Post of Shame (and a Birthday!)

I know it's been almost two weeks since my last post, for which I am so disappointed. I was doing so well with timely posting there for a bit then Michale's summer job started and it seems we've been chickens running around with our heads cut off. *sigh*

Oh well, so what we're gonna do is a bit of current events first (since it's more important) and then a bit of catch up from the past few weeks (it'll be short, it's been too crazy to take many pictures).

Here we go!
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Happy 24th Birthday Michael!

Here's the Birthday Boy himself (who may or may not be slightly depressed about turning 24, I can't say I blame him either) just about to blow out his candles on his Birthday 7 years ago.

He received a couple of cards from 4 fabulous parents back home who will also be sponsoring a trip out to dinner in the next few weeks.  Initially the plan was to go out tonight but after the craziness of the past two weeks and the craziness of town (a Saturday night and the Centre Pompidou just opened up) we decided that a quite night at home will be more relaxing. So steaks, some good red wine, and his fav vanilla cupcakes with chocolate buttercream icing will be on the menu.

My gift to him was to lug home the largest bottle of alcohol I have every purchased. This, my friends, is a 2 Liter bottle of Pastis (which will hopefully last the summer); and it is one of the best things ever to come out of France (too bad we will have an awful time finding it when we move back). It is a anise liquor and at first it is a yellowish brown color, but after you add cold water to a shot, it becomes a lovely, milky yellow with a fairly strong but oh-so-smooth anise flavor. We are in love.

And since Michael has a twin, I will have to share this totally flattering picture of the lovely Laura blowing out her candles 7 years ago (aren't you happy I have access to all these old pictures of  you?). We miss you Laura, we wish we were celebrating with you. Oh, and have a great time in NYC!

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And now for the weekend update portion of this post.

As you can see, Michael wrote lots of note for his finals (this is only one class).

 And he finished his finals (you can pick out that look of sheer elation if you look closely enough)

Then we stayed with the adorable little miss Kimber while her Mommy went to the hospital to have little-sister Katelyn. (didn't get pics, camera battery was dead :-( )

Then we made ribs and baked beans.

Then we finally had some nice weather

Then I stayed with Kimber while Daddy went to bring home Mommy and little Katelyn. I also got to see the first adorable interactions on home turf.

And our bean's been growing like crazy! You can see where the vine has now made it more than half way across the top of the door.

Our herbs have been growing well and enjoying their new window box home, although it's hard to see their growth after watching the bean plant grow five inches per day.

And for the final catch-up, here are the pre-roasted vegetables for our pizza last night.