Wednesday, July 22, 2009

The Hamburger Throwdown:

Any Pearson Throwdown is characterized by 5 main components: Taste, Presentation, Creativity, Competition and Good Company.
Competition and Good Company is mandatory---Taste, Presentation and Creativity is what we are judged on.
And even though you can't taste these, use the descriptions and your imaginations to decide and VOTE for your favorite on the right hand tool bar!!
Meet the competitors...
First, Mick McGinty, an All-American artist by trade, creating in such varieties of mediums as oil, watercolor, acrylic, pencil and finger paints. He got his start as an artist at Knott's Berry Farm, painting oil portraits of children who would not sit still. He is that good. He raised a family in Southern California, married the love of his life, and is now a proud grandfather of 4 grandchildren. They call him Papa. Claiming to be an amateur in the kitchen, let's see what his artistry skills bring to the table... literally.
Kerry McGinty, the wife of the All-American artist and 1,000 women wrapped in one. She has held such jobs as a gift shop clerk, an X-Ray technician, a video artist, women's ministry leader, rotary notary, some type of paper/forms processor at Arizona State, H&RBlock (don't ask... she hated that one) and now a realtor and assistant to KaceyLuvi, Creative Productions. She is competitive, mean and ready to win. Let's see if she rises to the challenge.


Chance Pearson, the blessed husband of KaceyLuvi, Creative Productions. Born and corn fed an Iowan, Spencer..to be exact. 14,000 people in the city he grew up in makes it hard to believe such greatness could arise out of such a town. He was the star running back of his time. Spencer Tigers, #33, the 517th member to pledge into Phi Psi at Arizona State University and now 30 year old District Manager of Core Concepts Personal Training. He has big muscles, but an even bigger heart. He's a lover, not a fighter. But today, he came to win. Let's see if his creation is as big time as he is with his luxury Harkins Theatre cup.
Kacey... the even more blessed wife of Chance Pearson, the Spencer Tiger transport. She is pleased to have married someone like her dad... steady, consistent and faithful. Kacey has come to party. She is ready to win, don't get me wrong, but the social aspect of this Throwdown is the most important part to her. However, she brought her A game. She graduated with self-proclaimed Social Honors from Azusa Pacific University and self-proclaimed Slacker Honors from Arizona State University. She is no dummy and plays to win.


First off, we have Chance Pearson's burger. A mix if hamburger, turkey sausage and Lipton Onion soup mix atop a bun smothered with a homemade aioli. The aioli contained mayo, garlic, basil, extra virgin olive oil and salt to taste. The final garnish was the cucumbers, sliced to perfection. He named it:

"CoolAsA"

Next, the pizza burger, created by Kerry McGinty. I can't even start to list the ingredients, but the bottom line was, it tasted just like a pizza on a burger. However, she put so many ingredients within the meat (including a homemade pizza sauce) that the burger hardly kept itself together on the grill. Better luck next time on presentation, Kerry. She named it:

"Pizza... Question Mark"

Kacey clearly took a risk on her double decker burger. Each patty was covered in spreadable Brie cheese (a Kacey Pearson favorite) and a grilled Peach ring. Few ingredients. Big flavor. So she thought. She named it:
"The Fruit Loop"

And finally, Mick McGinty's burger. The one we were mysteriously anticipating for it's creativity and artistic expression. Mick, being the all-american that he is, put together this perfect swiss, bacon and mushroom burger. It looked like it was ready to be on the expo line. He named it:
"Ring Around the Mushroom"

And in the end... dessert. 4 perfect banana cream pies in a cup. Possibly the most delicious thing ever created.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

The new house we are praying to be ours!!!

The Kitchen (minus the fridge)

Built in office off the kitchen:


Kitchen sink and 42" Rustic Alder Wood cabinetry:

Little Reading area :)

The Dining Room waiting for my pretty chandelier to be hanging :)

Main living room:

The Grand Entry:

Downstairs Bath:
Another entry shot:

Downstairs Guest Room/aka the Man Room

Laundry:


Wood Stairs... yummy.

Master Bath toilet/shower room:

Master Shower:

Master Bedroom:

Master Bathroom:

Upstairs Hall:

Upstairs Guest bath:

Upstairs Guest Bedroom:

The cozy fireplace room off the kitchen:

Extended view:
2 car garage with lots of storage space:)
Please pray for us as we are just weeks away from closing!!! Possibly sooner! We are thrilled to have our offer accepted and to be moving towards the goal. We will keep you posted!!

Monday, July 20, 2009

The HONEYMOON in COSTA RICA!!!!

And we're OFF!! With a little honeymoon gift from my parents :) Luggage tags. (when you're planning to be married or newly married...things kinds of things are very, very exciting) :)




The Costa Rican Police. This is in the capital, San Jose.

We were dying to experience a true, authentic and indigenous Costa Rican meal in San Jose, but everything was shady.. and shady is a generous description. So, we ended up with Cuarto de Libras con queso (Quarter Pounder with Chesse for those of you that didn't pass Spanish 101) It was nothing short of what I expected... awesome.

This is the airport concession stand storage room. The actual concession stand was a cooler with Fanta and a ripped out notebook paper taped on the side reading: $1.


Airport waiting is not quite as luxurious as in the States. It was quite warm.


Our Zip Line tour through the rain forest of Guanacaste.

The view from our hotel room:


Enthusiastic about the harness.
Zipping at it's best.




We ride the short bus.

Glowing with Bug Spray.





The best breakfast buffet in history. Each morning, we gleened with excitment as we walked down a level to the buffet. Chance would order coffee and then head straight toward the omelet station. I, on the other hand, have a love for everything "pastry-ish"... so if I were ever lost, your best bet was to look towards the doughnuts and danishes.



The infinity pool overlooked the ocean!

My 27th birthday :) with very happy teeth.

The Day before my life improved dramatically:

Don't get me wrong, I have always been one to enjoy my life and feel as if I have been given optimal favor in so many areas. However, these photos document the day before my life improved dramatically by way of marrying my husband. These are a few of the sweetest memories from the wedding weekend--coffee with my closest bunch, my most influencial women (minus Sunshine and my other Aunt Shelly), the ladies that have taught me what it means to be a God-fearing, self-sacraficing wife and what it means to truly love my husband. Without this group, I would be less confident in my identity in Christ, most likely struggling in life and gasping for air. They have been monumentally and genuinely shapeful in my years and I am forever grateful for the things they have taught me.
From left to right on the top row: Aunt Barb, Aunt Ellen, Aunt Donna, Aunt Lori, my mom, Kerry... L to R on the Bottom: my cousin, Nikki and her baby, Averee, Grandma Kuhl, cousin Kenna, cousin Tracy, the over-excited bride-to-be, and my sister-in-law, Sister (Katie).
My Grandma just turned 80 last month. Isn't she a babe? With more evergy than an average 25-year old on any given day, she is a servant and a lover beyond belief. We are so happy to have her and my grandpa recently relocated and living happily and hotly in Arizona :)

Tracy--my sweet cousin who married into the family 3 years ago. Just before her and Robby married, we were roomies in San Diego and ever since have been a loving pair :) She fits into our family like a glove and I couldn't think of anyone on this earth better than her for Robby.


Oh, and my mom. She instantly takes the cake as the leading lady in my life. She is the most selfless, giving, stretching, extra mile, make you feel special, loving, extraordinary woman I have ever known. If I listed her talents, qualities and characteristics, you wouldn't even believe me, so I will spare you. She is 1,000 women wrapped in one. Chance and I cannot thank her and my dad enough for the amazing time, money, physical and emotional preparation, and detail they put into planning our wedding. She is now our realtor and working hard to get us into the house of our dreams within the next 30 days. She never quits. Anyone that knows her, knows this is true and is blessed. I love you, mama.