Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! First of all a big thank you to all our service men and women. We so appreciate you! Nate and I have had a busy weekend of fun. We fished early Saturday morning and then had a fun date that evening. Sunday, we grilled with Nate's family. Nate made grilled Korean barbecue chicken, so good! We fished again early this morning too. Both Nate's brother and brother came too. Of course we grilled hamburgers today, I think that's a Memorial Day requirement. Nate and I ended the day with a trip to Cabela's. All in all it was a busy but very fun weekend. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to sleeping in past 5 am tomorrow!

Visit From the Smith Family

Nate's parents and youngest siblings came down from Oregon to visit. The reason for the visit was because Stephanie finished her culinary program. Nice work Steph! We also celebrated Jack's first birthday! We all got together for some family dinners and some fun. Amanda built this awesome volleyball net out of swimming noodles and we played boys vs. girls. I'm proud to say girls won! Amelia was definitely our all star. Of course Jake and Amelia had their usual sleepover at our house. I made German pancakes for the first time in the morning for them. One night we all went bowling, and I think Keith had more fun than anyone! He was the best little bowler! Julianna threw a first birthday bash for Jack and of course he was so cute! Ben and Katie weren't able to stay too long this trip, but we look forward to seeing them again in August. Thanks for the visit Smith family!

Kelley's Graduation

Way to go Kelley! My little sister Kelley graduated summa cum laude from the University of Utah earlier this month. She was accepted to both Yale and Vanderbilt. Kelley is going to attend Vanderbilt University's nurse practitioner program this fall. We are all seriously so proud. Way to go Kelley!

Best Weekend Ever!

It's official. I love camping! I had the best time this weekend. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun. Everything turned out great and I can't wait to go again. In fact, we are going again in three weeks, the campsite is already reserved! We went camping up American Fork Canyon at Granite Flats. We are lucky enough to have some amazing friends in Ricky and Suzie who are pretty much the best campers you'll ever meet. They recommended going to this site for my first camping experience, and it was such a gorgeous spot. Ricky and Nate went up a night early to set up our tents and reserve our spot since it was too early in the season to reserve them online. Nate and I went up the next afternoon to get the party started! I get there and I see the worlds dinkiest tent. We had borrowed one from my mom and Nate told me it was a little on the small size but that it would still work. Um no, there was no way it was going to work. I already had a little anxiety about going camping, and this just about sent me right over the edge. So once Nate and I had unloaded the car we turned right around and went to buy a new tent. We found a great deal on one at Costco and also found some sweet chairs with detachable foot rests. Now I was ready to camp. So we went back up the canyon and set up our new tent and made ourselves at home. There was tons of wildlife and I managed to take 466 pictures during our two night stay. When dinner time got closer, Nate was able to build a fire. That boy sure loves to make camp fires, correction, bon fires. The bigger the better. Ricky and Suzie joined us that evening and we ate some tin foil dinners and made some dessert calzones. Who says you can't camp in style? The next day was so fun. We started out with an amazing mountain man dutch oven breakfast that Ricky made. We played cards, went for a mini hike, and then drove to the lake. In addition to being professional campers, Ricky and Suzie are great fishermen. Ricky taught Nate to fish while Suzie and I talked and took pictures. Then Nate caught a fish! His very first fish! I can't even tell you how proud and happy I was! Ricky had already caught one and I was secretly praying that Nate would catch one too, and he did! It was a decent sized fish too. I was able to get some great pictures too. I've never seen Nate smile so big. He was on cloud nine the whole trip, but I think this was his favorite part. We fished for a little longer without any more success. Oh, the lake was so serene though. It was so gorgeous I could've stayed all day. We had another great dutch oven dinner, pizza, that night and made s'mores and talked by the fire for hours. I don't remember who, but some one got us started telling embarrassing stories about ourselves. Poor Ricky and Suzie, they got to know us pretty well, maybe a little too well, hopefully they still want to be our friends! Goodness. Before heading home, the boys got up early to go fishing again. Nate caught two more fish! He's on a roll! I was really sad that we had to go home that morning. I was having so much fun, it was really hard to leave. I am pretty proud of myself, I survived two nights in the woods, in bear and moose country, I survived the vaults, and I conquered a fear. I learned that I love camping, outdoor cooking, and I learned that Nate and I are so blessed to have friends like Ricky and Suzie. Is it lame that I want our future kids to marry their future kids? Imagine how dang fun those family get-togethers would be! Thanks again you guys for the best weekend ever!

Oh goodness, I did not know squirrels could be so loud! No need for an alarm clock with those guys around. I took tons of pictures of that squirrel, eventually he got tired of the paparazzi and turned and started chattering at me so I had to leave. See that rabbit? He was around all weekend. There were two rabbits that were chasing each other all day, seriously, every 20-30 minutes they'd run right through our campsite. I made the mistake of asking out loud if they were husband and wife rabbits, every body laughed and laughed. I also think those ducks could be husband and wife ducks.

I Caved

That's right, the rumors are true. Nate and I are going camping tomorrow. After 5 years I finally gave in. I agreed to go last year and we had the tent and everything, things just never seemed to work out. Tomorrow is a definite. In fact Nate and Ricky are currently setting up the tents at our campsite, which we picked out last night. The boys were worried our spot would be taken that they are setting up the tents a night early. I have to admit, the site is really gorgeous. It has a little boardwalk which leads you into the campsite, a nice clearing for tents, plenty of trees around for privacy. There was even a rabbit just chillin' on the side of the boardwalk. It was kinda awesome to see one up close. I wish I had had my camera! It's on the packing list for sure. That's right, I've got a list so I don't forget vital things like hand sanitizer, bug spray, sunscreen, and clorox wipes. You know, the essentials. I've been to the store twice today, we have enough food for a week, and my husband is so excited you'd think it was Christmas Eve. It's honestly so cute to me, seeing how excited he is. I'd do anything to see that big grin on his face. And I'm proving that by going camping! In all seriousness, and don't tell Nate this, I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow, I think I just may have a really good time.

Holy smokes! We've been so busy the last little while! Our blog has definitely taken a back seat lately. Since I'm failing miserably at my journaling goal for the year I figure I should at least update the blog every so often. I'm happy to report that we've been busy doing fun things. Minus today, today was bathroom cleaning day. I have been pretty good about updating the recipe blog. I have been cooking up a storm. We've added some new family favorites and I've been a bit more brave too. I made potstickers form scratch and they turned out amazing! You must try them! Go browse Durfee Family Recipes and get cooking. A huge thank to Aunt Denise for fixing my apron for me! Nate's been crazy busy with work, school (only a year left of his masters program!), and he is nearly halfway through P90X. He is doing great! His beard is back in preparation for mustache May. Yay (said in the most sarcastic tone imaginable). We took a quick trip up to visit my grandparents this weekend. I drove the whole way there and Nate slept. Don't worry that my one arm got so sunburned! I look ridiculous with one red arm. Crazy. My cute grandparents were so happy to see us and totally spoiled us the whole time. We were only gone for one night and on the way home Nate drove and I slept. Worked out great! So don't worry that Sarah and Mike have introduced us to Roxberry smoothies, and we now have to go at least once or twice a week! Seriously, they are so good. Thank goodness Roxberry accepts competitor coupons! Nate's family came to visit for about a week and a half. They had family things planned every day, they sure made the most of their time here! Nate and my 5th anniversary is just around the corner. I can hardly believe it. We are buying a grill for our anniversary and we are so looking forward to it. We've been totally spoiled with good weather lately, it's been so nice. I'm debating about having a little herb garden this year. Any advice? I'm also working on a big home decor project that I can't wait to reveal. I think that about catches us up on everything. I've got some pictures to post, but they need to be edited first.

Proud Big Sister Moment

I need to take a moment and brag about my little sister Kelley. Kelley found out today that she was accepted into the nursing program at Yale University! Yale!!! My sister is ivy league material. She was also accepted to Vanderbilt. I could not be more proud. Kelley is super smart, talented, and one of the most determined people I know. Seriously, if she sets her mind to do something she will make it happen. I really look up to Kelley in a lot of ways, even if she is the younger sister. Way to go Kelley!

In other news. I scrubbed toilets and bathroom floors today. That doesn't sound nearly as momentous as being excepted to Yale on Leap Day. But when all is said and done, I love being a wife. I was married by this time when I was Kelley's age. Our lives have taken different paths, but I don't regret my choice to marry young at all. I love being married to Nate and all that it entails. Sure there is a tiny part of me that is jealous of Kelley, but I think that's only natural. I wouldn't trade her places. See, since I turned 26 yesterday, I am suddenly full of wisdom!

P.S. Thanks for all the birthday texts, phone calls and facebook messages yesterday. I so appreciate everyone's thoughtfulness. I sure felt loved!


Why yes, I am the oldest and the shortest sibling. Thanks for asking. Kelley was 16 in this photo, and she's always been adorable.

Have You Missed Me?

I'm choosing to flatter myself and think that you all have missed me in my blogging absence. I do resolve to do a better job from now on. Here's what's been going on with Nate and I the last month or so.

-met our health insurance deductible halfway through January for the second year in a row. All because of me. Again. Got diagnosed with asthma, so much for my goal of no chronic conditions diagnosed this year. Lame. Also had to see some other specialists for some other issues. My vitamin D is super duper low, got a prescription for that. We're also going to try some new things with my diabetes. Yah, lots of fun there. Nate was taking to a colleague about how we've already met our deductible. His colleague said Nate should trade me in for a better functioning model, rude!

-paid off one of our cars yesterday! Woot woo! The other car will be paid off in September. I can't tell you how good it feels to own my precious Ford Focus free and clear. Loving it!

-bought some strawberries today. They're my most favorite fruit in all their world. The display at the store smelled so so good. Cannot wait to eat them tonight! I'm probably more excited than a grown woman should be. Please still be my friend.

-been doing some home decor projects. Pretty sure Nate is not as jazzed about it as me, but I promise our place is looking way better. Plus, I've only purchased things that would I would reuse in our next place, no frivolous spending. My cute cousin Becca is coming over tomorrow to help me hang some vinyl. I'll try to remember to post some pictures.

-watched 10,000 BC the other night. I know, random. I've been in the mood to watch that movie for months and Nate finally caved, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

-Mike and Sarah taught us a new game called Hand and Foot. Best game ever! I totally love playing, except when Mike and Nate are teammates. I'm pretty sure they cheat. I secretly want to call them every day to see if I can come over and play. Wow, now I sound like I'm 7 years old, but I swear the game is that fun.

-I'm going to take some cooking classes in the next few weeks. They're free, but you do have to register. Anybody want to come with me?

-Nate shaved his beard off. His mom will be happy. He just was ready for a change. The beard has been a part of our family for a while now, so I guess the fact that it's gone is blog worthy.

-Valentine's Day is next week. We've got a date planned, reservations made, the works. We're not exchanging gifts, just doing cards and we're each making a playlist of songs that remind us of the other person. I cannot wait for Nate to listen to mine. I've got some awesome songs planned.

Okay, I think that's it. Well, it's all I can think of at the time. I haven't been very good about taking pictures, but I will do better!

Happy New Year and Holiday Re-Cap

Happy New Year! Nate and I are looking forward to a fantastic 2012. We have some goals set and several fun things planned over the course of this new year. To ring in the holiday we had some family over last night for games and appetizers. Thanks to everyone for making it a fun night.

One of the highlights of the night was watching people play Fruit Ninja on the xbox kinect. Look at those arms move! Notice how I did not include any pictures of myself playing.


Nate and I had a good Christmas. We've always celebrated Christmas morning with just the two of us, and we really like that tradition. It's nice to enjoy the company of one another and dream of future Christmases with our children. We enjoyed opening gifts, church, video chatting with Nate's parents in Oregon, a good nap, and a prime rib dinner with Nate's siblings. Hope you all had a great Christmas too.



Christmas Eve we spent with my mom, brother, and sister. We went and saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie and had a big dinner, Korean barbecue beef kabobs- per my mom's request, so good! Of course my mom got us all our traditional Christmas Eve pajamas.

A Very Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. Don't worry that Nate woke me up at 5:30 this morning because he was so excited to open presents. We were very spoiled this year. We are looking forward to a great musical program at church this morning and later this evening we are going to have a prime rib dinner with some of Nate's siblings. I'm in charge of the prime rib, I've never made one or eaten one before so wish me luck! Merry Christmas!!