Friends. And more updates.

[It's a long post, but a much needed thank you to all our amazing friends in Utah]

With so much to say about our lives this past month, I thought I'd start with some pictures of our friends. We tried to do our best to see our good friends still in the area before we left and even though we missed some, and didn't take pictures of everyone [[Stacie, that picture we took ended  up not really taking since our sd card decided to go crazy on us that day. Boo.]], that doesn't mean we don't miss y'all. I'm getting sad already typing up this email, our friends are awesome!!

*also, Amy, your post is coming up*

We were able to see Ryan's TA buddies from work/school at a Sunday pizza-making party (Alissa, that pizza was out of this world, I need to get the recipe stat. :) and were able to meet up with a few more again later that week at Pizzaria 712. The food was great and the company even better.

We were also able to see the Doxeys and their sweet/adorable/cute/handsome baby boy, Declan. It was so fun to chat with Chelsea and watch the boys playing whiffle ball and hold the babe for a while. Even Ryan held him for a long time. Looks like he's warming up to babies afterall.

We also saw the LeMeistre's on the 4th of July! I can't believe I didn't even post about that. And Miriam had baby James just yesterday! Ah, I'm so excited for them. I can't believe we're not stairwell neighbors anymore, but the grilling skills Ryan learned paid off in Albany this weekend and they're just the best. Also, that Caesar salad that Josh made from scratch was waaaay good. Way.

On the Sunday before we left we walked to the Matheson's new (to them) place and were able to eat some awesome dessert and chat it up for a few hours. Their babe is getting bigger and bigger and he looks just like 'em. I ended up not getting a picture of us all together, but I think this picture is adorable. Hurray for dads and their boys. We had fun talking about everything they were up to and our plans for the upcoming trip and move.

On the day we left my awesome visiting teachers came over to help move and so did some kids from the ward. We were super appreciative and they even took some things we still had in our fridge and other random things we were giving away to save us a trip to DI (and thanks to the Hellewells for making that trip for us!!). Amanda and Dave also came by to help and since our movers were a tad late we were able to hang with them all afternoon. We grabbed some Cafe Rio, went to their garden, and watched He's just not that into you. I'll admit, I felt a bit lazy as they did real work while we just hung out, but it was so nice to be in a cozy, cool apartment while we waited. This picture is from a few days earlier, when we had burgers and homemade popsicles with them since our camera decided to be weird that day and not take pictures (we need/really really want a copy of the one Shanna took, Amanda!). Oh yeah, and we played just dance on the wii. I'm not ashamed of my ridiculous dancing.

*and Dave, I've still got that video of you and Ryan. It's on my desktop. I watch it from time to time.*

Have I mentioned we have awesome friends?

We're finally getting the swing of things here in Boston and get to move in to our apartment Monday morning! Our movers won't be here until a few days later (hopefully Tuesday or Wednesday), but I trip to Costco and Aldi will help us eat a bit better (cereal for bfast, lunch and dinner actually sounds fantastic). Also, I'm still job hunting, but I'm loving all the jobs I'm applying for. Cross your fingers for me please!

my amazing little sis.

Last week Ryan and I were able to stop by Louisville for a quick visit before coming to Boston. That visit included seeing my adorable and pregnant little sister, Kaylea and I couldn't wait to snap some pictures of her. Since it was vicious outside we just took a few, but I love the glow she's got about her and I'm so excited to see my niece/nephew when they arrive this November!

Kaylea, you are beautiful.

Half Birthdays!

Birthdays are always a good time, but are best enjoyed when no other holiday encroaches. Emily and I both have December birthdays (the 20th and 27th respectively), and while there are many positives, such as always being surrounded by family, there are also a few negatives, such as high stress environments and the classic two for one gift ("Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas!"). In a childish move to make ourselves feel better, Em and I have started celebrating our half birthdays in order to overcome our self-imposed, self-diagnosed complex.

For Emily I found a handbook to cheese according to Murray's. It is full of delicious cheeses that I am positive most people would do their best to avoid, but for those with more a distinguished palate, like Emily, it is a valuable instruction book for directions on properly consuming over 300 dairy delights. 

Recently Emily surprised me with Amazing Grace! This movie easily falls into my top ten list of favorite all time movies. It tells the tale of William Wilberforce and his lifelong struggle to abolish slavery from Britain and her colonies. It may be slow for some, but I love it.

That's it. No big birthday cakes, streamers or balloons. Fear not; although Emily and I have started this little tradition we still defer to our true December birthdays. In some ways I have to blame Amazon.com for all of this. How can you not find an excuse to buy such amazing gifts for no more than $10?

A week of awesome meals.

Last week I made a ton of things I've been wanting to make for a while now. Thanks to pintrest (look me up: emsmangs) I can better remember the things I want to make, and how delicious they look.

Sunday: Roasted Garlic Chicken Pesto Pizza with Garlic Cheese Bread
Monday: Southwestern Cobb Salad
Tuesday: Mushroom Risotto and House Salad
Wednesday: Settebello in SLC
Thursday: Hoisin Chicken Rice Bowls
Friday: House salad plus a million other salad ingredients out of our fridge
Saturday: Mediterranean Pasta

Also, I made some homemade hummus. It's a bit garlic-y, but I have a feeling I'll be making homemade hummus from here on out. You can add a little extra of whatever you'd like to make it just how you like it--garlic-y, lemon-y, whatever!
All I can say is, I highly recommend them all. I can't believe our moving date is in the single digits!

the italian cooking bug has bit again. fusili alla caprese

It's no surprise to any of my friends that I absolutely love me some good Italian food. I made Mel's Fusili alla Caprese (she got it from Giada). And I want to eat it every day of my life. You should too. It's served warm, so it's not necessarily a go-to summer dish (I love me some cold pasta salads), but it's quick,  meat-free, and so darn fresh!!

mel's picture--but mine looked like this and seriously tasted out of this world!

Fusili alla Caprese (thanks Melanie!)

1 pound fusilli pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered (about 1 1/2 pints)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, torn
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, diced (about 1 1/4 cups)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.In a medium skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper. As the tomatoes cook and soften, smash them with a fork. Continue to cook until the tomatoes make a chunky style sauce, about 4 minutes. Transfer the tomato sauce to the bowl with the pasta. Toss to combine. Add the basil leaves and mozzarella. Stir to combine. Add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the pasta is moist. Serve.