Always a Bridesmaid

 Summer has been an absolute wonder people! I have been loving every second. hashtag summer 2k14. This summer has definitely been the summer of weddings, not kidding. Let me just hand you this giant stack of wedding announcements I have accumulated since april. I may be the last one standing! One of my dearest friends Kelsi Webb (Now Perry!!!) was married this last weekend in the Bountiful Temple for time and eternity & I was lucky enough to be one of her bridesmaids (thanks kels!!) Finding a yellow dress was killer but luckily Dillards came through, of all places. I've known this gal for a long time. From High School to Hair School and beyond we've been great friends. She's had her fair share of dating disappointments, but really haven't we all? Which is what makes me that much happier she finally found Troy. I'm so glad I got to share in their special day. Doesn't she look fab?? 

But seriously how to die are these flowers!!?? I will never get over how beautiful they were. I'm now determined to include succulents in my wedding. Dying. Perfection. Ugh. 

Mary, Me & Tasha (the bride's sister)

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The night before the wedding I got to see my favorite play of ALL TIME: Wicked. This time was extra special because my neighbor and musical idol Nikki Bohne played the lead as Glinda. Let me tell you how amazing she did. Chills!! Literal Chills. The whole time I couldn't help but try to imagine how she was feeling up on stage, a stage she had aspired to perform on, while singing her dream part. I couldn't even begin to fathom how she must have been feeling but I'm so excited she was able to live her dream. Congratulations Nikki!!  

July 4th

What an amazing weekend it was celebrating the birth of our country!! July 4th has to be one of my top favorite holidays because I have so much pride in America! Just like every July 4th, we started the day off right and went to the balloon festival. It is always way too early but has been such a fun tradition through the years. This year Bentley got to join in on the festivities and was the star of the show.

Of course we couldn't let the morning pass with out a little daddy daughter run which about killed me because it was so hot and we extended the length of our trail. Nothing like a little american spirit to get your butt into gear I guess! We didn't even hesitate at the end and ran straight into the pool to cool off, clothes and everything!! Then it was off to the BBQ and pool party.

I think Bentley enjoyed his first 4th of July...just a guess.

Whats July 4th with out fireworks?? We gathered everyone together and headed over to thanksgiving point to see their firework show and OF COURSE we had our own fun with sparklers beforehand. Sparklers definitely bring out the kid in me as you can see! 

Sparklers are my jam.

How do you want your burger? Rare...So it bleeds American

Left to right: Yasin, Austin, Kylie, Me, Mustafa & Benni

This July 4th was extra special because we were able to have our foster "cousins" over to celebrate. Yasin and Mustafa are from Pakistan while Benni is from Africa. We ended up talking about their customs and what it is like living in their country. Yasin told me that they are never allowed to date or let alone speak to women. I asked how they are able to get married since dating never existed. He told me they do not marry for love, but have arranged marriages. Usually they meet on their wedding day or are allowed to have a conversation with each other to tell each other their habits before they are married. He then went on to say the men are allowed to sell their fiances for money if they wish. I could not believe my ears! I also didn't know my jaw could drop so low. I have always heard of such things, but hearing it come straight from someone who actually knew first hand was a different story. My heart was so full that day for all the blessings I had from living in a free country. I'm so thankful for all that has been sacrificed so that we can have all the privileges that we do. Often times I take my freedom for granted when there are so many who struggle to survive every day. May we never forget.

For Freedom!

Easy Skinny Lasagna Rolls

This is seriously the easiest meal and is impossible to ruin. I came across a similar recipe at BYU in my food prep class and fell in LOVE. I'm a huge carb lover with a desire to be healthy. Sometimes it's hard to mix the two but this dish makes it happen. Feel free to experiment! These lasagna rolls can be made your own with very simple modifications here and there.  Here's what you'll need:

• 8 lasagna pasta noodles (wheat or regular) 
• 10 oz of tomato sauce (whichever kind you prefer... Western Family is 89 cents a can just sayin)
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 15 oz of Ricotta Cheese (low fat or regular depending how "skinny" you want to make them) 
• Spinach (For spinach lovers go with 10 oz but can be modified down to 5 oz if that's your thing)
• 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese  

Step 1

         Bring water to a boil and place noodles until soft (takes about 12 mins) Meanwhile, thaw the spinach and finely chop

Step 2

         Preheat oven to 350. Combine Ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese as well as desired amount of spinach in a bowl and set aside. Pour 1/2 of the tomato sauce into the bottom of a glass pan. 

Step 3

         Take pasta out and lay it flat on the counter (preferably on top of plastic wrap or wax paper) Take the cheese mixture and spread evenly over the noodles and roll up. Place the rolls with the crease underneath and place into the glass pan.  

Step 4

         Spread the remaining half of tomato sauce over the rolls so they stay moist through the baking process. Top the rolls of with some mozzarella cheese and bake for 30 minutes. Voila! Easy Peasy!