the smelliest sport there is...

Hockey is, by far, the smelliest sport there is. Right when you walk in, there is an undeniable smell. As Laci would put it,
"It's like when you have wet socks in the washing machine and then you let them sit there for a couple of weeks and they get all moldy and smelly. That's the smell."
Despite the smell, we still love to go to a BYU hockey game every once in a while. Especially when we're playing the U... and especially when we win!

See that cute little striped hat? Cutest baby I ever did see. I may or may not be a baby stalker at social events.

...there she is again.

Then there was that obnoxious boy on the front row... Laci found him charming.

One more pic of the cute baby! It's no surprise that in the last period, we talked back and forth (not just Laci and I, but Mark and Chad as well) about baby names. What can we say? We're just young, married people.

Mark and Laci

Laci and I... and a sleeping Chad.

Me and my man.

Go COUGARS!

Heart Strings

Simple, easy, and cute Valentine's decorations... sign me up!
These heart strands were easy to make and really brighten up our kitchen.

I loved using book pages for the hearts... makes them not too overwhelming. I must have a thing for book pages because when Jason was over on Sunday he commented about how I sure do like to rip apart books... I really am just giving these books from DI a new life.

Happy Valentines Day!

Baked Spinach Dip Mini Bread Bowls

Spinach dip= good.
Bread to dip in spinach dip= good.
Baking spinach dip in mini bread bowls= awesome.

Baked Spinach Dip Mini Bread Bowls
Picky Palate

13.3 oz roll of refrigerated french bread loaf, I used Simply Pillsbury
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 Cups baby spinach, coarsely chopped
1 clove fresh garlic, minced
3 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 Cup light sour cream
2 Tablespoons fresh shredded parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon Chile Pepper
1/8 teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Garlic Salt
1/8 teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Sicilian Sea Salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 Cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 10 muffin cups with non stick cooking spray. Unroll package of french bread loaf and slice into 10 equal size slices, about 1 inch thick. Press each slice into about a 3 inch round, I did this by pressing in between my hands. Press into the bottom and up sides of the muffin cup. Set aside.

2. Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir spinach until wilted, about 3 minutes then add garlic, cook and stir for another minute then turn heat off.

3. Place cream cheese, sour cream, cooked spinach and garlic, Parmesan Cheese, Ancho Chili Powder, garlic salt, salt and pepper into a medium bowl. Mix until well combined. With a medium cookie scoop, scoop dip into each of the centers of bread bowls. Top evenly with shredded cheese and bake for 15-17 minutes until just turning brown on edges. Remove and let cool for 3-5 minutes before removing from oven.

10-12 mini spinach dip bread bowls

Superbowl Sunday

I'll be honest. I like football okay, but when it comes to the super bowl, I love the opportunity to have friends over just to hang out. I just love spending time with our awesome friends. How did we ever get so lucky to have such great friends?

As halftime came around and we got dinner all served up, the boys decided that they would bring dinner to the game. They just picked up our kitchen table and brought it into the front room. I'll admit, it was creative.

Our favorite Jason Lamprecht came for the event...

and the Bournes,

Laci and Mark,

Riley and her posse,

and Lindsay and Joel.

Thanks friends for such a fun evening!

Cafe Rio Salads

Cafe Rio Salads may be my most favorite food. I love them. When I found this recipe, it didn't take long for it to become one of my favorites. I would highly recommend it. It's very versatile and you can turn it into either a salad or a burrito. Chad normally chooses the burrito option. Both are good options.

Happy eating!

Our January Miracle

Have you ever had those things happen in your life where you stand back and ask yourself, "How did that happen?" Those things that you never thought could be a reality... yet all of a sudden, they are. We had one of those experiences this past weekend. It was Chad's miracle. Chad's dad went to the temple for the first time in more than 30 years and his step mom Terry went through the temple for the first time. Miracle.

Fortunately, we were able to jump in the car on Friday afternoon and drive down to Vegas for the weekend so that we could be there. It was a great opportunity to spend the weekend with friends and family that we don't very often get to see. It was my first time doing a session in the Las Vegas temple and I was amazed at how beautiful it was inside. Every time I go to a new temple I'm always impressed by how unique, yet beautiful each temple is.

Chad's Dad and step mom Terry.

It was amazing to hear from Terry about her conversion to the church. It wasn't one, big monumental experience that encouraged her to investigate the LDS faith, but rather many little experiences. There were various people just living their lives, doing the things they normally do that had the biggest impact.

• There was a girl her son dated in high school who was a member and so he and Terry started looking into the church. Nothing came of it at that time, but it was the first exposure.
  
• When Brad and Terry got married 7 years ago, Chad's aunt Karen gave Terry a Book of Mormon with her testimony as a wedding gift. Terry said she didn't read it at the time, but the testimony let an impression.
• When the moved back to Las Vegas, Brad called the Elder's Quorum to come and help them move their stuff out of the moving truck, and they came! At this time, they were not active members, but that didn't matter, the Elder's Quorum was ready and willing to help.
• The ward mission leader in their ward brought a group of people caroling to their house two Christmases previously. Terry loved the compassion and love of service their ward members exhibited.

It was normal people, just doing their normal things who set the example for Brad and Terry. It was the little things. Moral of the story: You never know who's watching or who's life you influence day-to-day.

Being in Las Vegas, the entire Bennett clan had to join up for a yummy breakfast buffet. I love that even though we don't see Chad's aunts and uncles very often, when we do see them, it's as if no time has passed. They're a fun bunch of people to hang out with.

You gotta love family.

BYU vs. SDSU

Remember that one time we waited outside in the cold for 2 hours so that we could guarantee ourselves a seat at the BYU vs. SDSU basketball game? Remember how a couple of people tried to create a new line to cut in front of us and Laci wasn't having it...at all?

Remember how we were only 4 among thousands of students who were silly enough to do the same thing?

Remember how TJ Fredette was white, mormon, wearing a blue argyle sweater, AND rapped? We all had a good laugh. It will be a moment hard to forget.

...there were even purple lights. Fancy.

Remember when we watched the Marriott center slowly fill with people until it was full to the bursting?

... and we saw the biggest reproduction of Jimmer's head that has ever existed?

Remember what an awesome game it was and how happy we were that we put up with the whole wristband/waiting in line/stressing so that we could be there?

Remember how the game kept us on the edge of our toes and even though we went into halftime a point behind, we managed to gain a ten point lead in the second half?

Remember how the game ended 71-58 and BYU #9 triumphed over the undefeated SDSU #4?

Remember how BYU fans stormed the court in order to congratulate our victorious BYU cougars?!

Yeah, we were there.