made her a roll!

(Notice my long hair...boo hoo...)

A Room with a View

Who couldn't wake up when this is the first thing they see? Have I mentioned yet that I am in love with my aunt's new house? I think I might try to get a job as her permanent nanny, too bad my cousin Maggie (their youngest) is already in high school!

The Gardens

Oh the gardens...my aunt has a green HAND...here are a few shots of her many gardens at the new house! Can you see how close the back patio is to the river now? I LOVE OREGON!

The View

I am so glad to be back blogging again...I have so many fun things from Portland to share with all of you! Here are a few snapshots of my Aunt Mary's gorgeous new home on the Clackamas River in Portland Oregon. The first photo is from the back yard when you look right (notice the fishing pole that we got out the very first day I was there and were never able to put back!). The second photo is from the back yard when you look left, they have a nice little bubbly brook sound all day long from this side of the house...how could life there not be peaceful? The third photo is of their beautiful house from just inside the gate...notice the Volvo that I did carpool duty in...I managed to break the seat and spontaneously sound of the alarm...my Uncle Rich was pleased to hear that I had left my "dent" on the Volvo. Oops!

Portland, Oregon

I made it to Portland and I am thinking about never leaving! I haven't been out here in years and I had no idea how beautiful it was here! The terrain itself is so different, everywhere you turn there are hundreds of huge Douglas Fir trees...it's hard to find an Oak tree here! Although I've been here for three days and taken lots of pictures I haven't had a chance to get online and post any photos. I am hoping to get some on here tonight.

Did I mention yet that my aunt and uncle's new house is absolutely amazing? I won't say another thing without being able to share a photo as well. Okay, one thing...they live right on the river...literally...every morning I wake up and see the river running by! WOW!!!!

Whatever Works

The way he usually sleeps on his big doggie bed vs. how he slept on it tonight! Notice the Michigan and Oklahoma toys in the background.

A Warm Answer to a Chilly Day

I made the greatest soup today! It's called Speedy Black Bean Soup. Bev gave me the recipe but I think it's actually a Weight Watcher's recipe. I'll check on that. Anyway, it's fabulous on a chilly night and it's so quick! Here's the recipe if you're interested!

Speedy Black Bean Soup

1 teaspoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 15 oz cans black beans
1 14 1/2 oz can fat free chicken broth
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 14 1/2 oz can Mexican tomatoes or rotel
1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
reduced fat sour cream -- opt.
shredded cheddar cheese -- opt.
Heat oil in 4 1/2 quart Dutch oven or soup pot over med. high heat. Peel and coarsely chopped onion, adding to pot as you chop. Stir and cook 2 minutes or until onions are slightly brown.
Increase heat to high and add both cans of beans with their liquid and the chicken broth. Stir well. With back of spoon, smash some of the beans against side of pot to break them up. Stir well. Add corn, tomatoes with their juice, garlic, thyme, vinegar, and cumin. Cover pot; bring soup to boil.
Reduce heat to low; simmer to let flavors blend, about 8 minutes; stirring often to prevent sticking. Serve with sour cream and cheese for garnish.
Serves 6
2 points for 1/6 of this.

An apple a day...

Rick and Bev, Nathan's parents, surprised us with a bushel of honeycrisp apples this weekend! For those of you that haven't tasted a honeycrisp apple before, they are absolutely amazing! They were actually created by The University of Minnesota in 1962 and they are very hard to find! We have decided that they are the best kind of apple! If you like a crisp apple that is sweet this one's for you! Check out your local orchards and farmer's markets, trust me, they're worth the search!

Our New Recruit

Nathan and I spent the afternoon babysitting Frankie today. Between the "sgetti" for lunch and the "kittles" for dessert she learned a thing or too. She learned so well she wanted to teach her new baby sister "Roo" that her mommy and daddy didn't have as good a team as her Uncle Nathan does! We aren't sure if Libby and Aaron are going to let us back in their house ever again now that we've turned their Buckeye-hopeful into a true Wolverine Fan! In the words of Frankie, "Go Bue!"

Zooing it!

We spent the afternoon at the Columbus Zoo with Nathan's parents and Frankie. The Frankster absolutely loves the zoo...almost as much as Nathan and I do! Frankie had to wear her doggy backpack that doubles as a leash...I'm not kidding when I say that we have to chase her. It was a beautiful zoo, but my favorite part was when all five of us hopped on the carousel!

Welcome Baby Roo!

Libby and Aaron welcomed their second daughter this week. Gwendolyn Josephine was born on October 1st and weighed in at 8 lbs 10 ounces! Way to go Libby! Although her first name is Gwendolyn, they have decided to call her Joey. So, Nathan and I affectionately call her "Roo." Nathan and I decided to visit along with the rest of his family for the past few days. We decided to surprise the baby with a gift that had to be special ordered...who knew that Roo would be such a hard gift to find! We had a lovely time visiting with his family. Between holding baby Roo, chasing Sampson and Frankie we were beat! One puppy is enough for us...we'll leave entertaining and chasing a toddler and infant to Nathan's sister and brother-in-law!

The perfect spot

As you can see, my two favorite boys are down for the count. Being a Wolverine is hard work!

Sampson

2 Months Old!

Well, Sampson celebrated his two month birthday yesterday with a trip to the vet! He slept all the way there and back which shocked me because it took us two hours round trip! We decided to take him to the same vet that Nathan's family took their dogs while they lived in Perrysburg, since it is not too far and the vet's already have a relationship with Nathan, etc. All of the ladies at the vet's office were in love with Sampson! He hammed it up the whole time giving kisses and cuddling into their arms. When he finally went in for his check up we found out that he already weighs 12.2 lbs! The vet absolutely loved meeting Sampson and he gave us some really great tips on raising a Mastiff since he has a Bull Mastiff himself. They have never had a Boerboel, the type of Mastiff that Sampson is, regularly visit their office so they are just as excited to see him grow as we are!

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Nathan and I are still settling into our townhouse. We bought a new couch and a million pillows! It has been so much fun painting walls, arranging furniture and actually having several rooms to do it in! I have ventured all over Ann Arbor in search of everything from fresh produce to a Michigan collar. That's right, a collar! Nathan and I bought an 8 week old puppy on Saturday. I can honestly say that we haven't been this happy about something since we first got engaged! We are absolutely in love with him and he seems to fit right into our little family. I have decided to run a doggy daycare out of our house to help our little man interact with as many "friends" as possible. We already had two friends over to play, a black lab named "Major" and a Rhodesian Ridgeback named "Cooper." I'm sure that the wrestling matches in this house have just begun!