I'm Back!

Boys in bow ties!

So yah, it's been busy.  We spent 3 out of 4 weeks in June traveling and the first week of July we had VBS!  This business has caught up to us as everyone has a cold - summer colds are for the birds.

The first trip was to California for some family time, beach time, cousin time and Disney time!  We took Owen and my nephew to Disneyland for the first time and it was a hit!  However, if you ask either of them, their favorite ride was the tram from the parking lot to the gates.  Awesome.

This picture was taken post Owen getting us kicked off a ride.  SWEET.  He was having a Mr. Monk moment and refused to sit in the seat so we had to get off the ride.  Other than that little incident, I'd say they liked it.  I think California Adventure was more their speed with Cars Land and Bug's Life.  Bug's Life had a ton of rides they loved - maybe we'll go back again??

Can we go back and hang out with these cousins?  They were so cute together!

In between trips we were home long enough to make THIS amazing salad.  My sister made it for us in California and it was so good, I had to make it too!  It is so light and summery - you MUST try it!

 

Watermelon and Arugula Salad

 Barefoot Contessa

Ingredients
1/2 pound baby arugula leaves
2 pounds seedless watermelon, 3/4-inch-diced (3 pounds with the rind)
1/3 cup good olive oil
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2-pound chunk Parmesan cheese

Jer showing off his new BBQ apron.  We had grilled chicken with the Watermelon and Arugula salad - good job Chef Jer

Instructions

Place the arugula and watermelon in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pour enough dressing on the arugula to moisten.

With a very sharp knife or a vegetable peeler, shave the Parmesan into large shards and sprinkle them on the arugula and watermelon. Sprinkle with salt and serve.

Our next stop on the Stephens American Tour was Louisville, Kentucky for a friend's wedding reception - we had so much fun celebrating Sarah and Matt!  LOVED her dress and wish I got a picture of her FABULOUS Jimmy Choos!

 Next stop, Stearns, Kentucky for a ride on the Big South Fork Railway!  We road an old steam engine ("Steamie" for those in the know) to an abandoned coal mine that the National Park Service now runs.  It was such a great trip!  Owen, and even Elliott, loved riding the train!

And the final stop of our tour was Jamestown, Tennessee!  We spent time with Jeremy's family and enjoyed a trip down memory lane.  I loved how excited Jeremy was to show us all the places he remembered with such fondness as a kid.

We stopped at Forbus General Store which opened in 1892.  When we rolled up there were several men on the stoop whittling wood, you can spy them off to the right.  Owen picked out a coon skin cap that Grandma Dar got him and he proceeded not only to wear it all day and to the family reunion, but to also call himself "Daniel Boone Owen."

Great summer so far but so ready to just be in Charlottesville!