The last part of our trip was spent in St. George with Ben’s family. We rented a house with a pool and man was it heaven! It was great spending time relaxing with family.
Well that’s it for our Utah trip. It was truly an answer to our prayers. Great time with great people. We wish it could have lasted longer but it will have to suffice until next year. We are so grateful to have come from such great families.
The next stage of our trip was a Romrell reunion. We played at my parents house for awhile and then packed up and camped at Cherry Hill for a few days. It went by way too fast and we wished we had more time. The kids had the time of their life. These few days were better than disneyland ever could be for them.
Side note: Kyle fell on the steps of the motorhome the day we got to Cherry Hill and chipped his front tooth in half. Sad day! Good thing he’s still super cute and it’s only his baby teeth.
Friday night I was able to get together with some of my old roommates. We missed several of our gang and wish they could have made it but you know how life is. We were lucky to get five of us together. I love these girls so much. College was a true highlight of my life. I wouldn’t have changed a thing about it! College shaped me. I became ME. On top of missing these girls I miss how much I used to laugh. That night when we got talking we all admitted that we aren’t as funny as we used to be and we miss that part of us. We all used to be hilarious! It’s true.
Love you girls if you are reading this!! Thanks for making me laugh.
p.s. Lisa thanks for letting us chill at your house!
Last week we got back from one of the best vacations we have ever had. We have been saving up and also looking forward to this trip for over 18 months now. In the days leading up to the trip there were dinners that were intrupted by “Utah, Utah” chants. Yes that’s how excited we were!
We were able to spend 10 days in Utah. They were jam backed with seeing as much family as possible. Here was our iterary:
Thursday: Leave house at 4 am VA time, arrive in Utah 11 am UT time. Nap. BBQ with Ben’s cousins.
Friday: Hang out with my fam. Ben fix families cars and motorhome. Roommate reunion for me.
Saturday: Drive to Burley and spend day with Ben’s grandma and cousins.
Sunday: Still in Burley. Visit Ben’s other grandparents and uncle. Drive back to Utah.
Monday: Set up camp at Cherry Hill Water park with my family. Parents surprise anniversary party.
Tuesday: Swim, Swim, Swim! (Cherry Hill Water Park)
Wednesday: Still at Cherry Hill. Rock climb, batting cages etc. Pack up and leave. Go flying with my dad.
Thursday: Drive to St. George with Ben’s family. Swim!!
Friday: Swim, Swim, Swim. 5th Wedding Anniversary. Tuachan theatre to see show Aladdin.
Saturday: Swim, Swim, Swim. Iron Chef competition!
Sunday: Drive back to Salt Lake. Visit with my parents one last time.
Monday: Fly home.
(If you read all that I’m impressed. It was for journaling purposes.)
Now on to the exciting things. The pictures!!
IDAHO TRIP
After the tractor ride Hallie got a private tour of the dairy that Ben’s uncles own.
We loved our visit to Idaho. We wish we could have stayed longer. The great thing is that just by going to church we saw everyone in Ben’s extended family. They all go to the same church house! It was very convenient for us. 🙂
Those of you who know me well know that I love camping. I jump at any chance we get to go. Ben was more than accommodating when I asked if we could go over memorial weekend. We decided to head towards West Virginia and camp at the George Washington Forest. We lucked out and got a great spot. It was secluded and away from all the other campers. It was also near a lake with a little beach area. Talk about heaven-camping and the beach! We all had a great time and can’t wait to go camping again!
On Saturday we spent the day at the beach. The water was full of tadpoles which fascinated the kids. Hallie was able to catch several of them and trap them in the moat around her castle.
Oh camping we love you!
Last week I made a pot of black beans the old fashioned way and I have been eating them constantly. This week I wanted to spice them up a bit by adding them in a recipe rather than just eat them over rice. Here are two recipes I made today. They are fantastic and vegan. This is my second time making them so they are tried and true!
Zucchini, Black Bean, and Rice Skillet
1 Tb oil
1 1/2 cups sliced zucchini
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1 can black beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup rice
1/2 cup shredded chedder and m. jack cheese (Omit these if vegan)
Cook rice separately. (Once rice is finished I start the rest of the meal) Heat oil in large skillet. Add zucchini and bell pepper. Cook 5 min. Add beans, undrained tomatoes and cooked rice. Sprinkle with cheese (or not) and enjoy! Here is the link to where I found the recipe. There are a few differences.
Chunky Avocado Salsa
2 medium tomatoes
2 avocados
1 cup sweet white corn
1 bushel green onions
1 can of black beans (drained)
Garlic pepper
Garlic salt
Parsley
Hot Sauce to taste
Mix everything together but avocados. Add them last and gently stir. Serve with chips. Here is the link to where I found the recipe.
I had a wonderful Mother’s Day again this year. I am so blessed to be the mom of these two little lovers. They require me to be so much more than I ever thought I could be. They challenge and stretch me and teach me what life is all about. Last night I read a quote that really struck me from one of my church leaders Elder M. Russell Ballard. He said, “God is the Father of us all and has extended to us the privilege of our own family, which was previously only his, to help us become more like him.” I will forever be grateful for the opportunity and privilege God has given me to be a mom.
This past Saturday we went for a boat ride in D.C. It was a fun little outing that Hallie requested we do much more. Here are some pictures of our adventure.
Yesterday we went with our neighbors to a nearby strawberry farm. The kids were so excited to go to a farm and pick strawberries. I know that they have a big part of their dad’s “farm love” in them. One day we will own a big plot of land and call it a “farm” but until then we pay to visit and pick food that someone else grew. $20 bucks gone but a memory made, cute pictures taken, and a tummy full of the best tasting strawberries I have ever had. We ate just as many as we put in our bucket. And today, the day after, we have homemade jam and fresh strawberries still to eat. Life is good.
We had a little easter egg hunt in our backyard after naps.
