Recipe Tuesday

I don't know about you guys, but I feel all cooked out after Christmas. But, if there is someone out there who is still cooking, let me know if you try this. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks delicious. I'm going to try it once I'm out of my anti-kitchen phase. This too shall pass.

Grilled Chicken with Spinach and Pine Nut Pesto

Ingredients

2 boneless chicken breasts
2 cups lightly packed baby spinach leaves (about 2 ounces)
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 to 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Heat a grill pan on medium high heat. Lightly oil the grill pan. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
Combine the spinach, pine nuts, lemon juice, and lemon peel in a processor. Lightly pulse. With the machine running, gradually add 1/3 cup of the oil, blending until the mixture is creamy. Add salt and pulse. Put half of the pesto into ice cube trays and store in the freezer for future use.
Transfer the rest of the spinach mixture to a medium bowl. Stir in the Parmesan. Season the pesto with salt and pepper, to taste.

Spread the pesto over each piece of chicken and serve.

And Bring on the Depression

I've decided that the few days after Christmas are so depressing! All the excitement and buildup of Christmas is SO great and then BAM! All that excitement is wripped off like a Band-aid with not much to look forward to.

Tannon and I had a great Christmas this year. We absolutely love spending time with our families and doing that on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day just makes it that more special.

We have really enjoyed the break he and I have had from school and work. Poor Tannon got really sick, though and has an ear infection. I hate it when he's sick! Selfishly, though... it was kinda nice to have that extra day to spend with him when he called in sick to work.

My best friend, Maren, is in town for the holiday, so our close friends were able to get together for a little Christmas get-together. I just LOVE these wonderful human beings! (And their spouses). It's always a blast getting together with them. And- don't be surprised that I have NO pictures of our Christmas break. I suck.

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Christmas! Now it's on to laundry, cleaning, taking down Christmas, and putting everything away. I don't know why my house always looks like a bomb went off around this time. Frack.

Just in Time

It is dumping snow outside. Right now. I love it! Christmastime would not be the same without the beautiful snow. I'm at home, dog on my lap, wearing pajamas, enjoying my Christmas decorations & just relaxing. What more could I ask for? (Besides my husband by me, and a working fireplace). But seriously I just love this time of year. I really do tend to have a softer heart and can't help but stop and think of everything I have been blessed with. The whole reason we celebrate this time of year is to celebrate the birth - the life - of our Savior. This is a time to be selfless and give. It is a time to spend quality time with families. It is a time to reflect on Christ. I am forever grateful for His birth, His life, and for the Atonement.

Now let it snow!
Hudson LOVES the snow. The only time we can really find or see him in the dark is when there is snow on the ground. Otherwise, we just have to tell him to smile.

Earlier this month, Brinton, Caitlin, Tannon and I went to a live nativity. Even thought it was freezing, and the hot chocolate was terrible, it was pretty cool. There were real camels (which are HUGE) and real donkeys and sheep. I had never seen anything like it before.

MeRrY cHrIsTmAs!!!!

Announcement

So... Tannon and I have been planning on this for a while now. We didn't exactly know when the timing was right, but once it happens, it's too late... ready or not, here it comes. We are really excited about this new transition in our lives and know it is a ginormous change.





It looks like we're moving to Pittsburgh!

Tannon got accepted to a few different Dental schools and he LOVED Pittsburgh. He loved the school, the city, everything. I'm excited and scared out of my wits. Okay, I'm freaking out. Here's to our new adventure!

Tagged by Mare Bear

TAG ABOUT THE HUSBY:

(I love this picture of him as a little tyke)

1. Where did you meet? Math class at SLCC.

2.How long did you date before you got married? 3 years

3. How long have you been married? 2 1/2 years

4.What does he do to surprise you? He usually turns everything into a surprise. I love it.

5. What is your favorite feature of his? Gosh, how do I choose? He's got the greatest smile in the world - it's so contagious.

6.What is your favorite quality? He never has anything bad to say about anyone. He's very logical and optimistic. He's the most selfless person ever.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Besides all the gushy ones, mostly he calls me Cally.

8. What is his favorite food? That's a really good question. Probably fruits, vegetables, and chocolate. Ha.

9. What is his favorite sport? Rockclimbing

10. When and where did you first kiss? I think we'd been dating a month or two. We were in his parents family room, and his brother, Brinton, was asleep on the couch next to us. Haha.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Camp and rockclimb.

12. Does he have any hidden talents? He is very talented. He loves to sew, fix, and make things. He's very good with his hands.

13. How old is he? 27

14. Who said I love you first? He did - I didn't say it back when he said it :-( It took me a while to finally say it to him.

15. What is his favorite music? Pearl Jam

16. What do you admire most about him? His sweetness and willingness to serve others.
17. What is his favorite color? Baby blue

18. Which side of the bed does he sleep on? When we're laying down, he's to my right.

19. Will he read this? Psht... he has no clue how to even check this blog. The only websites he knows how to get on are: steepandcheap, whiskeymilitia, and chainlove.

I tag: Mithy, Shelley & Catie

Coconut Cream Pie

Never done it before, but here is what I will be making this Thanksgiving (requested by the husby)






INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 (.25 ounce) package unflavored gelatin
1/3 cup cold milk
3 egg yolks
2/3 cup white sugar
1 cup hot milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 egg whites
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
1 1/2 cups fresh shredded coconut
1 tablespoon fresh shredded coconut

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, mix together wafer crumbs and melted butter. Press mixture firmly into bottom and sides of a 9 inch pie pan. Bake in preheated oven for 7 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.
Dissolve gelatin in cold milk and set aside to soften.
Beat egg yolks and sugar together, then slowly pour in hot milk while whisking constantly. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture coats a spoon. Remove from heat, then stir in gelatin, followed by almond extract. Chill.
Beat egg whites until stiff. Fold egg whites, whipped cream, and coconut into chilled custard. Pour into pie shell, and sprinkle with additional coconut. Chill 3 or 4 hours before serving.

Night Out W/ Aunti "M"!

Missy & Chris dropped off the little munchkin at my place while they went to the Jazz game on Monday night. We had so much fun! (After she got her nap - she's an ornery girl when she's tired... Must take after her aunt). I just love this little girl so much!

Chillin' like a big girl in her Bumbo!

Morgie is a slobber-fest lately. She sucks on everything! I'm beginning to wonder if her mom puts Karo Syrup on those fingers!

Love you, Morgs! Come back soon PALEASE!

The Double Tag

I was tagged twice, once by Staci and once by Catie, so I am combining the two tags. I've done this tag before, so I'm going to try and not do any repeats. This tag is MUCH harder the second time around :-)

6 quirks or things you may or may not know about me:

• When I watch T.V., I like the volume to end in either "0" or "5". It would drive me CRAZY to leave the volume on 24 or 16. Ick.
• I love to brush my teeth in the shower. The second that toothpaste hits my mouth in that hot steam, feels like a party in my mouth.
• I leave my crap everywhere. Especially my cell phone. I can't even tell you how many times I've left it at work over a weekend, or at my mom's house, wherever.
• When I wash my face, I have to lean over the bathtub instead of the sink. I still haven't figured out how to wash my face over the sink without getting enough water on the floor to take a bath in.
• I have a hard time finding pants that fit me. I have to buy them big enough to get over my ba-donk-a-donk, but then they're too big in the waste. I've gained weight & inches in the midsection since high school, so you'd think that would solve the problem. However, my butt seems to grow as the midsection does. Weird.
• I have never been a big fan of soda. Ever. Until recently. Now I LOVE Diet Coke. I blame Maren.

I'm going to tag: Jamie Smith, Kristy Tibbs, Micah Rae & McCall Johnson

31 October 2008

Since I wasn't really prepared this year & didn't have costumes, Tannon and I had to be lame and dress up as something dumb. I went to work as a snowboarder (lame, I know). It was freaking hot. I was sweating the entire time I was working. SO not worth "dressing up". These are a couple of my friends from work. Blair, Jenni & me

At Tannon's work, they all were supposed to "dress up" in pajamas. Tannon wore my ridiculous Victoria's Secret pajama bottoms to work. They were tight & embarrassing.
We had a great Halloween. After work, we headed to my auntie's house in Farmington. She is an amazing cook and made homemade chili, homemade breadsticks, and homemade rootbeer, all of which was to die for. We had a great time hanging out and laughing with my aunt, uncle, cousins & their friends. Here are some pictures of the night.Sittin' around the table eating the goods.

Morgie as a chili pepper
Riley & Chels as Kermit the frog & nurse.Chris as a Jazzerciser. Thank you, Chris, for wearing tights under those shorts. Seriously, thank you.
























And the winner of the night: My cousin Trey went as Seth from Superbad. Yikes.
When he went to a party at the Capitol, he had tons of people wanting a picture with him. He was quite the hit.

This IS the place...

Tannon, Micah, Lyle and I went to the Haunted Village at This is the Place Park. I'm not usually one to frequent haunted houses.. they are just too dang expensive! However, we were able to get in for $15/couple. It was awesome... maybe b/c it's been light-years since I've been to one, but it was pretty scary. It was neat - a lot of it was outside and you would go in and out of small, spooky houses.

Tannon and I were so glad to be able to hang out w/ Micah & Lyle. It's been way too long and we have missed them!

Thanks, Caitlin for your recommendation!

Tuesday Recipe

Snickerdoodle Muffins

2 sticks unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

¾ tsp baking soda

¾ tsp baking powder

¾ tsp cream of tarter

1 and ¼ cup sour cream

2 and ¼ cups all purpose flour

1 cup sugar and 2 TBSP cinnamon mixed together for rolling

1.Cream the butter and sugar until soft about 3 to 5 minutes. Add in the vanilla. Add in the eggs one at a time and mix until each is incorporated.

2.In a separate, mix together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder and cream of tarter.

3.Add the flour mixture and the sour cream alternately to the egg-butter mixture in the additions. Start with the flour and end with the flour. Scrape the bowl occasionally.

4. Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out muffin batter one at a time and drop into a shallow bowl filled with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll the muffin around in the mixture until it is covered completely in cinnamon sugar.. Place muffin in to muffin tin.. Depending on the size of your tins, you should get about 12 to 14 muffins. Bake them for approx. 20-22 minutes in a 350F oven or until they are golden brown.

You've Got a Friend

I really think that people pop into our lives for reasons.

When I was in Jr. High, I met a girl at a Kaysville Jr. High party (the Junior High school that I attended). She went to Fairfield Jr. High. She was going out with a kid that I was going to school with. I hate to admit that I was a little bit wary that someone would 'cross boundaries' and come to a party even though they didn't go to our same Jr. High. I didn't know her...

I was in fifth grade. I got paired up with a random girl to read with. We sat under the table in the corner of Mrs. Stout's classroom. She had just moved here from Iowa. She asked me if I shaved my legs... I lied and said no...

Years ago I used to work at Bally Total Fitness. It was a pretty good job, I could study and read while working there, and worked with fun people. A new girl started there and I didn't ever go out of my way to get to know her. I was at a point in my life where I didn't care to meet new friends. After all, I had everything that I needed, right? I probably thought that her and I didn't have a whole lot in common. One of the first conversations I had with her, I learned SO MUCH... about her, about trials, about overcoming obstacles, about making dreams come true, about inspiration, about passion, about life...

These people happen to be some of my very best friends. Even though we may lose touch with eachother every now and again... they will always be some of my closest friends and I know they will be there for me no matter what. Whether they send me flowers when I'm having a bad day, name their first-born daughter after me, let me vent about my struggles & frustrations, send me an email to let me know they are thinking of me, or send me a text message for the first time in 2 years on a day that I need that text message the most. FrIenDs ArE aMaZiNg.

R.I.P. Some Spike it Hot

Well last night was the last game of the season for good ole "Some Spike it Hot". Thanks for the fun season, gals! Maybe we should quit while we're ahead... Oh wait. We're not. This season wasn't the greatest for us... and I blame Chelsey. She's our team mom, but has a fetus growing in her belly so didn't play with us this season. We're excited to have her back in January!

Chicken Crochets

My lovely sister gave this recipe to me. These are my favorite... No really. They are easy and delicious. Tiana, I know you have a recipe a lot like this, served with gravy. Those were also very delicious, but I don't have your recipe :-)

Chicken Crochets

• 1 8 oz package cream cheese
  
• 2 Tbs. butter
  
• 1/2 tsp Pepper
  
• 3-4 chicken breasts OR 1-2 cans of canned chicken (This is my preference... it cuts down on time because you don't have to cook the chicken)
  
• 2 cans large crescent rolls
  
• Garlic Powder
  
• Stuffing mix
  
  
  
  Boil chicken for approximately 30 minutes (until chicken is no longer pink inside). Shred chicken into pieces. Combine cream cheese, butter, pepper, garlic powder and chicken together. Place mixture into crescent rolls. Roll each crescent roll into stuffing mix. (Stuffing mix should be placed in a ziplock bag and rolled with rolling pin to break large pieces so it won't burn - close to a powder consistency) Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees, or just until the crescents start to brown.

Nature and Blessings

What a great weekend! Tannon and I were able to get out of the city and into the mountains with our friends, Dustin & Cami. I seriously can't get enough of it, especially this time of year.

It was also Morgan's blessing. She looked so beautiful! I wish I would have gotten a picture of her on her big day, but her mom changed her out of her big, scratchy dress before I got the chance. What do ya do.

Now it's back to work. Good thing we have weekends to get us through! Hope ya'll had a great weekend. Happy Monday!

May or May Not

My friend Rebecca recently informed me that you can RENT television series from the library! I was seriously so excited that I got online and put about 8 television series on hold. It's been a while since I've actually gotten into a good drama, and they are the best on DVD. She recommended Grey's Anatomy and here I am loving it. I may or may not have a tiny crush on Ronnie from Can't Buy Me Love.... weird.

Tuesday, already?

Whew! Tannon and I just flew in last night from Richmond, Virginia! We had a great weekend with Steve & Ashley and Ryan & Maren! Tannon had an interview at Virginia Commonwealth yesterday and I decided to accompany him and make a vacation out of it. Steve and Ashley were SO generous to let us crash at their house and eat all of their food :-) They certainly made our stay enjoyable. Thanks again, you guys!

It was also so great to see my best friend, Maren. She and Ryan live in D.C. (about 2 hours from Richmond) and were so great to drive down to have lunch with us and hang out with us for a few hours. It was so great to see them.

Here is another recipe. You guys probably already have something just like it or very similar, but in case you don't, here ya go. It's such a great time of year to make soup! Love it! Also, the idea was to blog more than once a week... I don't want my blog to turn solely into a 'recipe' blog, but things have been crazy busy and I haven't had much time for much else. Hope you all are doing well!

TACO SOUP

1 lb. ground beef, browned
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 can Rotelle tomatoes w/ green chilies
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can northern beans (white beans)
1 package ranch dressing
1 package taco seasoning

Combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 45 minutes. Serve with sour cream, cheese and tortilla chips!!

It's only the second week!

And I've already slacked off on my 'Recipe Tuesday'. Man, I suck. I usually do my best posting @ work, but work has been carazy! (My friend co-worker is on maternity leave and I am absorbing all of her repsonsibilities. Yikes!) Anyhoo.... Here's another one of my favorite recipes. The husband and I love these. You can either do them stovetop, or crock pot. I prefer to cook them in the crockie all day whilst working and then come home and all I have to do is take them out, throw some Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce on them and toss 'em in the oven for hubby and me.

Dr Pepper Ribs

Ingredients
8 country style pork spare ribs (I like boneless)
1 (2 liter) bottle Dr. Pepper, NOT diet
5 garlic cloves, slightly smashed
1 tbsp. liquid smoke
1 large onion, quartered
your favorite barbecue sauce (Love me some Sweet Baby Ray's)

1. Place ribs in large stock pot. Pour Dr. Pepper over ribs to cover. Add garlic, liquid smoke and onion. Bring to boil, lower to simmer and cook until ribs are tender.
2. Place ribs in baking pan. Pour barbecue sauce on ribs.
Bake at 350 F. for about 30 to 45 minutes.

Recipe Tuesday

Tuesdays are by far the worst day of the week for me. I don't know what it is, but I think it's always been that way. Mondays fly by.... and Tuesdays are a complete DRAG. So, here's to crappy Tuesdays... I'm gonna try and share a new recipe with ya'll every week.


I made these last night for FHE. YUMMO. Healthy? No... Delicious? Absolutely!





Carmelitas

2 cups flour
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cubes melted butter
11 oz milk chocolate chips
1 jar Mrs. Richardson's butterscotch caramel


Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, salt, and baking soda. Mix Well. Add melted butter and mix. Take half the batter and press into a 9 x 13 pan (spray it with Pam). Bake for 17 minutes at 325 degrees. Take out - spread chocolate chips and then caramel. Sprinkle with the rest of the batter. Bake for another 17 minutes at 325 degrees. Let sit for 3-4 hours (if you're in a hurry you can put it in the freezer for about an hour and a half and it'll be good). Cut and enjoy!

GNO in PC

This post is way overdue. You can blame Brittany, since it took her this long to give me pictures. :-)


A couple weekends ago, some of my best friends and I headed up to Park City. We had dinner ... and a few wrong turns later (thanks a lot Britt's navigation system) ended up at our hotel.


Usually I'm the one who falls asleep first at sleepovers. I was always the girl who would be awoken by two giggly girls trying to dip my hand in hot and then cold water to make me pee my pants. Or them trying to put shaving cream on my hand and tickling my nose with a feather. Since none of you will believe that I stayed up until 5 a.m., I have witnesses. Come to think of it, I think I stayed awake because we didn't watch a movie. I'm conditioned.


About 3.5 hours later, we got up, stuffed our faces at Morning Ray Cafe, and speed shopped.



Thanks so much, Ash, Chels & Britt. I learn SO much from each of you.


Ashley, Chelsey, me, Brittany

The very next minute...

Life is fragile beyond belief. I got an extremely upsetting phone call today at work from my mom telling me that a friend had passed away. I didn't believe her, felt sick to my stomach, and had to ask my mom again who had died... hoping that I had heard her wrong. I didn't. I can't even begin to describe the feelings that I felt at this time. It was the most shocking, unexpected moment I've experienced.

Death has always been something that I have never been able to grasp. I get so freaked out by the thought of a person being here on Earth, talking, laughing and enjoying life... and the very next minute, their spirit leaves their earthly body. What an incomprehensible concept.

My thoughts and prayers are with her sweet family at this time. I wish I could take away all of the pain that they are going through. Not that ANYONE deserves this, but her family has got to be the least deserving that I can think of.

We love you, Heather!

LoVe AnD mArRiAgE

As a Psychology major, learning about marriage and relationships was by FAR my favorite. I could take classes related to this subject for the rest of my life. I have always been fascinated with the differences between men and women. I strongly believe that men and women are made differently to compliment one another. Anyway, since marriage is something that needs to be worked on every day, here is a website that I came across & thought I'd share the wealth.. It has some good insight on strengthening marriages and relationships between spouses:  utahmarriage.org.

Enjoy!

TaGgEd AgAiN

Sorry, guys. I got tagged again - Here goes....



I was tagged by Caitlin


High School: Davis High School (WOOT WOOT)


1. Did you date someone from your high school: Yep... Matthew Hoskins... for like 6 years

2. What kind of car did you drive? : A red Mazda Miata. SO many memories in that car! (sigh)
3. What is your most embarrassing moment in high school?: I've been sitting here for at least 10 minutes trying to think of one and I'm not coming up with anything. Lame, I know!

4. Were you a party animal?: Nah....

5. Were you considered a flirt?: No way... just flirted w/ my boyfriend, I guess.
6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?: My friends and I took a choir class our sophmore year. It was sweet.

7. Were you a nerd? : Does reading a Jack Weyland book on the floor by your locker at lunch consider you a nerd? I'll let you make the call :-)
8. Were you on any varsity teams? : I was the Varsity team captain for Volleyball. I played on the Jr. Varsity lacrosse team... (for Woodscross b/c Davis didn't have a lacrosse team)

9. Did you get suspended/expelled? : No- my mom was the attendance secretary so whenever I didn't want to go to class, I'd just have to tell my mom. I'd also send her text messages when I was bored in class to call me out of class. It was awesome.

10. Can you still sing the fight song? : Oh Dear ole Davis High School, we'll fight for you.... Trust me, you don't want me to type the whole thing.

11. Who were your favorite teachers? : Coach Fletcher, aka "Fletch". I had his class with Ali and he'd always make fun of her. It was hilarious.

12. Where did you sit during lunch?: Hmm, I remember going to Ashley's house quite a bit, or Jake's Over the Top, or Bowman's.

13. School Mascot?: DART!

14. Did you go to homecoming and with who?: Matthew Hoskins, Matthew Hoskins & Dave Tibbs. I loved dances... they were fun. Except for the dancing part.

15. If you could go back and do it again, would you? : I think i'd give my right arm to go back. I love my life now, but man I loved High School.

16. What do you remember most about graduation?: I'm pretty sure we probably laid out at Ali's pool a lot around graduation. We probably hung out at Marens house a lot. We also had a really fun all-night party up at Weber State University. I'm sure I probably shed a few tears with Ashley and Maren.


17. Where did you go senior skip day?: I'm not really sure what this is.

18. Have you gained weight since then?: Unfortunately YES

19. Who was your prom date?: Matthew Hoskins, Matthew Hoskins, & Chris Peterson

20. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion?: Hmm, I really doubt it. It's always really awkward running into people you haven't seen for a long time. I guess there's a chance....

21. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself?: Sometimes I wish I would have continued to play Volleyball in college.

You're it: Ashley, Maren, Chelsey, Brittany & seriously everyone reading this. I want to hear what ya'll were like in High School.

LC

This is for all of you Lauren Conrad fans... I know you're out there.

So, news has it that Lauren has signed to write a three-book series: young adult fiction. Weird, but intriguing. I wonder how she'll be as an author?

The Quirkiest Quirks

Tagged by Ashley
Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours:

1. I love animals. If you tell me a sad story about an animal getting hurt, I will cry. I can't handle seeing hurt animals on the news (ESPECIALLY dogs). They hold a special place in my heart, and it is unhealthy. If I find a spider in my house, I will let it outside. Spiders and I have a pact that if I don't kill them, they won't come back into my house.

2. I love the idea of reading. I get really excited over starting a new book, yet it takes me months (at the least) to finish a book. I wish I was a faster reader and read more. Also, I can't tell you how many books I've started and not finished. I'm not proud of it.

3. I'm obsessed with smells. I have too many candles, incense, room sprays, Fabreeze, wall plug-ins, smelly lotions, etc. than anyone knows what to do with. Also, I smell everything. Before I put anything into my mouth, you will most likely catch me smelling it. I honestly don't even realize that I do this as much as I do, but my Dad's usually the one to point it out. Whether I've tasted or smelled it a million times before, apparently I'll still smell it before I eat it.

4. I hate sewing. I've tried to like it. I can't. I had a brilliant idea of sewing a baby blanket for a gift a few months ago. I thought it'd be fun & cheap. Wrong. $60 later, I have a blanket that was obviously home-made. Too home-made to give away as a gift. Now I'm stuck with a blanket that cost a ridiculous amount of money. I have to admit that it's the softest blanket ever and I sleep with it every night.

5. I eat like a 5-year-old. Give me macaroni & cheese and a corndog, or a grilled cheese with ketchup and a glass of milk and I'm in heaven. Pretty sure Atkins wouldn't approve.

6. I bite the inside of my lips on a regular basis. I think it feels good. It drives Tannon batty.

*You're it: Missy, Caitlin, Chelsey, Jill, Kendall, Maren, Marci, & whoever else wants to participate.

No Labor Weekend

Why is it that when I am given a day off of work its just THAT much harder to go back? Going back to work today was rough for me. I'm pretty sure that I hit the snooze button at least 12 times. My over-acheiver husband woke up really early to go to the gym this morning. I really dropped the ball on that one. At least my vacation was worth it though. We went to St. George with my fam to see more of my family. Two sets of grandparents were down there and we stayed with my uncle Turtle. The weekend consisted of tennis, eating, shopping, eating, sleeping (a little) and eating. Vacay's are the best.

Here is Grandma & Grandpa w/ Morgan. Morgan isn't as small as Gramps makes her look, trust me :-)

The Nielsen clan w/ their new addition

We were also able to go see the Mountain Meadow Massacre memorial.

I was happy to come home to FALL weather! Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year and it welcomed me home with open arms! I was just sad to hear that I missed a killer rainstorm.

attempt numero dos

Here I am! I have finally decided that it's time for a blog. I know that most people feel the need to explain why they started a blog, and I am no exception to that rule. I will feel much better about myself once I explain my need to start this blog. These are in no particular order:

1. My sister started a blog! Ok ok, truth be told (sorry sis) that I started my sister a blog. She came up with the idea, though and if any of you know her, she needed a little help with it. Apparently I got all of the technology brains in my family (and believe me, there are VERY few to begin with) and she got all the other brains. As I was creating and customizing her blog, I realized I had forgotten how much fun it was to have a blog.

2. The other night, my awesome friend, Marci, commented that she was sad that I didn't have a blog anymore because even though we see eachother often, you get to know people in a different way from blogs. So true.

3. Friends all over the country. Some of my very best friends (i.e. Mare & Al) are living in various places and even though I can check their blogs, I think it'll be easier to stay in touch with some of them if they can actually leave a comment for me. We recently had two of our great friends move away for Dental school (one to Glendale, and one to Richmond). Tannon and I miss seeing them so much! This is a great way for us (well, let's be honest... me) to stay in touch with them. We miss you guys!

4. My niece. I will probably be posting lots of pictures of baby Morgan on here because I'm obsessed w/ her.