Friends

Last night we enjoyed hanging out with our good friends the Pearsons, Hansens and Schmidts (except for Sarah who was home sick). McKay, Kolton and Jamason were all Zach's roommates the first semester after his mission. I was actually in their ward and they were in an FHE family with my neighbors. I even remember them stopping by to visit us after having FHE. They were the only apartment of guys, in my eyes, worth getting to know. Probably because they were all taller than me and all return missionaries. Anyway, Jamason and my old roommate Kaylie love taking credit for mine and Zach's eventual marriage.

They were all roommates for a couple of semesters until they started getting married. It was so fun to get to know each other when we were all awkward and dating. We even talked last night about our awkward first kisses and dating moments. I think Kolton and Jayci's story was my favorite. I have enjoyed getting to know all of their amazing wives and everyone as couples and seeing their families grow. Brinlee and Tyler are adorable together and make me want to have kids just like them. 

We will definitely miss our fun game playing couples friends. We all better stay in touch with those yearly family pictures and Christmas cards because you are all friends worth keeping.

Weekend Retreat

While at work Saturday morning Zach texted me asking if I wanted to go to Island park for the weekend. I was about to pick up extra hours but quickly decided against it as I felt I really needed a break more than a of couple bucks. 

 Our good friends Kolton and Jayci invited us up to their families cabin to watch the next three sessions of conference. It was last minute but I am so glad it worked out. We left as soon as I could throw some clothes in a bag so we could make it for the second Saturday session of conference.

It took a little over an hour to get up to Island park but we made it just after the session had started. We were a little late because we stopped for delicious sandwiches and yogurt at Milhallow. So, so good. 

Between conferences we enjoyed eating wonderful food, playing pool, exploring the cabin, talking, playing cards and just relaxing. 

I could not get over how neat this entire cabin was. There was this forest theme throughout the whole place and it all seamed so grand and rustic. 

I probably wont model my house after it but my lake side cabin up in the mountains and forest will look just like it.  haha. There were so many fun little details.

I think the view was by far my favorite part of this place besides it being big, not our apartment, clean, warm and quiet. 

I imagine this would be my dream vacation spot during the summers. 

We played some card games, my favorites of which, were golf and Scum.

Around 7:30 Sunday evening we decided we better head back to the real world of school and work. It was so hard to leave knowing we had school and a small cluttery apartment to go back too. 

While it was painfully hard to go back the break was wonderful and we had such a good time enjoying our friends and an amazing session of General Conference.

Thanks for everything Hansen family! 

Its our last one here in Rexburg and we are pretty dang excited about it, so Happy Monday everyone!

Senior Projects and Goodbye's

Zach got to present his Senior project today. It was a project he had to spend at least 50 hours on. He did mock posters, a news paper add and bookmarks for the Fairfield public library. All of the pictures (old and new Curious George and the western library) were all made by hand using Illustrator. 

Monday night we had our last ward activity with the "Friendly 55th" ward. Zach was released form his calling on Sunday so we are back to being in the boring family wards. No, we love family wards, but the singles wards were so much fun.

For the last ward activity the family home evening groups created their own "Isn't it about time?" movies. After the Cafe Rio dinner we watched all of the movies and gave out awards at the end. A lot of people got really into the whole Oscar theme and dressed up. It was a good evening filled with great movies that brought tears and lots of laughs. We already miss the friends we have made in the singles ward and the wonderful bishopric.  

Today would have been my last day teaching 6th graders but they had spring break that started on Monday. So last Wednesday was my last day. I got so many notes from students throughout the day. I also got chocolate from one of my buddies and books for my future collection from my cooperating teacher. I felt so blessed to have the opportunity to work with such a wonderful teacher and a kind class. There were so many times they gave me the benefit of the doubt and I will never forget my first group of 6th graders. Man, I love teaching. 

9 days.... 

Happy Wednesday everyone!

A Place of Learning

2008-2012 

Wow has the time gone by fast. Now that we are looking at graduation in just a week and a few days it feels like I just set foot on Brigham Young University of Idaho's campus a week or two ago. Now its done and I think I might miss this place just a little bit. It's a beautiful campus and it gets prettier each semester.

Now I am feeling all nostalgic, but I am so excited for the adventures this next year alone will bring. I hope everyone that steps foot on this campus is able to take in as much of it as they can. It's a wonderful school with professors that love teaching and that amazing spirit of Rick's.

Happy Monday everyone!

White Top

I ran across this great idea a few months back over at Cotton & Curls. She turned a shirt from her mans closet into a feminine summer top and gave a great tutorial. Not long after, I ran into this J.Crew top and I decided I had to make it (or at least attempt it).

To my great pleasure Zach was going to throw out one of his white shirts and I snagged it before it made it to the trash or DI.  Now if you really want a good tutorial go visit Cotton & Curls. 

I flipped it inside out.

Using a shirt as a pattern I gave my self seam allowance and traced my outline and cut it out.

I pinned it. 

I attached the seams and reinforced with a zig zag stitch. 

I double rolled the neck and stitched all around. 

I folded the arms twice and did a hidden stitch by hand.

I ironed it. 

I wore it. 

I love it. 

Ta-da! There you have it. My easy summer shirt that I didn't have to spend a penny on. Next time I would leave a little more room in the arm pit. By that I mean I would give my chest a little more room to avoid button pulling. Its not bad, I just would have given a little more room. 

13 days until graduation.

14 days until we leave Rexburg.

3 1/2 months until New York! 

Happy weekend everyone!

Pudding from Avocados

I ran across this crazy recipe at Edible Perspective. It is a pudding made from avocados but it tastes like a chocolate banana pudding. Delicious.

It takes two avocados

Two bananas

6- 8 Tbs. of Cocoa powder

Scoop of protein powder (if you want)

tsp. of Vanilla

tsp. of Cinnamon

Milk if needed

We started with our magic bullet and realized quickly it was not going to do the job. J ust the banana and the avocado were too much for the small bullet. So we switched over to the full-size blender, which I recommend you start with. You just blend everything until it's nice and creamy, add more of whatever you want for the flavor you want and enjoy.

We added a little bit of chocolate syrup to enhance that chocolate flavor. We loved it and recommend it for those looking for some guilt free, chocolaty pleasure. 

Happy warm and sunny Thursday everyone!

Montana Getaway

Anyone who has traveled up to Great Falls knows exactly where this is. We headed up to Montana for a long weekend, because we decided we deserved to have a break. We stayed Friday through Monday and came home Tuesday morning just in time to turn in some assignments. 

I completely forgot about St. Patrick's day and did not bring any green. Luckily we were all in the same boat so no pinching wars ensued.  We started the day with green milk and lucky charms and we finished the day with corned beef and cabbage. Classic and delicious.

Saturday we headed to town for a youth activity, shopping, ring cleaning and food.  Check out the lovely fish buffalo.

Between errands we headed to Chuck's, as is tradition, for some good eats. 

After Chuck's we ended up at Sam's Club and after some mighty good finds we stopped for some dessert.  It made me think of my mom and all of our Sam's Club treats. So good, every time.

Sunday we had two missionary farewells to go to. Zach went with the men to Lewistown for his cousin, Weston's, farewell. The ladies and I stayed in Fairfield for Tate's Sunday talk.  I can't believe how much these guys and Brock have grown since I first met them, but here we are. They will both be wonderful missionaries in Ghana and Guam.

We got to spend some time after church with Tate and the wonderful Pearson clan. That meant we got to see our favorite little Pearson who we can't get enough of. We love her parents too, which makes seeing her extra fun.

We had planned to head home Monday but when we saw the snow outside we were easily persuaded to stay another night.  It was great to stay,  relax and visit as long as possible. 

Erica made wonderful food all weekend, like she always does, including these delicious shrimp fajitas. We were so filled with good food, memories, conversations and laughs. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful in-laws who let us drop by on only a few days notice to help us calm our senioritis and re-focus. You two are truly the best. If there is any way any of you can marry into this family, do it!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

2 weeks, 4 days and counting till graduation.