Attack of the Killer Mosquitoes!

This past weekend we loaded up the cars and most of the clan headed up to The Swamp for a long weekend.

The kids love it up there and the adults find it to be a nice break from the real world.

This is where my family sleeps. We bought this from my uncle many, many moons ago and promptly never used it for longer than I care to admit. When my father in law picked up this little piece of swamp we drug it up there and started using it. Now we use it here a few times a year and we try to take it somewhere at least once a summer.

I am sort of over tent camping. I am to the point in my life where I do not want to sleep in a tent unless we have to hike to get to our camping spot. If I can drive my car up and I can plug stuff in then I want this baby with me.

This weekend we learned that it sleeps four adults and three kids just fine.

Well, just fine as long as the mosquitoes cannot get in.

But that was not the case on Friday night. On Friday night the mosquitoes had a Kuykendall feast.

There was a section of the camper that needed to be repaired. It seemed trivial and while we knew it had to happen it just seemed like a low priority.  Combine that with kids going in and out, in and out, in and out of a door that needs to be slammed. What you end up with 4 adults, 3 kids, one dog, and 200 very hungry mosquitoes.

Let me tell you that between all those people we totaled about 10 hours of sleep that night and most of that was logged by the two kids who were not having nightmares about wasp-dogs or being peed on by a not quite potty trained puppy.

Heidi looks like she has the chicken pox on her face and the rest of us are just itchy, itchy, itchy!

Saturday night bread a smarter version of the Kuykendall family. One who strongly enforced the "do not open the door unless your life depends on it" policy, lit citronella candles around the camper, sprayed an entire bottle of bug spray inside and out and on every person who was even thinking about sleeping in the camper.

I am happy to say we all slept much better that night and suffered zero bites!

More on our adventures to come tomorrow! Stay tuned!

My Little Gymnast!

We spent the weekend at our camper about 90 minutes north of here and I took a million pictures. While I wait for them to download and then begin sorting through them I am going to share pictures from Heidi's Gymnastics Show with you!


Heidi has been participating in the Gymnastic program through our cities Park and Rec board for the last three years. She just loves gymnastics and we have gone back and forth on if we should move her out of the community program and over to the gym a few miles away.

I was mostly against the gym because I was worried about what it would cost and the time commitment.

Shawn was probably more Pro-Gym than I was because kids are limited with how much a coach will push them in the community programs. While good programs, they are sort of starter programs.

Through Heidi's Hockey team we met a family whose daughter plays hockey and does gymnastics at the gym we were interested in. We also met her older sister who I would call a Gymnast. She is on the competition team, practices most days of the week, and participates in meets. This girl eats, sleeps, and breaths gymnastics.

After many, many conversations with this family we realized that Heidi is a lot like their younger daughter and maybe we really should consider this gym. So I looked into it and was shocked to learn that the cost per hour over the community ed program was just a few dollars. I was happy to learn that class is held through most of the year, no big breaks like in the community program, and I knew a family who loves the place. I later learned that I know a few families who love the place and I was sold.

Heidi was also sold the minute she stepped foot in that gym. She was on a spring loaded floor or a mat the entire time and no one ever told her to stop moving. No. One. She was in heaven.

At the end of Heidi's first session the gym held a "mini show" for the girls to show off what they have learned that year. All the parents pile into the gym and the girls move around the gym until they have attempted each event.

It's a lot of fun!

Heidi- waiting with her group to start the show

Heidi jumping on the pit

Heidi in a handstand, being spotted by her coach and the gym owner Samir

Heidi post handstand. Great job Heidi!

Heidi in her mini floor routine

Back handspring, spotted

Stick it!

Starting her next routine

Backbend

Round-off

Starting the beam routine

And up!

Handstand on the beam - spotted by one of her coaches

And stick that landing!

Waiting for one of her favorites, the bars

And up! Spotted by her coach.

And over!

Look at her fly!

And stick it - perfect!

At the end of the show the older girls performed a synchronized floor routine. It was pretty cool!

And then Heidi got a certificate and a medal.

All of the girls did a wonderful job! And the parents were happy to see what their girls had learned this session.

I cannot believe how much this school has improved Heidi's confidence in her abilities. Summer session starts on Thursday and we are all looking forward to it!

The Tail of Two Pups

One thing we all just love about Cupcake is her ability to look like two different dogs.

You be the judge!

Exhibit A - The right side of her face. All white and pinkness.

Exhibit B - The left side of her face. Carmel and Chocolate brindle.

Which do you prefer?

Guest Blogger: Book Review of Lover Eternal

Turn Me Gingerly

a book review by GingerSnap

The Black Dagger Brotherhood Series profile

Book 2: Lover Eternal

Theme Song:  “Turning Page” by Sleeping At Last

Lover Eternal, Rhage's story, is book 2 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and it did not disappoint. I am absolutely smitten with Rhage.  You have read an excellent book when the characters, the moments, scenes from the pages, are with you days after you have finished.  During the most intimate parts of this book, I found the song that kept running through my head, the one that feels like the anthem for this book, was “Turning Page” by Sleeping At Last.  If you have never heard this song before, please take a moment to listen.  It is has such a beautiful melody and the lyrics brought me to tears the first time I heard it.  I find myself daydreaming at work, in the car, thinking about Rhage, about Mary, about their story.  And so this tale unfolds...

Considered the most beautiful of all the Brothers, he is known to them as "Hollywood". Glorious in his looks, majestic in his conquests, Rhage’s exploits are legends amongst the vampire world. Not all that glitters is gold, and we soon learn that all that glory, all that lust, is indeed a curse. What happens when you piss off the Scribe Virgin? You get served. Reckless in his youth, taking his glory for granted, Rhage made one mistake that will haunt him for the next 200 years. Seeing that he needed a reminder of what happens when you lose control, the Scribe Virgin gives him "The Beast". Beautiful in a Beauty and the Beast sort of way, Rhage is now marked with a dragon tattoo that covers his entire back. When Rhage loses control, the dragon turns real, and takes form as the Beast. Rhage transforms from a warrior, to the Beast with claws, scales, standing 15 feet tall and bullet proof, the Beast is something even the most ferocious in the Brotherhood fear. The only way Rhage has found to soothe the Beast and keep him at bay is through fighting, in a release of violent energy, or through other energy outlets in the form of sexual conquests. This is Rhage, and this is his story. Until of course….the day he meets Mary. Coming out of a Beast stupor, Rhage bumps into Mary (literally) in a hall at the Brotherhood mansion. Rhage is hypnotized by the beauty in her voice, her smell and is consumed with a desire to be near her. Mary, it turns out, has a curse of her own. 

Diagnosed with leukemia several years ago, she has been able to keep the cancer at bay until her most recent checkup. Mary knows her cancer is back, and she is as far from finding love as she is in finding faith. Her job at the law office going now where, her obsessive hours at the Suicide Hotline becoming concerning, all keep Mary from living in the reality of her world. Befriending John Matthew turns out to be first step is what is to become the fate of her existence. After running into Mary at the mansion, Rhage insists on seeing her again. Their first date is not the tale of love stories. So intrigued and caught up in the steal grey eyes of Mary, the eyes of a warrior, someone who has been to battle, the Beast almost emerges.  Confused by his reaction and his retreat from her, Mary convinces herself that the likes of such an amazing looking man, could never be interested in the likes of her. Unable to explain his emotions or his feelings or his ability to keep the Beast at bay, Rhage continues to try and prove to Mary her worth. The song and dance and the story that unfolds between Rhage and Mary have you on the edge of your seat and your heart racing. Unable to deny the love, passion and desire for one another, trying to break down walls and barriers they each hold onto so tightly, both trying to find faith amongst the rage, the unknown, the internal Beast they both battle... Rhage is the first to break. Confessing his love for Mary, he realizes after all this time, the reason he can’t control the Beast around Mary is because he is not the only one who wants Mary and wants to be with her. The Beast inside of him, wants her too. 

As the war continues to rage between the Brotherhood and the Lessers, the fear of protecting his fragile human has Rhage in a tailspin. In the end the cancer, Mary's own personal Beast, is taking over. Unable to bear the thought of losing her, the thought of losing the one he wants as his shellan, Rhage does the unthinkable. He begs with all his worth to the Scribe Virgin, to take away her illness, for once willing to sacrifice everything he is, everything he knows just to have her, even if that means living with the Beast forever.  With the Scribe Virgin, you never mess, and Rhage must agree to the conditions she lays down. The Scribe Virgin allows Mary to choose her own destiny. To live a long and happy life cancer free, with one condition. She has to live it without Rhage, the one she has finally found faith and love in. Or live out her remaining days with Rhage, succumbing to her own beast. Does she live? Does she accept the conditions offered to her? Will Rhage suffer for eternity with the Beast, never having the only love he has ever known? The answer to that my friend is on the last page of Lover Eternal, in which I do highly recommend you read and find out. ;-) Lover Eternal had me on the edge of my seat until the very end and wrenching my heart like no other book has.  So far my most favorite of the series, the story of Rhage and Mary continues to pull at me.

Happy 4th of July!!

I love the 4th of July just like I love any holiday that encourages us to celebrate with our friends and family.

This year we will be having some family over for dinner. I am not expecting to try to see a firework show, but we will see what happens.

Last year we watched 10 different fireworks shows at one time from our hotel room in Denver. And two weeks ago we saw the amazing Brooklyn Center fireworks. So I will live without fighting the crazy mob of people how treck to the river or the capital for the show.

Instead I will hang out at home with my family and our new little pup and celebrate the fact that we live in the United States of America.

Home of the Free.

Land of the Brave.

To all my friends out there on this wonderful summer holiday...

Have fun!

Be Smart!

Do NOT drink and drive or drink and boat!

And most important - Don't forget your sunscreen!

Happy 4th of July everyone!

A Vet, 3 Kids, and Much Needed Rain

Last evening Cupcake had her first vet appointment.

After the amazing care Camden Pet Hospital had given to Pig and Daisy, we had no doubt where we would take our newest pup.

Cupcake was intent to sit on the Tech's lap while we were asked the standard questions.

Then Heidi helped with the exam. Pig hated getting his temp taken. He could push his little stub of a tail down and hold it there so there was little hope of getting that thermometer in place. Exit Only! Was that boys rule!  Cupcake didn't really seem to care to much and her tail sits up higher so she has a harder time fighting back.

Then Dr. Kelly Benning came in. Dr. Benning was with us for all of the horribleness with Pig and for the last few days of Daisy's time with us. The last time I saw her she was hugging me as I was falling apart. We are connected now and I trust her more than I ever thought I could trust someone I have really only interacted with a handful of times.

So it really warms my heart that she held Cupcake and loved her up the entire time we met with her.

Then, she took Cupcake away and we didn't see her for about 10 minutes. But that was okay, everyone in the clinic needed to meet her!

After our appointment we took Cupcake home where she crashed in front of the air conditioning vent for about a hour while we had dinner.

Around 7:30 Willy and Emily showed up and the kids all ran off to play. That is until Willy came barrelling into the living room, wrapped his arms around a sleeping Cupcake, and yelled "Cupcake! I love you!" 

Poop little Cupcake was startled and looked a bit shell shocked. I was worried she would pee herself from that little scare! So we herded her to the door and sent her out to use the restroom. And that was the beginning of Evening Crack Dog.

Evening Crack Dog is the burst of energy she gets about a hour before bed time. Pig was the same way. We just have to let her run it out and then she will crawl in her crate and sleep the night away.

The temps had dropped from a nasty 104 down to about 89 so we all headed out to the back yard.

Jess, Margie, and I worked the gardens a bit then Jess and I pulled up the grass that is forever growing in our sandbox.

The kids took turns doing tricks on the rings. They were so excited to learn the rings are used in Men's Gymnastics and they showed off their awesome tricks. Then they practiced their back handsprings and other tumbleing on the tramp.

When the bugs finally rushed us back into the house we all cleaned up and Jess took the kids home. Emily, once again, commented on how they should just live here, then they headed out to the car and Heidi and I headed to bed to read some Judy Moody.

Around 3 am I heard this wooshing sound and lay in bed for a bit trying to figure out what it was. When my brain finally turned on I realized it was raining.

No, it was storming.

Oh, crap! The camper is on the driveway airing out for our up coming trip and every.single.window is wide open! Shawn ran out and zipped them all up. I did not assess the damage before I left for work but I will have to do that when I get home. I sure hope that's not a total mess!

I guess in the end it will be worth a little mess. Our rain barrel had run dry that evening and the lawn and gardens needed a real drink after these nasty hot days. All that rain will help the two little zucchini's we found last night really grow! I have been waiting on those babies for a few months! Reading other blogs, being envious of people who have had an abundance of zucchini for two months, always kills me. Being up here in Minnesota we are two months behind everyone else but now we are catching up and I am so excited!

I am also excited because today is my last day of work and then I am off until Monday. I am looking forward to an overabundance of family time! 

What's Cooking? Skillet Cheesy Chicken and Rice

A dish similar to this used to be one of my old standby dinners so it's no suprise that this one jumped out at me last week.

It was a hit and went directly into the binder for future meals!

Here's what you need:
Olive Oil for Cooking
8 servings of Chicken (I used thighs here, you could just as easly use breasts, just what ever you have on hand)
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup (cream of chicken works too)
3 cups water
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 cups uncooked regular long grain rice
4 cups frozen vegies (I like broccoli, carrots, and califlower which is known as California blend. Use what you like)
1 cup shredded cheese (I had colby cheddar on hand so that is what I used. Typically I use cheddar. You use what your family likes).

Heat the oil in a very large skillet over high heat and add the chicken. Cook for about 10 minutes for until the chicken is well browned on each side. (The chicken will cook again later so it should be mostly cooked but not all the way done.) Remove chicken from skillet.

Stir soup, water, onion powder, black pepper, and rice together in the skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low, stir, then cover and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through the cooking time. Resiste the urge to remove the lid to often or your liquid will excape and your rice will be crunchy.

Add chicken back to the rice then stir in the vegies and sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook about 5 minutes or until the chicken is done, the rice is tender, and your vegies are warm.

This recipe makes 8 servings. Leftovers refergerate well, if you are in to that sort of thing.

For anyone who is not feeding 7 people when they cook and only want to make four servings, simply half all of the ingredients.

Enjoy!!