Ian's Baseball Season.

This year Ian's Dixie Little League team was the Indians. He played outfield. Ian hit an in-park home run and made many important "stops" in the outfield. The Indians didn't make it to city but their team consisted of all entirely new players. Ian's skills improved exponentially as the season went on, and he never missed a practice or game. Ian's coaches were Jason Santos and David Loya. David and Pops are friends, but we didn't realize it until Ian was already on his team. It's a small world! Now that the season is over Ian is in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He is very dedicated. He is commonly matched with boys that are older and more experienced than he is; however, he is always able to hold his own!

Mom's Cookie Recipe * Now includes the peanut butter--- duh!

Renee came up with these after much tweak-ing a healthy cookie recipe from food network.

Happy Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies

2 Tbs butter
2 Tbs canola oil
1/2 c brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 c peanut butter-- very important for peanut butter cookies!!!
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 c whole wheat pastry flour (must be pastry or it will be hard as a rock!)
1/2 quick cooking oats
chocolate chips (eyeball it)

Cream fats and sugar, mix in egg then vanilla and so on. Drop about a tablespoon of dough per cookie on a greased cookie sheet (I used Pam Spray). Flatten cookies with a fork in a criss-cross shape (otherwise they will stay in balls) Bake at 350 until the edges are brownish and the middle is not wet. Wait until you can smell them to check them! This recipe makes a dozen large-ish t2 medium size cookies.

Introduction/ Purpose

Hello All!

If you are reading this, you are most likely our family or one of our good friends. We are a very busy family, so we thought using a blog would be a great way to keep in touch with all of you. Renee got the idea from her friend Tracey who has a family blog of her own. We would love for you to make a blog--- we will read it if you do.

We will post updates on our lives and we encourage you to comment. Be prepared for pictures! Unless otherwise noted, you can assume Renee is the one updating.

Here's some basics about who we are:

Craig works at Copper Caboose as the Server/ Bar Manager. He has been promoted several times since he began at 50th Street Caboose. Craig is also an amazing chef at home. In his spare time Craig is an avid reader, a fantastic writer and a horror movie fan. His interests and talents go on and on but for brevity's sake we'll end here.

Renee works at Texas Tech University Library as a Interlibrary Loan Specialist. She will have worked there one year in July. If all goes as planned, Renee will be re-enrolled into Tech as of this Fall. She will be majoring in English with a specialization in Creative Writing. As of yet, her minor is undecided. Her long-term intention is to obtain a Master's Degree in Library Sciences. Renee loves music, reading and watching old/ artistic films.

Renee and Craig were married November 2006.

Ian is seven years old and will be going into 3rd grade. Ian has had perfect attendance and all A's every single school year so far. Ian just finished up his first year of Little League where he received an award for "Best Overall Improvement". As of Saturday, Ian will be enrolled in Pittman's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Ian also enjoys: reading comic books ( he reads at a fifth grade level), studying science, cooking with Mom and Dad and playing video games.

Lilly is five years old. She is amazing with computers and her Nintendo DS. She loves to dance and wants to play baseball next season. She is very excited about starting school this year. Her biological Dad, Tim, has twin babies that Lilly adores. She is gentle and kind to animals. She has amazing curly blonde hair. Her favorite show is Max and Ruby, and her favorite movie is Enchanted.

Zoe is four years old. Zoe can put together any puzzle and is an excellent critical thinker. Zoe can sing on pitch perfectly (as long as she doesn't think anyone is watching her!). Recently, when Zoe was asked to tell Mom a word that starts with "N", she answered, "Natural" ! Zoe loves playing with her dolls, especially her "Fur Real" lion. Zoe adores her siblings and is a very compassionate child.

Lucy is a 6 month black lab who is just adorable. She loves Mom and Dad, but not as much as the kids! She is currently living with Renee's adopted aunt, but as soon as we are able to move she will be with the family full time.