Homemade Hamburgers

My hubby and I don't get to cook that often together, so when we do, it's extra special. Yesterday, we ventured out into the terrible snow storm to go to the grocery store for some needed food. I passed these jalapeno cheese hamburger buns and thought "hamburgers!" So, we decided to make them at 9 pm last night. (It wasn't really our decision, it was just when we got home.) I had lots of fun taking pictures and goofing around while cooking. Did I mention I have the best husband ever?

Here's his favorite apron, once again...

I think he looks cute.

This is our way of toasting our buns.

If you don't know what that contraption is, it's a S'more maker! I got it for one of my showers and we like to use it for everything.

This is Daniel's finished product:


But what's cooking without a big mess? That huge bottle in the background is the delicious BBQ sauce we had left over from our wedding lunch. We still haven't used it all up. It's a little hard to pour...hence the mess.

Here is my baby!
Mmmm. It really was good.

The reason why I'm posting this next picture is because of that little pink bottle that resembles pepto bismol next to the burger. This is Daniel's drink of choice. He calls it "melted strawberry ice cream" - I call it "gross." I don't know why he loves this stuff, but he does. It's little differences like that that make me love him even more.


Hey, if it doesn't get all over the place, it doesn't belong in your face.

I think I'm going to find something to eat. This post made me hungry.

Our first married Christmas

...was absolutely wonderful. This year, I felt that I didn't need any presents. Just the fact that I was with Daniel, in a warmer place (St. George) with loving family, and enjoying no work, no school, and no stress, was the best gift anyone could have given me. Daniel and I have expressed to each other how blessed we were this Christmas season.

Regrettably, I didn't take many photos. I need to get better at that before we have kids.

This is our miniature Christmas tree that fit our little apartment perfectly, and didn't take a whole lot of time to put up.



Daniel cooked me breakfast - with my apron on. It was a dream come true. Look at this handsome man!

On Christmas eve while we were in St. George, Daniel took me to visit my Grandpa P's grave that I haven't seen in a couple of years. And to make Christmas Eve even better, we headed over to the St. George temple with Daniel's parents later that night and were able to hear my Grandpa P. narrate the nativity. Apparently, they've replaced the recording at the Salt Lake Temple, but kept the old recording at the SG Temple. I was so grateful I could hear the nativity story told by him one more time before they changed it. I sure miss him! His voice has always been a comfort for me.



Here's the Spear Christmas tree with flash on:

Flash off:
The point is, it was extraordinary with flash and without.
My mother-in-law had been wanting a Wii for awhile now, and finally, Santa granted her wish. We had so much fun playing together and I've never seen Daniel's dad laugh so hard.

Daniel received a huge tool set and I was graciously given something I've always wanted:

That's right, I finally got my Kitchenaid! I was super surprised when I got it, but so grateful. We also received one of these:

That's right. A portable toilet. Daniel was more excited about it than I was, but it really is a great idea. Now when we go camping, we won't have to go to the bathroom in the wild. Best. Gift. Ever. (sarcasm? maybe...)

We were blessed by parents, grandparents, and siblings this Christmas season. We are fortunate to have such thoughtful family members who take care of us. Thank you to all! We hope your Christmas was just as relaxing and wonderful as ours.

Snow day

Wow. Have y'all looked outside lately? It's like a winter wonderland, except not so wonderful. We had to have some of our neighbors push us out of our parking lot today because our car couldn't handle driving through the fresh foot of snow. Man. It's crazy out there.I think it should have been a snow day.

All this snow is really making me in the mood for desserts I shouldn't be eating. Like this:

Chili's Paradise Pie

or this:

Pioneer Woman's Molten Cake

Anyone else salivating after looking at these photos? Oh my goodness. On top of this craving of mine, I'm supposed to be off sugar until Christmas, and I've been doing a pretty good job...until today. I'm so tempted to go home and make something delicious! Who else is with me?

I just hope all this snow doesn't prevent us from driving to St. George. That would be a real tragedy!

What to do now?

Finals are over! Yes, we survived them. It has been a crazy last couple of weeks, but Daniel and I are still alive and kickin'. I'm particularly proud of Daniel because I know he had it harder than I did (I mean come on, Tax finals vs. Advertising finals. There is no comparison for difficultness).

Anyways, now we have the problem of not knowing what to do with ourselves. Crazy, right? But, I'm sure all of you know the feeling. It's not that we aren't grateful for this long awaited break we've been working so hard for, it's just that we don't know what to do with ourselves. Both of us only work part time, and without homework, study groups, and tests, we have no idea what to do. Oh sure, yesterday we enjoyed shopping (Daniel got my Christmas present!) and even a movie!

By the way, everyone should go see this new one. SO good. We have been waiting for it for a long time, and we weren't disappointed. Daniel was actually excited when we walked out. That's rare. As much as we enjoyed the movie and shopping though, I've realized we don't have the money to go out to eat, shop, and go to movies all break long. Plus, it would get boring. So now what?

It's a little sad, but I still haven't been able to get into the Christmas spirit. I think it's because when I'm in school, I'm so consumed that I don't have time or the brain space to think about anything else. Now that it's all over, I just don't know where to even begin getting into the season spirit. I want to help someone, I want to make cookies and sweets (but I can't because I'm off of sugar until we go to St. George again and I can't have that temptation around, even if I am giving it away), I want to do a service project, I want to decorate, I want to do CHRISTMAS! I feel like singing the song from the Grinch, "Where are you Christmas," because frankly, I miss the old day Christmas-es with my siblings and parents. I feel a little lost. Daniel and I have expressed this feeling of having a deep void. Hopefully it will go away soon.

The one thing I do know and can accomplish is remembering what this season is about and focusing my life on Christ. It is because of His miraculous birth that we even celebrate this holiday. I am so grateful for my Savior and for His sacrifice for me. I know the Atonement is real and I have felt its healing power. And, I love getting up and having all the time I need to read my scriptures and ponder.

So, maybe this whole not knowing what to do, won't be so hard to figure out after all.

Momma Terri

Mom,

Today I was talking with a friend about her mom in Arizona, and all of a sudden it hit me how much I miss you. Now that finals are over, I can think of other things, and I desperately wanted a hug from you. I'm lucky to have had a mother like you who knew how to be a mom and a best friend. I know I didn't become exactly what you wanted me to be (I regret not playing my violin more and becoming a world-renowned musician), but I hope you know I appreciate all that you sacrificed for me to have lessons for those 14 years. To know how much you gave up for me, leaves me in awe. Thank you.

Love, Love, Love,

Your little Amie

Whining

So, I'll be honest. I've been whining a lot lately. I don't know how my husband lives with me sometimes. Actually, it's kind of become a joke. Whenever I whine, he just starts having fits of laughter. Which I guess is good. At least one of us is finding something humorous about it. I've really O.D. on my whining privileges. Why is Amie whining you ask? Let me tell you.

You know after you come home from the Thanksgiving break and you are like, "Yes, two more weeks of school, I can totally do this." But then that burst of energy and motivation lasts all of one class period before you start freaking out, realizing how much you actually have to do? Well...that happened to me, multiple times. Actually it happens to me about every night I come home from work and school around 7 or 9 pm and I'm too tired to do all that stuff I'm supposed to be doing in order to get a good grade, internship, reputation, etc. So what do I do? I whine and stuff myself with food.

I'm such a baby. I figure it comes with being the youngest child. My husband is a better person than I am because he's the youngest and he NEVER whines. He's like the golden child every mother wanted. Yes, I am praying my children will be like him, and not me.

Good for you, babe. Maybe one day I'll learn. Until then, I'll always look like this before finals:

Laugh away. Good luck to those who are studying for finals! My heart goes out to you...