David's Birthday & Housewarming

Vivi's 8th Birthday

My mom and I were put in charge of the cupcakes for our neighbors 8th birthday beach party! They look great!

Happy Birthday

Lizzy we miss you.

Happy 80th Papa Don!!!

Happy Birthday Christine!!!

Now the trip to Galveston can include a bike ride on one of Christine's new bikes.

Leo turns 80!!!!

Happy Birthday to Christine
August 2, 2011

Happy Birthday to CLAIRE and JIM
August 1, 2011

Happy Birthday John

Marie and I want to wish John a Happy Birthday! In the tradition of Marie's favorite show the Cake Boss. We designed and made this cake especially for him!

Happy Birthday, Sandra!

I wouldn't really suggest letting the hamsters have cake. It may make them a little crazy.

Claire in her letter jacket

Claire came home with her jacket today so I took some pics so you could all see. Sounds like the kids trip to Boston was fun. Laura the Panama pics are very nice. Tonight we are going to celebrate Marie's 9th birthday!

Happy Birthday! / Moo Shu Shrimp

Happy Birthday to Jim and Claire!!!

I hope that you both had a great birthday. Uncle Jim, I hope that I get to talk to you later this week.

I am continuing on my Chinese food kick. The following is a recipe that I tried this weekend. I don't have any pictures, but it was very tasty. I tried making Mandarin pancakes to go with it. I had mixed success, but I'm determined to get it right in the future.

Moo Shu Shrimp

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons peanut oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic, divided
• 1 pound small shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cups thinly sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 6 cups Napa cabbage, shredded
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha (hot chile sauce, such as Huy Fong)
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 8 (6-inch) flour tortillas or Mandarin pancakes

Preparation

Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic and shrimp; stir-fry 3 minutes or until shrimp are cooked through. Remove shrimp from pan; keep warm.
Add remaining 1 teaspoon oil to pan. Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic and mushrooms; stir-fry 1 minute or until mushrooms are tender. Add carrot and onions; stir-fry 2 minutes. Stir in cabbage; cook 2 minutes or until wilted.
Combine soy sauce, 1 tablespoon water, cornstarch, and Sriracha in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Stir soy sauce mixture into cabbage mixture. Remove from heat; stir in shrimp, tossing to coat. Serve with hoisin and tortillas.
The recipe can be found at My Recipes: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1591067&cookbook_id=5326623
Below is the recipe for Mandarin pancakes. I had difficulty making them because of the dough, but the few that I did make were very tasty. I will try again soon and keep the dough warm as I work with it.

Mandarin Pancakes

Yield: 16 pancakes

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dark sesame oil

Preparation

Lightly spoon the flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and water in a large bowl. Stir until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 3 minutes). Shape the dough into a 1 1/2-inch-thick log. Divide the dough into 16 equal portions. Roll each dough portion into a 6-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Brush 8 pancakes evenly with oil. Top each with one of the remaining pancakes, gently pressing together.
Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place 1 pancake stack in pan, and cook 1 minute on each side or until slightly puffed. Remove from pan, and cool. Peel pancakes apart.

The recipe can be found at My Recipes: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=222042&cookbook_id=5326623

Multimedia message

MJ Surprise birthday

Mimi turns 75 and gets a laptop

Mimi is having a wonderful 75th birthday and we are learning Windows 7 together. Please submit new pictures of the remodel. John, you look smashing in your MS 150 photos. Now that I am no longer being held hostage in Bangor, we are settling in to watch the Oaks. Papa Leo has been ostracized to the deck with Sam and Patty. We wish all well from Floyds Knobs.

The Video

Today is Katherine's 8th Birthday! She got a flipvideo from her parents, and thanks to Kellie's help, we are posting our first homemade video of Katherine opening gifts.
Enjoy!

I'm still working on it - I can't get the video to upload!

Save the date!

We are planning John's 50th birthday party. Even though the March 13th is actually Marie's birthday we decided we could celebrate both on the 13th. I will keep you posted!

Happy 21st Birthday Laura

As you all know today is Laura's 21st B-day. Last week we gathered friends and family in Austin to take a photo since we couldn't be with her to celebrate the day!

Happy Birthday Aunt Sandra!

Happy Birthday, Mom!