Washington

Because I am from Washington I felt that I could personally cook Washington very accurately. As I was thinking of a meal I had several things come to mind:
1. Zips- but because there are no Zips or shake of the week around town that got bagged
2. Apples- now this should have been the go to, but we eat apples all the time and that felt really boring for my home town
3. Starbucks- This also should have been a go to, but we really can't enjoy too many things at Starbucks
4. Salmon/seafood- Alaska was higher on the salmon totem pole and so we did not do salmon.

So that left me with only one option for Washington

CHEAP CHICKEN AND PASTA SALAD!!!!!

 For those who many not understand, many years growing up my family would go take a picnic by the river and eat fried chicken from Albertsons. Some where in those years it became a tradition and we started calling it cheap chicken. We would take our chicken and fruit and pasta and whatever, set up a plate for the bees so they would leave our food alone (because FYI bees love meat) and then enjoy our picnic followed by a walk on the river.

And pasta salad. Past salad has been my favorite meal like forever. It has noodles, brocoli, pepperoni, olives, and tomatoes covered with cheese and italin dressing. The ideal way to have it is with nothing more and nothing less. I loved this so much I would take it to school, I would take it on camping trips when I needed a meal, and I would take it to any ward function or party when I needed a salad. I love this stuff so  very much.

So there you have it, to me there is nothing that says Washington like cheap chicken and pasta salad.
8 down 42 to go!

Oh Happy Day

Some moments in life can be hard, but its pictures like this that remind me that they are just moments and not lasting. I have such a wonderful family that I need to be grateful for every moment of every day.

April 24th day

One night last year, while we were brushing our teeth Ethan said "I wonder what I looked like exactly one year ago from this moment," and from that has come April 24th day. We picked a random date and took a picture right before dinner. This year we did it again. We are hoping that it turns into something that we always do every April 24th and who knows, it may turn into one of those wacky family traditions that everyone talks about at funerals but know one has a good reason as to why it is a tradition. Anyway, I have been thinking that as the kids get older if this day becomes a big deal in our house, but I haven't thought of reason to make it special. I think if that happens it will come as more kids come. As for right now we take a picture right before dinner on April 24th creating our own special holiday.

Massachusetts and Arizona

On Sunday I made a roast and so I was all set and ready for Monday to become Arizona night which is chimichangas. Unlike some states, there was absolutely no disagreeing that Arizona's meal was chimichangas. I only fried two of them because they don't sit well fried in the fridge, but the baked ones were alright too.

On Tuesday, we had Massachusetts which again was a state with a unanimous vote of New England Clam Chowder. I quickly made this one because hopefully we are getting into our spring weather and we don't eat soup when its hot. Technically soup season ended a few weeks ago, but I made an excepting for Massachusetts. The calm chowder was very runny which confused me because I followed the recipe exactly, but none the less it was still delicious.I don't think I'd make it again, but it was a good meal.

Life in twos

 

Today marked the two year anniversary of Ethan working for Overstock. We are very proud of this milestone because neither of us have ever worked somewhere for 2 consecutive years. We have always had school in the way, missions, or moving. This is the first time that we have been at the same job with no hiccup to mess up the timing. We celebrated by eating omelets (Ethan's favorite meal) and having chocolate ice cream with raspberries (Ethan's favorite dessert). Kelsey also made Ethan a really cute sign. We are just so proud of Ethan. He as learned so much and has worked so hard to provide for our family.

After celebrating we got to talking about Ethan's life the last two years and were realizing that he has been living his life by two years for the past 10 years. I will break it down:
Mission 2005-2007
Single School 2007-2009
Married schooling life 2009-2011
O.co 2011-2013
MBA 2013-2015

and after that who knows. Hopefully a house, hopefully another job, hopefully more kids. All we know is that the married life will continue for many two years increments to follow.

On top of work, Ethan is so dutiful to his callings and has a very service oriented mind. I don't think I have ever heard Ethan say no to anything. He is willing to help anyone at any time under any circumstance. Ethan is the most selfless person I know. He only wants to make sure that Kelsey and I are happy, that we as a family strive to be more like the Savior, and that we have fun as we improve our lives and the those around us daily. I love Ethan very much and am so grateful that he asked me to marry him. He is like a ray of sunshine that I can always count on.

Interior Design

We have reached the stage in life where all my decorating goes out the window and Kelsey takes things into her own hands. Luckily I had many pep talks before this stage so I was "ready." I baby proofed everything only to learn that I had actually baby proofed nothing. I wish I could have captured every moment because she has done some hilarious things, but here are a few to remember.

Playing under the sink...

Pulling off the books as fast as she can. I love this because when she hears me coming she just goes even faster....

 

This is actually just cute, but she hits the piano until we open it and then plays and plays and plays...

 

Rearranging our other book case... Seriously I turn my back for two seconds and this is what I find

 

Dumping over any box she can get a hold of...

  

And pulling clothes out of bins and drawers just to sit in the bins and drawers. Whenever I can't find her, she is in someones room or closet pulling clothes out of the bin/drawer and trying to climb inside. 

 

I have finally accepted that my house will always look like this as long as I have kids

If you notice the chair in front of the book case, the toy box in front of the stereo area, and the card table covering the cords.

 but its totally worth it! I mean look at that smile

Missouri

Kelsey LOVED Missouri! It was fried ravioli, but because the south has a lot of fried foods (okay ALL the suggestions for the South are fried) I decided to give our systems a break and bake the ravioli instead. Kelsey loved it and so did we. Good new for me, on every website that I looked at the only consistent food for Missouri was an ice cream cone! I LOVE ice cream cones and so naturally after dinner we got to have ice cream cones. Missouri all around just was fantastic.

 In other news Kelsey loves eggs....

 And my phone....

 And her cute Nike kicks!