car wash

When I was little, I LOVED driving through the car wash with my mom. The one where you got to stay inside the car and drive through as those big brushes would spin and those big noodles would slide over the hood. I know you know what I'm talking about. It was super cool right? Well, I had that flashback the other week as Ryan was washing the car and I was inside waiting. As much as I loved the carwash when I was younger, this time i had a much better view from my seat. :) Is that bias if i say he's the best car washer ever?

merry monday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's been a long few days of unpacking into our new place.

Even though it was just the weekend, sometimes you need a nap on a Monday to recover from the weekend right? Someone can tell me theyre taking a nap today to make me feel better. it's all about me not feeling guilty people! Happy monday!

food friday- TOSTILOCOS

Tostilocos

The first time I had this was on my honeymoon. My husband served an L.D.S. church mission in Mexico so he was the one who introduced me to this lovely bag of food. We went back to Mexico after 3 years of being there and it was a snack we had to get. Who knows when we'll be able to eat this again. Yes, we can find a recipe online but i'm sorry, i don't think it will ever be the same. I've been diligently searching for the recipe and I found some blogs that 1.) made a healthier version (no thank-you) or 2.) sites with the recipe but missing ingredients. Either way, here's one I found off of epicurious (with some modification on my part) but if you can find one that's as authentic as it could be... Pa-pa-pa-please share. :)

Have a fantastic friday!!!! As for my husband and myself.... unpacking boxes and setting up our new place. We slept like babies last night in our O W N bed.  Pretty darn fantastic start to our weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ingredients:

1 small package salsa verde chips

3 Tablespoons cucumber, peeled and diced
3 Tablespoon chopped tomatoes
2 Tablespoons jicama, peeled and diced
2 Tablespoon Japanese peanuts
1/2 small lime
Hot sauce and chamoy to taste

Preparation: Slice the bag of chips open, lengthwise. Dump everything on top and EAT IT.

Hoover

if you ever go, take the dam tour.

it's a-maz-za-zing

It is ...
 --  726.4 feet high

 --  1,244 feet across at the top

 --  660 feet thick at the base

 --  45 feet thick at the top

It ...
 --  weighs 6.6 millions ton ...

 --  can store up 2 years 'average' flow from the Colorado River ...

 --  has a total storage capacity can be up to 30,500,000 acre feet ...

 --  the surface area of Lake Mead is 146,000 acres ...

 --  has a power generating capacity of 2.8 million kilowatts ...

 --  cost ONLY $49,000,000 to build the Hoover Dam ...

 --  cost $165,000,000 to complete the Boulder Canyon Project that includes the Imperial Dam, Hoover Dam and the American Canal ... 

you know you have a great husband when.....

yes, im wearing overalls.

after listening to your frustrations of not having a job or anything to keep you productive in the mean time and he says.....

"it's okay; i'm sure a job will come along. just enjoy this time and do things for yourself. Go get a massage, lay by the pool with a good book, and you can even start working on all those projects you want to do off pinterest."

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did he really just say that? He really is the bestest.

monday message!

Mondays are hardly amazing for me. But today will be different. It will be RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING. Because I said so.

la bufadora

Ensenada, Mexico

If you've ever been, i'm sure you've seen the "not-so-lovely" areas. But, if you take a good 40 minutes drive to la bufadora (the blowhole), you see a completely different and beautiful scenery.
Quick run down if you ever go: Don't order tickets online. You can pay around 30/person and it's cheaper if you buy tickets once you get there. We took a tour bus that was 15/person with a wonderful tour guide who pointed out sights on the way. She was super nice and funny which made the 40 minute drive go by faster.
The cheapest way to go? A taxi. They charge $40 to take a group of up to 4 out there, they will let you stay as long as you want, and then bring you back. I'm not sure how nice of a trip out there it would be.... as far as the driver being a tour guide, but if you want the cheapest, that's it.

This was our 2nd time here and the first time, we stayed more in the city. This time around, I learned, there is be a u t y  e v e r y w h e re you go. Sometimes, you just have to travel a little farther to find it. :)

food friday

Let's be honest with ourselves. The best part about a cruise is the food.

If there wasn't a lot of good food, we would not enjoy being stuck on a ship in the middle of nowhere.

It's simple math people...

Bad food=cranky people

Superb food= happy people

I was a happy happy girl.

my life at 5:30am

2 things I'm grateful for today.... and it's only 6:40am!! ha

There's something so unnatural, so wrong, so unpleasant about waking up so early, it's pitch black outside and the moon is still up. My hubs started his FIRST (career) JOB yesterday and he's officially a working man. He's a field engineer for a national commercial construction company (say that 6 x's fast). His mornings will now consist of getting up at 5:30 to go to work. I would not wish this upon anyone, since i had to do it last year with my job at the hospital. 

These last two mornings I got up with him to get him breakfast and prepare a lunch. We say our good-byes while wiping the sleep from our eyes; and although i will cherish these sweet moments, the inevitable is bound to happen. Ryan-still getting up in the dark and early and me-under the covers trying to drown out any noise he's making. Either way, this is an exciting new phase in our lives. I will make sure to appreciate this time.  

1. I'm grateful for my husband's job and his desire to take good care of us.

Since I've been getting up at 5:30, I haven't been going back to bed either. Luckily, I have my wonderful grandma who's awake downstairs who I get to go visit and watch tv with. Turns out the George Lopez show is on at 5:30, 6, and 6:30. I have never seen this show before until yesterday and to be honest, I would never sit and watch it on my own. But, my grandma L O V E S this show and i have N E V E R seen her laugh so much before. It is the cutest cutest cutest to hear her laughing so hard. and it's every 5 seconds too. Maybe one of these mornings i'll video tape it because it's S O worth sharing.

2. I'm grateful for my grandma and her contagious laughter.

catalina

it was our first time going to catalina island. it's an absolutely be-a-utiful island. depending on the time of year, here are some to-do's while visiting catalina.

i HIGHLY recommend renting a golf cart and driving around town. this is how the locals get around town and it's definately the easiest and cheapest way to see great views of the island. when you get to town, there are a few places to rent and they all charged the same, $40/hour. However, some will offer an incentive like pay for 2 hours, 3rd hour free......

they'll give you a map of different trails like certain view points and the botanical garden.

the casino

there is a small exhibit ($5) off the casino that has many pictures and history of the island. did you know marilyn monroe (norma jean during this time) lived on catalina before she became famous?

you can also take a tour ($20) of the casino that was built as catalina island was being developed. there is a G-I-A-N-T ballroom and movie theater.

and of course, being on an island, there's snorkeling, kayaking, parasailing, glass-bottom boats and more. :)

Disney

I heard a little girl tell her mother, "I w i s h we could stay the night..."
Disney really needs to look into setting up something like that. Now that would be sweet!

martin luther king jr monday

when I was in 6th grade i entered the school's speech contest. My speech was on Martin Luther King Jr. We had just finished learning about his life and knew he was the one i wanted to write about.  i started out by reciting his "i have a dream" speech. i remember reciting it in the same manor and voice as he did. i had to give my speech in front of the entire school i was so nervous that people would laugh at that part. A few did, but one of the "cool" boys came up to me afterwards and said it was his favorite part...

I went on to state and although i didn't take 1st, i did pretty well. :)

unfortunately, like other holidays, the meaning behind the day becomes lost. today, i will take a moment to reflect upon his life and achievements. I'm grateful for this man who made a difference. He knew what was right and fought for it.  It can be hard to do the right thing, even on your own. But its harder when so many people are outwardly fighting against you.

Thank you M.L.K.  Jr

Wickenburg, AZ

Loving the christmas tree in the front yard too. :)

On our drive to Vegas, we decided to break up the drive. Yes, a 5 hour drive had to be broken up.

 My biff's parents have a house here in Wickenburg which they allowed us to stay at. It was only supposed to be one night, but one night turned into two nights. It is a beautiful western town with the whole main street hot spots including ice cream parlors and saloons. Beautiful sunsets as well don't you agree? There's something so peaceful about this town. Their home is on the outside of town, nice and secluded and quiet. With all the windows in their house, it was hard to leave a view like this.

Change of Plans

So, you know how we were supposed to be moving to New Mexico? We were supposed to be leaving AZ this Monday but we found out a week ago that we are actually being transferred to P H O E N I X! Let's just say the change of plans has caused a wee bit of stress.. ok a lot of stress. We didn't contact our moving company before leaving on the cruise and they moved our stuff to New Mexico. NOW, not only is our stuff in a storage unit in a different state, but Ryan is also starting a week earlier than planned. We now have no belongings and no apartment.

Come what may and love it right? We will have to adjust our plans and make the most of being here in Phoenix. We have loved living in different states while being married. I was born and raised here but there are so many things I haven't seen here in AZ that we will definitely be making plans to visit this year... including the Grand Canyon. Sunnier days are coming our way! :)

Blinded by the light

We just got back from our 2 weeks of trips.

1. Hoover Dam and Vegas

2. L.A. and Disneyland

3. Cruise to Mexico

I was laughing at these pictures of us in front of Hoover Dam. This is what happens when you use a timer and are facing the sun. I have some of the most extremely sensitive eyes. I can't ever be outside with out feeling like I'm blinded by the sun. And when we are facing the sun trying to take a picture, I have to wait 2 seconds before the camera goes off and THEN open my eyes...not a second sooner. We had a little trouble getting a good picture because I had to turn my head away, but the last one turned out to be a winner.

More pictures to come.

Merry Monday on Sunday!

The family, hubs, and I are leaving for a cruise in the morning. So my Monday motivation will come one day early.....

One day, this will be framed in my home.

Strawberry Pie

I like to keep it simple, and if it's healthy too, then it's a double bonus.

-2 pkg vanilla jello-pudding (*low fat sugar free)

-1 pkg strawberry jello (*low fat sugar free)

-whipped cream (*low fat sugar free)

- pie crust (i used a pre-made sara lee pie crust, but there are

 healthier options for pie crusts. i just used what I had.)

1. add jello to pudding and cook on stove top according to pudding directions.

2. cook pie crust accordingly and allow pie crust to cool completely before pouring pudding onto crust

3. Place in fridge for 2 hours. Before serving, add cool whip and place in freezer for 10 minutes. 

4. Remove from freezer and add any desired toppings. 

We put dark chocolate shavings and macadamia nuts. 

Next time though, I'd do a graham cracker crust and sliced strawberries. :)

*healthier options. :) you can do it all sugar free or just a few. 

Musical Instrument Museum

There's something about museums that make you feel so grown up and cultured isn't there? The other week we went to the Phoenix Art Museum and for another family night out, we went the Musical Instrument Museum. They had different instruments from all over the world! I have to say, the United States section was pretty dang bare compared to other countries. I know this country is a melting pot and a combination of all other cultures but I wish we had more to offer than hip hop and rock. Let's just say the U.S. had a d.j. turn table and fender guitars. A little funny right?

I also have to confess, after seeing and hearing all the instruments, I've decided to brush up on my piano this year. I saw a piano that would be super fun to play on. When we finally have a home, I will buy a piano and paint it just like this.

Resolution

Yay! 366 days this year.
I'm still trying to accept the fact that last year is really over and the new year is really here. Ryan is starting his new job in 3 weeks. We are moving to new Mexico in 2 weeks. Its fun to reflect on what we have accomplished in 2011 which has been a lot. Here's a few of the highlights.

1. We lived in Hawaii for 4 months
2. Celebrated our 3 year anniversary
3. Ran my first and second half marathon
4. Our anniversary trip to Moab
5. Ryan graduated!
6. Ryan got 3 job offers
7. We accepted a job offer thats taking us to new Mexico for a year

This year I hope to continue trying new things and enjoying the heck out of life. I'm going to be more grateful for the blessings we receive and showing more appreciation for the little things in life that bring us happiness. Make 2012 count. :)

2012

My BEST girls from high school.

The last time we were all together, I think, was at my wedding over 3 years ago.
It's hard for us to all get together, especially since I'm hardly in Arizona. But when we finally got back together this past week, it's was like nothing had changed. We laugh at the same stupid things and talk until we fall asleep. These are the best girls. Thanks for a great night!

Oh, and HAPPY 2012!
last night was a mellow night, but perfect for me.
The hubby, biff, and family had lots of food, made a pie :) and played poker.
We finally got up from the table 1 minute before midnight to watch the ball drop on TV.
I have to be cheesy and say how superb 2011 was. We were extremely blessed and have so many GREAT MEMORIES and can't wait to see what this year will bring.

What's everyone's New Years Resolution?
I'm thinking of mine still...