Family for the Holidays

Holiday parties, good food, and final exams were all a part of our holiday season this year... but Andy and I both agree the best part was the time spent with family!

For Thanksgiving, we enjoyed a holiday dinner at Andy's parents house! It was fun to get to know Andy's sister, Gwyn, and her family better and spend some quality time with the whole group! When family travels so far to visit, it makes you cherish every moment!

We were blessed with the ability to see my family in California this Christmas! We saw our little niece, Liliana, for the first time and hung out with my favorite people! Grandma Ethel was even able to visit at the same time. :) It is always comforting to go home, and the delicious fresh fruit we ate there made it even sweeter! Can't wait to see everyone again when Luke comes home and Kaelee (and fam) can be there!

A Few Christmas Crafts

So when the season came for the holidays, I realized I didn't have any holiday decorations to make it feel special. Of course, our apartment will not look like my home did growing up, but I could try to add a few touches. Here are two cheap cheap ideas I used to brighten our home! (Yes, I am proud and want to share what I accomplished! :D )

And here is our cute Christmas tree...

A New Chef

Pizza Night

A week ago Andy and I decided to make pizza together. When we have time, Friday nights are the best to slow life down and spend some time in the kitchen together. Andy made the crust and he did a great job!

Love that rolling pin from my mother-in-law!

Here is the EASIEST no rise recipe we use, if anyone is interested. Even someone who has little cooking experience can make it. It tastes great and is really QUICK!

1 package of yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
1 tsp. white sugar
1 c. warm water (110 degrees F)
2.5 c. flour
2 T olive oil
1 tsp. salt

Mix water, yeast and sugar in a small bowl. Best to let this mixture sit for 10 minutes, until dissolved fully. In a large bowl, add flour and salt. Pour yeast mixture into flour mixture. Add olive oil and seasonings (I personally like oregano in my crust). Mix until fully combined. Do not knead your dough too much after the ingredients are combined or your bread will be tough! If you have time, let dough rest for 5 minutes, but it's not necessary. Lightly grease a pizza pan or sprinkle a pizza stone with cornmeal. Roll dough out and place on pan/stone. Add desired toppings and dab a little olive oil on the crust for extra crunch. Bake at 450 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.

*This is a no rise pizza dough but for extra fluffy dough I would (after the dough is rolled out on the pan) let it sit for 30-60 min on the counter or put it in the fridge over night. This will make delicious bread sticks as well!

Oh, how I love the look of fresh pizza on a cutting board!

Ours turned out a little burnt, but that happens in life and it was still a yummy dinner we enjoyed together! :)

Two Years Since Our First Date, Honey!

Monday, the 10th of November was our first date night, two years ago. Andy had previously tried to take me out the Wednesday night before but I had a test the next day so I declined. Oh, I am glad he did not give up! He and his friend came by an hour before the Aggie basketball game that Saturday to ask if my apartment wanted to go to the game with them, but to Andy's (and my) disappointment I was not present for the invitation. Luckily though, I had a great roommate who let me know a little later. We called and met them at the game once I found out what happened...and there was Andy, saving some seats for us behind the group. After the game, he asked me if I wanted to get some ice cream (just him and me :))! And there was our first date...at Zeppies! So lesson to the date-less. Put some effort into dating, and in the end it will work out. :)

So the reason for this story, is that in honor of our first date that led to it all, Andy surprised me with a special tropical dinner this November 10th! When we first met he was intimidated to cook by himself...and now look at him! I am so proud of my honey! <3

Coconut Chicken and Pineapple Vinaigrette Salad. Yum! This was such a fancy and delicious meal!! Andy was born to cook (and bake-he has always been a fabulous baker, btw) !

I loved how pretty this meal was! When I was done eating the
plate had tons of little coconut flakes from the salad. 
It looked like a snow scene! 

Recent Activities

THE TEMPLE

Temple Night with my AMAZING eternal companion! Yay :)

FIRST SNOW OF THE YEAR...

AND NOW, MORE SNOW!

Maize Maze

Fall is here! The leaves have turned red, orange, and yellow and the air has a chill...And the corn maze's are open! Our most recent date night was to a local corn maze or as Andy would say "a maize maze".  :) We got pretty lost out there, and had some spooks as we were alone for the majority of the time in the large corn field. Such fun with my Honey! I would suggest it to anyone...old and young!

We have discovered a predicament as a couple...no one is ever around
to take cute photos of us together. So really up-close photos
and single photos here we come!

Our New Apartment

 Finally got it all cute and CLEAN at the same time! Here is our lovely abode where Andy and I now live. We are so grateful for the many blessings we have, and one of them is our home.

A glimpse of move in week (here is my cutie putting together the table).

A cheap placemat for a kitchen rug...yeah, we did that.

Here are a few projects I got into...

Rope, river rocks, hot glue and a bow makes a revamped mirror!

My parents always had a wooden box for their bills, and I thought it was
 an awesome idea. A little paint and some wood slots was all I needed!

The Beginning

March of two-thousand fourteen we were married for time and all eternity in the Temple of the Lord! We feel so grateful to have lived a life worthy of being sealed in the temple and for our family to be there. We love you all and thank you for your support!

Wedding photography done by Erica Savage Photography. Engagement photography done by Joshua Butts Photography.

After dating for 11 months and speaking to my father earlier that week, Andy proposed at the Logan, Utah Temple. My husband has always been a thoughtful young man and this night he shined by how he prepped the night. It was a wonderful date night that began with memories of our dating experience, included delicious food, and ended with my love asking me to marry him! "I couldn't ask for more".

Then we got to take our engagement photos! They were taken by a friend and it was such a great experience.