The Birkmeyer's

Friday, July 17, 2009

See ya!

We're off to CA for the weekend. Going to see Adam's parents, grandparents and ...

the beach.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

I'm a magazine/book junkie. Here's proof...take a look at my nightstand in its current state (and yes, I do read all those books and magazines. And if you're wondering if this pile bothers Adam, why yes, yes it does. But I read them all, I do! I like having options.):

I've been lucky enough to score free deals on magazine subscriptions, and a few others I have paid for. Well today I ran across a great deal I found on Brad's Deals that I took advantage of and thought I'd share it with all of you in case anyone else out there is a magazine/book junkie like me. Right now on Amazon.com, they have a one year subscription to the magazine Real Simple for only $5 for a year! Score.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

A shout out

For anyone who knows my parents, you know what incredible, hard-working people they are. Recently they took on a HUGE project of remodeling their kitchen. Now they've been talking about remodeling this kitchen ever since I can remember. Well, they finally decided one day just to do it! When I went home to GA a few weeks back, I could not believe the transformation!! My Dad/Mom and their friend Rick did this all by themselves. Everything from the cabinets to the flooring, etc. Take a look at the before and after pictures below. It was amazing how much bigger their house seems now, and they didn't even add any square footage...just changed the layout and design. GREAT job Mom and Dad; I'm so proud of you both!!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Monday, July 13, 2009

"Ut-Oh"

Today while I was busy working away at the computer, I realized that I hadn't heard anything out of Rocklin for just a little too long so I went back to his room to see what he was up to. This kid has an unusual fascination with wipes. He had pulled out almost all of the wipes and when I said Rocklin, what are you doing? He kept saying "ut-oh, ut-oh" because he knew he was in trouble. Even though I was a little mad, it was still funny just to see him sitting there saying it over and over. I guess I'd rather it be wipes than crayons or markers (although I am sure that will happen one of these days)!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Random Updates

Wow, it's been a while. It seems like it's so much easier to just jump on Facebook these days and get an update on everyone, and that means I've been neglecting my blog! Rocklin and I are back from Georgia. We had a FUN time there, but were glad to get back here to Adam.

Last Friday night we took Rocklin to the Phoenix Children's Museum downtown. We rode the new Metro train for the first time with Katie (Adam's sister) and her family down there. The museum is free every first Friday night in the Summer. It was really, really crowded, but we had a lot of fun.

Rocklin's favorite thing at the Museum was an air vent that was censored when you walk over it. He kept running back to it so the air would blow thru his hair.

Rocklin had noodles the other night and I think he really liked the freedom of feeding himself...hence the BIG mess.

We had a FUN July 4th - we celebrated at Katie's house (and sadly I didn't get ANY pictures). We went swimming, had a yummy BBQ and played games. We were having so much fun at her house that we didn't end up leaving to go watch fireworks, but we caught a couple in the car on the way home.

I've always wanted to make the American Flag dessert for July 4th, so this year I did it. It turned out SO yummy! I've posted the recipe below the picture...it's so easy and so delicious. It basically was like a fruit pizza in the shape of an American Flag.

American Flag Tart

Serves 12 (although I doubled it)

1 Pkg. refrigerated sugar cookie dough

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

2 Tbsp. butter, softened

2 Tbsp. milk

1 c. powdered sugar

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet and then press the cookie dough into a rectangular shape that is about 1/8th inch thick Press your thumbs into the edges to create a scalloped border. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes or until the edges begin to brown. Remove from oven and cool completely.

While the crust is cooling, mix the cream cheese, butter, 2 Tbsp. milk, powdered sugar, and lemon juice in a bowl; beat until fluffy. Add more milk if necessary until spreading consistency is reached. Spread over the cooled cookie, leaving the scalloped border exposed.

Arrange the fruit in an American Flag design. Cut into squares and serve. Serves 12.

Meanwhile, on June 10th, Adam and I shared our 3rd wedding anniversary. We didn't do anything too spectacular to celebrate, but we did get to go to the Diamondbacks game (without Rocklin), which was a fun treat. They played the Angels, Adam's favorite team.

Monday, June 15, 2009

First time for everything

Tonight Rocklin had a couple of firsts...a Popsicle that I let him eat all by himself and running free in the backyard and eating dirt without me stopping him. My Mom insisted that I let him be a little boy and just get dirty, so I just let him at it. We don't have a backyard at our place in Arizona, or big green trees for that matter, so Rocklin was in his glory. And, as you can tell from the pictures, he LOVED the Popsicle!

Pictures

In case you've been wondering where I've gone...just take a look at the pictures below. My little brother Adam got married on June 5th in the Mesa, AZ temple. I had family and friends in town for a week (so fun) and then I flew with Rocklin to GA for 9 days (thanks Mom & Dad!!) and we are here until Friday. It's been so fun, but we miss Adam terribly! He had to stay behind in AZ to work. Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

The Bride and Groom - Adam and Amanda, and her parents and my parents.