Entree Kitchen

I have discovered Entree Kitchen. It's a shortcut to creating great but easy meals. Basically, you pre-order from a set menu, schedule an appointment, and show up to put your meals together. Everything is already washed, chopped and ready to assemble. You freeze it and then thaw and cook when you want. I've heard about these places but never really tried them. Johnny's mom encouraged me to go, and now I'm hooked. I took Halle with me tonight. We had a fun time together!

My sweet helper mixing the stuffing for the chicken quesadillas.

She's making sure not to spill a single drop!

Ta-dah! Beef tips to go!

Lots of people tried to steal my help. Looks like she's biased, though. (And I'm glad!)

Arboretum--Illinois-style

I heard that the arboretum near Wheaton was fabulous, so I decided to take the kids and check it out. We invited our neighbors to go, so Lyn and her daughter Brianna joined us. Although we didn't spend a lot of time checking out the flowers, the arboretum sports an awesome Children's Garden. We spent several hours enjoying the outdoors and exploring.

Here the kids are soaking their toes in the wading pool.

I really am not that great of a photographer, but digital cameras these days are incredible! I loved these lily pads in the frog pond and thought I'd take a picture....after all, with digital "film" what did I have to lose? But this photo turned out great! I love the way you can see the ripples in the water, as well as the reflection of the clouds. Thanks for indulging me!

The kids were all lined up here taking a quick break from climbing on the GIANT acorns. Yes, that would have been a GREAT photo op, but I waited too long and then I got this wonderful shot--complete with the very festive, outdoorsy trash can. Nice.

Oh, the amazement of water. Especially water coming from a pump...at your command. The kids loved playing here and worked for nearly an hour trying to get the entire pool at the end totally filled up with water. For those of you really scritinizing the photo, the small child behind Grayson did not attack....at least to my knowledge.

Parker and Halle encouraging the water to flow down the waterways to fill the bucket.

Parker did have to get firm with a few kids that CLEARLY did NOT get the memo on the filling-the-bucket plan. Several attempted to thwart the said plans and pull the drain! But thanks to the persistence of the Harris children, the day was saved and the bucket did, indeed, get filled!

A great time was had by all!

Resting on the GIANT roots before calling it a day.

Taste of Chicago

DEEP DISH PIZZA!

from Gino's East

The kids got a little taste of Chicago--deep dish pizza that is!

Grayson and Parker realized very quickly that this is a TWO-HANDED meal!

Needless to say, deep dish was a hit.

Our sweet Halle is not that fond of pizza, but she LOVES "bu-sketti." She likes us to leave the noodles long so she can eat them one at a time!

Recent Outings

We went to the Brookfield Zoo with our neighbors Jack and Elly (and their mom, Deb). Our neighbors from Dallas (Jeff, Jen, and Naomi) "adopted" a kangaroo in the name of the Harris Family through the Share the Care program at this zoo as a "sorry you're leaving Dallas gift." So, we thought we'd go check it out. Sadly, we couldn't FIND our kangaroo, but the kids managed to have a wonderful time!

DON'T BE SCARED! The kids got to paint their own faces at the zoo.

EVERYONE wants to brush the goats in the petting zoo. (Except for Deb and me!)

This was our first trip to downtown CHICAGO! We went to Navy Pier. Check out that skyline and Lake Michigan. Grayson thinks the name should be changed to Ocean Michigan!

Although Grayson appears in pain, I think it's from his sister's bear hug atop the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier! They all had a great time!

Our handsome Parker with a fabulous view from the Ferris Wheel.

I've got to say, for now, the weather is nothing short of AWESOME! I'm trying not to think about the cold months to come! BUT! I can't remember the last time we could enjoy a picnic OUTSIDE in Dallas in July. The kids and I enjoyed a nice picnic lunch in our own backyard. It was a fun adventure!

Another picnic shot! In the background you can see our "soccer field."

4th of July

We had a GREAT 4th of July! We celebrated family-style with the rest of Wheaton! We started by going to the Wheaton parade. Later that afternoon we had a cook-out with our neighbors. (Everyone LOVED the Texas Corn Dip!) Then, for fireworks, we went with some of Johnny's friends from work and walked to the DuPage County Fairgrounds for the big fireworks display. It was really fun celebrating with our new friends.

Don't you just love it when your mom makes you look into the sun and smile? Evidently the sun was bright on the 4th! A pleasant surprise considering the forecast was for it to rain ALL DAY.

This was taken in our new front yard.

The kids are enjoying the parade with our neighbors. Kyle is here in the middle. (He's our new babysitter, too. But don't worry Megan, Lexi and Bekah. The kids still ask for you! Especially Halle!) Jack is to the right of Kyle, and Brianna is on the end.

Daddy and Halle enjoying the parade! And wow! What patriotic outfits! :)