random pics

so excited about starting ballet again

getting a treat from sonic - lemonberry slush :)

don't worry, susanna shared water with me

emma and caroline enjoying strawberry cupcakes downtown

this is what happens when you leave 2, 14 month old babies alone for too long :)

salad recipes

caroline helping me make banana bread last week

the best part of cooking!

i am a salad girl...i love salads and eat one for lunch almost every day. my favorite is italian lettuce mix with sliced deli turkey, chickpeas, green olives, chopped tomato, feta cheese, montreal steak seasoning, hot sauce (i couldn't live without hot sauce), and balsamic vinaigrette spray dressing. i don't like my salads drenched so the spray works perfect and it's healthier, too!! here are 2 cold salads that i love and took to church yesterday for a cookout we had after our service. since it's still in the 90s here, fall soups are not on my mind yet. both of these are yummy and so easy to make!!

asian slaw
1 (16 oz) package of slaw mix
2 (3 oz) packages of beef flavored Ramen noodle soup mix
1 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 cup Sunflower seeds
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup vinegar (i used apple cider vinegar)

Remove flavor packets from soup mix and set aside; crush noodles, place noodles in bottom of large bowl. Top with slaw mix, sprinkle with almonds, sunflower seeds, green onions. Whisk together contents of flavor packets, sugar, oil & vinegar. Pour over slaw mix. Cover and chill for 24 hours. Mix well before serving.

Yields 8-10 servings. This is a great recipe to double for a large crowd


alyson's broccoli salad (click on name to go to recipe) - this one always reminds me of the summer i spent in colorado after i graduated from college :)

birthdays and labor day a little late :)

happy b'day uncle david...somehow i don't have one pic of you looking at the camera :(

papa getting some lovin'

sarah reading to luke and caroline before bedtime

papa taking care of all the kids

susanna checking out abby's loot

happy 4th sweet abby!

caroline helping uncle dave drive the boat

pjs and life jacket

that's caroline tubing with bekah and her friend emily

sorry for how i look...this is post party the next am on very little sleep :)

over labor day weekend, we went home to georgia to spend time with our families. john took the friday before off so it was wonderful to have that extra time and not rush there and back. we celebrated several b'days while we there...my dad, uncle david shaw and abby's 4th. we also had a blast at the annual fortney labor day party. can't wait to be back sometime in october!!

Never Forget

- So many thougts and emotions today. Just havin trouble putting them into words.

John