Frontyard Picnic

Warning: the following may be my favorite pictures of the summer, thus far!

We had a playdate at the park this morning, and we had a little picnic lunch to close it out.  Riley was such a fan that she requested a picnic dinner as well and has been talking about it the rest of the day.  She is always anxious for Daddy to get home, but she was even more so today.  So while Mike was on his way home (after his car broke down in Yorkville... sigh... another story), I made some pasta salad, washed some grapes and busted out the snap peas.  By the way, I'll include the pasta salad recipe at the end.  It was amazing.  You should make it for your next potluck.  Do people still do potlucks?  

But that's enough intro.  Here's the good stuff...

 Even Kona gets in on the action.

 I'm pretty sure Noelle is yelling, "Cheese!!"  But her best cheese face is yet to come.

 As Mike just said to me, it's crazy to think that this was the girl who would only scootch around the house!  Now she's walking, "running" and climbing all over!

 And THERE'S the cheese face!

 I love how Noelle wants to be JUST like Riley.  And I love that Riley, currently, loves it, too.  I mean, check out this series of sisterly love pictures.

 Speaking of sisterly love, here's a great tangent story.  Maria came over the other day and was reading a friends book to Riley.  At one point, she asked Riley who her best friend was.  Riley grinned and said, "Noelle!"  It made my heart melt.  I thank God for their love for one another and pray it will continue to grow.

 Daddy and squirmy Noelle.  I don't think he should take offense that she was very content to sit on the step next to Riley.

 I heart toddler curiosity.

Three girls, playing around our neighbors' yard.

Pasta Salad (from epicurious)

Ingredients:

Dressing:

6 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 garlic clove, minced

Salad:

1 lb fusilli (or some similar pasta-- I used elbow mac)

12 oz tomatoes, coarsely chopped

8 oz marinated mozzarella, drained and chopped

1 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

1/2 cup canned roasted peppers, chopped

Prep:

Blend first 5 ingredients in processor (or Magic Bullet-- boom!).  Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water.  Drain and transfer to a large bowl.  Add dressing to hot pasta and toss or stir to coat.  Cool, stirring occasionally.  Add fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and peppers.  

Can be made 6 hours ahead.  Cover, chill.

**Even Noelle LOVED this, and that's saying something.