Birthday, Softball, & Plants :).

For the past two days, we've had rainy weather here in Utah.  Normally (and by normally I mean our one year of summer experience) during the Utah summer's it doesn't rain any and it isn't overcast.  Normally (and again I still mean that one blissful summer we've got under our belt) everyday is beautiful, warm, sunny, with a huge blue sky.  So, we almost feel like we are back South-having a new Utah summer experience with these rainy days.  Although, it's been a nice little change for us, we are ready for the Utah summer norm.  We had big plans this weekend to refresh our mad softball skills, do a little hiking, and expand our garden area :).

After an eventful past month, Seth and I finally were able to sleep in until about 7am Saturday and Sunday!  Whoop Whoop-who would've ever thought that would be a joyous event?  For well over a month-we've been rolling out of bed about 5:30am and some lucky days 6:00am.  On Friday night Seth wanted to set our alarm at the normal 5:27am, so when the alarm went off we could laugh in it's face.  I was all for this idea, but in reality the alarm is on my side of the bed (due to the fact that I am a light sleeper and will wake up to the alarm, and Seth is not and would sleep straight through it) and I was not game for 'laughing in the alarm's face at 5:27am'.  I would probably be the only one laughing, and then wouldn't be able to fall back asleep :).

Last Saturday (May 19) Seth turned the big 2-4!  In our almost five years of being together he has NEVER opened a gift from me (I'm awful at giving gifts right as I buy them and he usually picks his own gift out).  So, this year I was all for having a few wrapped surprises for my man to open up on his birthday.  I was more excited then he was I think!  Unfortunately he tried to play this 'guessing' game on May 18th and actually guessed all my 'surprises' for him   :(, but we still waited to open the gifts on his birthday :).

The birthday boy 'smiling' for me.

We continue to enjoy our new apartment-it is very spacious and homey.  The only downfalls are the three loud kiddo's that like to run and scream above us, and it can get pretty chilly in this place.  Upon moving we decided to be a little 'weird' and have put our microwave in storage and are using our stove, oven, and toaster oven.  The only time I miss that microwave is when I want to heat up my coffee or melt/soften butter.

My work has started a slow pitch softball team and Seth and I have joined in on the league.  We had a lot of fun and have purchased a bat and more balls so we could practice.  In our last game Seth played pitcher and I played third base.

Getting ready to dominate.

Actually we lost pretty bad, but at the time we thought we were getting ready to dominate :).

We also participated in the bountiful baskets for a second time and went to pick up our basket yesterday morning.  I enjoy the excitement of having NO idea what you're going to get and then having to figure out what to do with the unusual stuff.

This time we got tomatoes, carrots, oranges, cantelope, bananas, orange/yellow peppers, artichokes, corn, romaine, peaches, and pears.

So, most of ya'll already know we've gotten a little garden started at our new apartment.  Due to this recent infatuation, I've decided I wanted some houseplants.  I was given an African Violet recently and I think that added to me wanting a few more plants that were pretty and I could take care of :).  I've been wanting a Peace Lily-so I got one and also purchased a Bromeliade. I've enjoyed taking care of them and having them around to nurture.  I think Seth and I have both noticed a difference in our ability to breath better.

Hahhahahahahhaha.... Kidding of course on that last part :).

My peace lily.

Where my African Violet normally sits.

I like to put my Violet here out my sink window to have some fun in the sun time.

I really do enjoy having a window in front of our sink.  Just to have something to look out at when washing dishes or cooking in the kitchen.  We also just recently got more basil plants, but the weather was to windy, rainy, and chilly to keep them outside at the moment.  And for you curious folks, the blue Maxwell House coffee container is our makeshift compost bin.  We've got a few things in there and Seth says it needs to be warm to decompose, so that's how we are rolling at the moment.

My handsome pizza dough chef :).

We are off to make some pizza-Yummmm.  Hope you all have a good holiday tomorrow and week!

39 Days 

Until we Fly home to see our families!  I'm having to start a countdown :)!

We haven't seen those lovely families of ours in almost 6 months~That is the longest I think we've both ever been.  We both miss you all!

The Cook's :)

Visitors Part II

Seth and I just made his mom's SouthWest Egg Rolls-They were delicious and Seth absolutely just loves them.

I think I'm going to make a Chocolate Cake for my man's birthday.  Even though his favorite is Lemon Meringue Pie-I don't think I'm brave enough yet to try it out.

Our friends from North Carolina are home visiting their families and enjoying the Outerbanks and I'm a tad bit jealous.

Seth and I both missed working while Zach and Karla were visiting.  Strange huh?  Thankfully I love my job and although Seth isn't too thrilled with all this schooling right now-we will both be thankful down the road.  

Anywho, enough nonsense, let's move on to the remainder of our Zach and Karla fun.

~Part II Zach & Karla Utah Adventures~

Seth and I decided we wanted to take Zach & Karla on the Jardine Juniper trail. It is a pretty easy hike-just an extremely long one. 5.2 miles one way & 10.4 miles total. 

I won't venture into everyone's feelings about hiking 10.4 miles in one day, but I will say we were all worn slap out by the end of the day :).

Crossing over a river

Lunch break

Lunch Break.

Karla is a strange girl and doesn't like Pineapples or Bananas.  I'm still in shock by this.

Zach is a little strange himself too-he doesn't like Brussel sprouts and doesn't even know if he's eaten them or not to like them.

Seth & Zach.

My very attractive man and I.

Just a pretty picture.

Karla & Zach.

Us all with good ol Jardine Juniper.

End of our hike and we were only smiling for the camera :).

After hiking and being out in the sun for 5 1/2 hours we were all pretty pleased to get home and prop our feet up for a bit.

Another fun spot to take our visitors (if we can) is Bear Lake.  It is a beautiful, windy, 20 mile long lake that will just take your breath away each time to see it.

Windy Bear Lake.

After visiting the overlook (which is above) we went down into the Garden City (which is the town that the lake is in) and got these famous Raspberry Milkshakes.  They are just so divine and you'll never taste anything like them.  

While we had our guest in town the weather just couldn't have gotten better. It was warm, sunny, and just gorgeous during the day and got a little cool in the evening.  We tried to spend every minute outside.  We hung out, grilled, played Jarts (fun game), Farkle, and read some books.

Seth & our new neighbor Jaron playing Jarts.

Enjoying the Sunshine while Not sweating (like they would in SC)!

Zach & Seth playing Jarts.

So pretty!  Karla with the Wellsville-she loved them like I do :).

Seth and my Pizza-Yummmmm.

Zach & Karla preparing their pizza.

Seth & Zach purchased a cheap Frisbee from the DI and just loved throwing that thing around.  Karla and I could only participate for about 20 minutes before we grew bored.  Seth and Zach did this for well over an hour-just back and forth, back and forth.

But obviously it wore them out.  Taking a nap on our picnic blanket after a picnic and frisbee throwing.

On the last evening that we had Zach and Karla-Seth and I decided to take them to see a Utah sunset.

Got there just in time for the show!

Zach & I.

Karla & I.

Watching the Sunset over Cache Valley.

Man what a fun and busy week!  We so enjoyed having the both of them in Utah with us.

Once we get back into the groove of life we will be heading off to Canada for a week and then a few weeks after that trip we will be heading to SC to visit our families and vacay at the Beach!  Whoooo Hoooo! :).  This summer is going to FLY By!

Happy Friday tomorrow!

The Cook's :).

Visitors Part I

Man oh Man-I did it again.  It's been well over a month since I've had time to even think about blogging.  This past month has been almost to much for us to handle.  We located a new apartment, cleaned said apartment, scrubbed down old apartment, moved out, moved in, and had Zach and Karla visit for a week.  I have no idea what's really been taken place these past few weeks-all I know is we are in the middle of May and my man's birthday is this Saturday.

So, let's be good friends to each other and let the past be in the past and I'll update you on half of our fun week with Zach and Karla.  I'll post the last half of our week at a later date (but soon though!). 

~Zach & Karla Utah Adventures~

1. Get picked up at the airport that always gives Erika an anxious demeanor and sweaty hands.  Zach and Karla did great though-No anxiousness or sweaty hands :).

2.  A tour of SLC and the temple is usually a must if the weather permits for our guests.

Zach & Karla in front of Salt Lake Temple

Karla & I

3.  We permitted them to relax upon arrival to Logan, but the next day we put them to work planting a little garden for us.

Such hard workers.

4.  After we worked 'um we took them on a short little hike on the Wind Cave trail.

The four of us in the cave.

I think Karla will enjoy this picture because it totally portrays her excitement of being in Utah with us on a hike :).

These are my favorite pictures to catch.  Simply just taking in the scenery.

The four of us on top of the cave.

5. Cook, cook, Cook.  Seth and I enjoy cooking, and it always makes it more enjoyable when we cook together.  So, we cooked and had Zach and Karla cook with us.

We've recently invested in the 'Joy of Cooking' Cookbook, which most people know about and probably have.  If you don't you should stop reading and go purchase it immediately.  We've just loved looking over recipes (over 4500 in the book) and imagining what we can and will cook in the near future.  Everything we've made has been just yummy and so we continued to try new recipes out with Zach and Karla.

A little of our menu with these two included:

-shushi

-ribs

-pizza

-steaks

-mexican

-scones

-cookies

-waffles

-muffins

-bread

-a few little veggies on the side

We ate good while they were here (in our opinion) and we are totally enjoying all the leftovers this week :).  Whew!

6.  A tour of Utah State campus is also a must while visiting.

Now they don't look similar huh???

One of my favorites!  Wellsvilles and you can see the Temple too.

Both of the Cook boys were pretty intrigued with the beauty and comfort of the Utah State grass.  It just felt great for the both of them.

A little brotherly play.

And more brotherly play.

Now, I won't be informing any of you with who won this little wrestling match between the two Cook boys who are four years apart.  I'll just leave that one up to the imagination :).

Well that's all for now folks.  I'll update the remainder of our fun week with Zach and Karla soon!

Hope life is going well for each of you!  Seth and I are pretty pumped about the summer months and warm weather here in Utah-looking forward to being outdoors.  Hope ya'll have a great remainder of your week!

The Cook's :).