Happy 3rd, 4th, & 5th!

We've had a lot going on the past few days. (I'm up right now, hours before the fam. I just ran/walked for 27 minutes. I'm going to start back run/walking... and eventually just running... and I'm pumped. I think if we were still in the US, I'd be a regular runner these days.) Anyway...

As I said, July 3rd was our 1 year anniversary here in our new home. It wasn't a hugely exciting day, but Lucy did get a new toy:
She loves it! It's a Fisher Price version of a MagnaDoodle. I wasn't sure when I bought it, over a year ago, when she'd be ready for it. But despite the "3+" written on the box, she's a pro at it already. She knows how to use the "pen" and the 4 shaped magnets, and can even put them back in the little drawer where they go! She's advanced... And I have to say it, I think she's left handed. My mom's smiling with uncontrolled glee right now.


Here's what happens when I try to get a good picture with Lucy:

We had a nice celebratory July 4th meal, complete with Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" played not once, but 3 times, at a high volume! We had 2 of our co-workers over and everyone chipped in to the meal. We had burgers, baked beans, fried potatoes, corn casserole, and my proudest creation of the day - deviled eggs. I used Paula Deen's recipe since I didn't have my mom's. They were delicious! I didn't do all her fancy extra garnishing, though. (We had just watched a YouTube video of her making them and yummy! They were good!)

Please now zoom in to the delicious deviled eggs, resting, ever so softly, on a plate of dried beans, so they don't roll around. Cool.

We capped off the meal with an absolutely delicious homemade cheesecake in an oreo crust with fudge sauce! Happy Birthday, America!