Family fun photos

Merry Christmas Eve yall! I've been so busy at work, Ive completely neglected my blog! Here are some fun family photos from my family came 2 weeks ago

Wassell's in Seattle!

Matching coats

Wassell Women

me and my pops!

walking downtown

hubby love

out to dinner

drinks by the water

sisters

12.6.2013

12.5.2013

Thanksgiving Snapsots

Spending Thanksgiving day at Stevens Pass

Kelli and I headed up the lift

Sneak peak at some of our Christmas card photos

The girls at Pesos! 

11.29.2013

So true.

Weekend Snapshots

This weekend was a busy one.

Friday, Chris's co-workers and I had a surprise dinner at Umi for him. He's finally done with training. Afterwards we met some friends up there and ended up at Pesos (obviously).

We woke up super early Saturday to head to Mt. Baker. Its about a 2 1/2 hour drive, but well worth it. After a few falls- I finally got the cobwebs dusted off. My goal this season is to learn how to get off the lift without falling! 

panoramic pic at the top of the lift

Elisha and I! 

Afterwards, we were too tired to do anything but run to whole foods for dinner.

Sunday was super productive. Finally unpacked from my weekend in Raleigh, hit up Trader Joes for the weeks groceries, and caught up on laundry.  We met Lindsay, Adel, and Mickey at gas works park to snap Christmas cards photos.. 

beautiful backdrop

one without Chester

Catching fire was next on the agenda-- AMAZING. Cant wait for Mockingjay part 1. Family dinner consisted of artichokes and red potatoes (compliments of Tom) and chicken sausage kabobs. 

yum.

xoxo.

11.21.2013

via

I do BBQ snapshots

Becky and I hosted an "I do BBQ" couples shower this weekend for Whitney and Joel in Raleigh. Below are some shots I stole for Becky, Whitney, and Audrey's phone (my poor iphone 4 was just not cutting it). 

Dinner and games on Thursday

Lunch dates at Yard House

The happy couple dancing the night away

some of the girls at Cornerstone Tavern

getting #rowdyinraleigh

MOH love :)

Party time - Whit's mom and aunt surprised her at the party

Pi Phi love

Brisket and beer

Audrey and I

S'more time

Sunday Mimosa Brunch

It was such an amazing weekend! Cant wait for the #rowdierinnyc bachelorette party and wedding :)


xo.

Commuting

So some people may think I'm crazy, but so far I really enjoy commuting to/from work. It take me about 45 minutes to get to work and about 60-75 minutes to get home!! 

The morning commute gives me time to enjoy my coffee while listening to my favorite morning shows.

The evening commute gives me time to decompress from the work day, chat on the phone, and sing at the top of my lungs to all my favorite songs.

I'm sure over these next 3 months when its dark both when I get to the office and when I leave, I'll have to re reread this post to remember its going to get better!

Plus, there's not much to complain about when I get views like these... 

Almost home

Beautiful sunrise (photo courtesy of Sarah Weyand)

Off to Raleigh tomorrow for Whitney and Joel's "I do BBQ"  pics to follow

xoxo. 

11.12.13

11.6.2013

Weekend Happenings

Elisha and I before hitting the town Friday

For the softball team - had to Sage

Sunday Walk around Lake Union with Lindsey 

beautiful day

First peppermint mocha latte of the season

Revamping a childhood favorite

It took everything I had yesterday to actually do my pure barre workout. I thought of every excuse in the book. Finally I decided that if I just knocked it out, I would treat myself to some wine with dinner. 

knocking it out

One of my favorite meals as a kid was Kraft Mac& Cheese with cut up hot dogs and peas mixed in. When I found this recipe online, I couldn't stop craving it. Of course making a few tweeks to help make it "healthier"

I followed the directions for this Greek yogurt Mac and Cheese. This was my first time to ever make mac and cheese that didn't come out of a blue box. Of course I was hesitant at first, because lets be honest, the kraft kind is pretty amazing, but this was absolutely delicious!!! 

click for recipe

serves 4-6

• 8 oz. (about 2 cups) elbow pasta (I used whole wheat)
• 8 oz. (about 2 cups) shredded cheese (a sharp cheddar is great)
• 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (I love Chobani)
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 1/4 tsp. onion powder
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Cook the macaroni according to the package's instructions (about 8-10 minutes), until al dente.

Place the spinach leaves in the bottom of a strainer, and pour the pasta over top to drain and wilt the spinach.  Save about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.  Return the cooked macaroni and wilted spinach to the pot.

Add about 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the pot, and stir in the cheese until melted.  Stir in the greek yogurt, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, until smooth and creamy.  Stir in the remaining pasta water to thin, if necessary.  Serve immediately. 

I sauteed some spicy chicken sausage and heated up some peas to throw on top.

yummm. 

As I'm writing this all I can think about is how excited I am to go home and eat the leftovers for dinner :) 

Hope yall enjoy. xo. 

10.29.2013

Lazy Weekend

I got to spend a total of 36 hours with Chris this weekend before he headed back out for more training. We We started out our day with  pumpkin pancakes. 

yummy. 

Besides running one not so quick errand to target- we spent the rest of the day lounging on the couch, watching football and napping. 

someone thinks hes a lap dog

I'm not sure if I told yall, but one of my friends from Memphis has recently moved up to Seattle! We used to work together at both Chili's and Ridgeway Country Club back in high school. Its so great having a friend from home so close :). Well- she invited me to go to the Sounders game Sunday with her friend Sophie and brother who were both visiting. We of course started off at Pyramid for some beers and dinner before, and ended at sluggers after. Sounders ended their season in a tie against the Galaxy- but as always- it was a blast. 

Go Sounders

xoxo.