I thought this would be a fitting time to introduce you to my little brother, the newly winged Chief Warrant Officer Michael Gillam.  So if you’ll indulge me a proud big sister moment…

Mike with his beautiful wife Katie & my new niece, Hannah

Here's Mike with our cute Mom

Last month Mike graduated from flight school in Ft Rucker, AL and earned his wings.  He is now officially an Apache helicopter pilot, something that he has trained and studied and spent the last year and a half working toward.

I tease Mike that it’s worrisome enough for me as his big sister to have him in the Army and to think about him going back to the Middle East (he served time in Iraq a couple years ago) and now he had to go and add the dangers of flying helicopters to my nerves.  I mean, I have ridden in the car with him…

In all seriousness though, I am so very proud of Mike.  And all of the other men and women who serve along side him all around the world.  And those who have served.  And those who will serve.

And I’m proud of and grateful for Katie who stands beside him and supports him.  And all the others who send their loved ones off not knowing when you’ll see them again.

Thank you.

Greatschools.net is a researching parent’s dream.  From public to charter to private schools, you can learn about everything from student and teacher statistics, spending per child, test scores (see Las Sendas Elementary 4th grade AIMS scores above), demographics, extra cirricular activities, parent & student reviews, and much more.  You can also compare schools or school districts.  

If you have something to say about a school your kids go to make sure to leave feedback for others there, too and then sign up to receive updates about your specific schools.  

Don’t miss Great School’s blog, too!

If you’ve never had a fresh peach straight off of the tree you are really missing out!  

We have 3 peach trees in our backyard all different varieties that ripen at different times so we can extend our peach eating season.  The first tree is almost empty now and the second is just ripening.  

YUMM!  

If you don’t happen to have peach trees and you live in the Valley of the Sun you can still enjoy picking fresh peaches at the annual Queen Creek Peach Festival this weekend.  Here are the details:

A weekend of peach food sampling, peach pancake breakfast, pie eating contests, chef demonstrations, hay rides to peach orchards for picking, organic vegetable picking, arts and craft booths, children’s crafts, amusement rides, and live entertainment.

May 15-17, 2009

7:30am to 4pm

U-pick peaches for $1.75 per pound

Admission is $2.00 pp and $10.00 for a ride wristband (unlimited) or $2.00 for a train ride and others. Hayrides to orchards included in admission.

24810 S Rittenhouse Rd, Queen Creek, AZ‎ -(480) 444-2590‎

If you can’t make it out this weekend check out the website for other times you can go pick your own peaches, you’ll be glad you did!

This evening we went back for dinner too…because the girls wanted to go.  ;~)  Here’s a fun aerial view of the lines as we saw them:

The red marking is the longest we saw the line and the blue spots are where we waited from (the closer one being lunch).  This evening we waited just under an hour.  

I’ve been following @JoesRealBBQ on Twitter today and these are some of the stats that were released: 

• 4500 lbs of meat
• 500 dozen bakery fresh buns
• 1800 quarts of homemade sides (the best beans in the world and yummy coleslaw)
• 6184 free meals

Now that’s giving back!  Thank you, Joe.  We appreciate your appreciation of us and our patronage throughout the rest of the year.  And to your hard working staff:  YOU ROCK!!!

(I posted about their sister restaurant Joe’s Farm Grill in November…check it out, too!)

Here are two of my favorite things this year:  a quote and a song.  My wish is that they will find a place in your heart as well.

…and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!  

Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

This music is Carol of the Bells by the Trans Siberian Orchestra.  They come through town every year.  If you ever get the chance, I’d recommend seeing them.

Some of you know the excitement that our family has had with my daughter, Courtney and her prize winning hamburger at Red Robin. Fast forward 2 years and I thought you’d enjoy an update and to know that Courtney (& her burger) will be featured in a cooking segment tomorrow on Fox 15’s Sonoran Living sometime between 9-10am.

Last fall Courtney re-entered a variation of her burger and made it to the top 50 nationally again earning another gift card and a spot in the cookbook that Red Robin is selling to benefit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Here’s an article that ran this month in several community newspapers (North Gilbert Breeze, The Groves Report, & The View) as well as a couple of pictures.

If you’d like to hear the story from the beginning click: here

Thanks for sharing in our fun!

Cactus Jack Cristo

Ingredients:

Hamburger patty

Cornmeal jalapeño roll

Prickly Pear cactus jelly (can be found at AZ specialty shops or the airport or you can make some like we did — someone in your neighborhood is bound to have a prickly pear cactus if you don’t)

Jalapeños (julienned, battered and deep fried)

Pepper-jack cheese

Cilantro coleslaw (basically a good coleslaw with cilantro added)

To build:

The bun should be battered and fried (like a Monte Cristo). Spread jelly on both sides of the bun (Red Robin calls this coast-to-coast). Melt cheese on burger. Add fried jalapeños on top and cilantro coleslaw on the bottom.

Here’s a picture of Courtney’s burger when we built it at home:

Check out some great places to celebrate the 4th of July! 

(click on the titles to be taken directly to the website)

Apache Junction (Forth of July Fireworks Celebration)

Location:  Apache Junction High School

Info:  Public swimming opens at 10 a.m. Volleyball tournament, skate competition at Superstition Shadows Skate Park (fee to register), kids activities, races, games and more. Use your creativity for the a bicycle, tricycle and wagon decorating contest. Starting at 6 p.m. there will be free watermelon, while supplies last. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. the Cover-Ups will perform at the AJHS Stadium. Fireworks are after the show.  480.983.2181

Cost:  Admission is free. Parking is free, but limited.

Avondale (Rev, White & Boom!) **Note July 3**

Location:  PIR (Phoenix International Raceway)

Info:  7-9:30pm (Fireworks at 9PM)  The largest Fireworks display and gathering in the Southwest Valley takes place in Avondale, at Phoenix International Raceway!  Come tour the international raceway, watch entertainment from the concourse and view awesome classic and show cars, and of course get a prime seat to watch the Fireworks!  602.333.2400

Cost :  Free

Buckeye (4th of July Celebration)

Location:  Earl Edgar Recreational Facility, Beloat & Miller

Info:  6-9pm, Fireworks 8:45pm.  Celebrate our nation’s independence with your family, friends and neighbor’s at Buckeye’s 4th of July Celebration.  Fourth of July has always been a day for family fun and we will be celebrating with a variety of activities, which include a kid’s zone water park and family group games.  A fireworks display will conclude the evening and make the 2008 event a 4th of July to Remember.

Cost:  Free

Chandler (Chandler’s 4th of July 7-UP Fireworks Spectacular)

Location:  Tumbleweed Park

Info:  The event features live music, a free kids carnival, a bike parade, and food and beverage vendors. Activities include a 35-foot water slide, 24-foot rock-climbing wall, dunk tank, and assorted water games and interactive amusements for kids.  The Cactus Bike Push, Pull, Peddle Bike Parade will be held at 6 p.m., with each registrant receiving a free gift. The participant with the bike that is decorated best will win a Harro children’s bike. Participants can register for the free parade between June 18 and July 3 at any Cactus Bike location, or at the park on July 4 from 4-5:30 p.m. For bike parade details, contact the Cactus Bike Ocotillo location at 480-782-5483 or the Ahwatukee location at 480-940-7433.  Contact info: 480.782.2735

Cost:  Admission is free, parking is $5.

Gilbert (Gilbert’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration)

Location:  Mesquite High School

Info:  Activities include live music, food and beverage vendors, amusements for the kids, and a fabulous display of fireworks at approximately 9:00 p.m. Gates open at 5:00pm with Opening Ceremonies at 7:00p – MUSIC WILL CONTINUE TO 10:30pm

Cost:  Free but bring cash for rides, amusements and refreshments.

Glendale (4th of July Celebration)

Location:  Glendale Community College

Info:  The fun starts with free swimming at the GCC pool beginning at 1 p.m. Gates open for the event at 6 p.m., with free admission and free parking. Entertainment on the APS Main Stage begins at 6 p.m., including a patriotic program and an F-16 flyover by a Luke Fighter Squadron, followed by musical entertainment. The awesome fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 8:40 p.m.  Entertainment for children will include a juggler on the kid’s stage. Parents can keep little ones cool and happy with an inflatable water slide, or other inflatable games that will be available for a small fee.  623.930.2299

Cost:  Free

Maricopa (Great American Barbeque)

Location:  Pacana Park

Info:  Maricopa’s Great American BBQ begins at 6:00 p.m., with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.  In addition to fireworks, the event will feature nine vendors preparing an old-fashioned barbecue, a beer garden, pie eating and watermelon seed spitting contests and a whiffle ball tournament. Activities include seven inflatable water slides, a dunk tank and a movie in the park.  520.568-9098

Cost:  Admission to the event is free, and park and ride locations have been set-up at Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Maricopa and Pima Butte Elementary Schools, the First Baptist Church, and Maricopa Wells Middle School.

Mesa (4th of July Firework Display)

Location:  Mesa Community College

Info:  The Sertoma Club of Mesa will be sponsoring its 47th annual 4th of July Fireworks Show.  A food court and drinks will be in the stadium area.  The stadium gates will be opened at 6 p.m.  Entertainment will commence at 7 p.m. There will be kiddie rides available and will conclude with the fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Cost:  Admission to the stadium is $1.00 per person with children 6 and under admitted free.  Campus parking is accessible off Dobson Road to the west, Southern Ave on the north and Longmore Street on the east.  Campus parking is $5.00 per car with seat belted occupants admitted to stadium free of charge.  Proceeds from the show are used to support local, national and international charities.

Peoria (4th of July All American Festival)

Location:  Peoria Sports Complex

Info:  Two entertainment zones, (1 country and 1 rock and roll), an F-16 Fly-over, a food zone, a Kids Zone and a Water Zone — bring your swimsuit! Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Cost:  $5 for each person 13 and older. Free parking.

Phoenix (Fabulous Phoenix 4th)

Location:  Steele Indian School Park

Info:  This premier family event will feature great local entertainment, free shuttles, free inflatable rides in the Manzanita Speedway Kids World and one of the biggest fireworks displays in the state! Festivalgoers also can enjoy food and beverage vendors. The Phoenix Fire Department will be cooling people down in the water spray zone.  602.534.FEST

Cost:  Free

Phoenix (Light Up the Sky)

Location:  Maryvale Baseball Park

Info:  Inside the stadium: Free rides, craft activities, carnival games, and information tables. Main Field: Games, activities and free prizes sponsored by Arizona Chrysler Jeep & Dodge. Field 4- water slides, activities, a dee jay, and an open area for viewing fireworks show. 7-10 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Cost:  Free

Scottsdale (Grand Ole’ Fashioned Picnic)

Location:  Scottsdale Stadium

Info:  July 4th from 5 to 7:30 p.m.   Activities include free hot dogs, watermelon eating contest, potato sack races, tug-o-war competition, music and arts and crafts. Pictures/cards will be made for soldiers oversees. Barbecue grills will be provided and families are encouraged to bring food to cook up and eat at this community picnic.  **There are no fireworks at this event. Maps of nearby fireworks locations will be provided. **  (480) 312-0217

Cost:  Admission is free. Parking is free.

Surprise (4th of July 26th Annual Celebration)

Location:  Surprise Recreation Campus

Info:  July 4th from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  There are three separate events. The ticketed event is at Surprise Stadium. There you will enjoy live music featuring the Groove Merchants, a water and interactive zone, and family entertainment. $1 hot dogs, popcorn and drinks are available with your admission charge. Other full-price concessions will be offered. The evening is highlighted with a fireworks show at dusk set to patriotic music.

Cost:  The cost is $10 per adult, $5 per person 17 and younger. You can buy tickets in advance at about half price at the Community & Recreation Services Offices located at 15960 N. Bullard Ave., right next to the Surprise Stadium. Ticket sales are limited. Parking at the event is free.

Tempe (Tempe 4th)

Location:  Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe

Info:  TruWest Credit Union presents the CBS5 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival Produced by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe Tempe Beach Park, Friday, July 4th Gates open at 4pm Delivering more than power SRP presents the 57th Annual Fireworks Spectacular The July 4th attractions include: SRP 57th Annual Fireworks Spectacular will present the best fireworks show in the Valley shot from Mill Avenue bridge. The spectacular family night SRP Fireworks Show will be choreographed to patriotic and classical music. Main Stage featuring great live local entertainment. Scheduled to Appear The Walkens G.A.S Chris Parker Project.  480.350.5189

Cost:  Tickets will be on sale through July 4th at Fry’s and Fry’s Marketplace until 12 noon, $6.00 ticket price, Children 12 and under FREE!  Tickets will be $8.00 at the gate or $15.00 for two.  On site ticket sales will stop when the park reaches capacity.

Looking for some summer fun for the family?  Try out some of these great activities for free or next to it (click on the title for more detailed information):

• Harkins Theater’s Summer Movie Fun – family movies for all ages, 10 movies=$7, or $2 on the day of the movie.
• IMAX Summer Vacation Series– FREE family friendly movies at the E. Mesa IMAX Tues-Thurs 10:00am & 12:30pm.
• Berean Bookstore Summer Reading Program – ages 5-13 read 7 age appropriate books and earn a $5 gift card.
• Sizzlin’ Summer Saturdays at the Heard Museam – Saturdays July 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2008 10:30am-3pm.
• Wild Wednesdays at the Tempe Historical Muesum – Wednesdays June 18-July 23, 2008 10am-4pm.
• ASU Art Museum’s 9th Annual Family Fun Day — Saturday July 14, 2007 10am–2pm.
• Chandler Children’s Summer Workshops — Saturdays June 14&28, July 19, August 2, 10am-12pm & 2-4pm.
• Flashlight Tours at the Desert Botanical Garden — Normal admission price, Thursdays and Saturdays May, June, July and August 7-9pm.

Enjoy!  If you know of any other fun activities feel free to pass them on and we’ll keep you updated!