Pioneer Day, cont'd.

For our "getaway" we spent the night at Grandpa and Grandma's the 23rd and ending up spending all of Pioneer Day with them. It was definitely the most memorable and fun one I've had!

The day started off by Grandma making us a delicious breakfast. (She is a an excellent cook and hostess.) Then we headed up to Ogden to see a parade float that our Aunt Jolynn had helped to make... as well as our cousin Libby who was one of the carrots :0)

Afterward we ducked into Arby's for some shade and air conditioning and to get a bite to eat. It was Brie's first time using a restaurant booster chair...crazy how fast she is growing up!Grandpa was so sweet to share his lemonade with Brie. He'd "siphon it" into a straw and then pour it into her mouth...she looked like a little hungry bird with her mouth wide open :0)

From there we headed up to see a beautiful home near Weber State's campus that Grandpa and Grandma own. Several years ago Grandpa helped his father build it, so it holds a lot of sentimental value for him. Today they have people who rent it...so they visit often to maintain the house and yard.

Next, as I already posted about, they took us to get icrecream cones at Farr's. Yum! (Cherry chocolate chip, Keebler Grasshopper and Pistachio were the flavors of choice.)

To finish off the day we went to Rod and Jolynn's in Layton for a BBQ. What a GREAT way to spend the holiday...with family!

Pi-o-neer: One that goes before, showing the others the way to follow.

Just a thought or two on pioneers: My dad is a pioneer in our family; he was the first to join the church in his family and is still the only member. How grateful I am for the sacrifices he made AND continues to make to be a member of the church and to have raised us in the gospel.

On my mom's side, the Robertsons, we have ancestors who travelled from various countries and who crossed the plains...motivated by faith and tesimony. I honestly can't imagine the hard, HARD circumstances they lived in, but how grateful I am for their courage and their faith. (My mom has definitely carried on that tradition of faith and courage and determination!)

In a way we are all pioneers.

As we turn away from past and poor ways of doing things we forge ahead into new territory. I hope that in our little family Bryan and I can be pioneers for our children...that we can turn from any patterns and habits and traditions that are not becoming and choose a better way. How grateful I am for a Savior that makes that possible and who will walk with us every step of the way.

(Click link below to watch a short video clip on Pioneers.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2rV0ey6Op0

First Quarterly Getaway.

So a few months ago while driving back from Salt Lake City, Bryan and I decided that we wanted to make it a priority to do quarterly getaways.

(Since we're saving up for grad school and on a bit of a tight budget we thought that 2 of those times could be a more low-key, change of scenery option...spending the night away from home but bringing Brie along with us. And then twice a year saving up for something more extravagant...a bed & breakfast or such, just the two of us.)

So this last week we had our first "change-o-scenery-getaway."

It was my turn to plan...

Grandpa and Grandma Steveson were wonderful, as always, to welcome us with open arms. They watched Brie and put her to bed while we headed downtown for a little evening out, just the two of us.

First stop was the Garden Restaurant on Temple Square. We had yummy fruit smoothies and pita chips with artichoke dip to start us off.

Our main dishes weren't super fancy but were fun. Western hamburger for Bry and a beef dipper for me. Pretty darn good and great presentation :0)

Us outside the the Joseph Smith Memorial Buidling snagging a few quick pictures together. Wahoo! ;0)

Next we were off to the temple to do sealings. What a special time. (How grateful I am for a husband who values attending the temple and was excited to hear that that was what I had planned for our "activity.")

We finished off the evening by going to Hatch Family Chocolates for some delicious chocolates, of course, and a mango & coconut italian soda. So fun!

(If you haven't ever been there check it out. They're basically on 4th and 4th in the Avenues.)

In any case, we had a great getaway, in large part to wonderful grandparents who made it possible! Next post I'll finish updating about Pioneer Day. Til then :0)

Pioneer Day.

I think this was one of the funnest most memorable Pioneer Days I have celebrated, thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Stevenson! Having ice cream cones at Farr's Ice Cream parlor in Ogden was just one of the many fun happenings of the day. More to come.

Our new date night craze...

During busy season Bryan was often out of town during the week so we wanted to make sure to really make the most of our weekly date nights. We started getting into dinner competitions (one person had the main course and the other person had the dessert) which eventually led to our latest craze... doing international evenings :0)

Last Friday I did a German theme

(in honor of Bry's mission--Berlin).
A cabbage dish. Bratwurst. Boiled potatoes. Sparkling apple juice. Traditional cookies.

Saturday Aunt Elaine and Uncle Bob

came over for French themed meal.

Chilled cucumber soup. Parisienne Salad. Shepherd's Pie. Homemade baguettes. Crêpes.

We had some fun "parisien café" music playing in the background with a slideshow of my pictures from France. Bob and Elaine added an extra fun touch with their little French phrases, "Bonjour", "Merci", "Bon Soir", etc.

AND last night our good friends Ben and Ashley were
over for a Far East Indian themed evening.
(While doing our Saturday cleaning I noticed one of my silk scarves in my closet and realized that I could pull together some items from around the house to decorate and add to the ambience of the evening. With a little Bollywood music from Pandora.com we were set!)

Raita. Yummy yogurt/almond drink. Curry Chicken. Green Beans. Coconut & Spices Rice. Mango slush. Indian cookies.

Ben and Ashley made the drinks and main dish and Bry and I made the appetizer and desserts. The kitchen was bustling and a bit small for 4 cooks, but the smells from the different dishes were AMAZING! We finished the evening off by watching a Sri Lankan film, "A Peck on the Cheek." We all had SUCH a great time!

Today in Sacrament, in honor of the upcoming Pioneer Day, the speakers spoke about their ancestors who had travelled from various countries to be in Zion. It dawned on me that we could theme our international evenings around our ancestors' native lands...try our hand at their cuisine, listen to some "native" music and share journal entries/stories about the lives that they led. Cool idea, eh? I need to ponder and brainstorm a bit more, but I think we're on to something. What a great way to get more excited about family history :0)

Chocolate Soufflé.

Definition: [soo-FLAY] A light, airy mixture that usually begins with a thick egg yolk-based sauce or puree that is lightened by stiffly beaten egg whites. Soufflés may be savory or sweet, hot or cold. (Source: The New Food Lover's Companion, Secon Edition, by Sharon Tyler Herbst)

The other night Bryan and I decided it was time to try out a new dessert. We skimmed through the Mayo Clinic Recipe Book (thanks to Aunt Elaine!) and found an awesome recipe for Chocolate Soufflé. We invited Tim down to help us out since he is very gifted with cooking. (He is considering Culinary Art School in the future.)

(Tim garnishing my soufflé.)

Et Voilà! A beautiful chocolate soufflé. Delicious :0)

Growing up TOO quickly!

Yesterday I was reading a post (by my dear friend Rebecca) about how it's bitter sweet to watch her little girl grow up. Man, I feel the same way about Brie!!

Last month my brother and sister-in-law, Julie and Walt, welcomed their first little child into their family, Isaac.
Seeing Brie, almost 7 months old, meeting new baby Isaac was quite something.

How much she has grown up since December!

She's doing all those little things I frequently envisioned her someday doing when she was "older".
Eating solids...

(cauliflower all over her face. Wasn't a big hit. But let's be honest, how many people really LOVE cauliflower?! :0))

(Aunt Rachie feeding Brie carrots....for some reason she likes to suck her thumb between each bite. I have no idea why, but it seems to work for her!)

(Brie and her daddy after eating peas.)

(One of my friends gave me the great idea of blending up food and freezing in ice cube trays. It has worked SO well! 10 for $10 frozen vegetables at Smith's has afforded Brie many a healthy meal :0))

Kneeling down and playing with toys...
Standing up (while holding onto things) and sitting down...

WOW! Our little girl is growing up....she's already 7 months old!

(as old as she gets EVERY day I still feel like I have SO much to learn about parenting! Wowsers :0) But, it's good. It keeps me humble and teachable and brings adventure to each and every day!)

6 juillet 2005

Four years ago today I entered the Provo MTC (Missionary Training Center) as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I couldn't help but dedicate a post to the WONDERFUL 9 weeks I spent there!

I think one of my greatest blessings there was having Soeur Britta Briskey as my companion! In spite of LONG days of classes, hot Summer weather, phone calls at the Referral Center, and a rigorous schedule she somehow made the whole experience feel carefree and fun!

I'll never forget walking (and sometimes skipping :0)) around the MTC grounds humming our favorite hymns --making fun collages to send to family and friends --finding ourselves locked out of our room on several occasions--getting giddy over daily letters and packages--learning fun facts about Québec--bearing our testimonies in French--singing in the Sunday evening choir (until we realized that naps were more important :0))--celebrating Soeur Briskey's birthday with a unicorn pinata--soaking up the amazing missionary spirit that is there--singing "Lead Kindly Light" (in French) for our branch--loving when the cafeteria served Tater Tot Casserole and just thoroughly enjoying preparing to serve in the Canada Montréal Mission!

Thank you Bricky! I'll forever feel blessed that you were my MTC companion!

What does FREEDOM mean to me?

Yesterday morning I decided to take a moment and write down some of the freedoms that I am grateful for. I was quickly reminded of the many things I take for granted...the freedom to: live in peace, walk down the street with my baby without fear of being hurt, live my religious convictions, state my opinion, travel, study what I enjoy...

While pondering freedom the thought came to me that we may live in a free country but not feel "free." For instance our weaknesses and trials may burden and weigh us down to the point that we feel in bondage emotionally, mentally or spiritually. We may feel trapped by bad habits, addictions, insecurities, pride, appetites, doubts, fears, etc.

How grateful I am that through the Lord's mercy and love and the tutelage of the spirit I can be made free from my personal weaknesses.

Today in church we stood and sang the Star-Spangled Banner. I was touched by the last verse...

"Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation! Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"

May we always remember who it is who keeps us free.

(My cousin Tyler started getting interested in photography about a year ago and was so nice to take some 4th of July family picturs for us. Here is one of my favorites. Thanks Ty!)

Some of the highlights of the day for me were...

discussing freedom with Bry

Diane & Liz's delicious marbled cheesecake

Julie & Walt's homemade strawberry icecream

Bryan's baked beans

Tyler telling me about photography and taking some family pictures for us

catching up with family

and Rach's H3 firework display

(She took a remote control Hummer 3,

covered it in tin foil, put a pie tin on top,

strapped fireworks on, lit them and drove

the whole contraption around our street.

It was AWESOME! Entertainment, Rachel style :0))

In any case, Bry, Brie and I had a great Independence day! We spent the afternoon with his immediate family and the evening with my immediate and extended family. Lots of good food, chatting and watching fireworks!

No matter which way you look at it...

( I love this little picture of Brie. 1) Because she's sticking out her tongue and 2) because she ressembles my grandma Barbara JOYCE...who she was named after.)

I have more to post from yesterday, but for now so just want to wish you a belated Independence Day!