Rocky Point!

So it's just tradition now that Steven and I go to Rocky Point in the summer--we love that place. During the triathlon we camp out but during the summer we've decided to stay in a condo since it's hotter. We're trying to get people to go down with us this year because it would be more fun. We'd stay at the Las Palomas resort June 11-14 (Thur-Sun). Depending on how many people we get depends what type of condo we'd rent. I would LOVE to stay in this condo (link below, picture above) but we'd need a lot of people (6 couples or so) to go down since it's kind of expensive. If we had 7 couples or 7 people who could pay, it'd be $300 total which isn't bad if you think about it: $100/night, just as much as a hotel room! There's a full kitchen so you wouldn't have to eat out either! We rented from the owners last year and they were great to work with! We had no problems whatsoever. Anyway, if anyone wants to go with us this year, let us know so we can plan and so you can plan as well! About $25/week would be all you need to plan for starting now! Here is the link to the condo:

http://www.hipgetaway.com/Las-Palomas/Rocky-Point-Condo-For-Rent.html

It's literally right on the beach and really nice. I already know a few people who might be coming with us but it'd be fun to have even more! The more people that come, the cheaper it is!!

Our Favorite Recipe!

So my mom made this a while back (maybe it was Alliene or Carrie...not sure now that I think of it) for one of my cousin's bridal showers and I loved it so I requested it for my birthday dinners too and now I make it as often as possible. I just made some yesterday and decided I'd post the recipe for others to have since it is sooo delicious. It makes a ton and is great for leftovers. It's so refreshing and great for summer but we eat it all year round! So here it is if anyone wants to try it.

Spinach-Pasta Salad

Boil 4-5 chicken breasts; cube

Marinade:

1 cup mayo (I use light and it works fine)
1/2 c. soy sauce (can use reduced sodium)
3 T. sugar
3 T. sesame oil (kind of expensive but will last forever)
3 T. vinegar

Pour over chicken and let marinate overnight.


Before serving add: (you can add more or less of these depending on what you like. I put down what I like)
1/2 c. toasted sesame seeds
1/2-1 bunch chopped fresh basil (I like a lot so I use almost the whole container :)
1 bunch chopped green onions
1/2 c. slivered almonds (or sliced)
1/2 bunch chopped cilantro
1 box/bag any type of pasta noodles (multicolor look best but I just used whole wheat penne this time)
1 bag of baby spinach or about 3/4 bag from costco. Once again, if you want more spinach, add more. I realized this time I just had a lot of chicken and pasta and not as much spinach

Add chicken. Toss to coat. Chill if you want before eating or just dig in.

Enjoy!!

My New Bedding!

I finally ordered some new bedding! I've been looking at this duvet cover for a while now and it finally went on sale! I'm so excited. I'm ready for a change and some color. I think it's super cute and am way excited for it! I know it's a bit girly but Steven will just have to suffer. It could be worse.

Yay!

Isn't it a beauty? I ordered this last week and am so excited to learn how to use it. My friend Carly and I are going to can chicken this Saturday and hopefully after that I'll know how to do some more. It's an All American 21 qt. pressure cooker/canner so if anyone is knowledgeable on it or has one, let me know! I'm excited to learn! If anyone wants to can with me, let me know. I don't work Wednesdays (after 12:30), Thursdays (all day), and Friday (all day).

More Pictures From the Weekend

Jeremy got a new little puppy. Her name is Dallie. She's catahoula/red tick and is soooo cute! She was so timid at first and then warmed up and was licking Carson like crazy. I want one...a puppy that is. :)

Look at that sunburn! It was nasty!

Us with my grandparents

Birthday boy

I can't get enough of this girl! She's so happy and cute!

Jeremy's Birthday Weekend

Last Thursday Travis, Brooke, and I (and Carson and the dogs) drove down to Benson after my doctor's appointment (all is going well on my head, the blood spot is getting smaller). When I turned around in my seat on the way down, this is what I saw :)They eventually laid down (yes, there were two)

Anyway, Friday we went out to my mom and dad's classroom to visit which was fun. Later that afternoon our cousins Jackie and Audrey came over with their kids. It was fun to see them all together. Cute kids!Jackie and Halle

Audrey and Luke

Travis trying to make Halle laughed. Don't know if it worked but it made everyone else laugh.

Friday night Steven got there late (he’d been snowboarding with his brother Chris on Friday) and joined in our game of Up Up Down. We were on round 4 or 5! We can play that game for hours! On Saturday I headed over to the used bookstore and got some cool “new” old used books. I love used bookstores and the smell and look of old books. When I got home we started the cooking for my brother Jeremy’s 23 birthday. My mom was making Fenn tacos. I scooped the meat into them and we ended up doing 84 tacos! Kayleen’s (Jeremy’s fiancé) family came over for dinner and then we had even more people come for dessert (family). I think there ended up being about 25 people there that night. It was lots of fun—as always! Josh and Trish even made a quick trip down for Jeremy’s birthday dinner. Their kids are just as cute as ever! We love all of our nieces and nephews!

Carson smiles any time you hold the camera up! He's so funny!

Homemade Bread

Okay, I've never made homemade bread before (on my own) and so I decided to give it a shot since I have my sister-in-law's Bosch (thanks Brooke!) We ground our own wheat and everything seemed to be going well but I still have a lot to learn. It was fun though and I'll try again now that I know what i need to do different. Anyway, if anyone has any good tips or recipes, let me know! Or if someone wants to come help me make it :) Grinding wheat takes forever FYI...

I think I'll wait to post any pictures of my loaves until they're presentable :) It tasted delicious though! Forgot to add that...