2nd Annual Ellis-Kerr Vacation

It's been a month since, but here's the post anyways:

This summer, Tyler and I vacationed for the second time with our friends Kolby and Emily.  If any of you readers are also followers of their blog, you already know that last year we decided to go on an "adventure" vacation, so this year we chose to go on a "relaxing" vacation.  Beach it is! 

We had such a fun time, even though we ran into a little bit of rain.  One of the best parts of the vacation was the all-inclusive part!  It was very normal for us to get an appetizer, soup, salad, entree, and dessert...each!  Between the food, the water slide, the beach, dominoes, cards, the "club" club (ordering a club sandwich to split every night), and the killer spray paint artist in the lobby...we couldn't have asked for a more relaxing (and with all the spray paint, a more intoxicating) vacation. 

Now, I have to take a moment to brag on Emily.  At the steakhouse restaurant, there was a mechanical bull riding contest, and Emily did Texas proud!  She stayed on for 9 more seconds than the second place rider.  I would show the video, but last time I shared vacation videos of Emily...let's just say I didn't have consent before posting them. 

So, next year we're thinking of another "adventure" vacation...any suggestions?  Thanks Kolby and Emily, for a great time...we hope the tradition continues.

The In-Between

Since Tyler and I were out of town for a couple of weeks (even though we weren't in Allen for that whole time) we did have some time in between family reunion and our trip to Cancun, Mexico.  It was fun to spend time with Zac and Kathy and they were gracious enough to host us for the few days we needed a bed before our flight.  Other than running errands, a little shopping, and lots of catching up, we spent one evening at the new Top Golf in Allen. If you haven't been...you should go.  It's super fun, and not as expensive as you would think.

 Let's just say...there may be a new hobby in the Ellis household.

Next stop...CANCUN, MEXICO

Family Reunion

With the summer coming to an end, these next few posts are a recap of what's happened this past month!  Updates on vacations, visits, and a handful of the daily Ellis life.

At the very end of June, Tyler and I made the all too familiar drive to Allen to start our two week vacation/family visit.  Our first order of business: re-pack our luggage.  We had to pack for two weeks, but we were also packing for two separate vacations...it was a mess.  3 suitcases and 3 carry-on bags later, we were ready to hit the road with the fam and head to San Antonio for our family reunion.

So lucky we were able to fit in one car for the drive down!  Made for some pretty fun car games.  On our way down to SA, we made a small detour to float the Comal River. 

We had a great time at the family reunion.  Quizzing each other on different family member names, eating on the River Walk, family group pictures, sitting out by the pool, Sea World, and of course, family reunion karaoke!

Dinner on the River Walk

Sea Lion show at Sea World...and they said Sea World was a kid's theme park!

We rode that...the roller coaster.

Beluga Whale

SHAMU!!!

Success at Sea World

Oh yeah...that's dad singing "Ring of Fire" with his big bro.  We all sang karaoke that night...even the newbies Tyler and Aaron.  Definitely a family reunion tradition that will continue.

Good times at the family reunion...Family Reunion 2014 - St. Louis here we come!

Project 365

Well...Danielle has inspired me to start my very own Project 365...so on day 1 of our third year of marriage, we started this probably annoying definitely awesome adventure!  Here it goes...enjoy!

No Kneed Bread

Thank you Pinterest for this recipe (and for keeping me occupied for hours):

3 cups flour
1.5 cups water
1 3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp dry active yeast
Mix above in a large bowl and let rise for 12-20 hours.

Turn out onto floured surface, fold over a few times. Let rest 15 minutes.

Place back in an oiled bowl in roughly a ball shape, seam side down. Alternatively, place the dough between two floured cotton towels (don’t use terry cloth unless you want a dough disaster).  Let rise another 2 hours

30 minutes before the rise is over, preheat oven to 450º and place a 5-8 quart cast iron pot, with lid, in the oven while it heats. Take the hot pot out (be careful!), sprinkle the bottom with cornmeal and place dough ball in seam side up.

Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on.  Remove lid and bake for an additional 10-20 to brown.

So good...our go-to bread recipe now.

While looking through pictures for upcoming posts...I found this...and all I have to say is: 

"I love my family...especially my sisters...even though we're weird...they're totes the best!"

Strawberry Pickin'

A few weeks ago, Becca, Bailey, and I went strawberry picking.  We live about 20 miles from a great orchard that lets you pick strawberries, peaches, blackberries, and blueberries when they are in season..and they are CHEAP.

Even though it was CRAZY hot, we braved the heat and each came home with over 5 pounds of strawberries for about $5...I couldn't believe it. 

Becca picking.

Me and Bailey picking.

Here we are with our loot.

Thanks for the idea Becca...and thanks for driving.

So what did I do with all the strawberries?  Well, after eating some, and freezing some, I decided to make homemade jam.  One of my summer goals is to home make 5 different foods that I would normally buy in the store.  So, I've already made bread (recipe and pictures to come), homemade butter, so duh...strawberry jam was a must.  It was awesome...too bad I forgot to take pictures of the finished product.