Family Time

Finally a Vacation!

The Big Guy finally got to take vacation time. This year he had to postpone his time off 3x's. Needless to say we were both a little cranky by now and needing some time away. Our little family decided to go to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. MJ and the Big Guy have never been there and it's been a few years since I have gone.

MJ in the car getting really excited!

Got our tickets and our program and ready to go!

Really, I don't know of a bigger camera ham.

They have both rides and animal shows. MJ's favs were the whale and tiger shows. If you go pick up the daily schedule of the shows and plan around it. The good thing about going to the shows, is they are only about 20min long and the kids LOVE it!

They also have Toon Town. All the rides are toddler friendly and lots of fun!

MJ and I getting ready for some roller coaster fun.

Mark's legs dragging on the swings

This one was MJ's fav ride.

Lot's of fun and a great place to take the whole family

We also spent a couple of days in San Francisco. Mostly at the beach.

We definitely have a water baby. He doesn't care how cold it is.

He will jump right in.

The bird that kept trying to eat my popcorn

Mmmmm...... Jelly Belly's!

On the way home we stopped in Fairfield and took the Jelly Belly tour.

FUN!

A Day at the Farm

Andelin Family Farm

Mrs. Andelin once again opened up her family farm to our Mom and Kids Grp.

It weather was perfect! 

We went on a hayride, planted a pumpkin seed, read some stories, feed some critters and had a picnic.

Here are some pics of our day!

Mrs. Natalie Andelin telling the kids what we will be doing

 and seeing on our farm tour.

Pickin his teeth with some hay.

MJ gettin ready for the hay ride.

Mama and her favorite Monkey!

Time for a hayride!

   

Mama Natalie with her little ones

Ok, if this ain't a cute pic I don't know what is

Mama Kimberly and one of her Stepford children Chloe.

All of the moms have really great kids and for the most

part are very well behaved. Kim's kids on the other hand,

I have zero proof if it, but I am convinced they are robots.

At least have some sorta chip implant. They are by far

the most well mannered and polite kids I have ever seen.

Candice, she's more of a ham than MJ!

Feeding the goats

Shari and her beautiful little one, Lexi

(I want a GIRL!)

Yes, this looks like trouble in the making!

"IT'S A CHICKEN!!!!"

We all had such a great time. Thanks again to the Andelin Family!

Chicken & Dumplings

Definitely Comfort Food.

Here is one of my go to recipes, if I want some serious comfort food.

Ingredients:
3 Chicken breast cubed
3 Celery ribs diced
1/2 Onion diced
2 Carrots diced
2 Russet potatoes diced
(usually use 4 red, but didn't have any)
Salt/pepper
2 Bay leaves
1t Pepper flakes (optional)
1t Pultry seasoning
3T Flour
Handful Parsley
Bisquick or any instant mix
Frozen Sweet peas
Oil and Butter

Prep and chop all your ingredients first.

I cook a lot in my dutch oven if you have a heavy pot it will do too!

Heat about 2T of oil and 2T butter in your pot~Add all your veggies, herbs with some salt/pepper.

Let the veggies cook about 5-6min.

Then add your flour. It's important to let yout flour cook at least 2-3min.

This will get rid of the raw flour taste.

After your flour has cooked in for the 2-3 min add enough chicken stock to cover everything.

About 1qt. Turn up the heat a little and let come to a rolling boil. Add your chicken and a palmful of freash parsley. Cover and let simmer for about 15 min.

Time to play, "What is Olivia Drinking Tonight"

Tonight's selection is from Amador County in CA.

Redwood 2008 Zinfindel, YUMMY!

Ok, back to our program

While the chicken is simmering low. Make your biscuts. I prepare as directed on the box for drop biscuts. I also add a handful of parsley to the biscut mix, cause I love parsley that much.

Then drop your biscuts into the pot by the spoonfuls and cook about 10min.

After about 10min. you will see your biscut double in size.

Take off heat

Once you take off the heat add the peas and stir into pot.

Serve and enjoy!

Easy isn't it!