Casie's Cross Country Adventure...Take 3!

California here I come....

A dear friend of mine was given wonderful news that her much needed back surgery had been approved! During the conversation about her surgery we spoke about her job and that she would be off for 6 months.  Amy and I both work in the restoration industry. The short story is, I was given the opportunity to go back home to Ventura and work for Paul Davis Restoration. 

 I know...it's crazy!

So here is the plan...  I am leaving Wednesday, September 23rd early in the morning!  I will travel to North Platte Nebraska.  That is basically in the middle of no where!  On Thursday I will drive to Taylorsville, UT where I will stay with my sister Lauren and her family for 4 days.   I am very excited to meet my new brother in law and niece and nephew! Then on Monday I will drive straight through to Ventura! 

I will be staying with my Oma and Opa during my time home.  A HUGE thank you to them for opening their home to me!

I am currently on a roller coaster of emotions!  I'm excited to go, and sad to leave!  But please remember, while your digging yourselves out of the snow...I could be barefoot on the beach! 

Hugs and kisses!

Mmmmm Mmmmm Good!

My sister shared with me that her husband Randy ordered the NFL package for the football season and to top it he did an open invitation to the West Jordan Police department to come join him and the family for Sunday games! I told Lauren I would rescue her with some easy to make appetizers! So I thought I would share them with all of you!

Now if you see something on here and it seems like something you have made...you probably have and I thought it was good enough to share! :0)

You Can't Eat Just One Bacon Wrapped Chestnuts

You will need the following:

1 Package of Bacon
2 small cans of Whole water chestnuts
Kikkoman Roasted Garlic Teriyaki Sauce (as desired)
Toothpicks
Grill

Soak tooth picks in water

While they are soaking open bacon and cut slices in half. Open cans of chestnuts and drain the water. Take a chestnut and wrap the bacon around it and use the toothpick to secure it. Place into bowl. Continue this process till complete. Open the bottle of Teriyaki sauce and pour desired amount over the bacon wrapped goodness and let it sit for a bit. Twenty minutes maybe? While they are soaking, heat up the grill. Not to hot though!
If you have a top rack now is the time to use it. Place all the bacon wrapped chestnuts on the top rack and turn over when needed. When the bacon is crispy they are done! Let them sit for a few because they will be HOT!

My Mom was kind enough to share with me this scrumptious 7 layer dip recipe and I hope she doesn't get mad at me for sharing this with you!
A little back story on this one. When I moved to Michigan, my first day here Brian's family came to meet me. I had to have my A game on, so I made this 7 layer dip. Needless to say it was a hit! Now, for every holiday or family outing I ask my mother in law "What shall I bring"? She ALWAYS answers "Oh, you know". Yes folks, I am forever stuck bring 7 Layer Dip to Thankmus, Mothers Day, Fathers Day and The Ward Reunion!

My Mother In Law's Favorite 7 Layer Dip

You will need the following:

2 cans Frito Bean Dip or 1 can Vegetarian Re-fried Beans

1 Block of Colby Jack Cheese

1 8 oz tub of Guacamole Dip

1 8 oz tub of Sour Cream (you can use light too)

1 packet Taco Seasoning

1 tbsp. Lemon juice

1 tbsp. Mayo

2 Roma Tomatoes

2 Stalks of Green Onion

1 small can of Chopped Black Olives

Black Pepper (season to taste)

9 x13 Glass casserole dish

Take your dish and open both cans of bean dip.  Take a spoon and spread out as evenly as you can .  Next you want to open your sour cream and the packet of taco seasoning.  Pour the seasoning into the sour cream and mix it together really good.  Take the tub of guacamole and pour in the tablespoon of lemon juice and mayo and add the pepper to taste.  Once you have mixed it all together pour the guacamole mixture over the bean dip and spread evenly, do the same with the sour cream mixture.  Add your Colby Jack cheese as well as the tomatoes, green onion and olives.  Refrigerate it for a few hours so that it sets.  Serve it with Frito Corn Chips or whatever your heart desires!

I have more fun recipes to share with you!  I will have those ready in a few days!  Have fun!  If you have any questions please ask me! 

The Upteenth Ward Reunion

This year's annual Ward Reunion was hosted by Jan, Roy, Char and Doug. First and foremost, a HUGE thank you to Aunt Janie and Uncle Bucko for opening your home to all of us! I think I can speak for everyone and say, a good time was had by all!

Little Roy, thank you for barbecuing for all of us! The chicken and ribs were fantastic! Saysha had a fun project for everyone. She asked everyone to make a paper plate face made with items that you could find in the yard and made family totem poles! I think the kids had a lot of fun with it!













As a remembrance of the day, Grandma Ward received a jacket with all 82 family members names embroidered on it! Aunt Char did a beautiful job!


For those of you who couldn't be there, you were missed! We hope to see all of you next year!

With love,
Brian & Casie

P.S. There is a slide show of pictures that I took through out the day. If there are any pictures that you would like a copy of please let me know and I will e-mail them to you!

Announcing the New Mr & Mrs!!

I am so happy to announce that my sister Lauren has tied the knot!

Lauren and Randy got married on their trip to Jamaica last month!

Randy, Porter and Gabbi, welcome to the family! You are all great additions! I can't wait to meet all of you!


I have exclusive pictures of the happy couple!

The 1st Offical Ward Family Blog Posting!

These days we have a half dozen ways to stay in contact with friends and family that live far away! Some choose to send endless e-mails with 100 pictures attached, others send a text. I have chosen to blog! I am really new at this...so new that it has taken me 1 month to figure out what back ground I wanted and a little blurb about our family and last but not least, what the heck to write!

So in the middle of the year I am making it my goal to write and add pictures for us to share with all of you! I do hope that you will all enjoy it!

Love,
Casie
(Brian and Nate send their love too....but right now they are sleeping)