A year in review: 2014

I know, I know. I'm only a month late. Better now than never though, right?

2014 was our year. I was and wasn't in some ways but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

We built our FIRST HOME!
Probably the most exciting thing 2014 brought us! With that said we moved to idaho to finally "begin our lives" while it has been a blessing it has been a struggle somedays. The commute to our jobs increased and we left a ward we absolutely loved! We lost and gained friends. But We now live closer to family, which can be both good and bad! We have grown to love the ward we now live in.

Feeling 22.
This year I turned 22. Although my life is no where near what I pictured it 5 years ago or even 1-2 years ago I couldn't be any happier!

Moose hunt.
Kaden was able to spend time with a friend of his moose hunting for most of the hunting season. Although it wasnt his tag I think he enjoyed it. It's all he could talk about for weeks!

2 dogs later.
Kaden's grandpa was getting rid of his hunting dog and somehow we were nominated. Self nominated I guess you could say .. while she has been a challenge we love having her. Her name is Mika and she is a German wirehair hunting dog. She wishes she could be an inside dog while our other little dog, Lexi, truly insists on trying to be an outside dog. Lexi is a maltese mix dog. She is white and lives inside. I never thought I could ever love a dog so much. She is a playful and sassy little thing. I used to think it was odd when people treated their dogs like they were children and now we are those people. We love them to pieces.

We were able to get rid of some debt, always a plus!

Church calling: CTR7.
we teach the 7 and 8 yr Olds in primary. We were given this calling about a month and half after moving into our new home. It has been a fun adventure to learn and grow with these cute kids as they prepare to be baptized.

Lessons learned.
We had a scare when Kaden's MacBook crashed about 5 months ago. We had all of our pictures on it. Only about 5 yrs worth. Unfortunately we had not backed up a single picture anywhere else. It was a sad day at our house. We just recently received some good news and not so good new. We were able to get pictures off of the hard drive but Kaden's MacBook is toast. So it looks like I might be getting that desktop I've wanted for a year sooner than we thought! So learn from our mistake! BACKUP EVERYTHING, INCLUDING PICTURES. before we found out if we could get our pictures back I kept teasing Kaden we would have to go back to dating and start over. Glad we don't have to do that;)

I switched salons.
One of the hardest things I did in 2014! It was so hard to leave the first salon I started my career at but business wise it has been a blessing! I am now working at the Kutting Edge in Logan, Ut. I love it there and things are going great!

Family Vacation.
For Christmas Kaden's parents took us to AZ. We left the day after Christmas and we were gone for a week. It was so much fun!

As These past weeks have flown by I have had the chance to realize how blessed we have been in life. Though we may not have everything we want we have more than enough to get by. I don't know how we have gotten so lucky but we are grateful! 

2014 overall, was good to us! It will be hard to beat but I hope 2015 makes the books as well!

Confessions Of a {HUNTERS} Wife : Part 1

I wanted to start by saying, "Fall is my favorite season". While that is partly true, there are things that I love and don't love about every season. The list for fall is probably the longest though! There's just something about the smell of pumpkin and spices that hits the spot.

Hunting season is right around the corner and I would be lying to say I'm not excited! For MANY reasons;)

reason number ONE: More TV time for me. In our house we have a rule, the computer or the TV. You can't have both. Until hunting season, then that rule doesn't apply to me since Kaden is hardly home.

reason number TWO: It's so fun to see my husband get so excited over something. Even if it means spending 80-100% of our date night at Sportsman's Warehouse or trips to Cabelas. The smile on his face is worth the torture;)

reason number THREE: The leaves change colors. This one doesn't have much to do with hunting but more to do with why I love fall. I love the red, orange and yellow colors this time of year! Also, I know were closer to scarves and boots kind of weather. If you have seen my closet then you know I'm more than equipped.

reason number FOUR: I get more house work done and my house stays clean. Or so it seems! I find that when were not home very much my house stays so much more clean.

reason number FIVE: We actually have a reason to go for a four-wheeler ride. It's so fun when we get to see deer out and about this time of year! Rarely do we see a nice buck, probably cause they know whats coming;) but we still enjoy driving around looking for them.


Kaden has been saving his money to buy another gun, why he needs 4 different guns to shoot a deer is beyond me but if it makes him happy then that's all that matters.

I wish all you hunters out there a safe and happy hunting this season! And may your wives enjoy these next couple weeks;)

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

This is one of the Hubby's absolute favorites lately so I thought i'd share!

What you will need:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thigh tenders or chicken breast tenders*

1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp canola oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup cashews

Combine flour and pepper in large Ziploc bag. Add chicken. Shake to coat with flour mixture. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken about 2 minutes on each side. Place chicken in slow cooker. Combine soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes in small bowl; pour over chicken. Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. Add cashews and stir. Serve over rice. Makes 4-6 servings.
If you want like sauce and want to have some to pour over the chicken and the rice, double the sauce ingredients.

Easy Peasy Chicken Alfredo!

This is one that my Husband actually used to make all the time while we were dating. Super Easy!

What you will need:

- 1 bottle store bought Alfredo sauce. We usually like Prego but Ragu works great too!

- 1 box FARFALLE noodles (also known as "bow tie" noodles.) Really you could use any noodles you prefer. We have used Penne noodles before.

- 1-2 chicken breasts or 1 can/bottle chicken. Shredded.

-Olive oil for cooking
-Chili powder
-seasoning salt
-pepper to taste

Boil noodles in a sauce pan on high for apron 15 mins or as directed according to type of noodles.

In a sauce pan heat chicken in olive oil (I usually just drizzle it over chicken.) I do this so the chicken doesn't dry out. You could also just use water.

Season chicken with seasoning salt, pepper, and chili powder. There is no trick or measurement for this. Just add and taste! :)

Once noodles are boiled, drain. Dump noodles back in the sauce pan and add seasoned chicken to noodles.

Add the bottle of Sauce to the seasoned chicken and noodles. Mix and Serve.

ENJOY! Sometimes we will make garlic bread to go along or buy the french bread from walmart or any local bakery.

{LIVING} The Idaho Way

We have finally settled down in the cute little town of WESTON IDAHO. We are loving every minute being here! It is so nice to be a little closer to family. For those of you who don't know, Weston is where Kaden grew up. I am missing Smithfield a little bit but at the end of the day I am happy to be back in Idaho. The commute to work is longer but I am lucky to get to share it with Kaden! Most days we get to carpool to work and I love it. I love getting to listen to him and the long talks both to and from work. If you know my husband you know that he hates the quiet. I get to hear about everything about his day. It is truly a blessing in disguise.

In addition to a new house we have added a member to our little family. No, no babies, yet! She's the next best thing though :) she is a wire hair dog. Her name is Mika. She is quite the handful at times but we are loving the adjustment in our lives. {I will be blogging all about her soon!}

I get the question "Why Idaho?" a lot. And when I say a lot I mean pretty much every person I tell where we moved to. That and "Weston, Idaho? Where's that?" haha. I usually reply in a semi jokingly way, "Its a small town west of Preston. If you blink you might just miss it!" ;) But really. For those of you who don't know much of anything about weston, well, it consists of:

-Woodward's Convenient Store. Which technically triples as a mini grocery store, gas station and deli.

-Local Post Office.

-One massive church house. Surprisingly, Weston has two wards. Yes, TWO wards. I said to Kaden, is Weston really that big they need two wards? Evidently it is.

-City Office building which I try not to laugh while typing this but literally its the size of our Master Bedroom.

     Six Things We Do for Fun:

1. Walks/Bike Rides. Since Mika has so much energy we have been going on walks at nights. I think its beneficiary to the three of us ;)
When were not taking walks were going for bike rides. We have done this ever since we were newly-weds. Its nice to get out and enjoy this beautiful valley we live in. I have to admit though, Weston beats Logan and Smithfield by a lot when it comes to comparing the view you get while on your ride. I think thats what I love most about living here! It is So BEAUTIFUL here.

2. Yard work. I can't really say this is all fun but it is something we have been working on. I'm just going to say those of you who have nice yards with clean cut grass and beautiful trees, flowerbeds, gardens, I am so extremely jealous. I dream of that day for us. I find somedays I am so impatient and want this luscious Green landscaped yard. Instead all we have to look at is dirt and weeds for now.

3. Game Night/Movie Night. Kaden's Grandma and Grandpa Roberts have us hooked on this game they taught us called TRIPOLEE. I'm not sure if its a legit game or if its made up but it's seriously the funnest game and not to mention I pretty much kick butt at it.
Kaden and I are TV junkies. We LOVE movies and TV shows. We even enjoy watching silly youtube videos together.

4. Campfires. I think this is my most favorite thing. There's just something about summer and campfires with smores. What's not to love?

5. Rzr Rides. I truly married an outdoor guy. He is a little kid at heart and some days I don't think I could love him anymore than I already do. We love to go for rzr rides. Often we stop to shoot guns. Sometimes we take a target with us or just use a mountain dew can and have a little competition shooting. I like to think I make it real competitive for him. That or he makes me feel like I'm a really good shot. Either way I love getting to spend time with him.

6. Date Night. We still have date nights. Some with friends, some just enjoying each other and going to dinner or a movie or even just grocery shopping, lame I know but sometimes you learn to take what you can get and enjoy it! Kaden loves to visit Sportsman's Warehouse and check out things he wants to save and spend his money on. I can't help but tell myself it's a guy thing:) has to be, right?



Although it seems we have moved further from friends and some family we are so happy to be living where we are. I truly feel at home. At times I feel like I don't deserve the life I have, the husband I have and all the blessings I have been given. Our life is not perfect and though it may seem I assure you its the farthest thing from perfect. I once came across a quote that said, "Choose to be in love with your life" When life seems rough I try to remember this quote. I am blessed in many ways, some different from others but at the end of the day, I am blessed.

The long awaited update + {Memorial Day} fun!

I have been really bad at blogging lately but I have a good reason! 

We have been living with my in-laws for the past month, which was not planned but we are glad they don't mind having us! I couldn't have chosen a better mother-in-law, she cooks, she cleans and she even helps me with our laundry! What more could we ask for;) Love you Jen! 

First of all, I can't even begin to tell you how exhausted I am over people asking if we have moved into our house yet. Yes, it's exciting to build a house but I assure you we won't leave anyone out of the loop;) we will be sure to let everyone know when the day comes! (Hopefully sooner than later) 

We have started a little on the yard and couldn't be more excited to sign our lives away! 

As most of you know I am obsessed with watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette. Really, I've come to realize I'm a tv junkie but I  am so excited for Andi's season! Needless to say my Monday nights will be full for a while:) 

We had such a fun memorial weekend. Kaden had school in Salt Lake this last week so our weekend started off with a day in salt lake on Friday. School sucks but it's always fun to spend the last day of the week shopping and hanging out with the hubby. Later that night we went on a date with one of Kaden's old  friends and his cute girlfriend!

Saturday I went with kadens family on a rzr ride while Kaden worked. Yes, his life is rough. 

Today we went for a rzr ride with my family up Dayton canyon. It was so much fun and makes me so excited for summer ahead of us! 

P.S- long story short: I was doing invisilgn and wasn't working fast enough so I switched to braces and will be enjoying them for the next 3 months. So that solves that:) 

Lately {for us}

Kaden and I have been so busy with house stuff and working that we rarely find time lately to do much else. On top of all that we are moving out of our apartment earlier than planned so we are trying to decide what we need to take with us and what we need to leave in our current garage we have. We are moving in with his parents {again} while our house is being finished. If everything goes as planned, which it probably wont because nothing ever does when your building a house ;) , we hope to only be there 2-3 weeks! We are so lucky they love us enough to let us crowd them for a few weeks!

I just want to take a minute and brag about how awesome of a Husband I have! I have spent a ridiculous amount of time on Pinterest the past couple weeks. Everyday I find only about 5 things I want done to our house or made for our house. The list goes on and on.. Kaden so far has been a good sport but I can tell hes starting to get a little overwhelmed. From building our master closet organizers to our laundry room layout and then all his electrical stuff {which by the way never ends!} and then our entertainment center he's building for us. It's been almost 3 years of marriage and I am seeing his crafty side come out! I can ask him to make me just about anything and he does it. I think he was just as surprised as I was that he could build furniture. He loves it :) and it also gives him a reason to buy all these tools he finds at Lowes.

I will try to do my best to blog throughout the next two months of all this craziness happening!