A Farmer OUT-STANDING in his Field

Kevin will be going to Iowa all of next week for training because of some added responsibilites he has been given with just over 3 months on the job!

This is what makes him

out-standing in his field {wink}

He is really doing a great job and I'm grateful he's mine! I couldn't ask for a better provider and buddy. What lucky kids we're going to have!! And since I'd rather not sit here all to my lonesome while he's gone, I'll be going to Boise for a much needed baby planning/shopping trip with my sister Lisa. Hopefully us girls will be better about taking a few of those 'growing belly' shots that everyone requests. Because, believe me, it IS growing!

Shark Bait Oohaha!

What started as this...

Healed (in vain) to this...

And is now, this...

Thank heavens for having time on my hands! If not, I just may not have taken myself in to be cut open, not just once, but TWICE! Not everyone's idea of a good time? Well, it wasn't, but better safe than sorry. Lather up folks. I'm talking about the SPF 50.

I've had a small mole on my knee now for a few years and just recently I noticed a tiny change in it so I had it chopped out. Coincidentally (or not) my mom had one in the same spot that turned out to be melanoma back when I was about 2 years old. I guess it's in the genes/jeans (women most commonly get skin cancer on their lower leg). Pathology reports came back confirming melanoma so I signed myself up for round two and will now have a shark bite of a scar and will be getting to know my dermatologist quite intimately with regular check-ups. Who would've thought, I had skin cancer and absolutely NO tan to show for it! If you have any history of skin cancer, especially in immediate relatives, do yourself a favor and have a once-over by your doctor. Considering most of you reading this are my immediate family, just get an appointment now.

It's not half bad, my wound care instructions advised to avoid physical activity for the first 24 hours (read a book, watch T.V., or talk on the phone). Following Dr.'s orders I've been reading the Hunger Games and LOVE THEM!

I've been having nightmares about them lately. Kevin says that's not a very convincing book review, but you'll just have to read them to understand. I'm now reading the second book, Catching Fire, and can't wait for the third to come out next week. I'm past the 24 hour prescribed rest period, but think I'll drag it out a little longer.

Errr! I have removed myself from the blogging world temporarily because my obsessive compulsiveness does not do well with malfunctions. In the upper left hand corner of my blog is the very irritating saying "Cutest Blog on the Block"...no it is not! I have been trying to fix my background but my efforts have been in vain. No matter what cute background I attempt to upload, my background remains blank with a notice that 'the image has been moved or deleted'. In an effort to continue documenting current events in our lives, I'm going to turn a blind eye to this and figure it out later while I continue to post. Please do not judge me for how unkempt my blog is.

Sincerely,

Annoyed

The way to a man's heart...

Is through his stomach. And I must say that it is the way to mine as well. Kevin's favorite Russian food is something called pelmini. He made it for me once and, YUM, I've craved it ever since. The problem, we don't live in Russia and for some reason pelmini is about the only thing that isn't allowed to be imported to the states. The solution, I give it my best go. If I were still working this would not have happened. It's quite time consuming for a single meal. Maybe next time Kevin is off we will tackle it together and freeze some for comfort food down the road :). I documented my process as proof that I am finding productive ways to use my days.

The filling is simply a dump this and dump that process. It's the dough and folding of the little bite size morsels that is the pain. My belly made an appearance in the second picture. See it hanging over the counter. Too bad I'm tall and it can hang over the counter. If I were just a few inches shorter I would soon be unfit to be in the kitchen :).

This last step of frying the pelmini is Kevin's personal request. I like them straight from the pot just boiled (and that's how most Russian's eat them).

Then to top them off, sour creme and, of all things, ketchup. Weird but DELICIOUS!

I was inspired to make this Russian dish because this last weekend Kevin had a cousin come home from his mission. So we all went to the airport to welcome him home. It brought back all the fun memories from when I was at the airport with all of Kevin's family to welcome him home. That was June 1, 2006. We didn't know all that was in store for us then.

Now we have a little better picture :).

I Love You Kevin and I'm so happy you're HOME!!

This picture leads you to believe that Kevin was a giant in Russia. Although it is a well known fact that he is tall, he does not have 'giant status'. The others in the picture just happen to all be quite short.

Don't let all the sunny pictures fool you. Kevin can assure you that Russia was anything but. These pictures are from the very end of his mission in May, and he still managed to get a picture of snow!

Take me out to the ball game!

This last weekend we went up to the ball game in Seattle, WA at Safeco Field. Kevin has always talked about this place and his cherished memories of him and his dad rooting for the Seattle Mariners while listening to the games called on the radios in their tractors on hot summer days. They played the Yankees, and well, let's just say Kev's hoping that the Mariners will make a come back soon and be that team he was always so proud of.

The highlight of the game for sure! Kevin decided to venture away from our seats next to first base to see if he could snag a home run prize. I guess you could say he can do whatever he puts his mind to because here he is with his big catch!

He was the slightest bit tempted to lob it back onto the field because it came off of A. Rod's bat and Kevin is not the biggest fan of his ways :). But that was a fleeting thought and the ball made it home with us.

We also had a great time that day in Seattle. We toured Pikes Market and enjoyed some great people watching. I was a bit culture shocked at moments. I've heard about loony tunes before, but got to get up close with a few on this trip. It was refreshing to make it back to the eastern side of the state.

What's baking in our oven?

See for yourselves...

A BOY wins the cake!

And we can't wait for all of our adventures together :)

Gilbert Family Sneak Peaks~