Happiness on earth!

+ ESPN Weekend + Spring & Garden Festival + Rollar Coasters = Disneyworld!!! +

Matt and I just got back from another trip to Disneyworld but we were blessed to attend on a very busy weekend. It was ESPN’s annual fan’s weekend at Hollywood Studios and oh my goodness was it crazy amazing! We got to see a lot of celebrity athletes up close and there was a really enjoyable fan zone too!

Our highlights included Matt being seen on First Take and our interactions with some of the NBA’s legends! I had the privilege of being on camera with a question to Karl Malone about my home team the Jazz. Included in the session was Gary Payton, Alonso Mourning, Kevin MacHale, and Dr. J – Julius Irving. Talk about keeping good company. I also got to sit in on a special interview session with Mia Hamm who was a hero of mine growing up.

We also got to play in Epcot and visit the beautiful garden topiaries created for the Spring. We love traveling through the world showcase and sampling all the sweets but it was a special treat to find special little character spots around.

To wrap up our time we attended a special pass holder event at the Animal Kingdom. Typically, the park closes around 5 or 6. But since it was an anniversary event for the wicked sweet rollar coaster “expedition everest” – they opened up for a select number of us Floridians. It was really cool to see this park at night and with so few people to bump into. Even though Matt struggles with motion sickness – we made it on the ride four times before we had to sit out for some Dramamine. I was quite proud of how far he’s come haha.

Right now, we’re preparing to wrap up our semester. Our work load is heavy but we’re hopeful we’ll make it through this semester. Matt is looking into a possible on-campus job and we’ve got our fingers crossed for it. I just received a nomination to participate in a special organization on campus that will work directly with NSU’s new President. The club is called the “Presidents 64” and it’s 64 students that have shown great promise and success. I feel really honored for this and look forward to making a difference on our campus.

Next month we have some big plans to celebrate surviving another semester. My mom will be flying out to join us on the beach! My mom hasn’t left Utah in 10 years, flown in 15 yrs, and seen her sisters in over 20 yrs…! I’m very excited to share my experience out here with her and hopefully, give her an opportunity to reconnect with her family and past.

We also found out today that we’ll be flying to Indy at the end of April for some much needed time with family and friends. We’re very excited to go back home!

My handsome Sports analyst

Rocking our Toy Story 3-D glasses – Matt’s enthusiasm comes from his paparazzi wife

Pacers pride even in Florida

+ True Joy +

On camera with Karl Malone

Some NBA Legends Julius Irving, Kevin McHale, Karl Malone, Alonso Mourning, and Gary Payton (left to right)

Dr. J.

Some NBA Legends Julius Irving, Kevin McHale, Karl Malone, Alonso Mourning, and Gary Payton (left to right)

Ft. Lauderdale

Hello to our wonderful family and friends. 2011 has started as a very busy year for us. Matthew loves his program with some great professors also serving as a mentor to him. We both are spending some long hours studying but we do enjoy our library dates with dinner in the university center off of the meal plan..

AS a resolution for ourselves we decided that we want to try and find some more opportunities to go out and get to know sunny south Florida. On our recent adventures, we’ve started going out with fellow classmates to local restaurants, taking Disney trips with our annual passes, and our recent favorite – touring downtown Ft. Lauderdale!

Below we have attached some photos of our new adventures J P.S. Yes we buzzed Matt’s hair – and I totally find him handsome.

We went out with a co-worker of mine and her partner to the Museum of Art and lunch at the Riverwalk.

Thanks to our Graduate school we went on a night cruise on a yacht through the intercoastal waterway.

Wandering through the Riverwalk we found a Pita Pit nearby!

It was cold enough on our last trip that we had to wear jackets and sweaters! It was fantastic! Still no snow but 40 degrees in Florida sticks out like a sore thumb.

Disney – this picture shows the perfection in every trip here!

This photo shows Matt’s attitude after choosing to leave his jacket at home and having to shell out a good 50 dollars for one in the parks – though I think he looks rather dashing in it.

Despite being away from our family this year Matthew and I tried to make the best of our time in South Florida over the holidays and with help from a few recipes and each other’s company – We had a wonderful new kind of “white Christmas”.

We started off by decorating our little home in the festive nature.

I love to decorate our tree in red, green, and gold with nutcrackers all over. We have a couple special ornaments that are fun to seek out. The angel was a special find that I love very much.

Though we didn’t have as many presents as usual under the tree – our kitties were anxious to help us open them.

Every year, the kitties begin to feel festive in their holiday collars. Reggie enjoys his Santa-esque collar.

Sammy on the other hand goes for Christmas glam with sequins, jewels and feathers (that they surprisingly do not attack or pull off J)

As we began to get into our stockings the kitties became very anxious for the wrapping paper and toys alike

Sometimes, the excitement shines in their eyes

But no matter how much they like their toys – they love the wrapping papers and boxes

Our first attempt at a family Christmas photo – Reggie took it to be a cuddle session and missed his shot.

Merry Christmas 2010!

Matt took the photo too early and caught my excitement

This was supposed to be my cool excited pose – even with the bag upside down. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for my favorite holiday treat!

Matt had to work Christmas Eve so he enjoyed a frozen CPK pizza afterward

Christmas Day included time at the beach followed by watching the Heat basketball game after

Our new kind of “white Christmas” – fluffy white clouds and nice “white” sand

My paradise

One of our new favorite recipes included a Christmas Quiche. Ours included ham and bacon for Matt's evolved taste palette.

Easy Quiche:

• 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar or mozzerella cheese

• 2 tablespoons flour

• 1 cup milk

• 3 eggs, slightly beaten

• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)

• 9 inch pre-baked pie shells

• 1 dash pepper

• A dash of garlic powder

Directions

Prep Time: 0 mins Total Time: 1 hr

1. Toss cheddar cheese with flour.

2. Add milk, eggs, and parmesan cheese (if using), salt, and pepper; mix well.

3. Pour into unbaked pie shell (pre-bake to avoid soggy).

4. Bake at 350* for 50-60 minutes or until set.

Variations include:

10 oz. pkg frozen chopped broccoli, cooked and drained

4 oz. can sliced mushrooms, drained.

Add 1 cup finely chopped ham

1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper

1/4 cup chopped pimentos.

8 slices crisp bacon cooked and crumbled

1/4 cup chopped green onions.

Add a 4 oz, pkg. sliced pepperoni

1/4 teaspoon oregano leaves, crushed.

Add 1/2 lb. bulk pork sausage cooked and drained;

10 oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach, cooked and well drained;

1/4 cup chopped onion

If you choose, Top with thin tomato slices just before serving.

My first Christmas dinner – ham and all. Sadly, we forgot to capture a photo of our Baked Apples dessert.

Over the last month Matthew and I celebrated our first Nova Homecoming. We got to attend a tailgate in Shark fountain where we shot free throws for a free shirt, got to enjoy lunch together, and hung out with our friends from my office. After the Tailgate was the annual raft race on the lake where students build their own boats and race them against other groups and clubs to win some money to cover their costs.

This last month, we also got to celebrate our first Thanksgiving with no one from our families. We were lucky enough to have the privilege to join one of my Nova best friends Gina and her family, the Mercanti’s for dinner. Hannah, my Nova soulmate, also came and joined us. The day before I had the opportunity to make our own Thanksgiving dinner (sorry no pictures, it was a traumatic experience). For my fellow grad assistant friends and Matt, I successfully made a delicious turkey, stuffing, homemade mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, and crock-pot mac’n’cheese. For dessert, crème brulee!

Over the weekend we did very little black Friday shopping. Matt stayed home while I spent over an hour in traffic for a handful of wal-mart DVD’s and Blu-ray’s. I returned to sleep and for Florida to be winterized – well… at least our apartment (photos to come!). We decorated for Christmas and wrapped it up like a normal holiday weekend – Matt goes to work and I went to a Dashboard Confessional concert. Working at Nova gives you perks – including free tickets through the radio station.

Next up this month, Dolphins football games, snorkeling in the bay, and our first Christmas on the beach… all in preparation for Matt’s first day of Grad School – Jan. 3^rd!

Wish us luck!