And the rest of the fishing pictures… Seriously, the fish just kept biting and biting and biting! Jonah had turned around just in time to see me pretend to take a bite out of this little fishy and turned around to open wide, too. A cute, normal couple taking a nice picture together. Continuing our inability to take a normal picture together. No matter, so long as the fish kept biting! Jonah lecturing the fish to stay in the bucket.  Or admonishing the rest of us to stay away from his bucket.  Can’t tell for sure which. A rare Tsai family pic!  Thanks Joanna for taking this one. I love…

After a fairly peaceful first night in the tent, all were up bright and early the next day… A little early morning Kindle-watching in the back of Grandpa’s truck. Breakfast burritos to start the day of eating, I mean camping. It was decided that it was much too hot and fun for no one to stay at our campsite, so we all loaded into two minivans and drove over to a nearby lake.  The weather was great there and we found a perfect spot… to try a little fishing.  But not before the kids tested to make sure that worm wasn’t going anywhere. Before we knew it, Phil caught the…

Summer was rapidly coming to an end but we couldn’t let it go without one last weekend of rip-roaring fun.  This time in the form of a camping trip with my brother’s family and grandpa. “Rip-roaring fun” being a relative term depending on who you happen to be asking. 😉 All six of us sleeping in a tent for two nights?  “Rip-roaring fun!” according to the kids.  However, you might possibly get a slightly different answer from Phil.  There was some good eating all weekend long.  Barbecue chicken…  mmmm… Corn on the cob…  getting hungry…  maybe also a little tired… Boys and sticks.  A tale as old as time. Little…

When only something quick and easy will do… Beef and Broccoli serves 4-6 Ingredients 1/4 cup oyster sauce 2 teaspoons sesame oil 1/4 cup sake (sherry or dry white wine will also do) 2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar) 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 lb skirt or strip steak, cut into thin strips 2 tablespoons grapeseed or canola oil 1 tablespoon ginger, minced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 lb broccoli, cut into florets Jasmine or brown rice  Directions Combine the oyster sauce, sesame oil, sake, soy sauce, vinegar, and corn starch in a small bowl until it is smooth. Place the sauce and thin-sliced…

Surprisingly bright and early the next day, all were up at at ’em.  One of the Js was particularly interested in what we’d be having for breakfast.  He asked if a tall stack of pancakes might make an appearance. I was happy to oblige, only I threw in mini chocolate chips in them.  No one seemed to mind.  Bacon, turkey sausage, scrambled eggs, and strawberries made an appearance, too.  They decided it was time for a water fight after breakfast.  Allie wanted to join them.  Her face cracks me up here. Open fire! Then run! Poor J got blasted. The water and the foggy morning made for a very cold…