Finally!

McKenzie has started a blog! She was selected for Wishing Star and has posted about her experience. To see that and follow her blog click here.

Pink eye

I went to Twin Falls this weekend to visit Jake. He got pink eye while I was there, so we spent Saturday afternoon in the doctor's office. I have never had pink eye (knock on wood) but it does not look pleasant. He had to stay inside since he was contagious so we had a weekend full of t.v. watching, and it was wonderful!

Stuffed Pizza Rolls

On my last post I posted pictures of my nieces and I making pizza rolls, but forgot to add the recipe. If you are interested click here.

Summer Fun

Jake and I went down to Utah for a week after we finished summer school. We were able to spend a few days with Coleman and Pam. We had so much fun. I wish we lived closer so we could see them more often.
Cole and Pam at Boondocks. We played miniature golf, and Pam and I wouldn't leave until we played Skeeball.
After a few days with Cole and Pam we met up with Jake's whole family and spent the day at Lagoon. Here are some of the kids getting buckled in and ready to go.





All our nieces and nephews had a blast! Here they are waiting to go on a ride.

Eating lunch at the park and deciding which rides to go on next.

Jake and Austin were very tired after there long day at Lagoon.

Jake and I joined Chad and Katie's family for Family Home Evening. I think Jake was more a distraction!
After spending a few days with Chad and Katie, we headed up to Bountiful and watched our 3 beautiful nieces while their parents went on vacation.
We made stuffed pizza roles. They were yummy! And the girls had so much fun making them!
We met up with Katie and her 3 kids on Friday and went to the Discovery Center in Salt Lake. The kids had fun seeing everything and playing with their cousins.













The Discovery Center was awesome! I don't know who had more fun Jake or the kids. We love our nieces and nephews and enjoy all the time we get to spend with them!

Livin' the Single Life

Jake moved to Twin Falls on Sunday . He has been gone only 2 days and I miss him like crazy. I thought it would be nice to have some time to myself and focus on school. But found out very quickly I like him around and distracting me a lot better. He loves work and I am really enjoying school so far. This is going to take a while to get used to our new living arrangements but it gives me something to look forward to on the weekends.

It's official

Jake has graduated from college! I am so proud of him and all his hard work. It has been a long road and I never thought we would ever be done. I don't know where the last 4 years have gone but we are ready for the next phase in our life. Jake is going to be working in Twin Falls at his parents restaurant and store. The only downside is that I am going to continue living in Boise for the next year while I finish my degree. We are excited for his new job and know that it is a huge blessing.

Band Practice

So I was in the school library this morning trying to write a paper that is due tomorrow, and someone thought is was a good idea to have band practice right next to my computer... now I am less motivated to work and have a ringing in my ear.

Cheesy Stuffed Colored Peppers

Ingredients:

2 Whole red, yellow, or orange bell peppers

1 Tablespoon olive oil

2 Tablespoons finely chopped onion

1 Cup diced red bell pepper

1 Cup cooked rice

1 1/2 teaspoon dry ranch dressing mix

1 Cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

Preheat over to 375 degrees.

Split whole peppers in half and seed them. Set aside.

Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent. Add chopped peppers and continue sautéing for 3-4 minutes more, or until peppers are tender.

In a large bowl, stir together rice, ranch dressing mix and sautéed pepper/onion mix. Fold in cheese.

Stuff peppers halves with rice/cheese mixture. Place in baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.

Side note:

I boil the pepper halves for about 2-3 minute. I like them more soft. Don't boil too long or they become soggy.

Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie

I got this recipe HERE. It is delicious and perfect for all this hot weather we have been having.

Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich

Jake got this delicious but easy recipe from his brother Ryan.

Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich

Ingredients:

chicken

teriyaki sauce

pineapple rings

ham

pepper jack cheese

BBQ Sauce

hamburger buns

Directions:

Pound our chicken until flat. Marinate in teriyaki sauce for a couple hours. Grill. Also grill ham and pineapple. put cheese on chicken until melted. Put chicken on hamburger bun with pineapple and ham. Top with favorite BBQ sauce. We use Sweet Baby Rays.

Homemade Granola

I have been trying to eat healthier and am always looking for new recipes. I found this one for granola and it is delicious!
Everyday Granola

3 Cups old-fashioned oats

1 Cup coarsely chopped pecans

1/2 Cup unsweetened shredded coconut

3 Tablespoons packed brown sugar

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon (generous) salt

1/3 Cup honey

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

1 Tablespoon dried fruit

Directions:

Preheat over to 300 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix first 7 ingredients in large bowl. Stir honey and oil in saucepan over medium-low heat until smooth. Pour honey mixture over oat mixture; toss. Spread on prepared sheet.Bake until golden brown, stirring every 10minutes for about 40 minutes. Let cool. Stir in mix dried fruit. Store in air tight container for a week

This is the exact recipe but I have made changes below.

I think it is better but you can play around with it and see what you like.

I bake at 250 degrees for an 1 1/2 hours with out stirring.

I do not heat the honey and oil together. Instead I add oil to a bowl and rub oil around the sides then add honey. Stir together. Because you rub oil on the sides it come right out.

I don't use very much salt.

I don't add dried fruit because I mix it with yogurt that already has fruit in it.

*its really good hot out of the over, before it hardens, and topped on vanilla frozen yogurt. So yummy!

Bowling

Jake and I were thinking of something fun we could do last night for date night. Then we remembered that we had free bowling passes to the BSU game center. They were just a year and a half old so we figured it was about time to use them. Jake thought it was a good idea until I beat him, so he challenged me to a rematch where he won. Overall he beat me, but I am just counting our first game.