Salsita

We had an incredible time in Wisconsin,
visiting family and cousins.
One of our first days there
we got to take a lil' trip into Milwaukee
and watch the Brewer's Game
just us adults! What a gift!

The girls bonded so quickly
and spent so much time hanging out together!
Laura and I would sit back and try to picture the future
where they'll enjoy each other's company
and hang out, maybe paint each other's nails.

And on that note,
I'd like to post that I'm "copying" something my sis-n-law did =).
When we got there
she had a gallon bucket in the fridge
full of homemade salsa,
and we devoured over half of it
before the week was over.
I snuck a peek at the recipe
and couldn't believe how simple it seemed!
So, based on availability at our grocery store,
and my memory of her recipe,
and a few things that sounded good,
I have made us a huge batch of salsa!
YUM!

I wanted to post the recipe here
in case you'd like to give 'er a try,
but also so that I can find the recipe later,
when I wanna try to recreate =).

"Fresh" Homemade Refrigerated Salsa
1 can Rotel Tomatoes (I found lime juice/cilantro cans!)
1 can diced stewed tomatoes, no salt added
1 can Mexican Recipe S&W Stewed Tomatoes
1/4 c. cheapest med. salsa in the store (optional)
1 onion chopped (big or small chunks- to your liking)
pinch of sugar (or Splenda in my case)
sprig or two of chopped cilantro

I blended the S&W tomatoes, cuz they were halved,
but I left the diced Rotel and stewed tomatoes,
so as to have some "chunk" to put on the chips.
You totally don't have to add the med. salsa, if you prefer less heat.
Anyway, super delish, and so fresh tasting,
despite the fact that it almost all came from cans =).
Laura also says you can throw in a mango or pineapple
if you wanted to go for a sweet fruit salsa!
Thanks for letting me "copy cat" you, Laurita!

Reunited in Folsom (Video of a Reunion)

There's so much to write about
when it comes to our fun family reunion last week.
And there's just TONS of pictures to show you.
Impossible, I'd say,
to get all the good ones into one, two, even FIVE blogs!
So I've decided to fit it all into a lil' video.

It amazes me that every single person
that is related to Grandma and Grandpa
was at some time or another
with us during the weekend!

And without further delay...
Hillis Family Reunion 2010
(it's a really big file, so if it skips, give it a second to load,
and then continue watching)


For those of you that are not part of the Hillis Family
here's some stuff you may need to know,
in order to appreciate the video all the more

#1 Weekend Highlights
*surprise
*Folsom Lake with everyone
*family pictures in the park
*swim, rest, catch up, hang out
*Family Talent Show
*church together
*open house for extended family and friends
*cake with the ORIGINAL cake topper from G&G's wedding cake
*interview about the last 80 years!
*good bye brunch
#2 Sound Track
provided by the Hillis Family Talent Show

#3 Inspiration
Grandpa wrote a song about how surprised he was
and how grateful he was
to be with the whole family to make new memories.
This is the song that you hear at the beginning and end.
Grandma and Grandpa,
love you bunches!
Congratulations on 60 years of marriage!!