Thurston Blogging

On the rocks

On Saturday, I decided to get outside and do some yard work.  So, of to the rock quarry.  I shoveled 560 pounds of rocks into the Envoy XUV.  Afterwords, I stopped at the hardware store and got two bags of grass seat and two bags of peat moss.

I spread the rocks in the front of the house near the sidewalk.  Run-off water from the roof made a few bare spots that needed to be filled in.  There was also a spot in the back yard near the fence gate that was in rough shape, and I dumped quite a few stones back there.

While I was there, I also got some large rocks (perhaps rocks undersells them as they are rather large) to circle the tree in the front yard.  Still haven't got the peat and grass seed down.  It's all stages - I plan on getting the lawn mowed tomorrow, and then the seed will go down the next day.

I love nachos

After Audrey was born, our neighbors came out of the woodwork.  They came with food, so we were very surprised and happy.  For two weeks, the doorbell rang nightly at 6:00 PM. 

We feasted on chicken, beef tips, meatloaf, more chicken, pasta and salads.  Cookies, brownies, cheesecake and more brownies followed for dessert.  One couple hit me right in the happy spot - they gave us a Mexican fiesta.  Taco meat, tortillas, maters, onions, chilis, lettuce, sour cream, Garden Fresh chips, salsa and queso dip.  That meal lasted two nights.  Here is a photo of the nachos I made for leftovers:

Audrey goes to Taco Bell

Yesterday, Team Thurston took a small road trip.  Sharon and I loaded Audrey in the Envoy XUV, and took her to lunch.  We dined at the Taco Bell in Lowell.  Daddy had a Nacho Supreme with no sour cream, a bean burrito and a chicken Fiesta burrito, and split a small Dr. Pepper with his baby's momma.

Audrey wasn't that amused with Taco Bell.  She got impatient as Daddy was finishing his last burrito and wanted to leave.  So, we left.

Afterwareds, we stopped at the Farm Stand in Lowell, near Exit 52 of the highway.  We got blueberries and fresh green beans.  Afterwards, we hopped on 96 and drove into Cascade, where we took Aud to the library for the first time.  She enjoyed that very much.  She was alert and quiet the entire time.

Audrey goes to McDonalds

Today, we decided to take a road trip with the baby.  Sharon and I took Audrey to McDonalds for breakfast.  In Ada, we don't have traditional fast-food restaurants - there is an ordinance that you cannot have drive-through windows.  So we have a McDonalds Express. 

We thought if Audrey goes on a crying fit, we'd simply go in and make our breakfast order "to go".  However, she was great in the car and in the restaurant.  So, we ordered our food and ate outside on their picnic tables.  Aud was wide awake and taking in the scenery while Mommy had her Mcbreakfast sammich and Daddy chowed down on two breakfast burritos.

 

This went so well that we're going to try and take her to the Taco Bell in Lowell next weekend.

 

Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA

10 bucks for one 12 ounce bottle of beer?  You are crazy.   That's what I said to myself last Saturday when I bought a bottle of the Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA.  This beer is just over 20 % alcohol by volume.  As mush as I want to pound this beer like an old steak, it deserves to be drank slowly. 

Here is a video of the first drink:

Five Wieners

Things are slowly getting back to normal in the house of Thurston.  I am able to once again lord over my grill, and cook up some meat.  Behold the truly amazing bratwurst from Johnsonville that I grilled the other day.  They were boiled in beer (Miller Lite) and seared to perfection for 8 minutes.

Ninja Warrior

Recently, while flipping through the channels, I came across the phenomenon that is - Ninja Warrior.  The show is on G4 and the concept is simply Japanese people competing against an obstacle course.  The commentary is in Japanese and is sub-titled, but that is part of its charm.

Here is a video of Ninja Warrior:

Welcome Audrey Violet

Last Tuesday morning, our daughter was born.  Audrey Violet Thurston was born at 6:00 AM to two very proud parents.  Audrey was born weighing 6 pounds and 5 ounces and weighed 5 pounds 13 ounces when she left the hospital on Friday.  She's been eating well since.

Aud went to her first pediatrician appointment today, where she weighed in at 6 pounds 5.5 ounces.  Daddy is the diaper-changer, fashion consultant and illusionist.  Daddy makes Audrey's nose disappear. 

To see a few photos of Audrey, click here.  I post a few when I can, so keep checking for new shots of the baby.

Here are a few of the favorites: