Bread Chronicles: Part Deux

So those of you that aren't new to the blog will know that LJ is quite the foodie.  Since Josh's birthday (the kids gave him some Pullman Loaf pans- fancy schmancy pans that cost up to $50! Here's a video from America's Test Kitchen if you're not familiar with the pullman-loaf-pans).  As a result, we'

ve been up to some bread baking here on the home front at LewBug's request.  Here are our most recent creations:

LJ and Josh's Sandwich Loaf from Last Week

LJ and Molly Baked Challah for our Friday Night dinner this week. It was the best!

Camp Adventure!

Brett and LJ Pump It Up from Jenn S on Vimeo.

Brett has been LJ's best buddy at summer camp.  We met Brett through Caroline- they're engaged and he frequently hangs with Caroline and the boys when she watches the kids.  (Nate usually challenges him to some hoops:) Congratulations Caroline and Brett! As our luck would have it, Brett was looking for a gig this summer before he commences grad school in the Fall.  And the rest is history.

Today, the campers took a field trip to Pump It Up....a giant indoor inflatable park.  LJ had a blast as you can see from the video. When LJ tired of the bounce house, Brett took him to his fave restaurant for a late lunch.  Fun times.

Thank you Brett!  You are so compassionate, enthusiastic, full-o-energy, funny and so tremendously appreciated by all of us. Best wishes for the next few nourishing, transformative coupla years ahead and the journey you are about to embark on.

The Good Life

Vacation felt almost surreal.  So much beauty in the waves.  Here's to peaceful times. To next year- a year older, wiser, taller and stronger.  Beach memories live forever.

This Is Summer

Favorite thing about this week in the Outer Banks is all the time we've spent together. We've had lots of time together-all 21 of us spanning from Lake Tahoe to Dallas to Boston and Durham. Sipping wine, cooking meals, laughing, playing on the beach, go-karting (go LJ go!) and even charter fishing.  The weather has mostly been perfect.  The first day was rainy, so we invented kayak and stand up paddle board (SUP) games for the pool. The house has a media room so there's been plenty of gaming from playing pool to foos ball to Xbox to boot.  One of the days the ocean was closed, but the beach was open.  There were red flags out saying no swimming.  Turns out the tropical storm created some dangerous waves and it wouldn't have been a good idea to swim in the surf.  So much gratitude for Nana coming and lending her helpful hands with the Lewbug.  And of course, thank you thank you thank you to Uncle Vic and Aunt Lenore for being such gracious hosts of our family beach week.  It has really, truly felt like a vacation for us.  Here are some pictures of our adventures:

We're Taking This Show on the Road

Reunited, and It Feels So Good

My boy is a big boy now. Here's proof. This woman has a heart of gold and was Lewbug's PT from the week we got him home from the NICU. Megan has since moved with her sweet family to Antigua, Guatemala.  We are grateful for her understanding, sensitivity and playful nature and miss her terribly.

Guess who came to visit yesterday?

Megan, there are many things you do in life but you have had an extraordinary impact on the lives of so many children. You opened your heart to us and have given us so much support. So much gratitude for your magical visit on what could have only been a very busy, busy trip for you.  It meant the world to us. You are a true gift!