Summer Salad

While I was in North Carolina I browsed through many Cooking Light magazines and I was so excited to try out their Grilled Chicken and Spinach with Spicy Pineapple Salad recipe. I made it last night and it was delicious!

In case you want to try it out here is the ingredients list:

1 lb. skinless boneless chicken breast

1 t chili powder

1/2 t salt

cooking spray

1 1/4 C (1 inch) cubed fresh pineapple

2 T chopped fresh cilantro

2 T fresh OJ

4 t apple cider vinegar

1/2 t minced habanero pepper

1 large garlic clove

1/4 cup EVOO

3/4 C julienne cut peeled jicama

2/3 C thinly sliced red bell pepper

1/2 C thinly sliced red onion

1 5oz package fresh baby spinach (~8 cups)

You can find the directions here:

Both Rick and I really liked this recipe... it is very summery with just enough heat. Enjoy!

The Look-A-Likes

Is it weird that this is like my favorite picture ever? I guess it just sums up my family... beautifully goofy.

I can't look at this picture without laughing out loud.

North Carolina Love

Adelaide and I traveled to North Carolina to play with my lovely and preggo sister in law Jamie, and my cute little niece Gracie, while my brother Steve was at officer training in Alabama. We had a great time and I fell in love with North Carolina.

Look at how cute all the houses are in their neighborhood:

Me Adelaide Jamie & Gracie

Bath time!

Matching outfits from Mimi.

Swimming at the pool.

Steve got home the night before I left. It was fun to see their family reunite.

Steve Gracie & Jamie.

I was greeted back to Colorado by this amazing rainbow. As much as a love to travel it as always nice to be home.

Capitola Getaway

Since Adelaide's birth I have never been away from her for very long... dentist appointments, movie dates, and a dance social at CU for Rick's program are about the only examples I can think of. So while we were staying with my family we took advantage or their kindness and had a getaway in Capitola for a night while my parents, Jessica, and Eric took over watching little miss Adelaide. We had such a great time and I had what felt like the best sleep of my life, and definitely was the best night's rest in the last 10 months!

We stayed at Inn at Depot Hill and it was so adorable.

Our cute room, the Portofino.

Our lovely patio.

This is our breakfast that was delivered in the morning. Can I just say that the food there was delicious and the receptionist was actually kind enough to give me the recipe of my favorite dish.

We also wandered around the cute downtown of Capitola and got some Italian sodas from Toot's coffee shop. This is the view from their balcony.

Great getaway!

Memorial Day Bike Ride

We happened to be in California on Memorial Day, so we headed over the hill to Santa Cruz for a day of bike riding. It was so beautiful and made it finally start to feel like summer for me.

Me, Adelaide and Rick.

My favorite part of the picture is the lovely lady

captured in the background...

Eric and my dad.

Me and my mom.

Rhonda, Sarah and Jessica.

Nisene Marks Half Marathon

Well we completed the Nisene Marks Half Marathon and it was much harder than any of us anticipated. I had found this race for us a while ago and although I had read that it was hilly, I had no idea just how hilly. My time was worse than my last half marathon and I know that I was more prepared and in better shape... Anyways, it was a really beautiful trail and a small group of runners, so I spent most of the race without another person in sight (except for the few times that I passed someone or someone passed me). Over half of the trail was on a single track with lots of poison oak and that was when we realized that the people we had made fun of earlier for wearing tall socks were actually much smarter than us.

Mission accomplished.

Good times!

Golfland is fun for little people!

It has been a long time since I've been to Golfland, but I recently went with my family and it was a great time, especially for Adelaide who enjoyed a wonderland of houses and bright colored obstacles just her size!

Adelaide and Grandpa on the front porch of one of their mini-houses.

And another one.

Grandpa attempting to teach Adelaide how to putt putt.

Jess, Dad, Jess and Eric goofing around while playing goofy golf.

Me and my mom.

Redding Wedding

While growing up we lived across from a family that had three girls around me and my sister's ages. We hung out with them all the time and they are like are second family. When I was in middle school they moved away to Redding but we have kept in touch and recently attended the middle daughter, Shelby's wedding.

Jessica feeding Adelaide in the car on our four hour drive up to Redding.

Jessica and Ariel.

The bride Shelby with Adelaide.

I didn't get a good picture of her with her husband Tyler, but they are an adorable couple and we are so happy for them!

Grandpa and Adelaide.

Rick has a magic touch and was able to get Adelaide to fall asleep during the reception.

Tracy, me and Brittany.

All the kids from the block:

Eric, Ariel, Jessica, me, Shelby, Mary, Peter, Rachel and Brittany.

It was a fun reunion.

Congratulations to Tyler and Shelby!

Google Google

My Dad was doing a job for google in which he sandblasted A LOT of mason jars with their logo. Just like the good old days, all the kids that were in town helped get it done and we had a great time together. Eric and I made up an awesome jingle in which we simply sang "google google" over and over. Quite annoying I know, but also beautiful.

Eric and I working hard.

Adelaide and her Dad.

Adelaide liked helping until some tape got stuck in her hair (by her dad) and pulled a bunch of her tiny blonde hairs out.

My Dad in his sandblasting suit getting the job done.

He reminded me of an Oompa Loompa so I asked him to do some Oompa Loompa poses for me while I sang a song for him.

♫♪♫ Oompa Loompa ♫♪♫

♫♪♫ Doom-Pa-Dee-Do ♫♪♫

Pug Lovin'

Adelaide and I stopped by my friend Katie's house and she became quickly obsessed with their two pugs. At first they loved having a new friend that would let them kiss and snuggle as much as they pleased... but before long they grew tired of Adelaide's pinching and squealing and began to fear her.

Ear kisses!

Double Love.

Katie and Adelaide.

We are so glad we got to spend some time with Katie, her family, and her dogs!

Naomi and Sarah

Every time we come into town we always love to stop by and see Naomi! Adelaide just loves her (and her dog Mary Lou!) and this trip Adelaide got to meet Naomi's sister Sarah as well. I have been friends with Naomi since at least 7th grade and my sister has been friends with Sarah forever also.

Naomi, Adelaide and Sarah at a coffee shop.

Adelaide wearing the awesome sunnies that Naomi gave her.

Adelaide and Sarah.

Me, Naomi, Adelaide, Jessica and Sarah at the beach.

Naomi and I.

Can't wait to see you guys next time we're in town:)

California Love

After Adelaide and I visited my grandparents in Idaho along with my sister Jessica, we headed to the bay area to spend some time with my parents and my little brother. Rick was not planning on coming at all but it turned out that he didn't have to start his internship until June 7th, so he was able to fly out last minute and spend a week with us in California too.

Grandpa showing Adelaide the chicken coop and where to collect the eggs.

Mimi, Adelaide and Grandpa watching Eric play soccer.

Adelaide and I at the the park I grew up going to- Oak Meadow.

We took Adelaide to the beach for her first time.

She loved the sand... until we buried her in it.