OUR NEWEST ADDITION

Well as some of you may know we have a baby! She's adorable. Her name is Agnes and she is just a couple months old now. She is sorta crazy though. While all the cool people blog about their kids I will blog about my kitty Agnes...although I think it may be a battle taking her with us when we go, the parents and Daysa have taken quite a liking to her. and who can blame them?

When we got her from Malad she has UNBELIEVABLY sharp claws so we trimmed them and put kitty caps on her to teach her not to scratch the couches and carpets and such. Amazing right?

She's pretty hyper and LOOOVES to play. Her favorite place to sit is right in the middle of whatever anyone is doing. she is a drama queen this one. The funniest thing though is she thinks she's a dog. Up and Clair's house in Malad there is a big dog and a puppy and she chases her tail, her favorite pass time is fetch. for reals. I have the video to prove it all. I'll eventually post it. I recorded it on my phone and its struggling. Stay tuned for more of Agnes.

She's pretty much our experiment to see if we actually want kids. The first night we got her she cried ALL NIGHT LONG. Clair, while talking to a buddy at work about his kid crying all night, responded "ya I know what you mean we just got a cat." She goes out to the garage at night but someone lets her in super early in the morning and she meows at our door to come in our room and sleeps either right in between us OR right on top of one of us. She's great and a nice practice round.

Yes, we're alive

Okay its been a long while but here I am with not a lot to talk about. Its probably much easier to blog when you have children to talk about and blog about with waiting aunties and nanny annies and grumpas to look at them. But here is my exciting-ness. I'm baking again. I used to LOVE to back and now I am back at it. I made sugar cookies a couple of weeks ago and they were AMAZING. the best ones i've made ever in my life. You are supposed to use almond extract in the glaze but we were out. So I used lemon and it worked out quite nicely in my opinion. Then saturday was my mother in laws birthday so I made her a cake and we headed up to Malad with it. The recipe said to make it in a 9x13 pan but I really wanted a circular, layered cake so I made it  and wow did it fail. The picture I took is of the 4 inches that actually turned out. the rest was horrific to look at. Its a carmel cake and the Semrads and Daysa said it was really good I don't like cake at all so I only tried it and thought it was extremely too rich. But I did get a cake carrier out of my temper tantrum of the disastrous cake.

Hopefully I'll have exciting things to post about soon. My once a month posting is much better than my previous blog.

Clair Bear

Yes, Yes its been a long while since we have posted anything...the truth is we havn't done much to post about. Still in the basement, still working like crazy, and Clair has now added school to his busy schedule of work and golf. He started at the beginning of the month and I can't believe he is almost to month 2.. especially since his school finishes on December 15th... SUPER SHORT. I think at least. but on to more exciting things... CLAIR!! YAY. worlds greatest husband! this post is dedicated to him and his on goings.













really.. could he be any cuter :) This is on the 4th of July and we totally matched.. we started our day in Malad and both packed blue shirts and white shorts. I loved it, and he did not.

This one is from one of his golf tournaments, this is his work one and he is SOO much smaller than all the guys on his team. He looks so little in this picture but these guys are all over 6'3" and 200 lbs. and Clair is not. But they played well and took 3rd. He's had a few tournaments this summer and another one this upcoming Saturday.

And last but not least, Clair and his first day of school SO cute right? He was not super happy that I really really wanted his picture but oh well that how I roll. So thats what we have been up to, and looking for a place to live. Once we get that down we will have so much more to Blog about! Hallelujah!

LABOR DAY FUN

We went camping for the first time ever in our 4 years together.. crazy.. not really. I grew up with MINIMUM camping. Like backyard was as close as it got unless a cabin or hotel was somehow involved. Our friend James invited Clair and me to go up with his fam over labor day and it was a blast. I took lots of pointless pictures..but pictures non the less. My favorite was the bathroom that Ecko and Kim made for us. The "Ladies" bathroom.

 

complete with a Cars training potty and all :) I took a few pictures of our HUGE tent that Clairs brother Clint let us borrow (THANK YOU.) It was preety cold when we jumped into bed so I made Clair Bear take a cold picture with me.

Thanks James and Kim we had a BLAST!!

2 YEARS LATER

August 29th was our two year anniversary! Clair planned a small get away and it was a blast. We went to this BEAUTIFUL location..Bear Lake.

Okay so we were REALLY excited to go boating and jet skiing but it was REALLY cold! we stayed overnight in a hotel right on the beach and woke up to the next morning to rain and clouds. All is well... we ate at a small cafe and took our time heading home making lots of stops along the way. We stopped at the Living Planet Aquarium.

We LOOOOVED it. while we were watching the frogs one kept fidgeting around until...

splat it jumped literally right at Clair's face. ha ha ha we both jumped and i maybe squealed a little bit :) we also got to pet the sting rays which was super gross.

Although nothing went according to plan we had a blast. Happy Two Years Clair Bear! I love you and i'm looking forward to many more years to come!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY--and food

here's a belated birthday wish to two of my favorite girls in the world! Daysa Oswald my baby sister turned 17.. crazy. and to one of my very best friends Katie Hellewell Holman! happy birthday girls. you are the best friends a girl could ask for.

on a side note. Clair and I recently made one of my most favorite summertime foods. its summer chicken chili. I love the colors and all the vegetables. It kinda has a kick so BEWARE!

Summer Chicken Chili
*This recipes works GREAT as a freezer meal. Double or triple the recipe and put the extra in Ziploc freezer bags for later (Clair eats it FOREVER at work)
1 medium zucchini, chopped (I also add yellow squash)
1 medium white onion
1 bell pepper, chopped fine (any color)
2 cans pinto beans, drained
2 cans black beans, drained
2 cans kidney beans, drained
2 cans corn, drained
16 oz. thick and chunky mild salsa
3 chicken breasts (uncooked)
1/2 -2 T. chili powder
14 oz. cans chicken broth (or 2 c. water and 2 T. chicken base/bouillon)
1 can diced tomatoes
8 oz. tomato sauce
1 garlic, pressed
1t. ground cumin
2 T. lime juice (fresh or from a bottle)

Sauté onion, zucchini, pepper, chili powder and garlic until onions are tender. Add other seasonings and lime juice. Add chicken breasts (cut in half or quarters) and the remaining ingredients. Simmer for 30 minutes after coming to a boil, or until chicken is tender and begins to fall apart. Take out large pieces of chicken and shred. Return shredded chicken to soup. Simmer until ready to serve. Top with chips, cheese, sour cream, extra lime juice, cilantro, etc

A Very Busy August

Our August has been NUTSO! super busy with weddings, visitors, dinners, work and getting Clair ready for school. So here's a little blip and there will be more to come of our exciting-ness.

first and foremost congratulations Justin and Zhenya Jaynes, my cousins, married on August 12 2011 and Clint and Shellee, Clairs brother,married on August 13 2011. Thanks for letting us come and be part of the festivity. both were beautiful.

A Love Hate Relationship

This video is dedicated to all my sisters, and Natalie... oh and Luke.(my sisters and Natalie because I believe you will literally dry heave while watching it and Luke because.. you know why) Don't ask me why but I have a love hate relationship with this video. It came on while I was watching HULU. Clair thinks its extremely odd but really? really?? Okay so yes its a little weird but also kinda sad and cute. This is NOT me promoting buying orphaned cats. I just like the video :)

18'S THE NEW 15

I'm sorry to all but I have to get this off my chest....

when tipping servers at restaurants... 18 PERCENT!!

18 IS THE NEW 15.

come on people.

tips are our livelihood its how we pay our bills...feed our spouse, children, and pets.

If you feel your server did a horrible job 15 is the minimum and TELL A MANAGER its how we learn and grow. If you feel your sever was amazing 20-30 (or more) is great and TELL A MANAGER its how we know.

Don't read too much into your server either. If she's wearing a pretty wedding ring be happy she is a hard worker. You don't know her... you don't know her life. Maybe she is trying to buy a house and put her husband through school. just sayin..Maybe. 

TANNER MILLS/COOLEST COUSIN-BROTHER

I know I said I would dedicate a whole new post to Clair... and I still will but first this ones for you Tan. 

Worlds best cousin/brother. (sorry everyone else but its true...at least in my life.)

We are extremely glad you are doing better, and hope you continue to recover. Good luck in surgery. You are in our hearts and prayers. You rock Tan Tan.

I am woman...hear me ROAR.

okay so maybe the title is a little dramatic but because my life is pretty monotonous I am going to post about my favorite high heals.I decided I just need to post to get in the habit of posting. And in thinking and making mental notes of possible posts this one stuck out to me most yesterday. Now I fully understand that I created a new blog to keep people updated on mine AND Clairs comings and goings so I will dedicate the full next post to Clair Bear.

Now back to my shoes... So basically this post is dedicated to anyone who loves wearing shoes that give them confidence and something to smile about. They aren't high heals as much as they are wedges but they make me feel powerful and beautiful. With these bad boys I will conquer the world.

(Please excuse the poor quality of picture, I used my phone)

There are those that will read and think.. gross I hate high heals, comfort first, fashion later... and there will be some (NATALIE ROBISON) that completely understand my ranting on my shoe fashion choices. I got these particular shoes from Old Navy for graduation. L.O.V.E.

A NEW BEGINNING

Yes... I am starting anew with blogging and a updated life. First of all... sorry for all those that had to change my URL to this new one but this one is better. SO back to my new and possible improved life.

1st. I graduated from Utah Valley University! YAY done with school. I'm a little sad because now i'm bored most of the time, but its Clairs turn to go to school and then I can go back. Clair starts at LDS Business College this fall studying yes business and entrepreneurship.
This is Kerali Wyatt. one of the only friends I made in my college career.

2nd. I have a new job.. yes i know i HAD a dancing job but it didn't work out. I still teach dance and am a competition director at a new studio and I love it. Im teaching and choreographing for the highest team and they are great. As much as i love teaching my babies ( I will keep doing that ) I also love choreographing, like real life choreographing. But most of all I am back at Harvest Restaurant as a lead server and part time manager. I quite enjoy it and its where I spend most of my time, and it has nothing to do with my major or my schooling but its a job and it pays the bills. 

3rd. We moved!!!! (into my parents mostly unfinished basement, but moved) and its great if you look past all the spiders. We are looking for a house in the Lehi area, so if anyone out there knows of anything let us know! We're hoping to move out semi soon, but really just want a great location that we can live in for a while and resell or make it a rental property.

Thats about all the updates for our life, and the blog may or may not be really boring since we don't do much but work and go to school and work some more. but I promise I will be a blogger. and hopefully have a small child (PUPPY CHILD) to blog about soon :)