Kevin and Darlene Weston and their children drove out from Kansas to visit family and friends. On the night before their drive back, we invited all of the Weston clan along with the Ouatu family to our house for a get-together.
Here are some photos from the evening.
Josiah and the Weston children building with DuplosChristeen, Reuben, and LornaStephen, Bill, Reuben, and RobinJason, Evelyn, and TimVictoria, Jeffrey, Hannah, and SarahThree Weston boys – James, Adam, and LeviJeri and CrisLizzie and ChristeenJosh, Christeen, Lizzie, Victoria, Gabriella, and CrisAround the tableHannah, Jason, Kevin, Stephen, Johnny, Andrew, Josh, and JeffreyChristeen along with two boys shooting Nerf gunsNerf battle in the parking lotDarlene, Robin, and BillWilliam and JosiahLorna and AddyJeri and TimSinging hymnsHannah playing piano for the hymn singPlaying a card game, Dutch BlitzLizzie, Hannah, Jeffrey, Johnny, Christeen, Andrew, and JoshStephen, Bill and KevinHannah and JasonRobin and BillStephen, Lorna, and Reuben
Here is the Kevin Weston family. They have two twin boys, Adam and James. Because we’re not sure who is who in this photo, the caption might be incorrect.
Darlene, Kevin and Adam, Levi, James, Philip, William, Addy
Here is a short (two-minute) video collage of the evening.
Six of us went down to the beach – Jeri, Tim, Justin, Nicole, Victoria, and Lizzie. We (purposely) caught it at low tide. The temperature was in the 70s.
Here’s Lizzie walking along the beach.
Lizzie walking at low tideLizzie, Nicole, Jeri, and Victoria along the beach at low tideLizzie, Jeri, Nicole, Justin, Victoria, and Tim
A rich, chocolatey dessert! Using a Vitamix and digital scale, this recipe is very easy to follow.
Here are the ingredients:
Ingredient
Measurement
Approximate equivalent
Avocado
300 g
2 avocados
Cocoa powder (and/or cacao powder)
60 g
2/3 cup
Coconut milk (or almond milk)
150 g
1/3 cup
Maple syrup (or honey)
75 g
1/4 cup
Salt
pinch
1/16 teaspoon
Vanilla
25 g
2 Tablespoon
Dates (pitted)
300 g
16 dates
Start by zeroing the scale with the Vitamix container on it.
Empty Vitamix container
Add avocado by scooping the flesh into the container. In the following pictures, I had 318 grams of avocado. Other times, I’ve used only 200 grams of avocado and scaled the recipe accordingly.
Adding Avocado318 grams of avocado added
Zero the scale and add cocoa powder. To be a bit healthier, I use a half cocoa powder and half cacao powder. The amount should be one fifth of the avocado amount.
Cocoa powder added
Next add coconut milk. The amount should be half of the avocado amount. Because I was out of coconut milk, I substituted almond milk.
Almond milk added
Add 100% pure maple syrup. Do NOT use maple-flavored corn syrup! You can substitute honey. The amount should be one quarter of the amount of avocado.
Next add vanilla extract. (I really like to use Mexican vanilla.)
Maple syrup and vanilla
Add a pinch of salt which is about 1/16 teaspoon. In the picture, I have half of a 1/8 teaspoon.
Pinch of salt
Finally add the dates. Zero the scale. Remove the pits and stem caps. The amount should equal the amount of avocado.
Adding dates
Finally blend on the Vitamix. Use the tamper. Gradually increase the speed until you are finally able to blend it on high to get it really smooth.
Ready to blend
If necessary, use a scraper on the sides.
Scraping the sides
When done, scoop into a container and store in the refrigerator.
Scoop into container
For a satisfying treat after a meal, I will take a scoop with tablespoon to slowly enjoy. Yum!
I started with a recipe that I found online. I modified it slightly and simplified its instructions. Original recipe is here.
Jeri and Tim at the beach with the sun setting behind them
Some of the young people from church planned a bonfire at the beach for Saturday afternoon and evening. Unlike most of these beach outings, Tim, Jeri, and Justin actually attended this one…for a while.
Here are some pictures. Click on them for full size.
Nicole, Victoria, and Jeri relaxing at the beachLizzie playing FrisbeeJeffrey after tossing the Frisbee with Justin behind himJeri and Tim at the beach with the sun setting behind them
Today, after the morning service, our church had a baby shower for Jason, Hannah, and Evelyn. Today was the first time that they have been able to attend church since her birth.
We had food set up inside. To stay within state guidelines due to COVID-19, we had the men and children eat outside and the women ate inside.
Click on any picture for full size.
Victoria and Jeri at the food tableJosiah eating outside under a canopyBrenda Huber, Sarah, Jeri, Joanna, and NicoleSarah holding EvelynJoanna taking a picture of the cakeJeffrey in the church kitchen with some friends: Andrew, Josh, and MaddyPeople working on one of the baby shower gamesHannah and Jason opening presents. Jeri and Nicole helped keep track of the gifts.People watching the gift openingJason opening a card while Hannah holds EvelynPaul Huber holds a sleeping EvelynSarah, Jeri, and Tim in the parking lot
On Monday, August 17, 2020, Joanna, Victoria, Jeffrey, and Lizzie left for Bass Lake (near Yosemite National Park). They rode along with the Oautu family. They returned six days later on Sunday, August 23rd.
Note: You can click on any picture to view it full size.
Lizzie, Jeffrey, and Joanna waiting at church before heading outRelaxing with music while waitingDriving past downtown LASmoke near Magic MountainDriving to Bass LakeJeffrey and Josh after the car broke downNeeding a tow truckChristeen, Lizzie, and Joanna upstairs at the Bass Lake cabinJoanna, Lizzie, and Victoria riding with the OautusLooking down at Victoria at the Bass Lake cabinBass Lake view from the cabinJeffrey, Tim, and broccoliLizzie, Christeen, and Jeffery on the boat on Bass LakeLizzie on the boat with the OautusJoanna and Victoria boating on Bass LakeLizzie and Christeen boating on Bass LakeLizzie the fisherman on the dockLizzie at the helmLizzie the cook
We watched our church’s morning service at 11:00 AM.
Sunday morning church
Pool was a popular activity for some during our vacation.
Hannah and Jason play pool
We watched the first few episodes of the Korean drama “Stranger” during our vacation.
Watching a Korean drama
Josiah was able to participate in his Bible Bee meeting via Zoom.
Josiah joining a Bible Bee meeting via Zoom
Here’s a group picture. On the couch, starting with Victoria reclining on the left, Joanna, Sarah, Nicole, Lizzie, Justin, Jeri, Josiah, Jason, and Hannah. Tim and Jeffrey are seated in front.
Jeri, Lizzie, Jason (back), Victoria, Hannah, and Tim in Pine Knot Village in Big Bear
Once again, we start the day with a big, late breakfast.
Jason and Hannah in the kitchen
Josiah was covered with bed bug bites over most of his body. So after the first few nights, we moved him out of his bedroom and informed the owner. Fortunately, he didn’t get any more bites and he gradually recovered.
Josiah with bed bug bites
Jeffrey bought and brought a bunch of meat to grill during our vacation.
Hannah, Jeffrey, and Jason getting the next barbecue ready
A few years ago, Nicole gave Tim his first Lego set. It was of New York City and had the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Flat Iron Building, and the Freedom Tower. So finally Tim (with some help from Jeri) put it together.
Here’s a time-lapse video condensing the two-plus hours into 4+ minutes. A few times, Josiah would come over look at the instructions and immediately start putting the pieces together. Whereas Tim had to methodically identify the correct pieces and figure out how to assemble them.
Watching TV (when we could get it to connect) included food shows, Korean dramas, and (clean) stand-up comedians.
Watching TV
Jeffrey periodically tended the grill.
Jeri, Lizzie, Jason (back), Victoria, Hannah, and Tim in Pine Knot Village in Big BearJeri, Victoria, and Sarah on Pine Knot Ave
For supper, we picked up some food in Pine Knot Village (including a top-rated poke place) and brought it home to eat.
Tim, Justin, Josiah, Jeri, Joanna, and Nicole
Some of the Age of Empire (video game) players enjoyed watching recorded matches of top players.