The Day of the Luau

Digging the hog out of the ground...
Ready to test out the meat...

Ready to eat...

Friends, Food, Music

Hawaiian Themed Luau - The Pig Roast

We stayed up REAL late Saturday night. Sam stayed up til midnight helping prepare the meat and the fire. Well, really just running around and playing. Not sure what time Cam's head hit the pillow.

First, the men lit a bonfire. We had to burn enough wood down to develop 12 inches of hot coals. Give men a fire in the 'wilderness' (or even the suburb of South Riding) and they are HAPPY!!!

The hog also had to be prepared for the roasting. First, it had to be rubbed down with vinegar. Then, we wrapped it in wet burlap. Next, the men covered the hog w/ several layers of banana leaves. Next, the hog was surrounded by tin foil. Then, the guys placed Wilbur in a wire 'cage-like' creation connected to hangers so the hog could be lifted in and out of the pit.

The hog was placed underground ontop of the coals around midnight. The hog was buried w/ dirt and remained underground til noon the following afternoon. The luau was so fun. Neighbors and friends joined under the trees and sat along our alley, listening to great music and the men even managed to watch Sunday football on a laptop (kept under an umbrella). We filled our bellies with pork, coleslaw, potato salad, beans, chips, fruit and pineapple upside down cake (yum, yum, yum).

Checking out the hog!!! Are we ready to do this????????

Cam and a friend organized a true pig roast for the families on our street and some other families.

The Pig Roast was a huge success! It involved meetings w/ Cam and the other organizer, Jeff, a few trips to the store to buy veggies, banana leaves, etc. and then trips to the butcher. The hog weighed in at 70 pounds and the guys named him "Wilbur".

Cheerleading

This is Elizabeth's first try at cheerleading. She's part of a Kindergarten/1st grade squad, cheering on the team "Eagles".

I'm one of the coaches, and so far we're having an awesome time. 12 girls are on the squad and absolutely adorable.

Elizabeth Grace's First Day of Kindergarten

Sam joined in for the opening prayer/commencement ceremony. Afterwards, Sam, Elizabeth, & students had fun climbing trees.

Elizabeth was so pumped about starting Kindergarten. She goes to school 3 days a week all day. So far, so good. She loves her small class of 6 kids. She's already had a few playdates and the friendships are developing well.

Cam Fishing in Mexico

See the pictures to get a taste of Cam livin' the high life:

Cam just returned from a week in Cabo, Mexico. He traveled with some business clients. He caught tuna, stripped marlin, amberjack, a blue marlin, and mahi.

Future Veterinarians

Paging Dr. Middleton, paging Dr. Middleton.

Elizabeth and Sam love playing Vet. We've made prescription pads, sign in sheets, vet records for the animals, etc.

July 4th

Elizabeth is so excited to have her American Girl Doll, named "Elizabeth". She is an historical character from the colonial times. I made a doll dress for the 4th. Cam spent all day smoking meat on his Bandera. We organized a big celebration w/ some neighbors. We had a great time, even in the rain.

I was so happy to adorn our porch with my vintage 48 star flag. The number of stars on the American flag first grew from 46 to 48 in 1912 with the addition of New Mexico and Arizona. President William Howard Taft issued an Executive Order that year that formalized the appearance of the flag for the first time. The Order indicated that the stars were to be arranged in six horizontal rows of eight each. This flag was official for 47 years, longer than any other flag. During this time, the United States emerged from the Great Depression and World War II as one of the leading nations of the world. Eight Presidents served under the 48-star flag; William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower - Also, Perhaps the most notable 48-star flag was the World War II “Flag of Liberation.” Shortly after 4:00 p.m., on July 20, 1945, General Eisenhower, General Patton, and Presdient Truman stood at attention while the
American flag was raised over the conquered city of Berlin. (that must have been an amazing site) In fitting symbolism, this was the same flag that had flown over the United States Capitol on December 7, 1941—the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. okay, enough of the history lesson.......







A thoughtful mind when it sees a nation's flag, sees not the flag, but the nation itself. And whatever
may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag, the government, the principles, the truths,
the history that belongs to the nation that sets it forth. The American flag has been a symbol of
Liberty and men rejoiced in it. - Henry Ward Beecher

Playground Time

Gazing at the Ocean

Spending Quality Time with Grandy

Things Elizabeth likes to do with Grandy: gardening, shopping, cooking, painting fingernails, swimming, beaching, fishing, crabbin', and reading books.

Hanging Out at the Chisholm Dock - June 2008

Fishing off the Dock

Sam loved catching little minos and playing with them in the pail and the net.