Happy Father's Day, Stephen!

Favorite Summer Salads

These are some of our favorite summer salads! The last several times I've made them, I've gotten asked if I could share the recipe, so I thought I'd post them here- enjoy! These were not originally my own, but I have altered them quite a bit and the directions here are the versions I usually make :)

Best Ever Pasta Salad
1 (16 ounce) package dry penne pasta
2 large cucumbers, peeled and sliced, then half again
1 can large olives
1 package bacon
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1 Tablespoon dried dill weed
2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 Tablespoons lemon pepper

Boil penne pasta 8 to 10 minutes or until done as you like; drain. At same time, cook bacon until crispy and then crumble or cut into small pieces.
Combine mayo and sour cream, then add combination to pasta until well coated. Add seasonings, mix well. Add cucumbers, olives and crumbled bacon. Serve as is or chill for a bit. Note: If you're traveling with this, save the cucumbers to add at the last minute- they get softer than we personally prefer after the second day or so.

Yummy Strawberry Spinach Salad
1 bag spinach, small leaves with stems
3 cups sliced strawberries
1/2 thinly sliced red onion
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1 bag sliced almonds
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cube butter or margarine
Dressing:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Set oven to moderate broil. Toast sliced almonds by laying in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Place them in the oven and watch close- they burn fast! When lightly toasted, cool slightly and pour into gallon size ziploc bag. Melt 1/3 cube butter and pour over almonds in the bag. Add 1/2 cup sugar to bag and toss together until coated.
Toss spinach leaves, sliced strawberries, sliced onions and raisins (if using) in a large bowl.
Dressing: Whisk or shake together all ingredients. Pour over the salad mix and toss to coat. Add almonds last as topping, mix lightly.
Note: This salad does not keep as a leftover when mixed all together. If you want to make it last longer, add dressing to each individual serving instead :)

Conner is Home!!

As I've edited these, I've decided they speak for themselves. They bring tears to my eyes and smiles to my face- a GREAT day!

After the airport, we traveled to Lundyn and Josh's for a BBQ and chance to relax better. I was impressed again that Conner has been such an honorable missionary. He followed the mission rules perfectly and received the protection and success that he knew would come from that. His mission broke their previous baptism record in just the month before he left and he was able to be part of two of them- what great icing! He was also still comfortable and easy going to be around and even ventured to try a hand at Guitar Hero before we all left. We are so proud of you Conner and can't wait to spend more time with you this summer!

P.S. I've also decided yet again that we have the greatest parents- it's worth noting that my Mom and Dad have been such amazing support for Conner while he's been gone. They have sent him things even before he knew he needed or wanted them. They have been able to say what he needed to hear just when he needed it. I remember writing him once and telling him, "You do realize that Mom has you on the brain literally 80% of the time?" :) I know that really has been true for them- they rock. :)

Cooper Conner Turns Two!

This last Saturday we celebrated Cooper's second birthday with family, friends and fun. THANK YOU to everyone who came to support- some of you from quite a ways. We set up some water toys at the back of the yard and the kids played and played. We had a yummy BBQ and Cooper got so many presents it was literally like Christmas! He is in love with all of it and has been playing with everything ever since. :)

I have to confess it's a little bitersweet for him to have another birthday... I can see myself having a hard time with my kids growing up! Cooper and I are really attached and I just pray that at least part of that continues as he gets older. I know sooner than later I'll be more attached to him than he is to me, and that I'll so miss him coming and asking "Mommy, hold you." Come what may, we sure love this little guy- he is our whole world!

How Many Big Things Can We Squeeze into a Week?

Things have been rather rapid fire in our world lately- our time is filled with some really big milestones all crammed together. My youngest sister, Cyndel, graduated from high school, Cooper turned two on Saturday and my brother, Conner, is coming home from his mission tomorrow!

We were so proud to go and support Cyndel as she graduated from high school last week- she was one of only two kids in her class to have high honors. I could hardly keep the tears out of my eyes as I took in how grown up she seems! I remember so clearly when she was born, I remember getting her out her crib in the mornings and her soft kissable cheeks, I remember riding my Mom's bike with her in the bike seat, I remember watching her and Conner play in the ditch together, I remember her baptism... so many childhood things that seemed far away as she graduated. We are so proud of you Cyndel- you deserve and are capable of anything you want in this life!

As for Conner coming home, I could hardly sleep last night thinking about it and tonight will no doubt be the same. Gosh, we miss him! It seems like it's been a long time somehow. While I am excited to see him myself, I'm more anxious for him to meet Cooper. I will be ready with the camera at that moment for sure (and tears streaming then too no doubt- it's just who I am these days :) Kinda funny that I was pregnant when Conner left and am pregnant now- hopefully he can still remember what I really look like! More to come on our day with Conner later this week :)

Ya know, I truly feel like both Conner and Cyndel are a cut above in this world. They are what it means when we hear "saved for the last days." I'm so excited for what they will make of thier lives- I know there are amazing things in store for them both and that they so much deserve to be happy. They are already role models for my own kids and I am looking forward to great memories to come!