there's always something to be glad about...

President's Day Weekend

Destination:

St. George, Utah

4 glorious days in Southern Utah. The sun was out, and it was in the 60's! Yay Vitamin D! (Let's just say, Provo hasn't seen weather anywhere near that nice since who remembers when...)

Friday and Saturday were fun and full of delicious food and good company... Girls day out with my fabulous mom and lovely sister, target practice on the Arizona Strip, a Little House on the Prairie marathon, dashes to Del Taco and Walmart for soft food that Jordan, my now 'wisdom-toothless' brother could chew... and food from Durango's Mexican Grill (home of THE BEST grilled chicken salad EVER).

We also ventured to Springdale on Sunday afternoon to visit my grandparents. We sat in their 'sunroom' and talked about old memories, politics, guns, future plans, laughed at inside jokes, and enjoyed each other's company. Needless to say, it was a great President's Day Weekend...

Natalie at Pier 1 Imports...

It's the little things...

February 14, 2013 was our very first Valentine's Day as a married couple, and it was perfect.

Love letters, treasure hunts, Cafe Rio, roses, James Bond, and homemade chocolate covered strawberries! It's the little things that mean the most.

blissful and domestic...

Well, yesterday marked the 9 months that David and I have been married. I love my husband!!! I can't believe that is has been that long. Time sure flies when you're having fun and when you love your life.

European Holiday Adventure...

Germany

Wow. Can't believe its January 2013. David and I just got back from an amazing European holiday. We spent 2 weeks with David's family in Germany, France, Luxembourg, and Belgium. What an eye-opening experience.

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany

We spent Christmas and New Years in Germany with David's family... 300+ games of cards, addicting caramel popcorn that Momma and I couldn't stay out of :), movie marathons (Avengers, 007, Ironman etc.), One Direction (that's for you Madison ;)), driving on the autobahn, crazy fire works, shopping, cookie decorating, new foods, and great company...

(more photos to come...)

cheese rolls, pizza on tortilla dough, doner- kebaps
(David's all- time favorite...he's still talking about them)

Yep. These two crazy nuts found the explosives. Yay fireworks! Gotta love these boys. :)

PARIS, France

Paris was breathtaking. I've never seen anything like it. Photos can't begin to capture the beauty and detail that is apparent to the naked eye. The fashion, the architecture, the bustling people, (and the TRAFFIC, holy cow, don't get me started on the driving skills of native Parisians haha CRAZY!), the intricate aspects of the statues, the history, the lights, Paris is heaven on steroids for any art lover. 

We stayed in the Marne La Vallee Holiday Inn, I would definitely recommend it...though wherever you stay, be sure you know how to navigate the Subway system. Dad did an awesome job getting us to the center of the city and back without any problems. I also highly recommend the Red Bus tour... Imagine sitting on an open-top bus and taking in the sights without wearing out your shoes (and still having the freedom to hop on and off the bus to walk around at the attractions the interest you.)

We visited the very tippy top of the Eiffel Tower, walked around the Louvre courtyard, saw the the Arc de Triomphe, toured the Notre Dame Cathedral, ate at the Christmas markets...there were so many things to see. It was a wonderful day!

The Eiffel Tower

The Arc de Triomphe

Even my adorable redneck husband enjoyed Paris.

Notre Dame Cathedral... it's 850 years old!

You can't go to Paris and NOT ride le carrousel.

Can't say I really cared for French cuisine. Though there was this adorable little cafe inside the mall next to our hotel, it had the BEST sandwiches, good pastries and fresh squeezed orange juice (to die for!). Also, McDonald's is EVERYWHERE, just be aware, you will never get ice in your drink...you order a large soda, they give you a medium Coke with no ice haha...medium is the new large (the French are smart people). The bread in Europe makes up for the lack of soda choices. It's yummy, even at McDonald's!

               
                Breakfast and lunch at the CdB Neofood Cafe!
                               

LUXEMBOURG

officially known as "the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg"(wow, what a name for a country)...

On our way to Belgium, we drove through the tiny land-locked country of Luxembourg. To this day, all I know about Luxembourg is that Texaco gas stations are popular with the locals. In fact, I do wonder if anything else exists in Luxembourg. I commend Luxembourgians and their fine taste in soda, this seems to be the only country in Europe that stocks my favorite beverage, yay Dr. Pepper. This stuff is basically impossible to find in Europe, unless of course you have an incredible mother-in-law that buys it at the AF base for you :). I'm SO lucky.

We definitely heart Luxembourg.

I have found you at last!! 

While venturing inside the Luxembourg Texaco, I found the cutest baking set with silicone molds and all. So yes, I will soon be filling our little apartment in Utah with the decadent smells of European pastries...as soon as I learn to read recipes...in French. They also stock Lays potato chips, though not in any of the usual flavors, try Heinz ketchup, pickle, and barbecue ham. I admit I cringed a little. They did have some fun cookies that Madison and I found called PiM's...AKA chocolate and raspberry deliciousness. David and Brett found a chocolate 'energy drink' called Cecemel an no offense to anyone who loves the stuff, but it tasted like chalk powder with a little sour milk mixed in it haha :) Good times.

Texaco in Luxembourg

BASTOGNE, Belgium

I really liked Belgium. All of the quaint little shops along both sides of the street were fun. There were multiple butcher's shops, bakeries, cafes and restaurants, hotels, clothing boutiques, and chocolate shops. It made for a fun day, so much to see and taste.

We ate at the Burger House for lunch.
Here you must eat your "frites" with tiny forks :)

We stopped at one little cafe for hot cocoa and Belgium waffles...

and we also ventured into L'espresso tea room for macaroons :)

                                                             .

Our next stop was Leonidas! The one-stop-shop for famous Belgium chocolate.

I would definitely go back to Belgium.  Bastogne would be even more beautiful during the summer...

 HEIDELBERG, Germany

Heidelberg was beautiful. I most definitely want to go back again. The history behind the amazing castle on the hill intrigues me. We were able to tour around inside the ruins.
The architecture and detail blew me away. 

 Heidelberg Castle was originally built before AD 1214 and later expanded into two castles around 1294. Sadly, in 1537, a lightning-bolt destroyed parts of the upper walls. The structures that we saw were expanded by 1650. More damage was inflicted by later wars and fires. In 1764, another lightning-bolt destroyed some of the rebuilt sections. This castle has had it hard, but I'm willing to bet its seen some pretty amazing things in its lifetime.

We had such a magical time in Europe. I know that might sound a bit cheesy, but it's the only way to describe our combined experience. Touring Europe and visiting other countries has always been a dream of mine (bucket list material!!) and thanks to my wonderful family it has finally come true.

BYU Graduate...

Brigham Young University Graduate

It's official, on December 14, 2012 

I graduated from Brigham Young University. Yay me! haha My diploma finally came... I can't believe that the paper writing, test taking, academic studying, and hand raising is all over! Glad that's done...now to decide what's next in the adventures of my life...

Genius Idea!

functional craft project...

I don't know about everybody else, but there is no counter space in our bathroom, on top of that, I have a hard time as it is keeping my bathroom counter cleaned up... anyway, I found the coolest idea on Pinterest the other day and actually tried it. This is my very own Magnetic Make up Board. all I have to say is ... AWESOME!!

Adventures before Summer Term at BYU...

David and I have had a fun and busy couple weeks! We drove to Colorado Springs and spent 5 days with The Barton's... SO FUN! Our days were filled with many rounds of Go-Fish, Old-Maid, Monopoly, Speed, Slap-Jack, and Taboo. We love games. Momma, Madison and I had our nails done and went shopping, while Dad and the boys went shooting, and to the Daughtry concert in Denver. They had a wonderful time. We got back to Utah late Tuesday night.

After two days or work and research we packed the car again and headed to St. George to stay with my family for my birthday. It was great to see the fam again. Bella is always so excited to see us when we walk through the door. Mom treated us all to a birthday lunch at Cafe Rio. Later on, David had the awesome opportunity to shadow Dr. Oldroyd at IHC. I tagged along for the ride. He showed us the machines and computers, cameras and equipment all used for ultra-sounds, MRI's, and CT scans...it was pretty amazing. He sat down with us and went over actual scans showing us what was what. It's incredible how far medicine and technology have brought us. The next day we played LIFE and Wig Out! as well as a few farewell rounds of Rook...three and a half hours later we were back in Provo once again.

Now, Summer Term 2012 has started, and we are slaving away... David is auditing the second halves of organic chemistry, and  physics, as well as doing research on campus even though he isn't getting any credit for anything...crazy boy, I think his favorite hobbies are studying and note taking ;) haha just kidding... He is one smart cookie! He will have a good looking resume and have no problem getting into medical school.
My classes for this term include, SFL 472: Temporal Welfare in the Family, Statistics 121, and SFL 290: Research Methods. The last two, both of which are the bane of my existence...yet a necessary evil on the road to graduation...almost there... {177 days}... not like I'm counting or anything...

Dinner Time!

I tried new recipe last night... easy and YUMMY.

Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

 Ingredients

1 lb chicken breasts, diced

1 medium onions, chopped

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

8 flour tortillas, softened ( 8 inches each)

1 1/2 cups grated monterey jack cheese or 1 1/2 cups Mexican blend cheese, divided

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

1 (15 ounce) cans chicken broth

1 cup sour cream

1 (4 ounce) cans chopped green chilies

Directions

1. In frypan, cook chicken and onion together in oil over medium-high heat until chicken is just done.
2. Divide cooked chicken evenly between 8 tortillas; add 1 1/2 tablespoons cheese to each tortilla.
3. Roll enchiladas and place seam-side down in 9x13" baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with no-stick cooking spray.
4. Melt butter in a medium saucepan; stir in flour to make a roux; stir and cook until bubbly; gradually whisk in chicken broth then bring to boiling, stirring frequently.
5. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream and green chiles; pour sauce evenly over enchiladas.
6. Top with remaining 3/4 cup cheese (baking dish may be double-wrapped and frozen at this point) and bake at 400 degrees F. for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and sauce near edges of baking dish is bubbly.

My happily ever after has begun...

and our forever begins...

I married my best friend in the Salt Lake temple on 

April 24, 2012--and now we are living our very own fairytale. We have loving families, great friends, good jobs, an adorable apartment, cars that work, food in our cupboards, and our own sense of humor. We are so blessed. I am so grateful for my life and my husband.

It has taken this long for me to get used to the idea of being married. It finally sunk in. Working two jobs, cooking, cleaning, studying, running errands, and spending time with David makes for a crazy life. But I love it, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.