What have we been up to?

There is a pattern of long drawn out periods of time between my posts. The fact of life is that it never seems to slow down. In fact, I want time to slow down even more now that Brayden is almost 4 months old and growing every day. He can roll over on to his stomach now with ease. He even plays on his stomach for a few minutes every now and then (before he gets grumpy or throws up...). He smiles and giggles and genuinely loves me. So I don't mind having to turn him back onto his back every couple of minutes. :)

So what have we been up to the past couple of months? Well, we keep busy running errands and the general upkeep but we have been working on a few projects. We planted a garden that is doing rather well as of right now. The slugs and snails that plagued us last year had to face the wrath of the slug-go this year. We have a healthy looking row of green beans and sugar snap peas. We are also trying our hand at a couple of tomato plants and planted a little herb garden with two types of chives, cilantro and rosemary. (we have now used chives and cilantro in dinners!) The raspberry bush that we planted last year is giving a good go after being buzzed down in the spring and our little strawberry plant is growing quickly and we have 3 little strawberries starting to form! :) It is quite fulfilling to have our plant survive so far. I get a thrill when I realize that I can go out and harvest some fresh chives for our potatoes or the cilantro for the enchiladas. Our garden will continue to grow as we learn a little more about this whole green-thumb business.

We took Brayden to his first movie in the theaters the other day. Cars 2 just seemed to be the ticket. He was very good through the whole thing (he only got hungry once). For the first while he just sat on my lap and watched the screen... it was kinda cute. I really liked the movie and we have already put it on our list of movies that we will own someday.

I'm working on some crafting projects and dabbling here and there with some ideas. I have stumbled across the new site Pinterest and have fallen in love. I admit I'm a tad addicted... But I have come across some great ideas that I am going to spend my summer working on. :)

I have also been experimenting in the kitchen. We have tried a few recipes that have been truly amazing! Its been fun to incorporate some variety into our diets. That being said, here's my plug for you to go over to What's Cooking? to check out what we've been up to in the kitchen.

Can you believe that July is already upon us?! I can't... Will post soon. *cross fingers*

Deals to meals

I have stumbled across this amazingly wonderful place where money can be saved on good food... :) Deals to Meals is a site that scans the deals to be found in the grocery stores and lets you know without you having to spend the time... it also shares a meal menu using your deals to save you money while you feed your family with taste and style. :) They have an awesome blog too so check it out through their button on my side bar. Or click here. Just thought I should share! :)

Today's post is brought to you by the letter...

for Valentine, Very busy, vegetable, vain, volume, virtue, vitamin, vest, vacation, vase, view, venture, vanilla, vowel, voice, verb, video... there's a long list and I'm sure you can think of a few more...

Its been a Very long time since the last life update. So much has happened that its hard to determine just how much to reveal. For the most part life has been centered around school. I've had 9 tests in the last three weeks. 4 major projects in those same weeks, as well as 50 5pg papers to grade, a surprise party (for my hubby) to plan, LOST to record, the SuperBowl, Valentines Day to celebrate, and Presidents Day full of activity. That was just the stuff that doesn't count normal homework, quizzes to take online, FHE, and the laundry and dishes that were piling up to the point of suffocation.

But I made it to live this week. I've caught up basically on the laundry and dishes(with the help of my wonderful husband) and I even managed to enjoy a few of the days the past few weeks.

Bryce's surprise party rocked! He had no idea what I was planning until after work that night. (and for him, that is hard to do) I had him pick me up after class and head over to the Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Then we stopped at Kohls to get him a jacket for his birthday and headed home for a (what he thought) romantic night that I had set up for him. I was amazed at how silent 20 people could be. When we got home it was like no one was there and the surprise was rather loud. (almost like the movies!) He wasn't prepared for the second surprise I had waiting for him in the bedroom (don't worry its not what you are thinking).

For quite some time now we've had a running joke about getting a puppy. Both of would really like one (me more than him right now) but we are not allowed to have pets at the house we live in right now. One night Bryce exclaimed that at the rate I was going with this, I would be getting him a dog for his birthday. Thus my devious plan was born. I continued to play it as a joke, but was also partly serious. I contacted his Aunt who had a little Yorkie that she let me borrow for a day. We brought her home to surprise him at his party. He didn't think I would follow through, but I can be devious when I want to be. :)

Valentine's Day this year was dragged over three days... so that was kinda nice. It is our first Valentine's day together (married). On Saturday we made an appearance at the stake dance that was put on by our BYU Married stake. There was a live band, delicious refreshments, and a photo booth with fun props to take our pictures with. We danced around until the place was so packed you could really only wiggle. We went home and Bryce chose to watch Enchanted (a real sacrifice for me). Sunday we spent with my family. Bryce and Dad made meatballs and marinara sauce from scratch. Ben made bread sticks. Mom and I were in charge of desert, so we made individual chocolate and raspberry trifles for everyone. It was all so delicious and it was fun to have Grandma and Linda there to celebrate with us too! If you are interested in pictures/ recipes for this delicious dinner, click here.

Monday was a rather fun day. I had to get up early to finish grading papers, but at 10:30 we went to see the Lightning Thief with my family. I really enjoyed the movie (although I still really like the book). We went home to get a little more done, we dressed up and headed for Park City. Our plan was to meet Bryce's brother and his wife up at the Stein Erickson lodge for dinner (we had both received a gift card to there for Christmas). It was easily one of the nicest restaurants that I've ever been to. I can now say that I have had quail, grilled pear, Mediterranean sea bass (with a butter caviar sauce... interesting), and chocolate nibs. :) Bryce had lamb, there was duck, veal, black forest cake... and it was all delicious! Thanks mom and dad LeBaron for a wonderful time!

Anyway, life is still on the fast track with school and work, but we are enjoying our time together and are loving married life. Its always an adventure when you have someone you love to be with. (I know, my posts are a little mushy lately, I'll try to fix that...)

The Recipe Box is getting bigger...

I do not know how many know about my little recipe blog I created a few months ago. It has been a great source for me and some of my roommates, but I am now expanding it to my family. I am trying to set up an Internet family recipe box for any who want to participate... if you might be interested in joining up click here. Read the instructions and we'll see you in the kitchen! :)