Summertime BBQ-ing

It was been so hot since about the end of June (30-35 C every day) and we have hardly had any BBQs because the thought of being outside with a hot fire etc has been a bit much! But tonight we are having a BBQ with the neighbours as Bella just turned 4. (plus I finally finished water-blasting (power-washing) the patio so it looks fresh and clean!). Here are the kebabs Cooper and I just made. For some reason I always have to take a photo of kebabs whenever I make them. We used beetroot (that's "beets" here in the USA) which I had previously roasted, and I also grilled (broiled) the capsicum (peppers) which came from the Garden Gate Farm and were a light yellow and purple although in grilling them they went a much lighter colour. Lately I pre-boil the zucchini so it doesn't stay hard or dry out on the BBQ. Today we're trying a vinaigrette marinade on them from epicurious.com

Pic for Oskar

Hi Oskar,
It was nice to talk with you on the telephone yesterday. Here is a picture of Cooper in his kitchen which is part of our big kitchen that we were telling you about. We call it 'Cooper's red kitchen' because as you can see, the fridge, cupboards, microwave, oven and shelves are all red. He would love for you to come and play with him in it. In the picture he is holding his wooden eggs that you wanted to know about - don't they look exactly like real ones? You can see some cereal in the cupboard and a pretending loaf of bread that you can really cut with a knife. The toaster pops up and the jug makes a real boiling noise when he is pretending to make coffee! The cookies come in a roll and you cut them apart and then you put the icing on top. They stick together and onto the special baking tray with velcro! All his friends seem to like to talk on the telephone that is hooked on the wall by the sink, and to turn the taps on (but luckily real water doesn't come out of the taps!)
Love Aunty Victoria xx

Updated pic of us

Some other people who went to the same wedding that Cooper was at!

Here is Cooper looking very smart at
the wedding of Branden & Kim Barkema in
Holland, Michigan at the Windmill Island Park.
It was very beautiful!

United Airlines

I've been meaning to post these links for ages and ages.... a special tribute to everyone who has flown on United Airlines when coming to visit us (usually from Chicago-O'Hare to our local MBS airport) and lost their luggage. It seems to happen about 60-70% of the time and takes 12-72 hours for it to arrive at our front door. At least it comes eventually.....

Song 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo&feature=related

Song 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-UoERHaSQg&feature=channel - make sure you watch this one right to the very end , past all the credits

Song 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P45E0uGVyeg&feature=channel

I still think the first one is the best.

BTW, several of our recent visitors have flown from Auckland (or Dubai!) to Atlanta and then on Delta Airlines to Flint Airport (about 40 min from us). No complaints or issues and all very straight-forward with no lost luggage or run-ins with security screening people.