17 days to go

Yup, time is speeding up and I am realizing all the little detail things I didn't think of before.

Invitations are finally OUT! Well, except for the few addresses I'm still waiting for...

Here's some of our favorite engagement pictures for those of you who haven't seen them on facebook.

28 days to go

I went for a long weekend to Austin, TX to visit my brother Paul, his wife, and 3 kids (all aged 3 and under). It was fun! We went to Sea World, saw the largest bat colony come out at night, ate great food and hung out with friends.The kids were so adorable (see this cutie-pie above, I could just squeeze and kiss him cheeks all day)

and then these toddlers that are so sweet when they call me Auntie-Emmy and say the cutest things...but could also throw some terrific tantrums. Good reminder (birth control) for a newly-wed.

I also got to hang out with Paul and Vee, their friends Naomi and Sharon, and my friends Ralphie and Brian. It was a good break.

31 days to go

I got excited again today and I tried to put a countdown widget on the side of my blog...yeah, I am blog-challenged because I couldn't get it to work, or the next one I tried, or the next. This while people are in the other room talking about computer languages and coding, etc. Sigh... This is why my blog never changes backgrounds or includes videos. I guess that just means I'll have to count myself and blog more often :) Or swallow my pride and go ask for help.

Exciting!

Hooray. I am getting married on August 4th. The plans are now solidified, the date is set and reservations made. I am excited to finally have it set for sure...it had to be moved back several times due to things beyond my control and I struggle with patience so this is very relieving for me. I am so thankful that the approval came the very last day to reserve a room before the temple closed for the whole month of July. Look forward to formal announcements coming soon!

Summer Breakfast

Mmmm. Can't you just feel the sunshine when eating fresh berries and nectarines?

You have to try these pancakes. You'll never think IHOP is worth it again.

Pancakes

fresh sliced nectarines/peaches (canned are NOT the same)

Homemade blueberry syrup (Take frozen/fresh blueberries, heat them up in saucepan with a little sugar, then pop them with the back of a spoon while cooking to release their wonderful blue juice and stir until bubbly and a bit thick)

Top with whipped cream.

Savor the flavors!

Thai Peanut noodles with shrimp

I've made this dish 3 times in the last month I think. That means Ben and I both really like it AND it's fast. I've tried several recipes for similar things before but this one is by far my favorite. Thanks goes to my good friend Kate and her new famous cookbook (which I use all the time. she and her co-writer are brilliant). You can get the recipe from her blog www.OurBestBites.com

I just add shrimp and occasionally other vegetables to it. YUM!! Good hot or cold.

*For my friends with wheat, egg, dairy, or soy allergies, just change the linguini to Thai rice noodles and soy sauce to fish sauce. Still excellent. Sorry nut allergies...you are just out of luck on this one.

Brakes

Ben is amazing. He knows a lot about a lot of things. Besides doing tiling, drywall, cabinets, installing toilets and tubs, and painting this week in the old house...he helped me change the brake pads on my car. I know...pretty handy, don't you think?

It's not too hard to change brake pads yourself...IF you have someone that knows what they are doing with you AND have a strong guy to loosen the lugnuts on the wheel. Luckily in my case, they were the same good-looking person.

Now my brakes work wonderfully. Thanks honey!