Laurel Elisabeth Stevens

I just have to say that I was pretty excited tonight to have my first grilling success (and this is Laurel writing). I did it all by myself (with a super recipe) and everyone loved it. And another thing I learned: it's awfully peaceful out there by the grill when everyone else is inside! Gotta remember that--it's even worth withstanding the 100+ temperature. Grilled Peaches and Pork Tenderloin (from Cookie Magazine) In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup of tamari, 1/2 cup of white wine, and 1/3 cup of olive oil (I used grapeseed oil). Whisk in 1 tsp of Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1 tsp of dried thyme. Reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade. Place 2 pork tenderloins in the rest, then cover and chill for 1 to 3 hours. Grill pork for 15 to 20 minutes, brushing with reserved marinade and turning once, until a meat thermometer in the thickest part reads 150 degrees. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, brush 4 large peach halves (peeled) with the reserved marinade. Place them on the grill,...

It is summer--we've had at least two weeks without rain, temps in the mid to upper 90s every day, but summer doesn't really start until Sunday the 21st. Explain that to a 5 year old. (Actually, she's the one saying that it isn't summer yet and we all say, it must be!) We started June by celebrating John's birthday and going to the zoo. We beat the crowds by going at 8:30 AM, and just barely got in before the heat. But it was fun to be together and enjoy the animals. Henry is having a hard time (naturally) with anticipating events. We'll tell Elisabeth we are going to do something in a week or so, and Henry thinks we're going to do it in five minutes. "I'm ready go to zoo and see amals!" That was 3 days before we went. "Eat cupcakes after nap!" (2 days before Daddy's b'day). "I'm ready to Michigan" (for the past week. We leave in 2 weeks). "Where is Michigan?" he asks. How to explain that? Today conclud...

Mother's Day saw the Stone family together after church on Sunday afternoon. We enjoyed converstion and good food. Having everybody together prompted a picture taking session. Several pictures were taken and others present might have alternate personal favorites but I thought this an interesting and enjoyable picture. You can see that it is our kids that are less than interested. Is it a rule that everybody has to be smiling and looking at the camera? Mom and Dad also had their picture taken and you can see that they were much more willing and took several wonderful pictures. Here is just one example.

Elisabeth had her first lost tooth recently. It was swallowed with some spinach at dinner and was lost. After the event she seem concerned that her tooth wasn't there and she didn't know where it went. When we found that it had been swallowed she seemed concerned but, given some assurances that this sort of thing happens and that the tooth fairy would still come, she recovered quickly and was rather proud on reaching this milestone. The new tooth is already peaking up behind. I see an orthodontist in our future.

Henry and Elisabeth had fun with the water hose. Henry's experience can best be described as one of shock and delight.

Guess who! Henry's first Easter egg hunt. "So what do you think, Susanna? Is it worth it? You know they won't let us eat any of this candy anyway." After filling his basket, Henry decided it would be fun to dump all the eggs out and pick them up again. That was fine with me! Check back later for more comments.

At the pond yesterday while watching thirteen precious duckings (alas, no camera but my phone. We'll see if those pics are any good) Henry got tired of looking at the downy creatures and decided to see what would happen if he ran up behind Elisabeth who was crouching at the edge of the pond and pushed her really hard. He was probably disappointed that I was there and could catch her before he found the answer. Elisabeth sat on the couch reading The Flip Flap Body Book. "Mommy!" (big grin on her face) "You must've started being pregnant with me in January!" Mommy to self: I better take a look at that book. Her counting skills and reading are making things interesting. But she still has a few things to learn. Next she asked, "How do you have a baby in January?"