My Favorite Part of Christmas

For the past few years there's always been this special place in my heart for the night of Christmas Eve.

When the kids are in bed, milk and cookies have been set out and eaten up by Santa, when presents have magically appeared, and all of the adults settle in to get as much sleep as possible before the kids wake up with bright eyes and anxious bodies.

This is when I read the account in Luke chapter 2.

When I get to think about the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ, and what that means for me.

When I think about His ministry, His example, and how I can reflect that in my own life.

When I think about the atonement and what a blessing it is in so many ways.

This is when everything slows down.

This is when I have this special time to remember the real reason for the season, and how grateful I am for every way that I have been blessed.

This reflection and application of the Christ in Christmas changes Christmas morning.

While opening each gift and watching gifts I've given being opened, I remember why we show our love by giving.

It's symbolic of something more... of what we can give of ourselves to others and to the Savior because He gave such an incredible and priceless gift to us.

"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Matthew 25:40

How grateful I am for my Savior.

Christ is what it's all about.

Hello there...

I'm back!

Yay!

I stopped posting and made my blog private after going back to school and feeling like I hardly had an exciting thing to write about, BUT, I am back.

First things first,

I have some pictures to share from earlier this summer.

My parents and I went on a hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

It was a gorgeous day.

Next...
While I was still living and working in Utah before heading back up to school I was able to go to a few of the different temples in the area.

I was most anxious to get to Mount Timpanogos because it's been my favorite for years, even though I had never seen it in person.
Let me tell you, it lived up to all of my expectations, and more.

Guys... this picture ^ is straight out of the camera.
You can't tell me that isn't stunning.
I'll be getting married there :)

Lastly in this little mini-photo update, Rexburg had some freezing rain on top of snow on top of freezing rain.
That was complicated, wasn't it?
I'll just let the pictures do the talking.

Needless to say, that storm really did make me feel like I was living in a winter wonderland.

Now, with that catch up post that transitioned us from summer, through early autumn, and to winter, I can appropriately post about Christmas later this week :)

It's good to be back.

Banana Pancakes

I tend to try a lot of new recipes during my summer vacations, and there's nothing better than finding one that goes directly in your recipe box to be used over and over again in the future.

I woke up this morning anxious to try a brand new breakfast recipe.

I went straight to my "Breakfast" board on Pinterest hoping to find one that would catch my eye.

The second I saw this one I knew it had to be done :)

I made them for my mom and dad, and they were definitely a huge hit.

We had them with bananas, chopped walnuts, and cinnamon inside, with maple syrup drizzled on top.

I highly suggest that combination!

I really loved these because they were easy and incredibly delicious.

They have the same texture as crepes but are slightly thicker, which I really enjoyed.

Here is my slightly modified and more detailed recipe:

Banana Pancakes

Makes 6 pancakes

Pancakes:

1 ½ cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup sugar

1 cup milk

2 eggs

Butter for greasing (1/2 tablespoon melted before each pancake)

Maple syrup

Chopped walnuts/cinnamon/berries/whatever else for filling along with bananas :)

Banana Filling:

6 bananas (1 per person per pancake) peeled and sliced

4 tablespoons melted butter (adjust if you’re doing less bananas, otherwise there will be too much better to allow for them to brown)

Method:

Most important step: Turn on Jack Johnson's "Banana Pancakes" and happy cooking!

Sift flour into a bowl and add eggs, milk, and sugar. Mix and beat well and set aside.

Heat melted butter in a pan (adjust for less butter if you're using less than six bananas!), add the bananas, toss until coated, and cook over medium heat until the bananas start to soften and brown. Make sure not to overcook the bananas. Dish out and set aside.

Melt a little butter (1/2 tablespoon) in a non-stick frying pan (can be same as one bananas were cooked in) and pour the pancake mixture into the pan and cook over medium heat until the edges and underside are beginning to golden. Turn the pancake over and cook the other side. Transfer to a plate and immediately fill the pancake with the banana and whatever filling you may want (we did chopped almonds and cinnamon). Fold in half and drizzle maple syrup on the pancake! 

Enjoy!

Call Me Betty

...Betty Crocker, that is.

Once upon a time I set out to find the perfect homemade chocolate chip cookie recipe.

It's no secret that I'm a chocolate chip cookie lover, and let's be honest, there really isn't anything better than a fresh-out-of-the-oven, ooey gooey, need-a-big-glass-of-milk to follow it up, chocolate chip cookie.

I began my venture nearly three years ago, and I am proud to say that as of June 16th, I accomplished my goal.

I had given up on believing pinteresters claims that they held the secret to the best cookie recipe, so I found two that looked promising, did a little tweaking, and voila, I ended up with cookies that my father claims "are better than Mrs. Fields."

(I'll be honest, I don't think I've ever had a Mrs. Fields cookie. Shocking coming from a chocolate chip cookie connoisseur, I know, but I take that as quite the compliment :) )

Baking just feels wrong without a cute apron and some Frank Sinatra

 Now I'm no food photographer, and I don't pretend to be, so be nice.

And they actually stayed that fluffy!

Even hours later when we came home from a concert they were just as soft and delicious as they had been earlier that afternoon.

My mother will attest to the fact that I was the happiest girl alive that day.

Mission accomplished.

SYTYCD Catch-up Post

This season is seriously SO good!

There have only been a handful of routines that I haven't loved, which is saying a lot.

Yesterday my favorite girl was in the bottom three, which seriously surprised me.

It actually motivated me to vote, which I've never done for any of these silly shows.

But I really can't get enough of this girl, and her partner, and their partnership!

They're a power couple.

Now if you didn't notice how incredible her legs are on that last video, you can't help but notice them in this one....

Seriously, just look up all of their routines. It's worth it.

Reflections of Christ

Happy Birthday, America!

Well it's that time of the year again!

Time for my favorite holiday!

Oh how I love parades, barbecuing, swimming, wandering around festivals, and of course,

fireworks!

Last weekend my mom and I went up to Rexburg to help my sister celebrate her birthday along with an early Fourth of July celebration.

Us ladies went for some pedicures...

...and then we headed to Driggs for Huntsman Springs Celebrate America! 

I went to Huntsman Springs last year for their celebration, so I knew it wouldn't disappoint!

The Beach Boys were there to perform before the fireworks!

Then the fireworks show was honestly the best I've ever seen, and that's saying a lot!

Plus, we had Lee Greenwood there to sing God Bless the USA during the show.

It. Was. Amazing.

(And that wasn't even the finale)

                               

I love the Fourth of July. 

Have a happy Independence Day, everyone!

"Maybe we accept the dream has become a nightmare. We tell ourselves that reality is better. We convince ourselves it's better that we never dream at all. But, the strongest of us, the most determined of us, holds on to the dream or we find ourselves faced with a fresh dream we never considered. We wake to find ourselves, against all odds, feeling hopeful. And, if we're lucky, we realize in the face of everything, in the face of life the true dream is being able to dream at all."

Grey's Anatomy

(Please do not use photo without permission!)

Three Concert Weekend

One weekend, three concerts.

Tim McGraw, Rhonda Vincent, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

First up on Friday night was Tim McGraw!

I really, really, really loved this concert! Love and Theft and Brantley Gilbert opened up for him, which was pretty great too :) 

I went with a good friend, Jeff Packer and some of his friends.

The whole night was so much fun!

It would have been better if we were a little closer on the lawn though. The party was a little dead where we were at!

Next up, Saturday night, was Rhonda Vincent and The Rage at the Sandy Amphitheater. I went with my parents and my Aunt Linda. 

I'll admit, I had zero clue of who she was prior to the concert.

Her band is bluegrass, but don't let that deter you.

She's won Female Vocalist of the Year six times I think?

Let me tell you, her and her band really are amazing. This concert was so enjoyable. Each artist was the best of the best and they were all so locked in with each other.

I could go on and on about how technically perfect and amazing they were.

This first video is from a different concert a few years back, but when she performed it with her new guitarist (Josh Williams) at the concert we were at, it was honestly perfection.

Sunday night was Grace Potter & The Nocturnals at the Red Butte Garden Amphitheater.

Now, I can understand if you don't know who Rhonda Vincent is, but if you don't know who Grace Potter is...

Well, let's just say she's incredibly understated, and I love her.

I went with my parents for a Father's day outing!

Let me tell you, that girl can rock.

Just to prove that you really should know who Grace Potter is, watch this video of her performing with Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, and Jake Owen.

So.

It was a crazy busy, insanely fun, incredibly exhausting, and perfectly memorable weekend.

Who's up for Brad Paisley in August? 

:)

Thoughts about the gym...

Who needs headphones when you can pick the most interesting looking couple to secure a treadmill next to and spend your long run listening to their interesting (and sometimes disturbing) conversations?

Ladies, why put on that extra layer of make-up before heading to the gym when you're just going to sweat it off?! (Or maybe you're not planning to sweat it off... Touche.)

The most painful decision I have to make in my life has to be whether or not to step off the treadmill and run to the bathroom with high hopes of my treadmill still being available when I return.

I've yet to gather enough courage to try this. I've seen too many treadmills hijacked (with the other person's things still in the cupholders...) to dare take the risk.

Instead I end up with a side ache which makes me end my run early.

Let's not be afraid of the free weights, okay?

I'd like to see some girls, unaccompanied, working in that area filled with too much testosterone.

In other words, I'm so glad it's summer and I can do all of my exercising outdoors.
Nothing compares to runs through the avenues, swims in the pool, and bike rides through the city.
It's going to be hard to leave all this behind and head back to the gym once the snow hits.

I love this city.

Mumford & Martha

It's no secret that I love Mumford & Sons.

Actually, obsessed would be the better way to describe it.

When I'm frustrated with someone or at something, all I have to do is listen to this song

and it really does remind me to keep the earth below my feet.

Kinda silly, huh?

But it works.

Musical genius.

Wise lady.

So, you think you can dance?

It's that time of year again, and 

this girl...

...is incredible.

Sure, she's a little quirky, but that dance...

Holy guacamole.

That. dance. was. amazing.

Finalist? Winner?

We shall see :)

Bad Day

It's one of those days.

That awkward moment when...

...your family doesn't understand your humor via group messages. 

Better luck next time! 

Moab Getaway

My family and I all got together for a long weekend in Moab a couple weekends ago.

The reason for the get together was because of my niece Audrey's first ever dance recital!

Audrey with her friend and her cousins after her performance

After the recital we all packed up and headed to Moab for a little three-day getaway!

It was so much fun for all of the kids to get to play together.

They got along pretty well!

We had a weekend full of fun in Arches, swimming, playing games and a whole lot of laughing :)

I definitely love that family of mine!

It was a much needed get away :)

P.S. This is my 200th post! Yay!

May 25: Shine

Day 25: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget.

My first year going to EFY (Especially For Youth) was incredible. I think any teenager would tell you that it was definitely life-changing, but the most memorable experience from the entire week was the Sunday after I got home. I was at church waiting for Young Women's to start when one of the girls in my group sat by me and we started to chat. I was telling her about EFY because she hadn't gone.

Class started and our conversation ended. She leaned over to me and said, "You know, I just see this light in you. You're glowing. You look truly happy."

 She has no idea that she gave me the greatest compliment anyone ever could that day.

Having that "light" in my countenance is something I've continued to strive for.

Hopefully I've continued to succeed!