Lake Powell

It's been a long time since I have posted anything. I considered abandoning the blog all together, but I guess I'll give it another go. So here's my first attempt at catching up.

In May we took a weekend and headed to Lake Powell with Rogan and Kim and the cute kiddos. Who doesn't want to run away and hit the water for a few days. It hadn't been there for years, so I loved the scenery. It is beautiful. The water was pretty chilly, but the weather was great. Thanks for the fun trip!

shopping for some goodies for the road trip

a happy camper in the car with her veggie straws

sand mountain

 a long hike, especially when carrying anabelle

we made it to the top

 gun sight

 tyler on the knee board

 my turn

loving the boat

 shane's turn

wipe out

 pit stop on the way home 

 anabelle loved being with her cousins 

Home Videos

Here are two videos that I took on my phone. They make me laugh. The first, Anabelle admiring her little cousin Adilyn. She LOVES babies right now, and does this funny little laugh whenever she sees a baby. The second, Anabelle pretty much eating in her sleep. She was trying really hard to stay awake, but just couldn't help it. Good stuff.

Tax season is over and a busy weekend

Shane is back ;) We enjoyed a full weekend with Shane and had a blast!

I was excited to see Shane come home on Tuesday at 9pm, rather than the regular 2 am. He even brought me an Oreo McFlurry (my fave)

We met Shane for lunch on Friday at The Cheesecake Factory. Shane received the employee of the month award, so the meal was free. yay. Good job hun! I am so grateful for you and all of your hard work! Then we spent the afternoon walking around City Creek. Shane's office is conveniently located at City Creek so it is fun to shop there and visit him at work.

(Shane's Mac n' cheese burger, of course he loved it.)

Saturday morning Anabelle and I walked out to the corner to see Emo, Chelsea and Ashley running the SLC Half Marathon. They are SO awesome! I think they inspired me to get back into running a little more. They are are the cute matching triplets of course.

 Saturday afternoon we headed down to Orem for a Mini Mission Reunion BBQ. It was so fun seeing everyone again, and we wish the best of luck to the Spencer's and Kendall's who are moving away!

***

Here is the yummy salad recipe that I promised to post for you girls. 

{SLUDGE SALAD}

Spinach

Romane lettuce 

Muenster Cheese cubed (I purchased 5 FAT slices and cubed them)

Lightly Salted Cashews

Small Granny Smith Apples (thinly sliced)

-Dressing-

1/3 cup Apple Sider Vinegar

1/2 Tablespoon White or Yellow Onion Finely Chopped

3/4 cup Sugar

1 tsp Salt

  1 cup Canola Oil (or vegetable oil)

1 1/2 Tablespoons Poppy Seeds

As far as the ratio for the salad goes, add as much as you want of each thing. The dressing will cover about 2 large bowls of salad, so however you make it, make it LARGE ;) 

To make the dressing, mix the Apple sider vinegar, onion, sugar and salt in a mixer or blender. I use my blender. Then slowly add the oil as you mix it. After the dressing is smooth add the poppy seeds and stir. Poor over salad and toss right before serving.

***

Catching up with high school friends at Hayden's wedding reception

We spent Saturday night and Sunday at Shane's parent's new house. The boys helped move the piano to a different corner. When they finally got it in the perfect spot, Shane was stuck. It was so funny, he really couldn't get out. Thanks Robert and Kathryne for the good time and yummy food. Oh and for watching Anabelle and London so we could see The Hunger Games. It was the first movie we went to since Anabelle was born, and we loved it.

Easter

What a beautiful time of year it is... and the weather is quite beautiful too. I had a very happy little Easter with my family this year. Anabelle has a thing for easter baskets right now. She has carried her basket around for the past six weeks, and she has loved opening and (trying to) close the empty plastic eggs. So when she found candy in the first egg at out neighborhood egg hunt, she thought she hit the jackpot. She didn't care to find any other eggs. It was so funny, she would not let go of that candy!

NEIGHBORHOOD EASTER PARTY & EGG HUNT
(not the best pics, I was trying to manage Anabelle and take a few pics at the same time. Props to all of the single mom's out there. I am so lucky to only have to be a single parent for only ONE more day :)  

Jackpot! By the way, how in the world do they know what candy is so early on in life?!...Well now that i think about it, I guess she has probably watched Shane and me eat more than our fair share over the past year.

She finally decided it was okay to put some in the basket.

 (I look scary in this picture, but I think it is so cute of Anabelle. It is the only picture I have that shows her true eye color)

 (Cup) cake walk

The next morning, Anabelle was so excited to find candy still in some of her eggs.

Shortly after I put all the candy away, I was in the laundry room and I realized it was pretty quiet. I looked out in the family room and saw this! Apparently she had a secret stash I didn't know about. Sneaky girl.

 EASTER SUNDAY    (All blurry pics because I used my i phone and Anabelle is quite the mover.)

 Jellies

 Her basket filled with her favorite snacks, minus the chocolate. I figured she had enough on Saturday ;)

I found this play tent and tunnel for $2.99 at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Random, but perfect! I thought Anabelle would be scared to go in it, but she actually loves it. She takes her toys in there to play with. (I thought I would try it out too ;)

This girl can't get enough of her rocking horse!

 For the past month we have been obsessed with babies! She holds them to her face and sings to them. I love it. And the bunny has been hopping around with us all month... "hop little bunny, hop. hop. hop!"

 EASTER DINNER AT GRANDMA SHERRIE'S (the Sunday before)

General Conference

What great weekend! Who doesn't love General Conference... stay home, stay in jammies, listen to the words of the Prophet and Apostles, eat yummy food, and enjoy every second with the family. I feel like so many of the talks were written for me. I guess I say that every time, but that is why it is so great!

This girl lives on the coffee table. Gotta love the out of control, bed head, mohawk that she sports so frequently.

And we painted these little piggies for the first time.