The Vandewater Voyage: July 2009

Monday, July 27, 2009

The Vandewaters

Brian and Paula hosted a "sweet corn feed" at their house Sunday evening. We got a picture of everyone (minus Brian and Paula).

Maddy, Abby, Grant, Jessica, Brynna, Lee, Edward, Heather, Kailee, Jon

Lee was fishing in Wisconsin on Lake Michigan this past weekend. He went with an Army buddy and some of his friends. They fished for salmon the first day and walleye the next. He came home with 40 salmon fillets...I need to find some good salmon recipes and cooking techniques.

Weekend at Grandma's

Lee was in Wisconsin fishing Lake Michigan this past weekend, so I took the kids and headed to my Mom's. We stayed plenty busy!

Grant made some new friends while shopping!

He got to ride the pony. It took him a little while to warm up to her, but he enjoyed it.

I think he liked leading her around the best.

Relaxin'

Brynna hanging out with Mack

Grant loved the big wheel, even though he couldn't reach the peddles.

Trying to catch the cats

Picking green beans

Brynna in her sun hat

Grant was exhausted and in bed by 7:30 Saturday night.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Feeding a giraffe...

Tiffany's little sister, Dacey, is staying with Matt and Tiff this week. We all went to the zoo today (getting our money out of that zoo pass)...Dacey and Grant fed a giraffe!!!

Brynna LeeAnn at 3 months

Since I spent WAY too much on photos last time...I decided to just get a little creative and do Brynna's 3 month pictures myself. They aren't as great as the last ones, but they'll do!

I can't believe she is already THREE months old!!!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Some of the Vandewater Cousins

Grandma Paula brought Maddy and Abby down to visit Grant last Friday evening...they had LOTS of fun!

Maddy, Grant, Abby

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe

I agreed to make chicken salad for a ministry luncheon coming up in a couple weeks....problem was, I had NEVER even made chicken salad!!!! I searched for a good, easy recipe and came up with this one. It is AWESOME...Lee even raved about it, and he's pretty picky!

Hope you enjoy it too!~~

Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients

· 3 cooked chicken breasts, chopped (I poached them and then shredded by hand)
· 1 or 2 stalks celery, chopped- about 3/4 cup
· 2 green onions, chopped
· 1/2 cup seedless grapes, halved (green)
· 3/4 cup dried cranberries
· 3/4 cup salad dressing, such as Miracle Whip brand (I used regular Kraft mayo)
· 2 Tablespoons coleslaw dressing (Marzetti's is good)
· 1 teaspoon each- paprika and seasoning salt
· Coarsely ground black pepper, to taste

Simply mix everything together well. Chill for at least one hour before serving. It tastes much better if allowed to chill overnight.

Serve on toasted bread, croissants, or lettuce leaves. This easy chicken salad recipe also tastes great in pita pockets or hollowed tomato cups. Also try different breads such as Ciabatta or raisin bread.
*We tried it on lightly toasted french bread, served open face...YUMMY!

This chicken salad recipe serves about 6

Friday, July 17, 2009

Madison County Fair - Rodeo - Cowboy Grant

The Madison County Fair is going on this week. Last night we went to the rodeo...so Grant had to get all of his cowboy clothes on (hat, tie, and boots-from Grandma Cathy). Our family friends, Levi and Amber Smith have bucking bulls and their bulls were at the rodeo. So we met Amber, her daughter Piper, and Dennise for dinner before the show. Yes, it's July in Iowa and yes, we are wearing jackets...it got cold!