Gems of Provo

Chad had Friday night off this weekend (still getting used to having my husband at work all day Saturday and one night of the weekend), so we got together with our good friends the Brandleys. I decided that it was a celebration of the gems of Provo.

Gem #1 Good Friends

You know, the kind where you can just crash on their couch and just talk about life.

Gem #2 Brandley Chicken Curry

Seriously the best curry out there. It's amazing. It's like crack, you can never get enough. Anyone who's not currently friends with the Brandleys should seek out their friendship immediately so as to have the opportunity to partake of this spicy goodness. The pictures don't do it justice.

Gem #3 Bennett Cake

Okay, okay, I don't mean to be prideful, but I do make a mean chocolate cake. Or cupcakes on this occasion. Actually, they were chocolate cupcakes with a peanut butter filling and a light, fluffy chocolate frosting to top it off. I really outdid myself. Plus they had rainbow sprinkles on top. Yum.

The boys approved.

Gem #4 Ozz

This was an unexpected find late Friday night. After driving around Provo trying to decide what would finish off the evening, we made an impromptu stop at the super ghetto looking pool hall called Ozz. You know the one, you've probably driven by it multiple times and not really given it a second glance. We were surprised to discover that inside, its a quaint little place; very clean, lots of tables, and a little old lady sitting behind the front desk who absolutely loves the place. She makes you want to love it. It was actually really fun... I mean, none of us are going to be professional pool players anytime soon but for $4 per person/per hour, it was good fun for an hour.

Gotta love this little sign...they're all about good, clean fun.

There you have it, a couple of gems right here in Provo.

"try somewhere new to eat"

Last Friday was, "try somewhere new to eat date night" and our choice turned out to be a delicious one. Mountain West Burrito is a new Mexican Restaurant on State Street in north Provo/South Orem and it had been recommended by a friend at work.

There were elaborate plans to pick up dinner with our good friends the Saltzmans and then hop on our bikes and ride down the Provo River trail for a picnic dinner. The weather even cooperated with our plans and it was sunny and beautiful outside. However, when it was discovered that we were all ravenously hungry right THEN, those plans were thrown aside and we just ate right there at the gas station-turned-restaurant. It really was kind of funny to pull up to a pump to park and then walk inside to the little restaurant.

Jacie enjoying her dinner. If there's one thing that the Bennetts and the Saltzmans do well together, it's eating. We are true connoisseurs of fine dining.

My roasted veggie (RV) burrito on a whole wheat tortilla, accompanied by the most delicious tortilla chips and salsa. Yum.

Overall, everyone was pleased with their meal. It was nothing like the Bennett-Saltzman Iggy's fiasco of 2010 (truly a disaster for all involved). The food was all fresh, all of their produce is locally grown, it wasn't too expensive, and it was delicious! When you have a second and want a quick lunch or dinner, you should try it.

Lovin' on our backyard

Last weekend I was lovin' on our backyard so I decided to take a couple pictures. The tulips were in full bloom, the sun was shining, and the day was beautiful. So here is an ode to our backyard... in pictures.

Gardening equipment... it's Roger's.

Our cute little back patio.

The beautiful big oaks.

And our cute little barbecue. It is dearly loved, especially during the summer months.

One day when we grow up and move away from the bubble that is Provo, I will always remember our quaint little backyard. It's one of my favorite things about our house.

Words to live by.

Loved this print, wish I could find a copy to put in my house. We love comparing life to bike riding around here.

Celebrating Mothers

Today's the day we celebrate mothers. The day when we think back to all of the things that our mothers have done for us and how because they were our mothers, we are who we are today.

I can't completely comprehend what it means to be a mother because I haven't experienced filling that role in my own life yet, but I can only imagine the time, patience, and sacrifice it takes. Especially to be a good one. I love my mom and my mother-in-law and hope that one day I will grow up to be a mom like they are. If I'm lucky.

Happy Mother's Day.

This is what Easter really means

Our Easter weekend was one full of the highest highs and the lowest lows. The full spectrum of emotion. Our family was in town, I had just graduated from BYU, we had a big party at our house to celebrate and Chad and I were packing our bags to drive back down to California with my family.

On Saturday afternoon, my mom got a phone call that some of our friends from home had gotten in a car accident. Ian Blackwelder was beginning the long drive from Provo back to Laguna Niguel with his older sister Briana when they lost control of their car and rolled 5 or 6 times. Ian was rushed to Payson Hospital, however his sister Briana didn't make it. It was very sudden. She was so young, only 28 years old. Ian miraculously only sustained minimal injuries: a broken clavicle and a couple of broken ribs. Its hard to understand sometimes why these things happen. Initially, I couldn't stop shaking. How could someone we know and love so suddenly no longer be with us?

It was lucky my parents were in town and were able to spend all of Saturday afternoon and evening down in Payson with Ian and Candice. It was amazing to see all of the people, extended family members and close friends who were there at a moment's notice and wanted to do anything to help in any way they could. This was Ian and his 2 buddies who spent the night curled up in makeshift beds made of hospital chairs. Talk about good friends.
Sunday was Easter and the reality of Christ and his atonement was fresh in all of our minds. It was amazing how much peace was felt by everyone. Both Ian and Bri were good people, doing good things and living righteous lives. Bri is now with our Heavenly Father and someday she will be reunited with her family. In talking about what had happened, Chad made the comment, "How do people handle grief without Christ and the Plan of Salvation?" I have no idea how people can make sense of this life without an understanding of Christ's atonement. I know that through Christ we will live again with our families for eternity. I just spent the weekend thanking Heavenly Father for all of my blessings and the opportunity to spend so much time with my family.

So to California we went... it was such a wonderful escape. Laguna Niguel was in the 70s, sunny, and beautiful. Every time we go down there I am brutally reminded why its the most beautiful place to live. So here are a couple of pics from our mini vacation:

McKenna's lacrosse game

My mom's favorite shirt.

Morning run in the park.

On Wednesday night when we got back to Utah, I got to attend Bri's memorial service in Salt Lake. It was beautiful and elegant, just like Bri. It was truly a celebration of Bri's life as a daughter, sister, midwife, and friend. I drove home from the memorial with a renewed desire to live life to the fullest and to touch people like Bri was able to do during her lifetime. She was an amazing person and will be missed until we're able to see her again.