The Steelwells Show

Tyler's cousin Joey and my cousin Robbie are in a band together and they had their CD release party at the House of Blues in Anaheim at the end of October. They rocked the house. It was so much fun to see them up on stage with all the lights and screaming fans. It was a great night for them. I am really happy for them and how far they have come. They are really talented.

Ducks in Tux

So I know this post is long overdue. I think we went to this event back in November but it was really fun. Every year they have a charity dinner with a silent and live auction for the Anaheim Ducks Foundation. This year it was at the Hilton in Anaheim and it was wonderful. Really good food, hockey players from our favorite team and our family. I even got to wear a pretty dress and curl my hair. It was a blast. Thanks to Dad for being a sponsor!

Watch this hilarious video!

I was bored and this is funny. You should watch it and then do one yourself. It is awesome! Merry Christmas!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Breathe In

It is 1 AM and I am wandering the house wearing Tyler's thermal. Tyler is on an overnight camp out with his cousin and I am here in the apartment wondering if I am going to be able to go to bed. I was really excited for tonight. I have known about it for a while now and I was totally pumped to have the apartment to myself. I was going to relax. Eat food that Tyler doesn't care for. Watch movies that Tyler doesn't like. Sleep in the middle of the bed. I ended up doing a few of those things and also cleaning and doing the laundry. It has actually been a really productive night... I even got in some errands and a work out. I feel good. Except I can't remember if there has ever been a night when I have had to sleep without Tyler. I thought I would like the independence, but it turns out that I have become accustomed to snuggling before bed and goodnight kisses. Funny how things change without your knowledge. While I was standing in the closet I took a deep breath of the thermal that I am wearing. Then a thought struck me. It smells like him. What would happen if the only thing I had left of Tyler was the memories, photos and the smell of his thermal. What happens when that comforting and familiar scent fades? I am really lucky. I think sometimes gratitude hits you at the most peculiar times. Maybe its the silence, the apartment, the hour, or the thermal that is bringing out these thoughts, but just think for a second. What if what you hold dear was torn away from you? It happens all the time to really good people. Really wonderful people suffer loss all the time. What would you do? How would you get from one day to the next? I don't think there is any correct answer, but I know that I am blessed because of a man named Tyler. I need to hold on to each day like my life depended on it. Mostly I just hope that when I lose someone I love I will be able to hold tight to my memories and remember every laugh, hug, kiss, smile, conversation, glance, touch and every single moment. Because eventually the scent will fade and you can no longer breathe them in simply by standing in their clothing wondering what to do next. So hold on tight.

Ducks Game and Skating

Tonight was an extra special Ducks game. Not only did we play really well and win... We also got the opportunity to stay after the game and ice skate. Tyler was the only one who really wanted to skate so my dad and I just walked out onto the ice to get some pictures. If you notice in the picture of my dad is the CenSource logo on the scoreboard. Pretty special to know that my dads hard work all these years has resulted in him being able to be a sponsor for the Ducks. I am glad that his dad taught him the importance of hard work and introduced him to the signage industry. I am very grateful for both my dad and my grandfather for working so hard. It is their hard work that has provided me with so many special life experiences.

wishing::hoping::praying::

Tonight Tyler and I did something I look forward to all year. We got Starbucks Hot Chocolate in their seasonal Christmas cups. They are especially interesting this year. I am really impressed by the very thoughtful message on each cup. It was fun just sipping my yummy peppermint hot cocoa in a comfy chair talking to the love of my life. We talked about the night we had our first kiss. I love remembering the butterflies and excitement. What a great start to the holiday season.

Pretty Please

The Welcome mat that I bought when Tyler and I first got married was stolen not too long after we moved in. I was totally sad because I thought my welcome mat was so pretty AND who on earth would steal a welcome mat? I mean come ON people! How sad is that? So I haven't replaced it because I am scared of getting attached again just to see it get stolen again. But the other day I saw a Welcome Mat that was just so cute... I couldn't pass it up. So I am pleading... Pretty Please don't steal my door mat!

Welcome Fall... with some pumpkin pie!

So last Thanksgiving my lovely co-worker Pat gave me some pumpkin puree that she made from her home-grown pumpkin. This year she didn't grow any pumpkins so I had to do it on my own. I figured that I would do a trial pie before thanksgiving so that I had the time to work out any kinks. I also thought it would be cool to take pictures of the process. So here they come. Hope you enjoy!

First you have to buy a pumpkin (I bought mine from Trader Joes) and cut it in half.


Next you have to get all the seeds out along with the stringy insides.


This is what it looks like when it is ready to go into the oven.


I had to cut the pumpkin into quarters to fit them into my pans...



Add 1 Cup of water to each pan and bake for 90 minutes at 350


Once the pumpkin was baking I made the dough. It was a really good sweet recipe that I found online. I totally reccomend it. My parents said it tasted like gingersnaps.


Then I let the dough cool in the fridge...


This is what the pumpkin looks like when it is done baking


Then you have to take the pumpkin out of the pan and scrape out the soft insides. I used tongs to transport them onto my cutting board and I had the blender close to avoid spills. I used a big fork to hold the pumpkin while I scraped it. It comes off really easy.


So I set my blender on puree and it did it perfectly! It kind of looked like baby food. The one pumpkin made two blenders full of the puree. Now I will have enough to freeze for Thanksgiving!


So then I took the 1.5 cups of puree and heated it with .5 cups of brown sugar for about 20 minutes. Once it was thickened I took it off of the heat and added in the milks and spices.


So then once I wisked the filling and rolled out my dough I poured the filling into my pan. Then I got to use my cute cookie cutters from Williams Sonoma. They are super cute!


I decided to put the leaves around the entire pie. Next time I may just have to cover the entire top... It would look so pretty!


I had to be super careful.. a few little leaves fell into the filling and drowned.


Ready to go into the oven for about an hour...


It turned out so pretty! I am so proud.


I brought the pie over to my parents house (Bonus: The car smelled awesome on the way to Anaheim Hills!)and everyone loved it! This was my piece. I enjoyed every bite! It was so tastey! It was a really yummy dinner too. We had tri-tip, roasted potatoes and veggies. My mom had the house all decorated for fall and it looked beautiful. The table was all decked out and she even lit candles! It was a beautiful dinner and a success because everyone enjoyed it all!

I can't wait for thanksgiving! I always get together with my sisters and my mom to bake pies the night before thanksgiving. It will be super fun this year now that I know how to bake well and I have found some cool new recipes and tricks!

Forsgren Family Photos

Here is the slideshow that I put together of some of my favorites from the Family Photo shoot that I had with the Forsgrens. Thanks for letting me build up my portfolio!

A sliver of sunshine

So this is just a hint of the photo shoot that I had with the Forsgren Family on Saturday. They are some of my favorite people. Jessica is Tyler's sister. We love this family a whole lot. Not just because they are cute, but because of their love for us and for each other. I will post more of the session later when I get a little more time to edit and create a slideshow.

We found what we were looking for...

This weekend was a blast. We went to the U2 concert at the Rose Bowl. The night started when we arrived at Christina's place. She dropped us off at Union station and then we took a train to memorial park.


After we got off the train we walked a few blocks to a shuttle station where a bus drove us right up to the Rose Bowl. We were really impressed at how organized they were. There were plenty of buses and staff to get everyone where they needed to be. When we got into the Rose Bowl we were not far from the entrance to the floor. Everyone seemed to be running frantically as though U2 was going on any second! We ran down a tunnel and when we got to the end of the tunnel we looked around and there were thousands of people and lights surrounding us. It was epic. I just did a 360 turn and realized how amazing it felt to be on the floor at such a HUGE concert! We waited just a few minutes and then U2 came out and the rest of the night was spent in Awe. Here are some photos and videos of the night.










It was an amazing experience. Definitely a once in a lifetime concert and I am so glad that we got to go together. We are both so happy that we got to be at such an amazing concert listening to a band that truly has changed the world not only with their music, but with their acts of service and compassion toward people in need all around the world. I get the chills everytime I look at the pictures or watch the videos that we took. Joy is the only word to describe that experience.

P.S. Thank you Christina for helping us out! We love you!

I am still alive

For anyone who is wondering I am still alive. Life is a little crazy right now. I am working 3 days a week and taking 5 classes. I have 9 more courses to complete after this semester and then it is bye bye college hello photography. I am getting really excited. I have all of my classes mapped out so that I know what I am taking. Next semester I dive into my minor classes (Health Science) so that will be good. The happenings of the last month or so have been good though, I squeeze in some fun in between studying (I literally read on the way to dinner, parties or family functions). Well October 2nd was my grandpa's birthday bash which turned out great. He is so amazing. I am so grateful for his example. He is so kind and he always has a smile on his face, even when he tears up while he bears his testimony of the Gospel and tells us how much he loves us. I am lucky to have such a caring grandpa who talks to me, hugs me, loves me and makes me smile. On the day that Tyler and I were sealed in the Newport Beach Temple we got to hug everyone that was in the room with us after the ceremony, it wasn't until Grandpa came to hug me that the spririt really struck me and I started to cry. My dad's parents died a few years back and I was sad that they couldn't be there with us, but Grandpa and Grandma Stout were there and I am so grateful for that. I will never forget that day and that they were there to share it with us.

General Conference was amazing. I love watching conference. Tyler and I figured out what channel it was on so we got to watch it on TV instead of on the computer. It was awesome. I made a yummy breakfast on sunday morning and Hyrum came over to watch with us. Then for dinner we headed out to see Dan and Laurie Rex. It was a really fun visit and also super good food! They are awesome. I am super glad that Tyler has cool family members! I am proud to call them family.
We have gone to a couple amazing hockey games too. They are always a blast. Last weekend I got my nails done with Jessica and we went to Justin and Christina's for tacos and the USC game. It was bomb. Justin made Chorizo... this spicy sausage stuff... quite tasty! And Julia was in town so it was nice to see her too!

And this week I went to Apple Counrty with my friends Jessica and Lauren. It was a beautiful day. So perfect. I got some super yummy apple donuts, a bag of apples and some apple butter! Such a good day. I love those ladies.
Coming Attractions:
Tonight we are playing games with the Altmans (friends of the Pitts Family) and my parents and siblings. It is going to be a riot. Jeff is the funniest person I know. Sunday we are going to the U2 concert. Next week we are going to Dux 'n' Tux... we get to get dressed up in semi-formal wear and meet the Ducks! It is going to be awesome! And next week our cousins Robbie and Joey are having their CD release show at the House of Blues in Anaheim. Their band, The Steelwells, is really good and we are stoked for them. Can't wait for that! So... I still get to have fun amidst all of the assignments, readings, exams, quizzes and craziness. I can't wait until Thanksgiving break... I will be baking pies and eating myself into oblivion. It will be amazing! Then only a couple weeks until finals and not too much longer after that it will be Christmas! Just in case you didn't know... I pretty much turn into an elf during the next little while. Christmas makes me super happy. I can't explain it. I love it with my whole heart.

Congrats Jonathon and Laura

On Saturday Laura and Jonathon were married on a beautiful cliff in Laguna Beach. Following the ceremony we headed over to Las Brisas for Lunch. It was amazing! It was not only beautiful, but the food was amazing. I also got to take some photos to get some practice (for those of you who don't know I am working on my portfolio so that I can start a photography company). Jonathon works with me and I have known him for a long time. When I asked him if I could take pictures at their wedding he was more than happy to let me play paparazzi for the day. I am so glad that I got to share their special day with them. They are beautiful people inside and out and I am so happy for them!!! Here is the video I made for them.

Signed. Sealed. Delivered.

Here is the video that I made for Mike and Jessica so that they could remember this weekend. It was an amazing trip. Tyler and I had so much fun. We got to do the fun tourist-y things that we wanted to and we didnt miss any of the family stuff. It was amazing to see the papers signed and the adoption finalized, see them get sealed in the Seattle Temple for all eternity and have them delivered to California! Enjoy!

And We're Off!

Today we are leaving for Seattle, Washington. And we just happened to get a flight with Mike, Judd and Cindy! I already told mike that I will be throwing my peanuts at him if he sits in front of us! :) But this is no ordinary vacation... This weekend we are going to be able to see some things that we will remember for the rest of our lives. Tomorrow is the finalization of the adoption of Aaron and Owen Forsgren. Jessica and Mike have taken care of these two little gems for the last two years and at last they get to be a part of their family legally and eternally. On Saturday we are going to have the opportunity to watch the Forsgren family kneel at the altar in the Seattle Temple and be sealed together for all of eternity. I am so unbelievably happy! Jessica and Mike have been a wonderful example to Tyler and I and we are so proud of them for going through so much to give these sweet boys a life full of love, family and especially the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have witnessed the sealing of a couple before, but I have never been present for the sealing of a family. I think it will be a sweet experience to see children and parents in the temple all together. I look forward to it. Thank you Mike and Jessica for teaching your boys and for letting us be a part of this amazing weekend. We love our family. We are grateful for the good people that surround us and how lucky we are that we have the Gospel in our lives.