Those of you who know me well know that I love camping. I jump at any chance we get to go. Ben was more than accommodating when I asked if we could go over memorial weekend. We decided to head towards West Virginia and camp at the George Washington Forest. We lucked out and got a great spot. It was secluded and away from all the other campers. It was also near a lake with a little beach area. Talk about heaven-camping and the beach! We all had a great time and can’t wait to go camping again!

On Saturday we spent the day at the beach. The water was full of tadpoles which fascinated the kids. Hallie was able to catch several of them and trap them in the moat around her castle.

Oh camping we love you!

Last week I made a pot of black beans the old fashioned way and I have been eating them constantly. This week I wanted to spice them up a bit by adding them in a recipe rather than just eat them over rice. Here are two recipes I made today. They are fantastic and vegan. This is my second time making them so they are tried and true!

Zucchini, Black Bean, and Rice Skillet

1 Tb oil

1 1/2 cups sliced zucchini

1/2 cup diced green pepper

1 can black beans

1 can diced tomatoes

1 cup rice

1/2 cup shredded chedder and m. jack cheese (Omit these if vegan)

Cook rice separately. (Once rice is finished I start the rest of the meal) Heat oil in large skillet. Add zucchini and bell pepper. Cook 5 min. Add beans, undrained tomatoes and cooked rice. Sprinkle with cheese (or not) and enjoy!  Here is the link to where I found the recipe. There are a few differences.

Chunky Avocado Salsa

2 medium tomatoes

2 avocados

1 cup sweet white corn

1 bushel green onions

1 can of black beans (drained)

Garlic pepper

Garlic salt

Parsley

Hot Sauce to taste

Mix everything together but avocados. Add them last and gently stir. Serve with chips.  Here is the link to where I found the recipe.

I had a wonderful Mother’s Day again this year. I am so blessed to be the mom of these two little lovers. They require me to be so much more than I ever thought I could be. They challenge and stretch me and teach me what life is all about. Last night I read a quote that really struck me from one of my church leaders Elder M. Russell Ballard.  He said, “God is the Father of us all and has extended to us the privilege of our own family, which was previously only his, to help us become more like him.” I will forever be grateful for the opportunity and privilege God has given me to be a mom.

This past Saturday we went for a boat ride in D.C. It was a fun little outing that Hallie requested we do much more. Here are some pictures of our adventure.

Yesterday we went with our neighbors to a nearby strawberry farm. The kids were so excited to go to a farm and pick strawberries. I know that they have a big part of their dad’s “farm love” in them. One day we will own a big plot of land and call it a “farm” but until then we pay to visit and pick food that someone else grew. $20 bucks gone but a memory made, cute pictures taken, and a tummy full of the best tasting strawberries I have ever had. We ate just as many as we put in our bucket. And today, the day after, we have homemade jam and fresh strawberries still to eat. Life is good.

We had a little easter egg hunt in our backyard after naps.

My BFF came to visit us a couple weeks ago. There isn’t a person in the world who is better than she is. She makes me a better person just being around her. I truly am blessed to have such an amazing best friend. For years I prayed for the Lord to bless me with a best friend. I had to wait several years to find her but it was worth it because we are soul mates. lol She knows all the bad about me and she still focuses on my good and loves me.

While she was here she took many pictures of the kids. I’m so glad she did. What I’m even happier about is the fact that my kids are as head over heals for her as I am. 🙂 The two weeks she was here went by too fast. Hallie keeps asking when she is coming back. My answer, “Hopefully soon”.

Here are more pics of the kids Tiffany took.

Hallie had asked Tiffany to stay until Jesus came. (She asks a lot of questions about Jesus’ second coming.) We thought that was hilarious! Hallie even asked her husband and all of her family (parents, siblings, etc) to come live with us, just to seal the deal. Of course giving priority to Tiffany and her husband in offering them her princess castle in the playroom. Can you tell we love her? Best friends are heaven sent. 🙂

This week we were able to go to the Piccadilly Circus. I told Hallie we were going a few days prior and although she was excited for a family adventure she had no idea what a “circus” was. I explained that the circus involved special animals that do tricks and her excitement grew. The day of the circus she talked of little else. All day it was “Mom is it time to go to the circus?” “Is it night time yet?” (Meaning time for the circus.) I just laughed at her constant questioning. I was pretty excited myself. (In our family Ben hardly EVER gets excited about something. I think Hallie and I make up for his lack with our over exuberance.)

When we got to the circus Hallie was all smiles and constant giggles. I love watching her when she is like that. The show was small but great and the kids enjoyed every second of it. It included silks, (which you might remember Ben and I are now skilled at) juggling, acrobats, women acrobats in thongs (why I may never understand), zebras, camels, and elephants. Hallie got to sit so close to the elephants she could have reached out and touched one. It was an awesome way to create a memory.

On Tuesday  we drove into D.C. and met up with two of my besties, Kami and Ginnie. It was the perfect day. We went to the Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, and the Washington Monument. We even had a little picnic and let the kids run around. I’m pretty sure it was heaven for all of us. 🙂 I love where we live!

They really enjoyed themselves.