Adoption finalized!

Hello everyone!

We're delighted to announce that our adoption was finalized on 24 June 2011 by Judge Cynthia Becker. Grandma and Grandpa Bassett met us in the lobby of the courthouse just before our scheduled time, where we met Bill Turnipseed--the attorney who was handling our adoption. In the few minutes we had before the judge was ready, we were able to chat with Bill and get acquainted. Annalise busied herself by grabbing Mommy and Grandma and walking them up and down the hallway in her pretty powder blue summer dress. We were then invited into Judge Becker's chambers for perhaps the only cheerful duty she gets to perform as a judge. Bill swore us in, then we affirmed under oath that we were who we said we were and had satisfied all the requirements under the law. Judge Becker then said that the paperwork was in order and then signed the adoption order. We took a picture or two and then proceeded to the office of the Adoption (and appeals) clerk where the order was filed and copies presented to us. Annalise Marie Bassett is now our little girl in the eyes of the law! Before too long we should receive the revised birth certificate from the state of Pennsylvania.

Later that evening, Mommy, Daddy and Annalise went out to Longhorn to celebrate--big thanks to Jack (Grandpa Kerlin) for the gift card! We ate more food than we had any right to, and our little girl was very well-behaved.

We gave Annalise a name and a blessing on 3 July, and the sealing will take place 9 July at 10:00 am in the Atlanta Temple.

Our dream has come true! Thank you, everyone, for your support and prayers!

Clayton, Janelle, and Annalise

Time for the Moore's to fly away home. No more aloha this year.

But so that we all remember, here are some of our favorites from Ko 'Olina, place of joy:

Sherman- Jump off rock and survive....Sushi at Roy's; The 'Frying' Dragon, The Big Popper, The Ko 'Olina Caterpillar

Jennifer- Roy's....playing virus in the pool.....Angie getting the stranger to open his bag of wasabi dorritos and share them with her

Emily- Eatting meals together and conquering the doughnut

Ryan- I liked just swimming around and being with family

Abby- I liked when we went to the rock, and I jumped off it three times. I also liked seeing the boat, Queen Anne's Revenge, from Pirate's of the Caribbean. I think I liked swimming out in the ocean and playing with my cousins. It felt cool when I got two coconuts 'cause I did the hula in front of everybody at the luau

Luke- Abby's first one was my favorite, too, only I jumped off two times

Mark- Fresh towels....Butterfish...Being in the place and with the people that bring me the greatest joy

Angie- PB and J at the pool with the whole family...sunsets and rainbows... yoga on the rocks....seeing friends...Angel's shave ice w/snow cap...a fully dressed table at Roy's

Jessica- Sitting by the pool.....Roy's

Taylor- Cliff jumping...Mermaid Watching...No shirts required

Amanda- Relaxing by the pool....No worries about hair and make-up

Brandon- Virus! Having the slide all to ourselves. And I also like playing the animal and the ninja games. Finding sea-shells.

Jeffrey- I liked playing games with the family, especially virus. I liked the slide and shave ice.

Herb Stuffed Red Peppers

This is one of our healthy recipe makeovers. It was a hit tonight, so I thought I'd pass it on.

3 large sweet red peppers
1/2 lb lean ground turkey
1/2 c chopped onion
1 tbsp dried parsley
3/4 tsp salt (I used garlic salt)
1/4 tsp cayenne or chili powder
1/8 tsp all spice
18 oz can Tomato sauce (I used a smaller can and it worked well)
1/4 c Chicken broth
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 tsp chopped basil
2 tbsp grated parmesan or romano

Cut tops off peppers, remove seeds and place upside down on microwave safe plate. Add a little water and cover. Microwave on high until crisp tender (about 5 minutes)
Cook onion and turkey until no longer pink. remove from heat.  Add seasonings.
Add remaining ingredients.
Place peppers in greased (pam) baking dish and fill. Bake in 350 degree oven about 30 minutes.

Sweetheart Court @ WHHS

I decided to post a few pictures of Megan and her friend Zach at Sweetheart Court last night.  It was such a fun night! Having Jen and Sherman's family to celebrate with us made it even better.  We sure are missing everybody after all of our holiday togetherness!

Thanks to Clayton and Janelle

Dinner tonight was fantastic., Taylor is in love with the cookbook, so he chose breakfast for dinner tonight and made us scrambled eggs with salmon and avocado Don't let the simple name fool you-it was spectacular!

5 large eggs
1 cup heavy cream
fine sea salt
1 TBS butter
2 oz thin sliced smoked salmon
1/2 ripe avocado
hot pepper sauce

Eggs, cream and salt are whisked until smooth. Butter is melted in pan until foaming. Eggs are added and gently cooked. Cooked eggs are arranged over avocado and salmon. Garnish with hot sauce.

Some things are worth remembering

Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 cans chicken, drained

1 package cream cheese, softened

½ cup blue cheese dressing

½ cup ranch dressing

¾ cup buffalo wing sauce (Frank’s Red Hot wing sauce)

½ cup blue cheese crumbles

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (reserve some to put on top)

Soften cream cheese, add dressings, sauces, and cheeses, then chicken. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.