PNW Menzies come to town

What a fun weekend we've had with our PNW family!

The highlight for Wayne, his brother, Mark, Thomas and Luke was the Father's & Son's Outing in NH on Friday.  Our stake has a new site in NH and part of the F&S Outing was spent working the site to make improvements and get it ready for the YW to use for Girl's Camp this year.  Of the different service projects, the boys all helped set up huge canvas tents with cots and set up two camp sites. Thomas and Luke loved canoeing, rowing, meeting friends, doing the service project, s'mores, and staying up past midnight.  Wayne made his amazing beef shish-kabobs (read on for weekend recipes).

Wesley and Hank had such fun meeting for the first time.  They had their little conversations and were clearly explaining intriguing issues with one another.  There also was plenty of silly time...I wish I got a picture of Wes crawling with Hank sitting on his back holding on to his shirt!  They played cars, Play-doh, and catch (more like just throw wherever).  Hank climbed into Wesley's crib one afternoon and the two chatted away.  They are such cute, fun little cousins.  They had us cracking up all weekend long.

Grace and Caroline loved painting masterpieces outside and taking a few swings at the pinata.  Actually all of the kids loved the pinata, as well as "Ultra Mega Extreme Hopscotch" (think super long coarse), and just finding fun together indoors and out.

Christina, Tal, and I got to work while the boys were camping and painted the kitchen.  The before picture is the wall behind Hank in his cheesecake episode (had me in tears laughing!)  I've got a shelf and mine and Tallie's yard sale treasures to display and then I'll snap some pics.  Christina and Tal had such fun Friday night staying up into the wee hours of the morning watching movies while paint dried, painting the last coat of primer, and munching on yummy grub.  Tal said it was like being at a slumber party all over again, and Christina loved staying up late with her Aunt Tallie...one of those forever fun memories.

Menu highlights (besides the s'mores:)):

Camp Joseph Beef Kabob Merinade:

1/2 Cup olive oil, 1/3 Cup osy sauce, 4 scallions, washed and cut in 1/2, 2 large garlic cloves, minced, 1/4 Cup lime juice, 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp. cumin, 3 Tbsp. brown sugar.  Put all ingredients in blender and puree.  Pour into a large Freezer Zip-loc bag along with about 3 pounds cubed serloin tips.  Merinade for several hours.  Grill with veggies of choice.

Guacamole burgers (cheeseburger, guac, lettuce, tomato, and onion).  For the guac: roast one jalapeno (w/o seeds) & mash.  Add to and mix with avacodos, tomato, onion, lime juice, salt & cilantro (all to your liking).

Strawberry Pie: Cut up 4-5 cups strawberries.  Place about 1 cup of the softer ones in a small saucepan and mash.  Add 3/4 C. water, bring to boil, then simmer for a few minutes.  Strain, saving the liquid.  Add enough water to the strawberry liquid to make 1 cup.

Rinse saucepan and then on medium-high heat add 3/4 C. sugar, 2 1/2 Tbls. cornstarch, 1/4 tsp. salt, and slowly add the strawberry liquid, stirring until it comes to a boil.  Cook a few minutes more until mixture is thick and clear.  Remove from heat and cool slightly.  THis is your glaze for the pie.  Pour your cut strawberries into your crust (Pillsbury's, graham cracker, angel food cake, Philo, crustless- whatever you like), pour glaze over strawberries.  Chill in refrigerator and serve with whipped cream. 

We love you, Mark, Tal, Luke & Hank!  Thanks so much for crossing time zones to visit us.  We had a ball making great memories with you!

Weekend Slideshow: