launch party

Last week my mother in-law's newest book was released and can now be found at a bookstore near you. To celebrate, Barnes and Noble at the Gateway hosted a launch party for her and several other authors who also released new books.

We got to join in on the fun and see her in action.

And of course Halle couldn't leave her alone. Michele gave me a copy of the book for my birthday. I am hooked. I even had to sit and read while Halle took her bath last night. What's not to love about a book that is dedicated to Halle. Go grab a copy, "Summer in Paris" by Michele Ashman Bell.

You won't be sorry.

twenty four

A few days before my birthday Wes sent me a text and asked me if I could believe that I was going to be 23. I told him no I couldn't believe that because I was actually going to be 24. But, if he wants to think I am 23, that's fine with me.

All I wanted to do for the big two four was watch Halle eat pizza. I think I now understand why my mom used to give us kids gifts on mother's day. There is nothing more fun then watching your children get what they want and enjoy it like only innocent children can. It really is the best gift. I guess I have reached that age where you find most of your joy watching you children.

So that night Wes took his girls out to the cheesecake factory for dinner. Halle got her pizza and nothing was more fun then watching her stuff pieces of pizza in her mouth and ask for more, more, more, more. The one other thing I wanted to do for my birthday was order whatever I wanted without even thinking about the number of calories I was consuming.

Well I did.

And I really don't want to know how many calories were in my dinner or my birthday cheesecake.

We ate cake and opened presents at the Bell's house. So many sweet gifts and my lovely mother in law and sister in law took me out to lunch as well. It was one of the most delightful birthdays, sitting in that restaurant eating good food and watching Halle eat her favorite food.

She talked to me about it the whole way home. It went something like this:

"mama mama mama eat peepa (pizza). mama mama mama eat nana (banana). mama mama mama eat wawa (water). mama mama mama eat bread." Repeated about 100 times.

Bless all you sweet souls for the texts, messages, gifts, cards, and phone calls. Way to make a girl feel loved.

happy birthday

Aunt Rachel!

A blog post from Halle:

Sometimes when I wake up from my nap I ask if I can go to "dachoo's house."

I like to go to your house and play "oh no."

You share your toys with me.

You are my best friend.

You make me laugh.

Love, "Hattie"

We hope you have the best day and can't imagine what life would be like without you!

We love you!

happy birthday

Grandma Nimer!

I love how you sent me a text this morning that said "Happy Birthday to my birthday present."

I hate that you were in labor with me on your birthday and that your birthday has taken a backseat to my birthday every year.

I love that you are the best shopping companion ever.

I hate that I don't live closer to you.

I love that you kept Halle alive that first week she was born. Seriously I didn't know what to do without you.

I hate that you don't get to see Halle very much. But isn't it funny how much she loves you, despite the distance.

I love that you know all the new songs.

I hate that we don't get to sing in the car like we used to.

I love that I have an amazing example of what a mom should be like right in front of my face.

I hate that today on your birthday you can't be right in front of my face.

I love you, my mommy, more than you know.

I hope you have the best birthday.

We love you!

i feel pretty

if you haven't noticed,

halle is very comfortable with her body.

mom's salsa

When I went off to college I really missed my mom's cooking. The Cannon Center cafeteria never really did it for me, so gaining the freshman 15 was never a problem for me. Of all the delicious foods my mom made I really missed her fresh salsa. It has always been our favorite and whenever it is served it is practically gone in minutes.

When she would travel the 4 hours to visit me in Provo, she would always pack a big container of her salsa on ice so I could have a little piece of home. Some of my fondest memories from that first summer term at college were sitting on the floor of my dorm by our mini refrigerator late at night eating that salsa with tortilla chips and laughing with friends. It is the best tasting salsa I have ever had. And boy have I ever eaten a lot of different kinds of salsa because chips and salsa happen to be my ultimate comfort food.

I finally learned how to make this salsa on my own. My mom is the type of cook who makes some fantastic meals that she won't even consult a recipe for. This salsa is one such masterpiece that you just kind of feel how much to put in. I thought I would share the food love by sharing her recipe. If you prefer chunky salsa this may not be the recipe for you because all ingredients run through a food processor making it more of a thick liquid. These measurements are just guidelines, so don't try to be too exact with this one.

Mama's Salsa

1 clove of minced garlic

1 tbsp sliced jalapenos (buy the kind already sliced in a jar, make your life easy)

1/8-1/4 cup roughly chopped white onion

1/4-1/2 cup cilantro (no stems)

5 roma tomatoes

squeeze or two of lemon

salt to taste

Combine garlic, jalapeno, onion, and cilantro in food processor. Blend until large chunks are gone. Slice the tops of the tomatoes off and then slice tomato in half. Add tomato slices to food processor and blend until large chunks are gone. Squeeze in lemon and add salt. Blend once more and serve with tortilla chips. It may look a little frothy right after blending. If you let it sit for a few minutes it will settle and have more texture.

Enjoy!

you tell me

you tell me how self-feeding is going