mad about madewell

I'm lusting over Madewell's spring looks. Check them out on their blog.

grateful

Some days I wake up and my heart is so full of gratitude. Life presents challenges but each of us is blessed daily in so many ways. It's overwhelming to step back and see just how much we've been given. Like my mom has said so many times, my heart is truly smiling.

happy birthday steele

I can’t believe my little brother Steele turned 13 last Friday! My little brother is growing up to be not so little! Words cannot describe how much I love that boy. There is no one you can cheer you up faster, put a bigger smile on your face, or make you laugh when it’s the last thing you want to do. He is a bundle of joy in our world and we are so thankful to have him in our lives. He’s the baby in the family, but seems to take care of us all.  He is easily the coolest kid I’ve ever met and has no problem talking to anyone or speaking his mind. There is never a dull moment with him, most notably when taking pictures. 

I’m so thankful to have my little buddy in my life. Happy birthday Steele! 

easter

Last week was filled with sports and I couldn’t have been happier. Tuesday night Mike had a basketball game, Wednesday he had a football game, Thursday I worked the BYU baseball game, Friday I worked the BYU men’s tennis match all day followed by another generous night out at the Jazz game courtesy of Mike’s boss, Saturday morning Mike had a basketball game before I enjoyed the sun all day at the men’s tennis match for work. And of course we supported our favorite NBA teams, the Heat and Thunder, during their games. Talk about a hard decision to know who to rout for when they played each other!

Ever since I saw the Hunger Games I’ve been dying to read the books. I really liked the movie, and a book is always better than its movie! I ordered the set and finished all three over the weekend. I think Mike was bored during those couple of days because every spare minute I had you could find me glued to my books. I love to read and it’s been so long since I’ve read anything besides a school book. I’m trying to figure out what book to read next. There’s nothing better than reading a book outside during summer.

We had a wonderful Easter! Alexis sang a beautiful rendition of “I Stand All Amazed” during her sacrament. I love the words of that hymn! I love Easter and remembering my Savior’s Atonement and that He lives. There are so many wonderful talks on the Atonement, but one that stands out to me is “But for a Small Moment” by Elder Neal A. Maxwell. He gave it awhile back at a BYU devotional. A friend showed it to me last fall and I haven’t stopped being drawn to it. I missed being with my family this Easter but am grateful to have a wonderful family here. 

conference

Another great weekend for us! I got to enjoy the amazing weather all day Friday watching the BYU women's tennis match... and had a bright red face and tan lines to show for it. It was the first time in awhile that I can remember actually getting burnt, because of my darker skin. But that's what happens after a lack of sun all winter and being outside for five hours straight. My hands were even burnt! I loved it though and can't wait for the men to play this Friday and Saturday. After the match, Mike called me and said his boss gave us tickets to the Jazz/Kings game. We were so excited because we hadn't been yet this year and we love basketball (and every other sport for that matter), especially when we get to cheer on BYU's very own Jimmer.

Saturday we enjoyed two wonderful sessions of general conference. I loved Elder Packer's talk on families and children, Elder Oaks on sacrifice, and President Eyring's on the foundation of our faith. And of course Elder Holland's was a favorite. I can't wait to read all the talks on lds.org. 

While Mike was at priesthood, Alexis and I had dinner with Mike's grandma. After, Alexis and I enjoyed Red Mango before I went and practiced piano. I'm determined to be good one of these days... still waiting on that day to come though! 

Heaven on earth!

Sunday we went to the Weekes' house (we missed them while they were in St. George!) and watched conference with Tanner. I loved President Uchtdorf's and Elder Rasband's talks! Mike's aunt and uncle had us over for the yummiest dinner Sunday night! His cousins LOVE playing with him. Mike's going to make the best dad. 

The basketball star had another game last night, and of course they won. They're moving onto the elite 8 and I don't think anyone can stop them. "Cash Money" (yes, their team name kills me) has a football game tonight too. I work the BYU baseball game Thursday night and then the men's tennis matches Friday and Saturday. I'm loving all these sports! Have a wonderful Wednesday! 

banana bread

It's been a great first half of the week! The BYU women's tennis team had a home match yesterday so I got to enjoy that all day! I love that the matches are outside now. Mike had a BYU intramural basketball game last night, and once again... they dominated. His team is so good, which makes watching the games even more fun. After his game, we went to dinner with the Weekes family at our favorite place, Outback. I love getting together with everyone, we have a great time. Especially with cute little Gwen running around! That girl is an absolute doll. McKenzie told me the first thing she said when she woke up from her nap Sunday was, "Where's Whitney?" Talk about making my heart melt!

UVU intramural football started last week, the boys won their first game and have another one tonight. I love basketball, but football is where my heart belongs :) So happy my athletic hubby is great at both. Their games get me excited for Fall!

I made cinnamon banana bread last night, it was really good! I posted this picture on my Instagram and some friends asked for the recipe. Here it is!

Cinnamon Banana Bread:

For the bread:
- 3 over-ripe bananas, smashed up
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp baking soda
- dash of salt
- 1 1/2 cups flour

For the cinnamon "swirl":
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 Tbs cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour a loaf pan. You can use a 9x5 or I used three smaller ones. Keep a close eye on it in the oven and adjust the time as needed.
2. Mix bananas, butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla together. Sprinkle baking soda and salt around on top of the banana mixture. Then gently stir in flour. Be careful not to over-mix!
3. In a small dish, mix together 1/3 cup sugar and 1 Tbs cinnamon.
4. Add 1/2 of the batter to the loaf pan and then sprinkle half (or a little more, it tastes better IN the bread than on top) of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the batter in the pan. Add the rest of the batter, and then sprinkle the leftover cinnamon-sugar on top.
5. Bake for 50-60 minutes (for a 9x5) and 35-40 minutes for the smaller pans. I did mine for 40 minutes but it probably could have been taken out a little earlier.

Enjoy! I'm off to my piano lesson, I'm hoping one day I have something to show for it. When your parents encourage you to take lessons when you're younger, do it! (Sorry mom!) It's so much easier than learning now. It takes a lot of practice, but I enjoy it. There's something so beautiful about music! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

weekend

This weekend couldn't have been better! The weather is warming up and that's a sure way to bring a smile to my face! I love summer. Our friend rented out a theater at the new Thanksgiving Point Megaplex for the Hunger Games movie and invited us. They recently redid the place and it's so nice! I haven't read the books but will definitely be reading them now! Saturday, I worked the BYU women's tennis match while Mike and Trygve went golfing. The weather was perfect and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to play tennis and BBQ. Tryg cooks the best tri-tip! I love spending time with my sister and Tryg. On Sunday, we had the special blessing of going to Preston's (Mike's cousin) son Everett's baby blessing. What a sweet experience to be a part of! Sunday kept getting better as we kidnapped our niece Gwen and took her home with us. On the way home, Mike thought it would be fun to teach Gwen to drive. I can't wait to see the many fun things he decides to teach our kids :) Sunday night I went to my old apartment and it was so nice to be back! I got to catch up with the most amazing girl in the world - Whitney Floisand. I couldn't ask for a more amazing friend and example. She lights up every room she walks into and always has a smile on her face. It's impossible to be anything but happy around her. I hope to do as much good in the world as she does! Can't wait for another amazing week.

1.12.12 {wedding}

Thank you Christine Olson for amazing pictures!

For a little more on my wedding, view 'a real life fairy tale'.

little piece of heaven

In honor of getting our wedding pictures back any day, here are some pictures from our honeymoon. Mike took me to the most beautiful place - Kauai. For the first half of our trip, we stayed at the Grand Hyatt (with the most incredible pools you'll ever see!) in Poipu (on the south side of the island) and spent the second half in Princeville at the St. Regis (north island). The two sides of the island are so different so we were happy to be able to enjoy both. The south is home to the world-famous Poipu Beach while there is nothing that compares to the breathtaking views of the north and its Napali Coast. Mike spoiled me with a Hawaiian Luau, horseback riding to a beautiful waterfall, and a helicopter ride I'll never forget. We loved traveling into town every night to our favorite little restaurants and taking in as much fresh fish as we could. It was the perfect trip and just what we needed after a busy winter. We can't wait to go back!

What a hunk!

sugar cookies

My best friend Sky Sefcik came to Provo for the weekend and my sister and I couldn't have been happier! The three of us have grown up together since birth - she's a sister to me! Her and her husband live in Texas and we love every chance we get to see them. We're hoping they move back soon :) We always have so much fun, there's never a dull moment!

When the three of us get together, we love to bake. My sister makes the BEST cookies and cupcakes you'll ever taste. She has a great sugar cookie recipe but had been wanting to try a new frosting. To say the least, it definitely passed the test! These were so good!

Here are the links to the recipes: sugar cookies & frosting (we used almond extract instead of vanilla)