Meeting Levi

We got to meet our new nephew Levi this weekend.  He is a sweetie!  And Uncle Dusty proved that he still knows how to handle a bottle and a newborn.

Of course photos were involved!  Isn't he adorable.

You just know he's thinking....Ugggh!  They warned me about Aunt Heidi and her camera!

We left one of the Hackney 4 in Illinois.  Rachel is spending a few days with Uncle Joel, Aunt Sarah, Makenna, and Carson while Aaron heads off to camp this week.  We also took advantage of the opportunity to grab a Tropical Sno.  They big question was "Would it measure up to the Ice Barn?"

Let's see....first of all it's operated by my relatives. :)  This is my cousin Frank's daughter, Kaylee.  I tried to talk her into stamping my Ice Barn card for me.  I think she thought I was weird. :)

Tropical Sno also has the advantage on fun names for their flavors including one for each of the Ninja Turtles and stuff like Thunderbolt, Tropical Wreck, and Purple Passion.  But they don't have Bulldog Bite.  This might be a close match!

And the taste??  Yummy!  But no gumball in the bottom of your cup like the Ice Barn.  

The Verdict???

When in Flora....Tropical Sno!
When in Brownsburg....Ice Barn!

There you have it!

Happy 6th!

How do you kick off the weekend?  Cookout and pool party of course!  Lots of this type of action going on.

And then there was the teenagers trying to prove something to their dads.  However, I don't think I ever saw the boys get the upper hand.

This did not end with Aaron as the last man standing. :)

And these fun shots courtesy of the Painter's underwater camera

Get to go see the new nephew tomorrow!  I'm sure some photos will be involved. 

Happy 4th!

We got our 4th of July off to the traditional start.  Off to the Brownsburg parade.  However it didn't end in the traditional way.  No fireworks this year.  Most of the area displays had been cancelled because of the dry weather.  Downtown Indy was still on, but that's a major undertaking to go there.  Plainfield was on, but we decided to not try and fight the crowds in the heat.  So instead we spent the day with good friends, good food, and fun and games.

Still getting ready...

Gearing up

To get in the 4th of July spirit Rachel and I made something colorful for Independence day.  We made 2 of these streamer/windsock things to hang up.  I'm still deciding on what red, white, and blue dessert I want to make for Wednesday. :)  4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, and this year we're going to have to work a little harder to find some fireworks to enjoy.  Brownsburg & Danville have cancelled theirs because of the dry conditions.  Perhaps Plainfield????

Also tried out 2 new recipes tonight.  Both of them successful.  :)

Warm Mexican Corn Salad

Recipe here

And with our recent abundance of zucchini I wanted something different to do with it.  So here's tonight's zucchini cakes.  Made with parmesan and garlic....yum!

Recipe

Rachel's Baptism

Today was a wonderful day as we celebrated Rachel's baptism.  She had been talking to us for a while now about getting baptized.  We wanted to not rush her and make sure she understood what baptism and committing to follow Jesus was all about.  So after discussing it with her at length we made plans for her baptism.  PaPa was able to come over and baptize her.  Dusty's parents were also able to be here.  A fun and happy weekend with family.  Rachel's friend Talia was also baptized today.  They were both excited before the service.

Aaron reading Rachel's testimony 

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  --Matthew 19:14

Last day

...before the kids start coming back home. :)  Aaron will be home from camp tomorrow where his band has been playing all week.  Rachel will be home on Saturday after a candy-fueled week at Grandma's.  Dusty took today off of work and we headed to Cincinnati.

First stop the Cincinnati Art Museum.  A nice museum and free which is even better.  Most interesting to me was an exhibit of instruments from around the world from the last 400 years.  We spent some time wandering around and enjoying the fact that the air conditioning was on.

Dusty takes his art seriously!

Next stop...IKEA

Didn't purchase a lot, but it's always fun to stroll through.  

Next we headed to Jungle Jim's.  I can't fully describe what this place is except a grocery store with a huge amount of international foods and odd or unique items....in every variety imaginable.  Some of the odd and unique...

Quail eggs

Some kind of green bean frozen popsicle thingy

Yummy flakes anyone?  Shrimp flavor of course!

And even the normal stuff came in every variety imaginable.  This is one row of the hot sauces.  They were alphabetized.  This is only M-Z

And one of my favorites...olives as far as the eye can see. :)
 (This photo is especially for Paul since I know how much he loves these!)

Next time I'll have to look up some unique recipes so I have an idea of what to buy.  A fun day with my favorite person.