Fun Times......

This past weekend was REALLY FUN!!! Friday after work Steve and I met Eve and Darrell at the Bosch center in South Jordan for our cooking class at 7pm. We had signed up for a deal where you get a cooking class and a movie for half the price! So we signed up for the "Italian Cooking Class" and went and got our movie vouchers a couple weeks ago to insure we'd get a seat for Harry Potter (since it was the opening day and the last Harry Potter movie).

Getting ready to start

Eve/Darrell

Steve starting the pasta

Work it honey!

Me stirring the Alfredo sauce....Darrell and Eve working on there's too

The finished product. Chicken w/ homemade pasta noodles and Alfredo sauce.

The cooking class was awesome! We ended up being there 2 1/2 hours cooking different things. We made Alfredo sauce, a meat sauce, grilled chicken, and made homemade pasta noodles. It was sooo fun! It was a small class of 10 students so we got to ask a lot of questions and take our time making the food. Of course we got to try the food as we went which was the best part. We then hurried and gathered up the food we made which we didn't eat and went over to the movie. We got there just in time to sit down and watch the previews. The movie was AWESOME as well! We loved it! Of course it was a little different from the book, but that's expected. Regardless of the differences, it was still a great movie. By the time we got home and got to bed it was almost 1 am, but totally worth it. :)

Saturday we slept in til 9:30 a.m. then went over to the church where we were in charge of our Stake Pioneer Breakfast. We helped clean up which took an hour or so. When we got done, we decided that since it was such great weather we would go for a hike. We decided to drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon and go to Silver Lake then hike to another lake just past it. We went right of the trail which led us to S. Solitude Lake. It was 1.25 miles to the lake. It was pretty. We heard another 1/2 mile or so you get to another peak, so next time we'll try that. We then hiked back and around Silver Lake, so about 3.25 miles total. It was cooler up on the mountain, about 70-75 degrees which was nice, but we still got some sun and a little burned.










When we got back we invited Rob over. I made some lunch/dinner for us, then we all went swimming. Our pool is amazingly warm so I've been loving it, and Steve just likes to swim no matter what, so we were both happy. We then decided to buy tickets to see Harry Potter again (since Rob hadn't seen it yet and he had a gift card to MegaPlex). Most of the seats were full (the good ones that is), so we waiting to go to a 9:35pm show. We got there in plenty of time to get some popcorn and watch the previews. It was fantastic the 2nd time too!

On Sunday, I normally have branch council at 9 am, so I got up and was getting ready when I got a call from a sister in our branch. She and her husband home/visit teach a lady and her son who live close to Steve and I. She said the sister had called her and said her son was in a lot of pain and might need to go to the hospital. She was trying to get a hold of her husband but he was in a meeting at the church. I told her I'd be over there in 5 minutes and would tell him what's going on and also have Steve go over to check on him. After I got to the church I talked to her husband, then called Steve and told him he was coming if he could go w/ him to check on him. When they go there he was in a lot of pain, so they gave him a blessing. Steve asked for his symptoms and said it sounded like kidney stones, so he volunteered to take him to the hospital (his mom actually just had neck surgery a couple weeks ago and can't get around herself let alone drive).

While I was at my meetings Steve kept me posted on his progress through text messages. He took him to the ER where they tested him and sure enough it was kidney stones. Steve then took him to the pharmacy to get some pain medication afterwards also. By the time he got done, it was time for Sunday School. We had RS/Priesthood then our munch and mingle that we helped with, clean up especially. We then went home where I made peach cobbler for our family get together w/ Steve's family. We went over to his grandma LuDean's for dinner, hot dog roast, it was good. Aunt Diane also gave a good lesson on the pioneers, then we made graham cracker hand carts and sparklers. It was a lot of fun!


Besides the great weekend, we've been busy w/ school and me at work. We've also been running and swimming to get in shape for our 5k next month. On Wednesday we had a RS activity. We had a lady bring her sister to teach us how to make homemade whole wheat bread. It was soooo good! She just put all her ingredients in the Bosch maker then vwala.....6 loaves of homemade bread! We also talked about healthy living. Here is her recipe:

Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

By: Anna Barbieri (Tamera Perkins’ sister)

6 cups warm water

2 cups oats (quick or regular)

1 cup oil

1 ½ cup honey

4 eggs

8 cups whole wheat ( Always use white wheat. The red wheat produces a much heavier/denser bread).

Mix just until incorporated.

Add

3 tbls salt

3 tbls gluten

3 tbls lecithin

3 tbls dough enhancer

4 tbls yeast

7-9 cups whole wheat

Mix on med speed for 7 min. Divide into 6 lovely round balls, slap and put in loaf pan.

Let raise until double in size. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

Misc.

-I use ½ honey ½ molasses for a richer flavor

-recipe can be ½ white and ½ wheat ( Whole wheat uses more moisture).

-I use 4 tbls yeast for whole wheat, you can use 3tbls, just takes longer.

-The old fashion, heavy non-stick loaf pans work best. Spray pans with non-stick spray then just wipe out after using.

-You can put the dough in their pans in a clean garbage sack and they will rise faster-or in a Utah winter you can put them in the garage and go to church for three hours, and then bake.

-DO NOT preheat the oven. I put mine in for 31 mins. Total.

-If you want to make bread often, save yourself a headache and invest in a good electric knife. I have a Cuisenart(sp)..

-DO NOT put bread in fridge. You can put in freezer.

4th of July Weekend and more.....

Last weekend we went up to my parents place for the 4th of July. My sister Barbara decided to bless her little boy Dallin, so it was a great "excuse" for us to come it. It was a fun weekend!

Steve picked me up after work on Friday and we drove up to my parents. We made good time and were up there by 10pm. We brought up a trolling motor for my dad as well. It was an old one Steve's dad had but wasn't using (it actually went w/ the boat he gave my dad). The next morning Steve went out w/ my dad and uncles and went and shot pigeons over at the Dairy. I slept in a little, then went and mowed the lawn. We then packed up some lunch stuff and met Daron and his family over at the Upper Dam Park for lunch. My dad brought the boat so we went out tubing. Haley went first, then they talked me into going with her. It haven't been tubing in forever, but it ended up being really fun! My dad kicked us off the tube several times ;)

Haley on the tube

My dad steering the boat

Daron and Steve just watching the fun

Haley and I on the tube

Still holding on

Steve, Haley, and I got off the boat and my dad, Daron and Kristi went to load up the boat. Well we were waiting a while, so I decided to go around the corner and see what was taking so long. As I looked over at the ramp I could see my dad climbing out of the water from about his chest down, and Daron in my dad's truck. The strange thing was my dad's truck was further down in the water then seemed normal and Daron was pushing on the gas to keep it from falling further in the water. I didn't want to freak out, so I hurried and went over to Steve and motioned him to come over. I then asked him if the truck was normally in the water that much, he quickly said "NO, definitely not" then ran over to try and help them. Well......come to find out, my dad had put the emergency break on, then went on the back of the truck to help Daron pull the boat up. Well, in the mean time the emergency break must have come off and the truck started rolling back into the water. Daron then ran around and got in the truck just in time to stop it from rolling even further. My dad was caught in between the boat and then truck and thankfully didn't get hurt more than a scraped finger. A couple men that were around grabbed a chain and used their pickup to pull my dad's truck out. Thankfully no one got hurt. Hopefully there won't be any serious damage to my dad's truck either. Let's just say it was draining for a while.

When we got back, since I had just mowed the lawn and all, we decided to play a game of croquet. We played a couple round, ate some Popsicles, then it was time for dinner. Daron and Kristi weren't able to stay much longer though since they had a Rodeo to go to the next morning. We played a game of Ticket to Ride though; dad won this time!

Playing a game of croquet

Sunday morning my parents had to go to their church so my dad could teach a lesson and my mom had to lead the music in Relief Society. We wanted to spend some more time with Barbara and her family so we left the same time they did and went straight up to Boise. It was nice to visit with them before Church and spent extra time w/ them. At 1 we went to their church where they blessed Dallin. After church we went back to Barbara's for lunch and stayed and visited some more.

Dexter, Michelle and the kids came also, then invited us to come see where they live, so we followed them out. They live about another hour outside of Boise, across the border into Oregon.

We crossed the border to Oregon

Back to Idaho

After you cross the border you go down this long dusty dirt road for about 7 miles, then turn off onto another road and finally into their place. It has its own sort of beauty to it. There is a canyon wall surrounding one side, then the creek that runs through it and all the green land they are farming. Dexter took us around their place and showed us and explained to us how he takes care of the land. Definitely a lot of land for one person. Michelle also helps when needed. Dexter even showed Steve how to get the siphon tubes going.

Dexter explaining to Steve how to use the siphon tubes

Steve giving it a shot

Success finally!

Dexter put this up to help control the water, an artificial dam

The creek, pretty full, but not as full as it was earlier this Spring.

After getting the "tour" of the land, we headed home, and got home by 11pm. The next morning we had breakfast, packed up, and headed out. Steve needed to get home to study and finish some more homework. We made good time. After Steve got done what he needed, we went over to Dave/Joann's for a BBQ and some fireworks. It was fun to see everyone and visit. When we were done Steve and I went for our quick run. Chandler and Ethan decided to come along too. Chandler ran with me but Ethan only lasted a couple seconds, then decided it would be easier on Steve's back, so Steve decided to carry him while he ran. I think he got an extra workout from it.

Fireworks

This week has been pretty busy. Steve had his test Tuesday, and I started my capstone class. This is my last required class, then 3 more electives. It will be a pretty intense course. We're basically coming up with a product/service and doing all the marketing, finance, etc for it.

Wednesday we met Eve then went and exchanged our vouchers for tickets for our cook class at the Bosch center for next Friday, the 15th. They're going to teach us how to make Italian food and homemade pasta. They also gave us movie vouchers which we went and exchanged for tickets for Harry Potter, which just so happens to come out the same day! This Friday should be soooo much fun; double date w/ Eve and Darrell, cooking class then Harry Potter!!!! We then went for a run then went swimming fro 20 minutes. The water is so warm I love it!

Thursday Steve picked me up at the traxs on 3900 South and we went over to the park by his grandma's for her birthday party. It was a lot of fun to visit and celebrate it w/ her and the whole family. We then came home and swam for a while; it's so nice!

Friday, Steve and I went and ate at Red Robin for dinner, then went to the temple and did initiatories. We then came back and went over to our neighbors, the Thomas', who had invited some friends from the branch who had moved out a couple months ago, the Metcalfs and Booths. The Minsons and Shorts also showed up. It was good to visit w/ everyone.

Red Robin........yumm :)

Saturday we went and exchanged out our keys for electronic ones, or "key-less entries." Our HOA board has been making some great changes and this was one of them. We then went up to the U Library where both of us met w/ our own study groups for our group projects. We stayed up there for about 2 hours then came home. We then got something to eat, then went down to Orem for Ryan's baptism.

Ryan and Carrie at his baptism

Well I hope all is well. The Summer is ticking on unfortunately, so make sure you take advantage of the beautiful weather and sunshine! Love ya lots! ;)

Summer is here to stay!!!!

It's hard to believe June is almost over, but the good news is summer has officially come and the weather has been great! This month has definitely been going by quickly that's for sure.

This past week has been pretty eventful. Steve and I are training for a 5k run in August so we've been running a couple times a week. We're gradually working up our time of running. It's nice to have a goal that we're both working towards to help us get in shape and be healthier. The run will be the Moonlight Midnight run in Sandy, yes at midnight, but it'll be fun and cooler for Steve. ;)

On Tuesday, I went w/ my 2nd counselor to visit Emily, who had her baby on the 15th. She ended up having a c-section so is recovering from that. On Wednesday I had a meeting w/ our branch and elder's quorum presidents to go over the home and visiting teaching assignments. There are always changes since we have move ins and outs every month. Thursday we went to the Jordan River Temple to do a session. We got there just in time for the 7:20 pm session, but there was a Stake chapel meeting and they didn't direct us as we came in, so we ended up missing the 7:20 session, but luckily we only had to wait another 15 minutes or so for the next one. Another couple from our branch was there too.

Friday I took the day off so we could go to Eve's wedding. She was sealed in the Timpanogos Temple at noon. It was a beautiful sealing and was a good reminder of the covenants Steve and I made 2 ½ yrs ago on our wedding. After she was married, we stuck around for some pictures, then went home, did laundry, cleaned, and I helped Steve w/ his stats homework. We then went down to Provo for the reception. Dave and Joann were gone to Moab over the weekend so they wanted us to watch Bailey, their dog. My dad also wanted a trolling motor which was up at the cabin, so we decided to do both. After the reception we headed up Provo canyon and met Rob who had Bailey, then went the rest of the way to the cabin.

Eve and Darrell

Eve and I

Some friends w/ Eve and Darrell

Saturday we mainly just took it easy. We went on an ATV ride, and Steve and Rob played w/ the rocket launchers we made at our family reunion a couple years ago. After lunch we played a game of "Ticket to Ride", and then Steve and Rob helped Mike change the fire hose while I packed up.

Steve getting the gas can to fill up the ATV

Nice work honey!

Rob getting it in the face....

After we got home we went over to Carrie's to have dinner w/ her and Ryan. We then played croquet and sand volleyball til it got too dark to see where the ball was. We then went back inside and played "Ticket to Ride." We then hurried home, grabbed some things, and then went back to Dave/Joann's place to stay the night w/ Bailey. Needless to say she kept us up during the night so we were a little tired the next morning.

We woke up at 7:45 a.m. in order to get home so I could change and get ready for my PEC meeting at 9 a.m. After the main meeting I had a visiting teaching interview w/ a sister just before sacrament meeting started. After church I had my regular Relief Society Presidency meeting, and then came home for lunch. Since we didn't get much sleep the night before, Steve and took a nap. After we woke up I worked on some more RS stuff and made some monster cookies for Steve and the people we home teach.

Last Friday after work Steve met me at Gateway and we went and looked at the chalk art festival. It was really awesome! Even though most weren't finished it was still really neat to see the amazing art work; such talent!

Harry Potter! I just finished the last book, again, it's SOOOO GOOD!
So excited for the last movie to come out in a couple weeks too!

At the Chalk Art Festival

How to train a dragon movie....night fury.

Cars Movie

Another guy....

After we went to the chalk art festival Steve and I went to Red Robin for dinner. We then came back and went swimming and then went to the hot tub. It was a great date night!

Saturday we went with Steve's grandma and parents and went to see a play called, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." It was really funny and we had a great time! Thanks for inviting us:)

Sunday was Father's Day. After church and all my meetings we came home, I made some rolls, and then went over to Melanie's place for dinner. It was fun to visit w/ everyone. Hope everyone had a good Father's Day!

Here are the flowers Steve planted for me.

Pretty flowers ;)

Have a great week! We're excited to come up and visit this weekend and to see our new nephew! ;)

The Sun is finally here!!!!

I'm so happy June is finally here and has brought the sun with it! The weather has been fabulous!!! June has been flying bye......we're already half way through the month...yikes!

Last week unfortunately I wasn't feeling too well. I must have caught a bug or something. Luckily I was able to go to work and didn't have to use sick days (trying to save those for later). My throat hurt earlier in the week, then I was stuffy and runny nose, achy back and neck......but now I'm feeling 100% better! Because I wasn't feeling well we took it easy after I got home on Monday and Tuesday. We got a free redbox, Harry Potter, and watched that. I'm also rereading the last Harry Potter; it's SOOO good! (better than the movies of course).

We've had more visit to new sisters that have moved into the branch, which is good. We also had Stake training last week, which focused on missionary work.

Friday after work, Steve picked me up and we went to the Salt Lake Temple and did initiatories. We then met Eve and Darrel at TGIFridays for dinner, then went over to watch the new X-Men movie. Steve and I REALLY liked it! It tells how the X-Men got started and where they came from which definitely helps w/ the rest of the storyline. It was fun to hang out w/ Eve and Darrel. They are getting married next week, on the 24th...yeah!

On Saturday morning Steve went shooting w/ Rob and Zach while I slept in a little then cleaned up. When he got back we finished doing laundry and cleaning, then had friends from the branch over for a hot dog roast. After dinner we went over to the church and used the grass to play croquet; it was REALLY fun. We borrowed Zach's set, but we're planning to get our own.....its such a fun game!

Last weekend we went to Ava's baptism. It was really good and the Spirit was strong! We're so proud of Ava making the decision herself to follow our Savior and be baptized. After the baptism we went back to Rose's for lunch.

Rose/Jared and girls and grandparents

Rose/Jared and the girls

Summer's cute kittens

Me, Rose, Mom and Pauline

We then visited for a while, then sent the boys off to go fishing. Dave (Steve's dad) brought the boat down from the cabin the week before, just in case we could get dad out to go fishing and to work on it a little. Luckily it didn't take too much convincing.... ;) Steve and I came up w/ a plan and it worked! We wanted dad to go fishing for the afternoon since he has been so busy on the farm and hasn't been able to take any time off to go fishing. So we told mom us girls could stay and talk while the boys went fishing. Jared and Chris were pretty interested in going since we had the boat, and plus it was FREE fishing day in the state of Utah! (I think that one won by dad and Chris over). So we sent them all off w/ some snacks while we stayed at the house to visit some more. They all met at Dave's house, got loaded up, then went out. They had a great time so I hear. The weather was perfect, no wind, and good company. They even caught some!

Dad, Dave and Jared fishing

Pulling in a boat who's motor stopped

Jared caught one!

And another one!

While they were gone Pauline, Summer, Ava and I played a game of croquet; it was fun! Then Summer and I went inside and played a game of Ticket to Ride, which is always fun as well. The little girls played out in the playhouse, especially Charlotte. We then ordered pizza for dinner and just enjoyed being together. I then rode back w/ my mom and Pauline met us back to my place where we waited for our hubbies to come home. We put on a movie for Charlotte and of course visited some more. When the guys got home Charlotte was sad to leave since we hadn't been at our place too long and she keeps asking to go swimming in our pool (it was too late though...next time).

Mom and Dad stayed at our place that night. We gave them our bed and Steve and I went in our extra bedroom and slept on the daybed and hide-a-bed. The next morning they left to go visit Mom's parents in American Fork. I gave the lesson in Relief Society on Temples, mainly from President Monson's most recent address from Conference. It's a really good talk if you haven't read it lately. We all must sacrifice something in order to attend the Temple. Most of the time these days is our time that we sacrifice.

Last week I made stuffed peppers.

Stuffed peppers (they taste better than they look I promise)

This week I made this shredded chicken in the crockpot (just like Cafe Rio Chicken). It's SOOO good! Just add 4 medium size chicken breasts in the crockpot then add 1 Tablespoon cumin, 1 Tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic and 1/2 bottle of Kraft Zesty Italian dressing, let it cook on low overnight, then just shred it in the morning. You can then use it in a bun for a sandwich or on a tortilla w/ rice and cheese for more of a taco. Yummy!

Cafe Rio Pork

Steve started his 2 classes at SLCC, so now he's up to 4 classes for the summer. I think he's enjoying them for the most part. We're going to meet w/ the PA Advisor at the U next week just to make sure we're on track to either next yr for PA school. It's getting closer...yeah! I'll take my capstone staring in July, then I have 3 other elective and I'll be done too. We should both finish up next yr (my MBA and his undergraduate degree). That'll be nice!

Well I hope things are going well for everyone. We'll be headed up to Boise for Barb's little boy Dallin's blessing over the 4th, then we have our family reunion in Yellowstone in August! It'll be fun seeing everyone! Take care. Love ya lots!!!!