2013 | A Recap

2013 really wasn't a big year for us. We didn't have a lot of big changes, but we still had a really great time. We had a lot of adventures and made a lot of great memories, and that's enough for me. I didn't need this year to be anything more than it was. It was stable. It was comfortable. But I'm anxious as ever for 2014. It's going to be our year and I think I'm ready for it. Here are a few highlights of 2013:

 

• skied at deer valley for the first time and loved it.

• cooper got... fixed. it was hilarious and so sad at the same time. poor dog.

• herriman got lots of fog. even though we are tucked behind the hills, i think we still get the lake effect.

 

• nephew, Benjamin Blue Ashby was born

• mazda hit 100k. that sounds like a lame milestone, but i always tell devin that we are gonna run this car into the ground... and i think we're closer than we think...

• i opened my shop, twentysix | eleven! 

• valentine's day at the stag restaurant at deer valley

• kelli and sean joined the zero summers 

• i started juicing

 

• more skiing at deer valley

• french macarons for the win! (first time i made them)

• easter celebrations with the family

 

• devin got promoted to youth program director

• countless hikes up yellow canyon

• dogsitting koda and riley for brandon

• saw joshua james in concert

• gardner village with my sisters and mom for mom's birthday

• we planted an herb garden

• spent most weekends at daybreak

 

• cooper learned to swim at tibble fork

• dyed my hair for the first time ever and loved it

• almost had to get my ring cut off

• devin turned 26

• threw devin an awesome birthday party

• spending devin's birthday climbing in rock canyon with friends

• finally made chocolate chip cookies successfully

• married for 2 years!

• anniversary trip to boulder, UT, capitol reef and escalante

 

• saw cory mon in concert at storm mountain

• the lump in my breast wasn't breast cancer

• devin built me the coffee table of my dreams

• i discovered crio bru (and so began the obsession)

• tons of family time, including trips up to kamas to hang out with brandon

• lots of swimming in our development pool

 

• celebrated 4th of july with the medley's

• backpacking to fehr lake

• zac and kayla got engaged

• mississippi mood concert in the park (devin's grandpa plays the trumpet in an awesome jazz band)

• bees game with sean and chloe

• cooper turned 1!

• grey's river trip, of course

• spent the 24th in kamas with the family

 

• i turned 22

• celebrated my birthday in salt lake

• saw brad paisley in concert

• had a sleepover with the kids

• kayla's bridal shower

• devin went back to school and started his hardest and busiest semester yet!

 

• started mockingbird - i love this blog!

• kayla and zac got married and it was the most perfect night

• afternoon tea at the grand america hotel for amanda's birthday

• park city trip with ashby's - one of my favorite weekends of the whole year!

 

• trip to dock flat with johnson's

• found out kayla and zac are having a baby GIRL (gender reveal video here)

• devin competed in the back to plastic bouldering competition

• afternoon tea at the grand american hotel again, but this time with all the girls!

• halloween party with ashby's

• photo shoot swap with the medley's

 

• my first boutique: GIFTshop 2013 was a success!

• road trip to phoenix to see pearl jam

• thanksgivings - 5 of them!

• went to the symphony with chris and tracy

• work christmas parties - casino night for cascade and climbing and king swing for momentum!

• christmas celebrations with family and friends

Christmas 2013

Because both my and Devin's families all live really close, holidays are usually a bit chaotic for us when we try to do everything with everyone. We love it, but it's exhausting, and we both know it won't last once we've got kids to tow around.

This year, a few plans got moved around and it made for a much more relaxing holiday. We had such a good time with our families, we did everything we wanted to do, and we didn't feel rushed or stressed at all. It was a dream!

On Sunday, we did a progressive dinner with my mom's side of the family. Devin had to work, so I went by myself. We had a different coarse of the meal at each person's house, and got to see everyone's Christmas decorations, and also my aunt's new house. It was short and sweet and so much fun. Even though that party was to celebrate December birthdays, I will still count it as a Christmas party.

On Christmas Eve, we spent the whole night with Ashby's. We ate and shared stories and laughed and then watched the tornado that is my nieces and nephews opening Christmas presents. We spoil them so much! It's so fun to watch little kids on Christmas. We kept checking Santa's status on noradsanta.org and eventually sent them home to bed before it got too late.

Christmas morning, Devin and I slept in a little bit before opening gifts from each other. Our Christmas was small this year, but it was probably one of the most memorable. My favorite part of the whole holiday is spending that time with my own little family Christmas morning. Cooper must have known exactly what was going on, because once I got up, he went straight over to where the stockings were hanging, and sat patiently. We are the kind of dog owners that include our pets in things like this (I know). Coop had his own stocking filled with bones, balls and treats and he loved it. We let him open his first and he was distracted with new toys the rest of the morning.

Devin and I spoiled each other pretty good this year, but I think the highlight for both of us was one of the gifts he got me: a painting he had his grandfather do of Calf Creek Falls. If you remember, we went to southern utah for our anniversary this year, and hiked to calf creek. On each trip we go on, we try to collect a print or photo, but we could never find one of Calf Creek. When I opened the envelope with the painting, I immediately started to cry. It's a gift I will treasure forever and was so thoughtful of Devin, and Grandpa Verel. I love it and can't wait to get it framed.

After we finished and got ready, we headed down to my Grandparent's house for our Christmas morning breakfast tradition. We've done this every year for my whole life, and I hope it never ends. I love Christmas traditions! After breakfast, we opened more gifts from my grandparents and extended family with everyone together. My extended family is hilarious.

One thing: every christmas eve, we have a party with this same side of the family. devin and i didn't go this year, because we were with his family, but the party was still the same: a small program with talents and stories centered around christmas, treats and food, and white elephant gift exchange. every year for as long as i can remember, there's been this ridiculous, awful shirt in circulation with the white elephant. it's just hideous, and the rule has always been that whoever ended up with the shirt at white elephant had to wear it to christmas breakfast the next day. apparently, on christmas eve, my cousin jake got the shirt, because when he walked in grandma's front door on christmas morning…

funniest. thing. ever. he was the shirt! jake is the class clown of the family. can you tell?

after grandma's we went to my parents house for the rest of the day. i love spending time with my family so much and we had such a great time exchanging gifts and hanging out. devin and i stayed until after dinner before we finally went home. it was such a great holiday!

Christmas Card 2013

Merry Christmas everyone! We are fortunate enough to have both of our families and most of our extended families nearby and are off to house hop for a few days to celebrate with as many of them as we can! I love this time of year and am grateful for the chance it gives us to reflect on all of our blessings and accomplishments. We've come a long way since last Christmas, and I am anxious to spend the next few days with my family. Hope you have a great holiday! 

Last year's card here. (We didn't do cards in 2011).

#heynataliejeanxmastrees and other christmas things

first of all, how cool is it that natalie (hey natalie jean) posted my christmas tree photo? you can see her post here with all the christmas trees everyone's been tagging. mine is about 10 rows down on the far right - coop's cute little self is perched by the tree. i loved clicking on the hashtag to see everyone's trees. christmas is just... auh. the greatest.

this year hasn't felt too christmas-y yet, which hello, it's December 23rd, Katie. I'll figure it out, I'm sure. I'm looking forward to all the time we get to spend with our families, especially celebrating with our nieces and nephews. holidays are a lot more fun with kids around! anyway. that's all. 

Recipe | Cranberry Salsa

We had a Thanksgiving dinner with Devin's co-workers a few weeks ago, and one of the appetizers brought was this cranberry salsa. I thought it was going to be a sweet, fruit salsa, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it was actual salsa - delicious salsa at that! This recipe is so easy (of course it is, because that's all i do!) and is so impressive. It smells amazing, it's so pretty, and it tastes absolutely amazing. I promise you'll love it, just try it! This recipe is from Ellen Leis, a friend of a friend (thanks for getting me the recipe, Chris!). 

I've already made a double batch of this, to eat over the weekend, (and we used it as an appetizer last weekend for dinner with friends), and we sent a few jars to friends and family, but I plan on making another double batch to bring to every Christmas Party we go to next week!

Ingredients:

1lb Cranberries (1.25 bags)

4 jalepeno peppers (I'm not a fan of spicy, so 2 was plenty for me, and if you include the seeds, it will have a serious kick)

4 green onions

Cilantro (to taste, I probably did about 4 tablespoons, maybe more)

1/2 cup sugar 

1 lemon*

Directions:

1. Place cranberries in a food processor (or blender) and run until pieces are chopped to desired consistency. Remove cranberries to a mixing bowl and add sugar; stir until dissolved (sugar will cut the bitter taste from the cranberries)

2. Add jalapenos, green onions and cilantro (all finely chopped)

3. Squeeze lemon juice over salsa and incorporate.

4. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers. Keep refrigerated. 

Why I'm Friends with You on Facebook | A Confession

Remember how in the movie Social Network, we all found out that Facebook began as a "hot or not" list? So lame, right? It honestly hasn't strayed too far from it's roots in it's near 10 years of owning our souls (and I mean that literally, because have you ever tried to delete your Facebook account? You need, like, the President's Signature to get out. It's impossible). I'm not on Facebook very much anymore, but I'm going to share my main reasons for why I'm probably your Facebook friend, no sugar coating, and I bet your bottom dollar I'm not the only one! 

A disclaimer: no offense. i have nobody specific in mind for any of these.

#1: If we are family.

If you are in my immediately family, or my husband's immediately family, I am friends with you on Facebook because I love you and I like seeing and hearing about your life through the interwebs. Devin and I live 35 minutes away from our nearest family members, so it's nice to have social media to keep us in the loop.

If you are in my or my husband's extended family, I am friends with you on Facebook because I probably feel a little obligated (this is only sometimes the case, not always, because I legitimately like most of you), and I see you even less often, like usually only for holidays and special occasions, and since Facebook is usually used to display bigger, more news-worthy moments of people's lives, it's a good way for us to stay in the loop with each other.

If you are related to me or my husband in a really distant, weird way, I'm friends with you because I feel obligated, or I'm weirdly interested in keeping tabs on you (which means you're either in a downward spiral, you have adorable children, a really cool job/hobby... something like that.)

#2: If we are friends.

I'm friends with you on Facebook because we are actual friends.

#3: If we went to High School together.

I'm friends with you on Facebook because we've managed to stay friends through the weirdest years of our lives, or your life has seemed interesting enough for me to stick around and see how it all plays out (which means you're either in a downward spiral, you have adorable children, or a really cool job/hobby. And sometimes it's because you have great fashion sense).

#4: If I know you in a weird way, but we don't really know each other that well.

I'm friends with you on Facebook because your posts are entertaining.

#5: If we are enemies.

I can't think of any of my Facebook friends that I would actually consider an enemy, but if they're on there, it's because they are in a downward spiral and I want to watch.

#6: If you're a friend of a friend.

I'm friends with you on Facebook because sure, why not.

#7: If we grew up together, or you are my neighbor.

I'm friends with you on Facebook because I love you and I miss being 10 years old and seeing you every week at church, and didn't even realize it until I grew up. I'm talking to you, young women leaders, lifelong neighbors, old babysitters, et cetera.

#8: If we aren't friends, but you are friends with or know my husband.

I'm friends with you on Facebook because I'm flattered that you want to be Facebook friends, and we have something in common: we both think my husband is awesome. And also Devin knows so many cool people, and I want to know them, too.

#9: If you have any level of fame.

I'm friends with you on Facebook because I'm cooler for it, and I probably wish we were friends in real life.

#10: If you are not an actual human being.

I'm friends with you on Facebook because I am so glad you're on Facebook and I think you are awesome. I'm looking at you Moses Lee Ashby and Cal Culator Watch!

Did I get through that without upsetting anyone? Good. Carry on, Hump Day. 

Recipe | Banana Bread

Believe it or not, this is the first time I've ever made banana bread on my own, and it was only because Devin requested it (and because we had rotting bananas). I love banana bread, but it doesn't come to mind when I'm looking for something sweet to bake. I did a little research and found the perfect recipe from my go-to, Smitten Kitchen. Her recipe called for bourbon, which I omitted, and I wrote the recipe below. I love recipes that require 1 giant bowl and 1 wooden spoon. You can taste the difference! This is the method for my favorite chocolate chip cookies, too.

This bread was easy, and was in the oven within 10 minutes. You'll love it.

Ingredients:

3-4 about-to-be-covered-in-fruit-flies bananas, smashed (I used a potato smasher)

1/3 cup melted butter

3/4 to 1 cup brown sugar (depending on how sweet you want the bread, I did the smaller amount)

1 egg, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch of salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 1/2 cups flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º

2. Smash bananas in large bowl. Pour melted butter over banana mash, and mix with wooden spoon until fully incorporated.

3. Mix in sugar, beaten egg and vanilla, then mix in the spices.

4. Sprinkle soda and salt over the mixture, and stir it in.

5. Add the flour last, mix.

6. Pour mixture into buttered/greased loaf pan and bake 50-60 minutes, or until tester comes out clean.

7. Cool on rack completely before removing loaf from pan.

*for mini loaf pans, bake 45 minutes, or until tester comes out clean.

Katie, Lately

 

you don't ever question the purchase of classic 80's movies on the $5 rack.

 

a couple weekends ago, our good friends Chris and Tracy invited us to the symphony with them. Tracy works for the symphony, so it was cool to get some background information we wouldn't have otherwise known! Abravanel Hall is absolutely beautiful, the symphony was amazing, but we definitely didn't feel fancy enough! It was a good time though.

 

Night capped the symphony with a late night dessert at Gourmandise, of course. 

 

And when you go to Gourmandise on the weekends, it only makes sense to pick up a few turnovers to eat for breakfast the next morning. Also, grandpa slippers. They're my new jam. 

 

Okay, this dog. He just loves the snow more than anything in the world, and I love it.

 

LOOK at that face. I just can't.

 

Snow covered christmas trees on display outside the grocery store make me so happy.

 

The guys I work with have taken to playing poker on their lunch break - I think they were practicing for the company christmas party.

 

I spent way too much time on christmas cards this year. I wanted to practice calligraphy, so I hand-wrote every address (50 of them!) in my best fancy handwriting, stuffed and stamped each envelope, and cut little flag buntings out of glitter washi tape. I was ONE card short. GAH (3 trips to Costco just for the photos at this point) - so I hope you enjoy our christmas card when it gets to your mailbox! 

 

My company christmas party was this weekend and we had a Casino Night! After we all opened our secret santa gifts (which I didn't do this year because it was way too stressful and way too embarrassing last year), we had a drawing for some awesome prizes. I won a really nice 5 piece luggage set! I was so excited about it, because I've never owned official luggage! After that, we ate to our heart's content (so. much. food) and played casino games! We didn't play with actual money, just chip vouchers for points, but I didn't know how to play any casino games. Devin and I were planning on leavning by 7 or 8! We went to the roulette table just to give it a try, and stayed there almost all night, it was so much fun! We tried blackjack for awhile, but I just kept losing and table was crowded, and then Devin gave Craps a try (pictured above), which I didn't understand a single thing - it was like a different language! So we ended up back at roulette. The dealer was so cool, and I loved that game! We didn't leave until the party was over, and we had the greatest time. I work with some of the greatest and most talented people I know, and even though seeing them all get incredibly drunk was a little weird, we had so much fun, and I love Cascade more than any other job I've ever had. I feel so lucky to be a part of the Cascade Family!

 

This guy gets extra lovey when he knows we're about to leave.

We moved church buildings a few months ago and our new building is up on this hill in the very back corner of Herriman (still only about 2 minutes from our house). There are tons of stairs to get up to the church doors, but when you turn around and look back, you get this mind blowing view of the salt lake valley. This picture just shows the smog and inversion, but on a clear day, this view is absolutely breathtaking!



How cute is the french macaron dish towel? My sweet friend Lynn gave it to me for Christmas along with a Utah shaped ornament, and a crochet headband from her shop! I told Devin that I was going to put that dish towel in the kitchen, but he couldn't use it, haha! I don't want it to get dirty or ruined, it's just too pretty! I have the greatest friends, it's true. 

Johnson Family 2013

I already posted a few of my favorites from this session we did with the amazing Jared Medley, but here's the whole thing, without my app filters this time. Jared's wife, Lynn edited these - they turned out absolutely beautiful! My mom loves them so much I think she could cry. But seriously - if for any reason, ever, you need a photographer for anything, call Jared. You will not be disappointed.

We just can't seem to get enough of Jared and Lynn lately, because we hired them again for family photos! This time with our Johnson family. And ohmygosh. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love this group of people. I am so lucky to call this bunch my family. We've grown a lot over the last two and a half years (the girls are finally outnumbered!) and we're going to get even bigger once little baby Morck comes along in a few months! I just can't even stand how amazing each one of these people are. Let me tell you about them:

My Dad | This man will forever be my hero. There are not enough good words. He has taught me so much, mostly just by his example. He has been such a light in my life, especially as a teenager and young adult, trying to figure it all out. He has more life experience than anyone I know, and he has grown and overcome so much. I don't think anyone will ever understand. I don't even think I will ever understand. I've said this before, but it is just so true: all growing up, everyone told me I would end up with someone just like my dad. I thought that was weird and outrageous, but it is so true. SO so true. In the best way. My Dad is the greatest man I know, so why wouldn't I want a husband just like him?! And that's what I got. They are two of a kind! It blows my mind. I have always been a daddy's girl, and that will never fade. On my hardest days, most of the time, all I can think about through the tears is how badly I wish my dad were there. He is such a softy and was always the one who stayed up really late with us kids, having important conversations about life and loss and growing up. He is just the greatest. I am so proud to be his daughter.

My Mom | I don't know if my mom has always been so funny, or maybe I was just too young to get her sense of humor, but man. This lady. She kills me. I love it when she tells a joke or a funny story, and she can't even finish her sentence without just bursting with laughter. She cracks herself up, and she knows it. And will tell you. The older I've gotten, the more I've realized how much I took for granted in this woman as a teenager and child. She is so, so selfless. Constantly shuffling 4 kids from place to place, going to all of our recitals and choir concerts, sitting through countless piano lessons, swim lessons, obnoxious grocery shopping companions who demand soft serve ice cream. This woman's patience is solid. She is incredible! The ultimate super mom. Some of my best memories were coming home from school and having a snack while we talked about the day. She is so willing to do absolutely anything for absolutely anyone, and never asks for anything back in return. I go to her with every tiny little problem. She is always there to fix it. And she does. My dad is the greatest listener, but my mom will fix it. She can fix anything. She's the greatest mom and has become one of my very best friends.

Sean | My brother in law Sean is the most entertaining person to be around. After the kind of crazy, reckless childhood this guy had, I don't know how he's still alive, but I could listen to his stories and adventures for days! We tease Kelli and Sean a lot, because they are total opposites, but it works so well. They make the greatest team. Sean is a drummer, and is so, so talented. He has so many hobbies and talents and it's really impressive. Sean is really humble, and has such a witty sense of humor. And let me just tell you how thankful I am that he adores my sister so much. He would do absolutely anything for Kelli, no doubt. Their relationship is so strong, and it's so great to have such an awesome couple around to look up to and learn with (we got married 2 weeks after they did!). Sean brought a lot of laid back-ness into our family. I think he's taught us all to not take things too seriously and to have fun no matter what. He has the greatest attitude.

Kelli | My big sister. I can't even tell you how much me and this girl didn't get along growing up. We were terrors. Constantly. Oh my gosh, we were the worst. I feel so bad, especially for my mom. Ha! I'm glad we grew out of it. Kelli and I grew up sharing almost everything Clothes, a room, toys. It didn't go over well with us. We are both stubborn and hard headed and both like to be right. Put that personality into two sisters and throw them in the same bedroom? It. Was. War. And then Kelli moved to Logan for college, and I fought it and fought it and finally broke down. I didn't want to admit that I would miss her. I didn't realize how lucky I was to have an older sister to fight with and share stuff with. And ever since then, we just keep getting closer. Kelli was the perfect person to get married right along side of. Shopping for wedding dresses together will always be one of my favorite memories. We are closer than ever and have almost grown out of all the fighting (we are sisters. it will never change!). We could talk for hours, and we have so much to learn from each other. Kelli is an awesome example of following through and accomplishing goals. Everything she has ever set out to do, she has succeeded in. She is a huge inspiration and is so, so smart. And I can't even tell you, this lady is so dang funny. I think she gets it from Mom. They are really similar that way. Kelli's humor is so quick. She is never one to really wallow and let things get her down. She gets right up and moves on, and it's awesome. I wish I was more like her.

Devin | Uh-duh. Not even gonna go here, or I may start crying. He is the greatest thing.

Zac | When Zac and Kayla got married, it felt like our family was practically complete (we've still gotta weed through all the girls to find a wife for Kyle after his mission, but I'm in denial about all that still). I was skeptical about Zac when he started dating McKayla and I was probably even a little rude to him when he first started coming around. Kayla had dated a lot of horrible guys, and at such a young age, I thought Zac was no different. And boy was I wrong! It started to become more and more obvious the longer he stuck around. You see, we all knew it would take someone really special to end up with Kayla, because she's got all these quirks, but Zac has stuck by her side through absolutely everything. You wouldn't believe what this kid has put up with to be with my sister! When they dated, Kayla always had at least one vase of flowers on the dining room table. He sat with her for days as she recovered from another skin graft surgery, and when she told him she was having a baby, it just brought them closer. And now they're married, waiting on their baby girl, and I couldn't be happier. Zac treats my sister like gold. Oh my goodness, does he adore her. It's so important to me. Kayla has a tendency to act really tough and independent, but that made it more important for her to end up with someone who would be there for her at the end of the day, and that's Zac. He's always there. He is the most reliable person I know.

McKayla | I don't even know where to begin with this girl. My favorite thing about Mckayla has been watching her go through all these phases and dealing with life and changing and morphing, and the end result, the person she is today, is pretty incredible. Kayla's been dealt a pretty rough lot in life, and she's handled it better than I think I could have. She has matured into this gorgeous, smart, hilarious woman, and it's just blowing my mind. It's a weird experience to watch your younger siblings grow up. She will always be 10 to me! It's crazy. And now she's about to be a mom, and I know i'm going to learn so much from her. Kayla has so quickly become a confidant to me. I know I can go to her and vent. I also know I can go to her when I want to have a good time. Everything with her is always an adventure, and she makes everything so fun. It's been so much fun to be adults together. I loved helping her plan a wedding, throwing her bridal shower, and now helping her get ready for her baby girl! Being sisters is so much more fun when you're adults, I've decided.

Kyle | My baby brother. Kyle has always been the sweetest boy. Even when he was a toddler, we just could never be mad at him when he popped the heads off our barbies, because he was just too dang cute. He had the funniest little personality, and he hasn't grown out of it! I feel like it was just yesterday that Kyle's spot at the table was in a high chair. Now all the sudden, he's hunting with dad, a star athlete, driving a big old truck, and dating girls! I don't know how it happened. Don't even bring up the fact that he'll be leaving on a mission soon because I just can't handle it! Kyle can truly do no wrong. He has a heart of pure gold - he gets it from my mom. He is so sweet, and it just kills me when he's upset. Kyle is always under a lot of pressure to be performing at his absolute best in sports, and in school and he takes it all so well. I would just crumble! He is an amazing example of strength and endurance. He is just the best. Kyle is the favorite child, even to all us sisters, and we don't even care, because he totally deserves it. I can't get enough of this kid! He is so fun to be around, and always so happy and I have no idea what we would ever do without him. He works his butt off day after day and still has energy to stay up and talk with you until 2am. Watching him get older is the most bittersweet of all. Heaven help the girl that tries to marry him, because we will put her through the ringer, I'm sure!