Orange Beach Vacation

My family (plus Michael) spent last week vacationing in Orange Beach, Alabama. It was a wonderful trip! Some highlights:

Mom and I spent our beach afternoons relaxing by the water. I primarily listened to my iPod while attempting a Ginger tan, or what I like to say, getting "off white."

Grant, Michael, and I got to go parasailing! It was a great experience. I was kind of freaked out but really excited at the same time.



Date night! Michael and I chose a local restaurant called Cosmos. It was AMAZING! Michael got his fresh Gulf fried shrimp and fish, and I got delicious chicken stuffed with cheese and asparagus. It was seriously the best restaurant I've been to in a long time. The atmosphere and food were wonderful. After dinner, we went to a local ice cream place for dessert.


Michael's 22nd birthday! For dinner, the whole family went to a local restaurant called Live Bait. Everyone loved it! We came back to the condo for birthday cake (the kind Mom usually makes for my birthday) and presents.

The rest of the pictures are on my Facebook! Up next...Yellowstone!

Time in the Kitchen

I've always said that I would learn how to cook when I need to. It's not that I think I won't enjoy it, but I've just never taken personal interest in learning. When it was decided that my parents were going to Cleveland for six days, I figured that I would attempt some things in the kitchen so Grant and I wouldn't live on frozen dinners. Michael and I had already successfully made a meal together this summer, so I figured I could attempt it on my own. Lazy nights included Friday night pizza (the usual in the Shirey household) and Sunday night SpongeBob shaped macaroni (the shapes taste better).

Meal #1: Grilled chicken with bread crumbs and pepper garlic seasoning, mashed potatoes, and green beans


Meal #2: BRINNER! (Breakfast for dinner for all you non-Scrubs fans.) Sunny side up eggs, chocolate chip pancakes (plain for Grant), bacon, and orange juice spritzer (orange juice with a splash of Sprite)
**Note Maddie on the right patiently waiting for her bite of bacon



Meal #3: Chicken fettuccine alfredo and asparagus

Meal #4: Tacos and corn

The kitchen never caught on fire, the hungry brother was happy, and everything was edible. I consider this mission a success.