Spontaneous Trip Home

Hannah and I flew home to California to visit my family for 5 days. We left the 16th, which was the day after my birthday (I am now 1 quarter of a century. Wow). My little brother David was on a break from school, so he was home too. It was fun to spend time with my family.

Mom and David picked us up from the airport and then we ate some yummy Japanese food. There was this cute store next to the restaurant, so we went in and my mom bought me some cute necklaces, bracelets, and a sweater. (Jake broke my favorite bracelet so she was trying to replace it.) Yay for shopping. When we got home my nieces were there waiting to play. They stayed the night with us and we definitely played hard.

On Saturday I went out to lunch with my good friend Melissa while Hannah was napping. She is getting married in a week so not only were we catching up on each other's lives but we were discussing fun wedding plans. I am so excited for her.

Sunday we went to church and then Hannah and I met Melissa and her fiancé at Bidwell Park to play and chat. Later that evening David's cute girlfriend Alaina came over and we made funnel cakes. It was yummy.

On Monday David flew back to Rexburg for school. Punk. Hannah and I had the house to ourselves. We went out to dinner that night at the BEST steak restaurant in town, 5th Street Steakhouse. After dinner Hannah and I stopped by my brother Justin's house to see his family one more time before we left.

Tuesday we just hung out at home and then went out to dinner. The next morning we drove to the airport and said goodbye to Grandma. Hannah had a hard time saying bye to Grandma. They love each other a lot. But we will see them again soon. Thanks for the fun and relaxing trip Grandma and Grandpa!

Hannah with her cousin's Emma and Elissa

Hannah didn't feel very photogenic

Mommy and Hannah in front of the beautiful flowers at my parents house

"Look mom, a stick!"

Dan and Melissa with Hannah at the park

David and Hannah saying goodbye for now


Hannah eating a yummy lunch. She loved her first corn dog.

Grandma and Grandpa playing with Hannah after dinner

She loves eating with silverware and is getting pretty good at it

The CUTEST smile ever

Mommy and Hannah

Grandma and Hannah before heading to the airport

Car ride home from the airport. You can tell she was excited to see daddy again.

Recipe for Thai Lovers

My friend Ashley bought an amazing Asian cookbook and she let me go through and find some recipes to try. This one is a keeper. Jake loved it and started thinking of people we could make it for.

Stir-Fried Chicken with Holy Basil (Pad Kaprao Gai)

1/3 C Vegetable Oil
1/3 C chopped Garlic (I used less because that seemed like a lot and I'm not a huge garlic fan)
4 t chopped fresh Thai bird chiles (My hubs has a sensitive tongue so I didn't use any, it still tasted great)
14 oz minced chicken
2 T fish sauce
2 T soy sauce
1 C green beans cut in half and blanched
1 C Holy/Thai basil leaves (I used regular fresh basil)
4 eggs
1 qt steamed rice

1. Heat 2 T of veg oil in a wok or medium saucepan over high heat. Stir-fry the garlic and chiles until the chiles turn yellow, 1-2 mins.
2. Add the chicken to the wok and stir-fry until cooked, about 2 mins.
3. Remove the wok from the heat and season the chicken with the fish sauce and soy sauce.
4. Add the green beans to the mixture and stir in the holy basil leaves. Reserve warm.
5. Heat a small sauté pan over medium heat and add 2 T of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the eggs to the pan and fry until the whites are cooked through but the yolks are still runny, 2-3 mins.
6. Place the stir-fried chicken with the holy basil and fried egg on top of the steamed rice. (Serves 4)

Sooooo yummy.

Last night I made this with Indian flat bread (Naan).


4 C & 3/4 C all-purpose flour
1 1/2 t salt
1 1/2 t sugar
1 egg
1/4 C milk
1/4 C plain yogurt
2 T melted butter or veg oil
3/4 t yeast
1-1 1/4 C warm water

1. Mix all ingredients except water in bowl.
2. Gradually add water and knead until smooth, soft dough is achieved, about 10 mins.
3. Set aside for about 6 hours in warm place.
4. Make tennis ball-sized pieces of dough, and place balls in warm place until they rise again, about 1 hr.
5. Preheat oven to 475.
6. Flatten each dough ball and spread it with a rolling pin or by hand by tossing and slapping with both hands. Gently stretch each piece of dough into a round 7 inches in diameter, so that the center is 1/4 inch thick and there is a border 1/2 inch wide all around.
7. Place bread onto parchment paper-lined sheet pan and brush with a little butter.
8. Place the naans in the oven until golden brown and puffed, 4-5 mins.
9. Garnish with butter. (Make's 8)

For breakfast this morning I took one of the Naan's and melted butter on it and sprinkled it with cinnamon and sugar. Wow.

Family Vacation

3 weeks from today we will be flying to California where we will stay in these lovely beach-side villas:

And swim in this scenic pool:

So that we can enjoy 3 days at the Happiest Place On Earth:

As well as a day here:

A day here:

And a day here:


We are going to Southern California on a week long vacation with Jake's family. Can you tell that I am excited? We have been planning this vacation for about a year. The only reason we are able to go is because all we have to pay for is most of our food and half of a rental van. Did I mention that Jake and I have wonderful families who are extremely generous? Cuz we do.

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. I am so grateful for my Savior and this holiday we have to celebrate Him and His victory over death. Since Easter Sunday was General Conference, Hannah wore her Easter dress to church last week. She looked beautiful in the dress Grandma Geri bought her.

On Easter Sunday Hannah woke up to Easter egg's all over the floor, an Easter basket full of goodies, and a new toy (pictured below). What a spoiled little girl :-)