Hale

Hawaii... To say that it does not feel like home (hale) by now would be a lie. We just absolutely love going there and treasure the memories!

This trip we started out in Hilo (the Big Island) with Sean's parents as usual but then almost immediately we left and went over to the Kona side of the island. There is nothing like the sunset on the ocean.

 While we were there we were able to enjoy an outdoors market, some beautiful beaches, lots of sun, and of course some great waves.

 HaHa... I love that this one is blurry... It just shows how fast he is booking it!

 Sean likes to make small talk with the locals while he golfs : )

But before long we made our way over to Oahu. I have to admit I was super excited to see Peal Harbor but other than that I didn't think that I would like the Island... Boy was I wrong!

 Pearl Harbor was so surreal... We walked in the gates at 7:50. Exactly 2 minutes after the bombing started on that morning on December 7, 1941. We were able to see how quiet and beautiful it would have been before all Hell broke loose.

 We took a ferry out to the Arizona Memorial. This was especially touching for us because Sean's great Uncle is entombed in the Arizona along with the many other men who went down with the ship that morning.

By the time we made it back over to the museum and starting going through I looked down at my watch and it was exactly 9:45. We had been on the base the entire time the attack was happening. I was tired from just walking around we did and being exposed to everything. I could only imagine that it seemed like a lifetime to those who actually experienced the tragedy. To my great Aunt who survived Pearl Harbor as a nurse and Sean's great Uncle who's name will forever stand as a sentinel,  your family still remembers and think about you and what you went through on that fateful day.

Sean got to try on a divers helmet that was actually used at Pearl Harbor to try and find survivors and bodies after the attack. Isn't he cute?

Oahu is much more beautiful than I ever imagined! It now is officially my favorite Hawaiian. Island! Heck I could live there ; )

We relaxed on the beach, surfed, shopped, walked around and of course ate out of random food trucks on the side of the road!

 Whats the point of going to Oahu if you don't surf the Pipe Line?

We enjoyed going to the Polynesian Cultural Center. I ate more food than should legally be aloud and we saw and amazing show called "Ha, The Breath of Life". And coming from someone who has seen a lot of Luau's... this was much much better and entirely worth the money. 

And last but not least we rounded of our trip with a behind the scenes visit to the Bishop Museum and a wonderful sunset on Waikiki.

Aloha and A Hui Hou!

Introducing - Cassiel

This is our new little guy. His name is Cassiel but we like to call him Cas instead.

We adopted him from the Humane Society of Utah last week after a strong dose of "love at first sight".

He is a three month old Rag Doll kitten.

Some things about Cas...

#1. He loves him some big brother Mingy... haha. To say that Mingus loves him back is quite a stretch at this time!

But who can blame him for trying? He hasn't had a mom since he was 4 weeks old...

#2. He loves to help. That is help you write, help you type, help you walk, help you take a bath, help you do the dishes, help you iron... and the list goes on. Too bad his version of help is our version annoying most of the time!

#3. He likes his new mom! And he is so cute that if he falls asleep on me I am tempted to just sit there and let him sleep while the rest of the world passes us by..

 P.S. It is also a competition with Ming to see who Mom loves more..

#4. He falls asleep in the funniest places! Here he is using my hood as his personal hammock...

#5. Have I mentioned that he is just so stinkin' cute?!?

2012 Who Would You Vote For?

This film is about the two things you should never talk about at the dinner table-- religion and politics. It also sheds light on how our religious diversity makes us great, often divided, ultimately united, and unequivocally American.

The Religious Test explores why roughly 1 in 5 Americans would not support a Mormon for president - an interesting fact given that there are two LDS candidates in the running for 2012. The film will attempt to address misconceptions regarding Mormon faith and culture (as it pertains to leadership track records in government and civil service) and capture relevant conversations from all over the political and faith spectrum. It will focus on social perception over dogmatic issues.


President Obama in a recent email to CBN News wrote:
“Whatever we once were, we’re no longer just a Christian nation; we are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation, and a nation of non-believers...”

The matter of religion in politics was constitutionally settled with the First Amendment in 1791: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...” and more explicitly in regard to holding public office in Article VI, paragraph 3: “...No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”

The film asks the larger question - why is faith still such a concern in presidential races? It also reveals the underpinnings of what makes people afraid of the idea of a Mormon president-- and by extension any American whose beliefs are in the minority

Breakfast Granola

This Granola is GREAT! It tastes wonderful and allows you to be in charge of what you and your family are eating for breakfast! (And makes your house smell absolutely delightful!)

Recipe Ingredients:

• 4 c. of rolled Oats
• 2 c. unsweetened coconut
• 2 c. Almonds
• 2c. Cashews
• Pinch of Salt
• 4 oz. of Honey (or more depending on your sweet tooth)
• 3/4 c. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Cinnamon to taste
• Dried Cherries
• Dried Dates

 

Recipe Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix Oats, Coconut, Almonds, Cashews, Salt, Honey, EVOO, and Cinnamon in a large mixing bowl until combined.
3. Spread mixture evenly over a greased cookie sheet and bake in oven for 30 min. or until golden brown.
4. After baking add dried fruit and enjoy!

     

                                                        

The best part about this recipe is that it can be a different breakfast every time you make it by simply changing the type of nuts and fruits you use : )

Chilaquiles Casserole

This is a wonderful vegetarian spin on the old classic enchilada casserole.

This enchilada-style casserole is made with mildly spicy sauce but you can use medium or hot. If you want to eliminate the heat altogether, try a green enchilada sauce (milder than red) or substitute two 8-ounce cans of plain tomato sauce.

Prep Time:	20 minutes
Ready in:	45 minutes
Yield:	10 servings
Ease of Prep:	Easy

Recipe Ingredients
	1 tablespoon canola oil
	1 medium onion , diced
	1 medium zucchini , grated
	1 19-ounce can black beans , rinsed
	1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes , drained
	1 1/2 cups corn , frozen (thawed) or fresh
	1 teaspoon ground cumin
	1/2 teaspoon salt
	12 corn tortillas , quartered
	1 19-ounce can mild red or green enchilada sauce
	1 1/4 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

Recipe Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in zucchini, beans, tomatoes, corn, cumin and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are heated through, about 3 minutes.
3. Scatter half the tortilla pieces in the baking dish. Top with about half the vegetable mixture, about half the enchilada sauce and half the cheese. Repeat with one more layer of tortillas, vegetables, sauce and cheese. Cover with foil.
4. Bake the casserole for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the casserole is bubbling around the edges and the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes more.

Prepare through Step 3, and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Health Advantages: low calorie, high fiber, low cholesterol, low sodium, healthy weight, diabetes appropriate.

Nutrition Information
Servings Per Recipe: 10
	Amount Per serving
	Calories:	245 cal					Carbohydrate Servings:	1 1/2
	Carbohydrates:	31 g		Dietary Fiber:	6 g		Cholesterol:	23 mg
	Fat:	10 g		Sodium:	351 mg		Saturated Fat:	4 g
	Protein:	9 g		Potassium:	272 mg		Monounsaturated Fat:	4 g
	Nutrition Bonus:	Vitamin C (25% daily value), Fiber (24% dv), Vitamin A (15% dv).

Graduation

I don't know what is wrong with me... I love to read other peoples blogs but mine.... that is another story! So here is what you have missed!

WE GRADUATED!
Well actually we graduated back in December of 2010 but we finally walked!
Sean graduated first (a week before me) His parents Shori and Kelly came out for some celebrating and luckily I still passed my finals!
Here is a picture of Sean, Shori and Kelly outside of the Marriott Center

Here is my lovely family that came for my graduation! Sadly it was SNOWING so we don't have any outdoor photos... only the ones taken in the house :( Its okay, I was still happy to have everyone come out!

Women: You are heavnly creatures