Wedding

My older sister Laci got married last Saturday the 24th. She was such a beautiful bride. It had been perfect weather but the morning she was getting ready to be married it was so windy. But Laci kept a smile on her face and knew nothing could ruin this day for her. The ceremony was beautiful even if the weather was not. We had a wonderful luncheon at the church. It was so yummy. We then came back to my parents house and had to move everything inside. We were going to have the reception outside but at the last minute had to move it indoors. It turned out really nice.

Jake and I got to Twin on Thursday to help mom and Laci get everything ready. Mom and Laci were so stressed, and some of the desserets they were wanting to make didn't turn out. Jake and I told them we could help out, and spent the rest of the weekend in the kitchen.

We made...

Tuxedo Brownies

Chocolate dipped strawberries

Cake balls dipped and drizzled on chocolate (my mom and little sister had already made the balls we just helped dip them in chocolate)

Laci made these I just helped. They are cheesecake with cherry topping! So yummy!

Peanut butter cookies with hershy kiss

Creme puffs dipped in chocolateMy mom put together a beautiful fruit trayMy mom is so so talented and made all the center pieces which she gave to all of us girls in the family. Everything my mom did was so nice and looked beautiful!

Laci and Derrick had a great turn out! They were both so busy, and I was busy in the kitchen refilling desserts that I did not get a single picture of the happy couple! I feel terrible. I am going to steal pictures off her blog, she was so pretty. And her dress was amazing. I love you Laci, and love seeing you so happy. You have been through so much. You deserve a happy ending.

One year mark

My little brother is on the right

again, on the right

My little brother is serving a mission in Tempe, Arizona. This last week he celebrated his 20th birthday, and this coming week he will meet his one year mark! He has matured and become a wonderful man. His testimony is so amazing. Jake and I love getting letters from him, even if its not that often. We know is he busy doing the Lords work. I am so proud of my brother and decisions he has made in his life. He is such a great example to me and the rest of my family. We all love him and miss him, but know he is doing great work.

A taste of parenthood...

Jake and Owen

My brother-in-law(Jake's brother) Ryan had a birthday last weekend. So we told him and Teri we would take their kids Friday and have a sleep over with us, so Ryan and Teri could have a date night and celebrate Ryan's Birthday. Ryan is in Pharmacy School and Teri stays home with their kids, they both as so busy and don't get a lot of alone time together, plus we love their kids and watned to play with them!

Ashlynn and Owen love forts so Jake had the great idea of transforming our whole living room into a giant fort!

Ashlynn and Owen enjoyed the fort for about an hour, but I think they had more fun tearing it down!

We made their favorite dinner of breakfast. We had waffles, eggs, and sausage. But it looks like Jake is enjoying it just as much as the kids. Owen was so tired he fell asleep before we even got their bed ready. He played so hard!

Ashlynn was so excited that she got to sleep on the pull out bed, and she got to stay up a little later than usual and watch Monsers vs. Aliens.

The next morning there were ducks on our lawn so Ashlynn and Owen got to feed them from our deck.

The kids love their uncle Jake. He was playing music for Ashlynn so she could pretend she was "Wille" from the movie Free Willie

This is Ashlynn being Willie on the bed. She makes the noises and everything. Lucky for me she told me I bought her, so I guess I have my very own Whale!

Owen was missing his "mama" and the only thing that would make him smile was asking him if he wanted to cook. He loves being in the kitchen so we decided to make homeade wheat bread. Owen was a great help. His favorite part was trying the dough when we were finished.

Waiting for it to rise...

The Finished Project

We had so much fun with Ashlynn and Owen, and would love for them to come stay with us again! Jake and I were so tired aften they left, but as soon as they left we missed them like crazy! I am glad they live so close to us!

yummy salsa

Jake and I got a bag full of tomatos from when his parents came to visit, and then my mom brought a bag of tomatos on Monday when they came for lunch. I love fresh tomatos and didn't want any of them to go to waste. So I made my sister-in-law Emily's salsa. I think it is so good, and fresh tasting, not to mention super easy. I am not sure why my last couple post have been about food. How borining are me a Jake?
Anyway, here is the recipe..

2 tomatoes
1/4-1/2 brig of cilantro chopped
1/4 of a sweet yellow onion chopped
1/4 of a jalapeno chopped( you can add more if you like it hot)
Squeeze a lime into it
Add lots of salt-just until it taste good.

It's an easy recipe and you don't have to follow it exactly!

what a deal

Well I had to run into our local thirft store "Savers" there isn't one in Twin Falls so moving here to Boise it has been one of my most favorite places to shop, but how could you not enjoy a good thrift stores? Anyway, I have been looking for some jeans now that the weather is getting colder.(I would rather wear skirts everyday). Well I decided to glance around at my size and I found three, yes you read it right, three pair of jeans! And my grand total was $17.99. I am pleased with my purchases, but I think Jake is more excited. Now he doesn't have to go jean shopping with me this weekend!

The last couple days...

A man at the restraunt who was sitting next to us gave my dad a coupon for a free dessert. Even though we were stuffed we couldn't pass up something that was free. This is the dessert we all shared. So delicious!

My mom and dad come to Boise to visit me and Jake. They were just here for the afternoon, but it was so much fun to see them. They took us out to Tucano's an all you can eat Brazillian restraunt. It was delicious, but I think we had too much to eat! We love you both!

Jake and I thought it would be fun to make homemade cinnamon rolls for conference. They were fun to make and yummy to eat. It was perfect because conference weekend was rainy and cold. We had a great time watching conference. I love being a memeber of the church and having a living prophet on earth. All the talks were uplifting and encouraged us to do better.

The other night I was ironing my pants, well just finished and went to put the ironing board back and stubbed my toe on a laundry basket. It hurt but not as bad as past stubbings, which happen frequently. You can't see it as well in the picture, but my little toe was swollen and bruised pretty bad. It took quite a few days but is feeling much better.

Better than anything

I have been meaning to add this. Jake's wonderful mother made this cake and brought it over for his birthday! It is his favorite cake and she makes it almost every year for him. (well she has every year that we have been married) It is delicious. It is a chocolate cake with carmel in the middle. She then makes homemade whipped cream and tops it off with broken Heath bars. I was going to add the recipe but I don't think I have it. I will have to get it next time I see Sandy.

Sister Thomas

Katie
4-wheeling last family reunion

Katie, Teri, Maren, Chad's Katie, and Emily at my wedding

Zach, Austin, and Katie in Alaska

Katie and Jake in Alaska


My Sister-in-law Katie, (Jake's sister) got her misson call tonight. She is going to Hamburg, Germany. Jake and I are so exctied! Katie we know you are going to be such a great missonary. You have such a wonderful testimony and are close to the spirit. The people of Germany are so lucky. Thanks for always having a smile on your face. We love being around you, and hearing you laugh. We are going to miss you a lot. We always have a great time when we are together, but we know you will do great on your mission. We know you are doing what you are supposed to do and this is where the Lord wants and needs you. We Love you Katie!