Summertime BBQ's

One of the things we love most about summer are the long days, warm evenings, and bbq-ing!  Thanks to John's Father's day presents - a charcoal grill with a smoker and new gas grill - we've been enjoying many evenings with bbq.  Our Friday nights used to be going out to dinner after work, but have morphed into amazing meals that John (with the help of Landon) has bbq/smoked.  He has become really good and has discovered some really amazing recipes.  He's learned to start putting random things together that mold into great flavors.  Shani loves coming home after working all day to the smell of bbq smoke on the boys (and charcoal smudges on Landon).

We've also enjoyed the time of bbq-ing with friends.  Just a couple weekends ago we had a Tri-tip weekend with friends.  We say Tri-tip weekend as John smoked a tri-tip Friday night for dinner, we then had tri-tip for dinner at the Michelle and Peter's, then had tri-tip sandwiches with Karin and Zach.  We are not complaining as we love our red meat and each was prepared differently.  It's just funny how things work out sometimes.

We had a blast getting together at Michelle and Peter's with Liz and Josh and the kids.  It had been quite awhile since this Cal Poly gang had spent time all together.  The kids are getting so big and it was so much fun watching them play together.  It made us nervous as we all talked about adding more children to our group but also the realization that us adults might soon be outnumbered.  What a scary thought!  Although we don't get enough time together as we stretch from Ripon to Roseville, it's these special times together that make up for the lack of time we do get.

Landon, Claire, and Lucas

John and Landon playing basketball with Lucas

Sophia, Lucas, Landon, and Claire

It was also a great bbq with Karin and Zach and our kids.  We swam, ate a lot of food, and relaxed.  Since we were at Shani's parents house the kids have endless things to do outside which allowed us to sit at the table and chat while they did their own thing.  The boys can be so adventurous and independent, which is adorable but can also be scary. 

Playing at the drinking fountain

Landon loves his corn

August and Landon up at the gazebo by themselves

As you can see we've done some fun summertime bbq-ing!

Landon helping Nonni with our yard

Landon, August, and Georgia riding to the park

Landon found his new car while shopping with Nonni (on clearance hence the pink)