Curb Appeal Heritage Park

Tim, Isabella, and I visited Fort Wayne, IN this past week/weekend. We left Thursday morning and just returned today, Saturday. I'll blog more about our visit, but I wanted to get started tonight.

From Grandma Dorton 2010

The original purpose of our visit was to see Grandma Dorton, Tim's 92 year old maternal grandmother. This year, her Walker Grandchildren wanted to do something special for Mother's Day, so we all went in on a few perennials and annuals to brighten up her front space.

In the spirit of Curb Appeal the Block, we talked to the two ladies that live next to her and planted a few Marigolds in their space. They also agreed to help Grandma care for her new garden.

Isabella was quite the helper and brought smiles to all that crossed her path. We hope that she'll think of us often.

From Grandma Dorton 2010

Grandpa Chendo and Lita visit Atlanta!!!!!

This week my parents visited us from Corpus Christi, Texas. I knew it would be special, but I never imagined just how much. Isabella took to her maternal grandparents as if no time had past since our last visit.

I would describe Isabella's week as Operation Discovery. Their favorite game was to walk to the fridge, open it up and taste all sorts of new things. Part of me wanted to ask my father not to open a can of worms (how would I ever get anything done in the kitchen if all she wanted to do was explore); however, I didn't have the heart. They both were having so much fun it was worth anything that may or may not happen down the line. This video is from Friday as we discovered a caterpillar in our backyard, a very similar game to the fridge, but obviously outdoors.

Many days they would spend out on the porch eating watermelon, walking up and down the street in her buggy, or eating various meals. Time with her Lita was just as special and much of the same.

This picture was taken as we tried feeding Isabella breakfast, at the time we're singing a silly song in Spanish and she's tapping her head as the song calls for. Meal time has become very challenging, she does not like to eat in a chair and wants to graze. So for the time being we're doing whatever it takes for her to eat, we'll work on the where and how later down the line.

From April 2010

Here is our family on our way out to dinner. We took my parents out to dinner at Prime as a belated birthday gift.

From April 2010

This was taken in our back yard as Lita strolled her Isabella up and down our streets in her buggy. On one of those trips she found her dream home so we've got to figure out a way for them to get $2,000,000 so they can move here. :)

From April 2010

On their way to the airport we stopped at a park for Isabella to play.

From April 2010

Getting ready to go down the big girl slide.

From April 2010

Showing Grandpa that she can climb the chain ladder.

From April 2010

Our growing family. We're so blessed to have such loving parents in our lives. I miss them terribly and can't wait for July so I can have them here again.

From April 2010

Super-Quick Salmon Stir-Fry

This recipe from my Jaime Oliver book was fantastic, and serves 2 perfect for nights in. From start to finish it will only take me about 15 minutes (rice takes longer) the second time around. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

1 cup of wild rice/basmati
3/4 lb of salmon fillet (I used two frozen fillets from costco) cut into 1 inch cubes
1/4 cup of raw shelled peanuts (crushed in a plastic bag)
2 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
a thumb size of ginger (finely chopped)
1 fresh red chile (I used a small dried chile, but I am pretty sure I should have used a fresh larger chile)
Small bunch of fresh cilantro (separate the leaves from stalk, and finely chop stalks)
vegetable oil
1 heaping TBS of tandori or mild curry paste
large handful of snow peas
2/3 cup of coconut milk
handful of beansprouts
1 lime

Heat wok on high add about two swirls around the pan with vegetable oil. Add garlic, ginger, chile, and cilantro stalks. Stir 30 seconds add curry paste cook for another 30 seconds. Add salmon, cook for another minute then add coconut milk and peas. Cook for another minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve over rice, garnish with bean sprouts, cilantro leaves, peanuts, and squeeze of lime.

Isabella plays in water

Some of my fondest memories as a child are playing in water outdoors. Pools were fun, but nothing would beat a sprinkler. Yesterday being one of the warmest days we've seen I tried to have a little fun in the sun with Isabella. Like most things I have enjoyed as a child, Isabella was not a huge fan. I think it's my eagerness that wants to introduce to her to things earlier than she's ready to enjoy. Nevertheless, we got some good pictures. Thanks to Grandpa Walker and Uncle Ben who tried to make it a fun afternoon.

Not to sure how she feel about the sprinkler!!!

Ok now what?

Maybe this water thing isn't so bad.

I love my Uncle Ben, and no he doesn't make rice!!!!

Easter at the Walkers

Tim, Isabella, and I were so blessed to have spent Easter with my in-laws. The drive on Saturday morning to Akin, SC was virtually painless, thanks to our DVD player. Our arrival was just in time for brunch and Isabella's nap. The rest of the day was spent settling in, walking around Downtown Akin, and preparing for Easter festivities.

Easter Sunday Isabella woke up to her Easter basket full of books, Veggie Tales DVD, stuffed lamb, and electric toothbrush. Then it was off to church for Easter service at Harold & Yvonne's home church. Isabella sat through the entire 45 minutes of worship...thankyou General Mills for your contribution via Cheerios. Yvonne hand made her entire outfit (with the exception of the shoes), I couldn't have picked out a better outfit myself.

Easter dinner was quite impressive. Baked ham, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, cream corn, and home made yeast rolls. We all ate way too much, but it was worth every bite. Isabella woke up from her nap with an Easter egg hunt. I stuffed her plastic eggs with her favorite veggie puffs (basically a puff dipped in ranch dressing). Once she figured out what was inside she was all about the eggs.

The one disappointing thing was that she freaked out with our confetti stuffed eggs. As a child our friends and family would get together for what we would consider the ultimate egg hunt. We stuffed our empty (real) eggs with paper confetti (flour if we were really cruel) and once we found them hidden around our yard we'd would chase each other and crack them on our heads. Isabella got scared when I helped crack on on my head, so we quickly stuck to the plastic eggs. Perhaps next year she will enjoy the confetti eggs.

We do realize that this year will be the last year that she will have an uncontested Easter egg hunt. Next year, with baby grace being just shy of two and two other babies at 9 months, it's only going to get more difficult!!! Good times will be had by all.

Later that afternoon we visited an Akin park, and as always Isabella enjoyed herself. We even stopped for ice cream. We stay here through Tuesday, as Tim and the Walker men attend The Masters practice round. Hope you enjoy the pictures.