A Camping We Will Go

Summer was rapidly coming to an end but we couldn't let it go without one last weekend of rip-roaring fun.  This time in the form of a camping trip with my brother's family and grandpa.

"Rip-roaring fun" being a relative term depending on who you happen to be asking. ;)

All six of us sleeping in a tent for two nights?  "Rip-roaring fun!" according to the kids.  However, you might possibly get a slightly different answer from Phil. 

There was some good eating all weekend long.

 Barbecue chicken...  mmmm...

Corn on the cob...  getting hungry...  maybe also a little tired...

Boys and sticks.  A tale as old as time.

Little J was pretty pleased with herself after climbing on top of that stump all by herself.

A nice little setup for the kids' table to keep the flies away.

Phil missed the memo that this was our tough "show me your fist and/or elbow" shot.

And then, we made fire.  But it was mostly just smoke at first.

We have fire!  Success!

Everyone thought it couldn't get much better than this.

Then Auntie Joanna busted out the marshmallows.

Trying to stay away from those sparks!

Then darkness fell.

Yup, it couldn't get much better than this.

That is, until Phil busted out the Jiffy Pop popcorn.  And then, our first night camping was complete.

More camping pics to come.

WWE: Beef and Broccoli

When only something quick and easy will do...

Beef and Broccoli
serves 4-6


Ingredients

1/4 cup oyster sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1/4 cup sake (sherry or dry white wine will also do)
2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 lb skirt or strip steak, cut into thin strips
2 tablespoons grapeseed or canola oil
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb broccoli, cut into florets
Jasmine or brown rice


 Directions

1. Combine the oyster sauce, sesame oil, sake, soy sauce, vinegar, and corn starch in a small bowl until it is smooth.
2. Place the sauce and thin-sliced beef in a resealable bag to marinate for about 30 minutes.
3. (At this point start your rice.)
4. Add 1 tablespoon oil to a large skillet over medium high heat. When it begins to shimmer, add ginger, garlic, and broccoli florets.
5. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until broccoli is bright green and crisp tender.
6. Transfer to a serving plate and reserve for later.
7. Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and again heat to a shimmer.
8. Cook the beef with the sauce until it is cooked through an the sauce has thickened slightly.
9. Add broccoli back in to the pan and toss to combine.
10. Heat through and serve over rice (I used a combo of Jasmine and brown rice).

Printable Recipe

The Sleepover, Part Three

Surprisingly bright and early the next day, all were up at at 'em.  One of the Js was particularly interested in what we'd be having for breakfast.  He asked if a tall stack of pancakes might make an appearance.

I was happy to oblige, only I threw in mini chocolate chips in them.  No one seemed to mind.  Bacon, turkey sausage, scrambled eggs, and strawberries made an appearance, too. 

They decided it was time for a water fight after breakfast.  Allie wanted to join them.  Her face cracks me up here.

Open fire!

Then run!

Poor J got blasted.

The water and the foggy morning made for a very cold combo.

Then this happened...

See that big grin?

Blasted again!

So then this happened.

Followed by this.

Whereupon it was decided by all that it was much too cold for this monkey business.

So they came inside again.  Despicable Me.

And finally cake time!

Mesmerized by candlelight.  Or the Star Wars figures.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR MIIIIIIKEEEEEEEY.

And of course, Dr. Phil approved (because he put 'em together) goody bags.

So thankful for this great group of friends who came over to celebrate our boy turning nine.  And so thankful for nine years with our boy who is such a gift to us.  We love you, Mikey!

The Sleepover, Part Two

Then we moved everyone to the home portion of the sleepover.

And what is a boys' sleepover without a little photobombing thrown in?

We pretty much let the boys decide the order of events once we got everyone inside.  So that's how it was decided that present opening should come next.  Loved this name card made by friend J.

It was continuous talking while unwrapping.  That's my boy.  Still in his VBS shirt, too.

They all got him stuff he loves- Calvin & Hobbes, and Lego sets.  So sweet to see how well these friends know each other.  :)

Then they moved into Mikey's room to build all the Lego sets.

Then it was In-n-Out at their own boys' table for dinner.

Then movie time with popcorn laced with marshmallows and m&ms.

Then it was time to get ready for bed which in boy-speak can only mean, Pillow Fight!

It was every man for himself.

Charge!

And then the biggest kid of all appeared.

Then it became four against one.

Then it was Bible story time, read on the Kindle.

Remember what I said earlier about this boy basking in all the extra attention?

Well, bask he certainly did.

And even went around to make sure each friend got a chance to shower him with attention.  Wow.

It was pretty tough trying to get him to come out of that room with all the fun boys in there when it was finally time for lights out.

Of course, lights out didn't necessarily mean sleep's on though.  I heard the last two holdouts stayed up past 1:30 am!

The third and last installment will be coming tomorrow!