How About A Picnic Basket?

31 May 2010

A couple wonderful things about living in Idaho is we have parents close by and the beautiful Yellowstone National Park. It was my first time to visit the wild animals and we had a wonderful time.

This guy takes up his own lane on the road. I could have reached my hand out the window to pet him.

Don't feed the animals your Fiber One bars. Just Darien.

Me getting really into the mud pots.

This is just a natural wonder in our backyard? Beautiful.

Eric finally joining in on the fun and getting excited about Old Faithful.

The Fantastic Weekend Crew

30 May 2010

Emma wanted to take head shots for her resume tape, so I decided we needed a photo of the weekend gang. I was so lucky to work in my first position with these wonderful ladies. Alyssa Chin is now working in Colorado Springs, Emma Jade is in Phoenix (watch out for her on NBC) and one day we'll all meet up in NY, right? Go weekends!

Blinded By the Light

29 May 2010

This is the real reason we go to Phoenix. So shiny white boy can get a tan and Bailey has a friend. Oh how we miss the sun.

Mr. America Graduates

28 May 2010

Ramsey graduating from High School was just the next step, but being there to celebrate Mr. America and his exit from Desert Vista High School was still pretty epic.

Look at this proud mother. She stood up for all of the seminary kids too. Poor guy in the back who can't see a thing over our huge sign.

We brought the flags, embroidered Mr. America backpacks and Ramsey trading cards from Idaho. For the trading cards we printed off a series of his senior pictures so we could hand them out to all his friends.

The graduates. I can't wait until I see this kid running for office in a bow tie.

A fun surprise! Running in to our favorite security guard, Walt.

Sprinkles Inspiration

27 May 2010

For a wedding gift, my wonderful friend Dorian gave us a cupcake pan and the famous Sprinkles cupcake mix. We decided it would be a fun evening activity to give cupcakes a shot. They were delicious! I was a mean wife though and only let Eric eat one. The rest we wrapped up and delivered to neighbors and family. They loved them. We even wrapped some up and took them in the airplane with us to Phoenix so the Carroll family could try. Cupcake making is now our new favorite hobby. I bake. Eric eats.

Growing Spuds

18 May 2010

Despite the fact that farmers in Idaho grow so many potatoes that they have to throw them away, you aren't a real Idahoan until you get in your backyard and dig in the earth to grow some of your own spuds. Fortunately, the Laird family has a garden plot in their backyard and Mom Laird has a green thumb.

If you can't tell, I was pretty excited it was warm enough to take my shoes off and give gardening a try. My first attempt was in 5th grade when I grew carrots and radishes in the backyard. The carrots didn't even grow as long as my pinky and the radishes were about the size of a nickel. Arizona and Idaho soil don't even compare.

Is this a picture or what?

Glamorous Birthday

12 May 2010

After the weekend was said and done, and my actual birthday rolled around all we wanted to do was hang out in our pajamas. That didn't stop Eric from giving me the pearl necklace. And I couldn't resist trying them on with the earrings Dad gave me over the weekend. Flannel and pearls. So classy.

Mother and Me Celebration

9 May 2010

Being born on Mother's Day has its benefits when your Mom decides to visit. Eric threw me a surprise birthday the night they drove in town and we spoke in church on Sunday, so it ended up being a full weekend of fun. The best part was everyone sitting around the table on Sunday to eat lunch and talk to Rique and Robert on the phone from their missions.

A new ottoman for our cute red chair. How my parents got that on the airplane? Not quite sure.

The family flew in to SLC then drove up to Idaho Falls. Unfortunately, they took the long route to Boise first. Well, they didn't get all the way to Boise before they realized it was the wrong highway. Ramsey didn't even drive, but he didn't last long.

The family came to the station to check out KIFI Local News 8. Naturals.

Everyone thought it was pretty funny that I wear boots to attach my mic and IFB packs. Red star cowboy boots are totally Idaho Falls classy.

Mom and I making Mother's Day lunch.

Probably the most memorable moment of the weekend was when my mom pulled out an antique American flag from her suitcase, Ramsey pulled out his bow tie and they asked me to get out my camera. We headed to the hills of Idaho Falls with our red leather chair, Eric's makeshift flag suspension system and we had Ramsey's senior picture photo shoot.

Ramsey is clearly a handsome fellow and I have hundreds of shots of him looking like the next Presidential candidate, but everyone seemed to enjoy the other moments as well, especially the intense set design crew that had to run flags and arm chairs to and from the side of the road to get the perfect shots.

Everything's Better with Butter

4 May 2010

Or as Eric would say, "Butta." We love our Julia Child cookbook and love the movie, which Eric patiently watched with me one night. This is our first full French meal: Supremes de Volaille a l'Ecossaise (Chicken Breasts with Diced Aromatic Vegetables and Cream), Pointes D'Asperges au Beurre (Buttered Asparagus Tips) and Pommes de Terre Sautees (Potatoes Sauteed in Butter). Every recipe came out of the book and complete with a pound of butta.

A Date

12 April 2010

Bad cellphone images, but it is a rare day when someone comes to eastern Idaho to perform. Eric took me to the ISU Performing Arts Center to see Colbie Caillat so I could get my live music fix.

Hello Baby!

6 April 2010

Moving to a new ward means making new friends. Kelli, my visiting teaching companion, and I hosted a baby shower for one of our friends we visit, Leticia. It was somewhat of a stretch for how small our apartment is and for how many friends and family Leticia has, but we had a packed house and a great time.

The spread. Learned from my mother, good food keeps people happy, especially if it looks pretty. The best part was the make your own strawberry shortcake station.

Eric is such a good husband and let me buy this beautiful hydrangea plant and pot.

Kelli came prepared with some super fun and simple games. In this one, everyone tried to draw a baby on their paper plate without looking.

Leticia left very prepared for her first little girl, who she named Natalie!

Just one little perk of hosting is getting to keep the fresh flowers and goodies out on your table to share.