30th Birthday Bash

Thanks to David and my family and friends, I had a terrific 30th birthday. David threw/coordinated a great party, taking on a project that most men would leave entirely to the women. Here's a few of the pictures.

DEPRIVED!

I must be paying the piper for Holiday indulgences because I'm feeling deprived lately. On Christmas Day my computer got a virus and has been dead for a month. Lack of funds and a good IT guy has kept me in the dark. No Facebook, no internet access at home whatsoever. The only reason I can post this blog is because I have access at work. You don't realize how much you depend on a computer until you don't have one. I brought out the jigsaw puzzles...I've completed 4 of over 1000 pieces this month so far. Ryan wanted to know what we did to pass the time as kids...my reply...who had time to pass??? I was busy with the cooking, cleaning and laundry! (Although I did find time to read...MUST have time to read.) Then he gave me spackling lessons and put me to work!
The other reason I feel deprived is that I just completed the second week of a three week fast that our church is doing in a consecration effort to start off the new year drawing closer to God. If you've ever been on the Daniel's Fast you will know what I mean. I'm craving pizza! Hamburgers! Good bread! Cheese! And counting the days until Sunday...

Ratatouille

Sara and I are always looking for new and exciting recipes to try. While walking through Disneyland a few weeks ago, we came across a window display form the recent Disney cartoon "Ratatouille." Intrigued by the cool name and complete ignorance of what the dish even was, we set out to discover what all the fuss was about. We discovered that ratatouille is a "French peasant dish", which in my vernacular means their version of soul-food. Meant to be cheap enough that anyone can make it and hearty enough to please any family, the vegetarian stew has been apart of French tradition for hundreds of years. We discovered that Disney had actually hired a chef to create a new way to serve ratatouille to feature in their cartoon. Decidedly, we knew we had to try it. We did all the Google searching and you tube research necessary and then a few nights ago Sara made the most beautiful ratatouille. I've posted a picture (left) to showcase her handy-work. It tastes as good as it looks. Bon Appetit!

Happy Birthday Stephanie

My wonderful wife Stephanie is 30 today. I just want to say I hope you have a wonderful day. You are a great friend and wife to me, and a wonderful mommy to Rory.

We both love you very much!!!!

David

Happy Birthday to Carson

Now, I am AWFUL at remembering birthdays and anniversaries, so please don't count on me to remember to post them all. But I happen to know when Carson's birthday is AND I happened to remember it this year!
Miss you buddy!
Keep warm on your birthday and find something good to eat.
Love,
David, Steph and Rory

Need family email addresses

Please send me any family email addresses you can. I know of 3 I am missing currently- Annie, Kenny & Teddy.

So if you can help me out, send them to me via email and I will add them as contributors to this blog.

Thanks Everybody!

Kookies and Kaplans

Greetings All,

Today's big event is the celebration of the Epiphany with Sara's parents. The brand of Catholicism that is observed in Mexico includes this tiny holiday (actually the 6th of January) to celebrate the arrival of the three wise men in Bethlehem. According to scholars, the wise men didn't reach Jesus until two years after his birth. So, two weeks after Christmas Sara's parents have everyone over for food and fun! For the occasion I've made a batch of shortbread cookies that I intend to dip in chocolate before Sara gets home. Tonight will probably be spent over a fish dinner (as it's Friday), with another shower of holiday gifts, and couple rounds of Nana's favorite card game; Bueda. Party on!!

Be careful with hair clippers.

Rory had an "incident" at the barber. An incident involving a miscommunication and the loss of much hair. I am bitter about it. Rory's wearing a lot of hats these days to cover up the issue.

Lucky for him he is cute.

Happy New Year!

This is an awesome idea! Thank you Shegazelle for setting this up!

I'm looking forward to a new year with a renewed hope. Life had some major changes for me in 2010. The majorest (is that a word?) of all was the purchase of my new home. I've been so happy in my home and very happy to have my family come to visit and stay with me. I look forward to many more happy times at the "Ponderosa". Welcome one and all (please, not at the same time!)I would love to have you visit or stay with me. Just call me up for reservations...I'll leave the light on for ya!

Laurie

Welcome!

Welcome to the Bray's Bulletin Online edition! The idea for the original Bray's Bulletin was not my own, but it was good and enjoyable in it's time. The idea for the Online Edition came to me recently, and so begins the virtual pages of www.braysbulletin.blogspot.com. All generations are welcome to contribute, young and old. If you are not yet a contributor, please email me so I can add your email to the list of authors for this blog.

Please post pictures, family news or a funny or two. Post anytime- as often or as little as you like. And as we used to do with the paper edition, you are welcome to share with a good friend.

So here it is for Brays from the frigid north (kudos to the Bray missionaries!) to the warm, sunny south. Let's get together here in this virtual corner of the world!