Cafe Rio Night

I love Cafe Rio. For many reasons. I love how cheap it is for a relatively large amount of food. I love how every time I went I saw someone I knew (well, back in my BYU days). I love that Dan and I ate Cafe Rio in a park on our first date. And I actually love how it's always crowded (a testament to how good the food really is). But the biggest reason is the food. It's just so dang good. Every year when I'm in Provo I have to eat there at least twice to get my Cafe Rio fill for the year. This will probably be the first year in a very long time that I won't make it out to Utah. And not knowing when I will be able to have Cafe Rio next, is making me crave it even more. So when Katy Storey asked me if we wanted to have a Cafe Rio night, I answered in my best Utahn voice, "Heck Yes!" We all pitched in and made different parts of the dinner. We did pork salads (my favorite!) and although it wasn't the actual thing, everything was delicious and it definitely satisfied the craving!

Dan & I, Katy & Ross Storey, and Sara & Brandon Hicks

Does watching babies suck on sour foods ever get old?

After dinner we played a game of Pictionary. It was hilarious some of the words we were getting and the things people were drawing. We had played Pictionary with this same group before and played girls vs. boys. The first time we played it was a close game but the girls ended up winning. This night's game was also very close and intense, but the boys somehow managed to pull out a come-from-behind win. Very exciting (for them). So it's tied one to one. A tie-breaker night needs to be planned!

Leah's expression pretty much sums up the night:

Miniature Golf

Tonight for Family Home Evening we went and played mini golf with the Springers. The kids loved it. Dan and I didn't really play too much, but we had a great time helping the girls and taking pictures!

Camden designated himself as Annie's personal golf coach. It was cute listening to him try to teach her the proper way to hold the club.

Here he is teaching her how to stand.

"Yay! I did it!"

Basketball

I started playing basketball when I was 12, and it has always been one of my favorite things to do. I was always so excited for basketball season in high school. I love everything about basketball: being part of a team, running up and down the court (it's great exercise), trying to steal the ball on defense, that feeling you get when you swish a shot, etc. It's awesome.

When I got married and had kids, there were some things in my life that I knew I just wouldn't be able to do as much as I used to do. Not that I really minded, it's just a part of growing up, I guess. And there weren't really any opportunities for me to play basketball in San Francisco. So I was pretty excited when we moved to Ohio and found out that there was a group of women in our ward that love to play basketball as much as I do. So, after 5 years of not playing much basketball at all, I was finally back out on the court. It's been so much fun.

We played stake basketball and did pretty good - we never lost a game. We also played in a Columbus Parks and Rec women's basketball league. We played every Wednesday night and we had so much fun that after the winter season was over, we signed up for the spring season. Well, last night was our last game, and boy did we end with a bang! We were down by like 12 points at half time, and after our sweet comeback, ended up winning 43-42 in overtime. It was so fun. And it was great having lots of the husbands and kids there to cheer us on!

This picture was taken right after we won our stake women's basketball tournament. This is such an awesome group of women and I have absolutely loved playing basketball with them. Thanks for a great season girls!

May 10, 2003

Wow, five years! And I can't imagine spending them with anyone else.

Tonight for our anniversary we went to The Melting Pot, a very unique but amazing restaurant that features a four-course fondue dining experience. We had our own private booth and the entire restaurant offers a very romantic ambiance. Each table has its own burner where your waiter prepares the fondue right in front of you. We started with a cheese fondue, with breads, vegetables, and apple slices to dip. Then a salad. Next came the main course. We ordered a dinner that came with filet mignon, sirloin steak, chicken, shrimp, pot stickers, and butternut squash ravioli, which you cook at your table in a delicious broth fondue. Last but not least - dessert. We chose a chocolate and caramel fondue, which came with strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, rice krispie treats, brownies, pound cake, and cheesecake. We were in heaven! Everything was so good. We were so full by the end, but somehow we managed to eat most of it! The dinner took almost 2 1/2 hours, and we had so much fun talking and dipping and not worrying about the kids. What a great night out to celebrate 5 great years!

Fiesta!

Dan and I decided to throw a little fiesta to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year. We don't really know too much about this holiday, which has actually taken on more of a significance here in the U.S. than in Mexico, but, hey, it's a fun excuse to throw a party! Falling on a Monday this year, Cinco de Mayo was perfect for a fun family night and we invited a few families from our ward. We threw up some decorations, people brought some yummy Mexican foods, the weather was ideal, the company great . . . . this will definitely be a new tradition for us!

Dan mixed up some mean margaritas!

The highlight of the night: the Pinata! We went youngest to oldest, and it would be hard to say who had more fun - the kids or the adults!

Ross ended it all with this swing!

Booker and Annie showing off their loot!

I wish I would have gotten a picture of the festive table spread. Oh well, something to remember for next year. I tried out a new soup and a few people asked me for the recipe, so I thought I would post it here.

Fiesta Chicken Chowder

3 Tbsp. flour

1 envelope fajita seasoning, divided

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes

3 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 cups water

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can corn, drained

1 cup uncooked instant brown rice

1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilies

1 can (11 oz.) condensed fiesta nacho cheese soup

3 Tbsp. minced fresh cilantro

1 Tbsp. lime juice

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine flour and 2 Tbsp. fajita seasoning; add chicken. Seal bag and shake to coat. Saute chicken in oil until juices run clear. Remove and keep warm.

In a large saucepan, saute onion and garlic until onion is tender. Stir in the water, beans, tomatoes, corn, rice, chilies, and remaining fajita seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir in the soup, lime juice, and chicken; heat through. Top with cilantro, sour cream, and chips.

And then, enjoy with a friend!

Michael Buble

Last night we went to the Michael Buble concert. It was amazing! I have never in my life used the word "dreamy" to seriously describe someone, but I have to say, I think that is the perfect word for Michael Buble! His voice is incredible and I love his jazzy original style that gives his music such an irresistible charm. We went with Trever, Kristie, Tyler, and Stacy Ann Burnett (Trever and Tyler are brothers), and we had such a great time. Trever and Kristie's financial advisor treated us all to the concert, along with appetizers at Morton's Steakhouse beforehand. Thanks again guys for such a great night out!! We had so much fun.

Isn't he dreamy? (name the movie . . . . )

After Conference

Last night after General Conference we went over to Homestead Park to go for a walk, blow some bubbles, and take a few pictures. It was an absolutely gorgeous evening and one of the first days it has actually felt like spring!