Jamie Learning to use Chainsaw

Back during the snowstorm, some limbs fell in the backyard.  We got the chainsaw from Mom and put it to work.  I had Jamie learn to use it and she did a good job.

Jamie and the Chain Saw

Don't worry Tina and Sara - there is more wood for you to cut when you get here :))

Tapas Night

After a field trip to the American History Museum with Jamie's 7th grade class, Jamie and James decided to cook tapas - from Espana!!!!

Tapas are basically appetizers that you eat as a meal in Spain.  There are Thousands of them.  We cannot wait to try other recipies with Sara when she arrives in August!!
We planned to cook 2 more but ran out of time.  We cooked one, ate it and then cooked another :)

Stuffed Mushrooms - Championones Rellenos
Stuffed with Serrano Ham (Spain)

Beer batter shrimp - Cerveza Langostinos en Gabardina

Stuffed Potatoes - Patatitas Relllenas
Stuffed with Serrano Ham in saffron and wine sauce

Seafood Cocktail - Salpicon de Mariscos
Halibut & Shrimp salad

Jamie Girl Scout update

Wanted to give everyone an update on Jamie and her Girl Scouts.  While everyone was taking time off during Spring Break going to the beach or Florida, Jamie gave up her free time to teach a class on Dental Hygiene and Health at a camp for underpriviledged kids.  She did a fantastic job and had a great time.  This was part of Jamie's Silver Award project.  The Silver Award is the second highest award a Girls Scout can get and the highest she can get for the grade of Girls Scout she is now - Cadet.

Jamie and her friend at Camp where they taught Dental Hygiene

On 3 June, Jamie was presented her Silver Award.  We are very proud of her.  She can now take a year off and ENJOY girl scouts next year.  When she starts 9h grade, she can start on her Gold Award which is the highest award for a Girl Scout - the equivilant of the Eagle Scout award.

Jamie and the other girls awarded the Silver Award

Inn at Little Washington

30 April - Kim and I took Jamie, Tot, Jim and Judy to the Inn at Little Washington for dinner to celebrate my promotion.  The Inn is one of the best restaurants in America but stuck out in the middle of well - nowhere in Virginia!!  The meal was fantastic.  We ate at the Chef's table in the kitchen.  The service was amazing and the food - well no words to describe.  It was a perfect evening!!  Some of the food we had is below.

At Chef Table

Chilled Main Lobster with Braised Celery Hearts and Citrus Vinagrette

Carpaccio of Herb Crusted Baby Lamb with Ceasar Salad ice cream

Seven Deadly Sins Dessert

Marriage of Hot and Cold Fois Gras with Aauternes Jelly and Meyer Lemon Marmalade

Lamb tenderloin with Ratatouille and Minted parsley Coulis

Pan Roasted Maine Lobster with Baby Bok Choy, Grapefruit and Citrus Butter Sauce

Butter Pecan Ice Cream Sandwich with Gold Flake

Ok - I take my wife and daughter to one of best and most expensive restuarants in America and what do they order???  Hummmm yes, you got it MACARONI AND CHEESE!!!  of course it has Black Truffle shavings on top....... They are soooo pretty!!

Mother's Day

8 May - It was not your typical Mother's Day.  James celebrated 23 years in the Army and we took Kim to Washington, DC for lunch and a museum with Jamie.  The museum was the Crime and Punishment Museum.  We toured the museum and did a forensic lab as a family.  We took fingerprints, tested fibers, blood splatter and took interviews and phone records to determine the killer.  Kim and Jamie got to make blook splatter with a wrench and hammer.  It was funny and I know Kim will NEVER be able to kill me with a hammer - maybe by laughter!!!  Jamie on the other hand....well, she was determined to be the killer - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

As we were in the museum, they had a simulation that let you take part in a house raid as a policeman.  Jamie and I both had pistols and were clearing a room.  The perp came out on Jamie's side of the room and BAM!!  Jamie shot him - 1 shot - well, right where it hurt - you know, beans and franks, in the twins, you know - family jewels - yes, right in the crotch....She can start dating!!  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

This is also the place where they film the TV Show - America's Most Wanted.  For those outside America - that is a TV show where they talk about criminals they have not caught from murders, robbers, and the like and ask for the public to help.  To date, they have captured over 3000 criminals over 10 years.  That is about 1 a day.

Jamie learning to kill with a wrench - in a lab

Jamie & Kim in a line-up - yep 5'8"

Jamie in a holding cell

Jamie learning to examine wounds on a body.

Jamie cannot wait for her friend Julia to get to DC.  They both might jsut live in the museum.  Jamie wants to be a forensic anthrologist when she grows up.....she better start learning anthropology!!!

European Union Day

7 May - Today we visited europe - briefly.  Once a year, the European Union Embassies open their doors for visitors with exhibits, food and a tour. 

We did the touring with our friends the Gregoires.  We visited Spain in honor of our newest daughter.  Of the day, Spain had the best food - alot of little tapas dishes and we finally tried Russian Salad - sort of a SPanish potato salad.  No idea why they call it russian salad but delicioso!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next, we ent to France.  A very pretty embassy but the food was so-so.  We walked to Germany - a very LARGE embassy. They had an umpa band with Germany music, brats and donner kababs and of course - BEER and Wine.  As we were getting our face painted, the German Ambassador came up to us and took photos and talked to the girls. 

We then rode the metro to Slovakia and Austria.  Slovakia was small but very nice - just like the country!  They had Tokaj wine and were making the hand carved and painted eggs.  We got to Austria jsut as it was closing so not much to see or do there. 

The Spanish Embassy

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Face painting - Germany and Spanish flags on my face

Not sure what Jamie is :)

Outside the Slovak Embassy

Photos from the World Cup last year - they like Football!!

It was a fun day and the girls enjoyed it.