Memorial Weekend in Pictures

Attended Memorial Day Services at the Riverside Cemetary Monday morning.
Jeremy relaxing.

Laina and Destiny snacking.

Bridget and Jeremy got their rings that were made by DJ Rinner.

Sangria made and enjoyed.

Herbs planted. Rosemary, oregano and basil. I looked at Walmart and Menards for Thyme. Anybody know where I can get some?

Innertubes inflated.

Winter pool cover off and pool filled with water.

First swim of the year. Thanks to Tom for braving the cold water so Laina and Destiny could swim.

Played badminton. Bridget and Jeremy picked out paint colors for their new house.

Tom enjoyed Sam Adams Summer Ale--a wheat ale with lemon zest and grains of paradise! What are grains of paradise?

Lola learned how to seek out shade when its really hot.

Hugs goodbye for Laina and Destiny.

Back Breaker

Laina learned to do a back bend in her gymnastics class. She tried to get me to do one on Sunday and try I did but my arms wouldn't cooperate and push me up!

Preschool Graduation

Happy Birthday Donna Mae

We celebrated my mom's 82nd birthday with her in Oregon on Wednesday.

My mom wanted to visit this Iris farm on her birthday. My brother came from Portland to wish my mom a happy birthday but I think he mostly wanted to see his grand daughter, Linnea.

Pictures and Pies in Riverside

Last Friday as I was walking my dog I noticed two new businesses that just opened in downtown Riverside. When your "downtown" is about a block long two new businesses is a big deal. We're excited to have Hoard's Bakery They advertise a Mile High Apple Pie! My daughter was familiar with their products from the Iowa City Farmers Market and gave them a thumbs up! It just so happened to be Sarah Nebel Photography's open house and I stopped in and registered for half off of a sitting fee and was surprised to learn the next day that I had won!

Friend Hole

At work we have sliding partitions between our "cubes". Someone at worked nicknamed the partitions "friend hole". Here are my co-workers, Kerry and Leslie working and chatting Thursday afternoon through their friend hole. I am so jealous. I mean yeah, I have opened my friend hole to pass something through or ask a question, but this.......................I'm just so jealous.

Jump!

Laina got a jump rope for Easter and is bound and determined to learn how to jump.

Happy One Week Anniversary

Bridget and Jeremy at Bridget's highschool graduation in 2000.



10 years later.

Banana-O-Rama

A few weeks ago we (the girls and I) did a "healthy snack" exchange. I decided to try to make my banana bread healthy enough to qualify. My recipe calls for plain yogurt so that was a start.




Then I decided to use half white flour and half wheat flour. I discovered that they sell 50/50 flour! I usually do not do the grocery shopping in our family so this was news to me!

Now this is where my healthy snack takes a bit of an unhealthy turn. The next time I make it I am going to try substituting applesauce for at least part of this butter.

I was afraid that the wheat flour might make the bread dry but it didn't. Here is my recipe if you want to try it.

Banana Bread

Whisk together:

2 C 50/50 flour

3/4 C sugar

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Mix together:

3 mashed bananas

1/4 C plain yogurt

2 eggs-beaten lightly

6 T melted and cooled butter

1 tsp vanilla

Fold the banana mixture into the dry ingredients. Put batter into greased & floured loaf pan. Bake at 350 for about 1 hour.

Time's A Wastin'

Bridget and Jeremy thought time was a wastin' so decided to tie the knot on Monday afternoon after being engaged for not quite one week. Here they are pictured Monday night at Blackstone restaurant in Iowa City.

Bridget had no desire to plan a wedding so thought this was the way to go!

Jeremy signs.........and it's a done deal!

The newly weds moments after getting married. No one was there to say you may kiss the bride.....so I said it!

Congratulations Mr and Mrs LaRoche!! A ceremony and backyard BBQ will be coming in August.

Blackstone

Monday night the LaRoche family and the Kirsch family met up at Blackstone to celebrate! Laina was in quite the good mood and wanted to be in every picture!
The newly weds and Laina.


Sarah and Erik with Laina

Terri, Tom and Laina

Laina suddenly decided not to cooperate for our family picture.

The LaRoche family including Jeremy's grandma on the left but minus Jeremy's brother, sister-in-law and niece from North Carolina. They will be back for the larger celebration in August.

"Tiki Room"

Tiki Room was the name of the dance that Laina and her class performed at her recital Saturday at the US Cellular Center. Here is a picture of her class and teacher

Laina was in not a very good mood after the recital and wouldn't take the flowers that her dad gave to her.

It could have something to do with the fact that they sat behind stage being entertained by the stage mom (aka: Terri) for a couple hours before they did their one or two minute dance on stage.

She was definately ready for some down time after the whole ordeal.

Nice fish face Laina!