Labor Day Wrap-Up

Well, what can I say ? It was quite a weekend. On Saturday, we convinced the whole Brooks clan to gird themselves in Cougar Blue & White. And look how it paid off. Very exciting indeed.

Sunday was nice and low-key and played into Monday. On Labor Day proper, we went and saw Star Trek at the cheap theater with the fam (It was the second viewing for Kate and I. A great flick, if you haven't seen it yet.). It made me miss the Strand a little.

Then off to Chick-Fil-A for free sandwiches for wearing sports gear.
Here's Danny, me, and the Chick-Fil-A cow. (Apparently, a month shy of 9 years old is the official age when you are too cool to be pictured with costumed creatures.)
Here's Danny, my littlest brother in law, doing what he does best...scarfing down junk food. Sorry about the gross picture. This photo is more funny to Kate and I because right after we snapped this we took Danny and Ben (who both usually smell like puppies and feet) into Bath & Body Works where we tested all of the men's cologne on their arms and hands. They smelled like a nightclub the rest of the day. It was hilarious.

Then at home we went and played in the pool. Not typical of me to spend an hour and a half in there. Not typical also to get all the kids in there, so we took some non-typical pictures.
Human pyramid.

And triple stack for "chicken fight". A feat never to be matched....

Fresh n' Tasty Fridays

Well, we get asked to cook for friends & family and we love trying out new recipes. So I thought it would be cool to share some of our time-tested recipes for our friends to enjoy.

For the first recipe, I'm going to go with an old stand-by that Katie could drink every morning, if I let her....Orange Julius. I've tried a bunch of recipes and this is my version that seems to go over the best.

Gavin's Orange Julius

1 c. water
1 c. milk
6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate (1/2 a standard can)
1/4 to 1/3 c. plain or vanilla yogurt
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/4 t. cinnamon
1 1/2 T. sugar or honey
at least 6 ice cubes
1 banana (optional)

Put everything in the blender and blend on whatever level is necessary to break up the ice for 30 seconds. Serve immediately (It doesn't hold up over a few hours. I've tried).

You can also mix it up by adding fruit like bananas, peaches, melon, or a frozen fruit medley.

I got in!!!

It's official!! I just my acceptance letter in today. I am going to Arizona State University to get my Master's in Educational Technology. WOOOOO! Go Sun Devils!!

I got a job!

In other good news, I got a job. I am going to be front office staff at an Oral Surgery office in Chandler, Arizona. I have to say that even though it has been fun to stay at home, cleaning, helping with car pools, and the chaos that is the Brooks home I am so glad that I can make some money! So yeah.
-Kate

Happy Birthday Gavin!

Gavin celebrated his 27th Birthday on Sunday. But we started the celebrating a little early. I surprised Gavin with his very own first surprise party ever on Saturday night. This is a picture of the cake i make - not much to look at but a pretty good red velvet cake.

I have to say that I am so excited that Gavin was surprised! Anyone who knows will say that I am a terrible liar and and I love to jump the gun on surprises. I planned a party with my family (the whole crew of 10 minus Elder Brooks) at my sister Sarah's house. But I had Sarah "invite us over for dinner". On Saturday we were moving here at the house (another blog post perhaps . . .) and it was a crazy day. I had planned for plenty of time to go to Sarah's and make a cake and Fresh Pasta which is Gavin favorite dinner. I ran late and Gavin was just hanging here by himself. I had told him Sarah invited us over, but she wanted me to make dinner. (Thanks Sarah!) While Gavin was here, my sweet family kept asking Gavin when he was leaving. I am so glad he thought nothing of it. I ran home and took him to the dollar store (not quite HONKS but you get the picture) and bought him some candy as an extra B-day treat.

We went to the door and Jono answered, Gavin walked in and SURPRISE!!! It was so fun just to see his face and actually have him be surprised.


Here Gavin is, getting ready to blow out all the candles and giving me one of his charming-I hate-pictures-but-I will-smile-anyways kind of smiles. Thanks honey! I love you.

So Happy Birthday Gavin. You are great.