~ surprised by 2 ~

I
had an amazing weekend. My
weekend started Friday night
with an awesome concert put
on at my church. It was kicked
off by some awesome worship

and I don't know about you but that is always good for this girl's soul.

Paula Dunn, was the special speaker and she is a great singer - so Friday night,

she shared a little with us but mostly she sang for us. Then on Saturday, she

sang for us as well as brought us an amazing message.

I will be sharing more about her message in the days to come this week but for now,

I have to tell you about the other part of my weekend.

Saturday night, after I got home from listening to Paula speak -

my sister and her friend, Brian made us dinner.

It. Was. Amazing!

Here are some pics of the two of them working their magic in the kitchen.

It was very sweet to watch their excitement for serving us

dinner.

 It was all a big secret and they wouldn't tell us what they were making and

for the most part they did their best to keep us out of the kitchen and to keep it all a surprise!

 I'm sure you all can relate to how nice it was not to have to worry about dinner

that night and to be served something super special.

It was so thoughtful and so very sweet.

 I just love this picture of these pictures of the two of them working together in the kitchen.

They both really like to cook and try new food.

 The magic moment when the ribs came out of the oven!

He was so proud...

and rightly so!

They were delish!

All of it was amazing!

 They made us BBQ Beef Ribs, Loaded Mash Potatoes, Cilantro Lime Rice,

and an awesome Green Salad.

 For dessert, Casi made Strawberry Shortcakes with Cinnamon Sprinkled over Pineapple.

It was divine!

Thank you, you two!

It was so nice of you to work so hard to make it so nice for us.

Have you surprised a loved one recently?

~ summer-to-remember ~

I
have to say, this is the
first summer in a long
time that I am actually
enjoying. Granted we
are having a very mild

summer but, I've noticed that even on the super hot days

I'm cool with it. (ha ha pun intended)

This summer,

so far,

has been full of fun and happy memories have been created.

A summer-to-remember

should include:

~ delicious new recipes

~ reading through a lovely happy novel with your feet up

~ chubby babe legs

oh so chubby.

~ riding in the car with boys...

without your seat belt...

(It was only 3 blocks in a subdivision at about 5 mph)

~ enjoying summer days with your belly out

~ sitting in the sun with a sweet boy

~ taking a nap after a long swim covered in daddy's t-shirt.

~ breathing in that sweet smell of Granny linens

~ photographing a little one napping

~ laying on the cool grass with your Granny

~ bird watching with your Granny

~ wearing your favorite boots with shorts

~ hugs. lots and lots of hugs

~ waiting patiently for five little ones to hatch

~ bring on the blueberries ~

A
tleast once a week,
my kids request
muffins of some type,
and since I'm the cooker,
the baker, and the candlestick

maker - I usually choose to make

Blueberry

muffins.

I can't get enough of anything

Blueberry.

From muffins,

to pies,

to pancakes,

to that

Blueberry

syrupy deliciousness you poor over

ice cream and pancakes,

to just eating a bunch of

Blueberries

 nice and fresh.

In a salad or in a muffin...

doesn't matter to me...

I could eat them everyday.

What is your

Berry

of choice?

date night.

♥
My husband and I went out
on one of the most perfect
dates I have ever been on
in my whole life.

My sissy suggested that we go and she volunteered to

watch our boys.

I was giddy like a little high school girl the afternoon before our date.

I got all my make-up out.

 I plucked.

These things needed some taming.

Sweet Pea let me barrow her adorable headband.

We both got all cleaned up and ready to go!

We decided it would be fun to go out on our bikes

and see where the road took us.

We ended up riding the greenbelt to downtown and

parked at one of our favorite spots to visit

friends and family.

The Basque Center.

If you haven't been to the Basque Block in Boise well...

shame on you.

 After some ice water for me and a little cocktail for my hubby

we went on to the Matador.

The Matador is a newer restaurant downtown.

I would describe it as Spanish Bistro.

It is a Tequila Bar ...

and it just happens to have amazing decor,

outstanding food,

and very interesting bathroom faucets!

Next we headed back to our bikes and came

across the sweetest old Golden I have

ever met.

Isn't he precious?

 I adore downtown.

We got back to our bikes and ...

 we rode,

and rode,

and laughed,

and were dorks,

and I fell.... again.

 We ended up riding a pretty far ways and ended up seeing deer

by the golf course!

 It was gorgeous out.

A perfect evening for a date with my lover boy.

I love this bridge.

Before home, we went and picked up a movie at a redbox.

True Grit... the new one.

I liked it okay, but I was hoping for a bit more.

Isn't she gorgeous?

So wish I had those braids!!!

Date Night with my love.

I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Thanks Sis <3