Turkey Anyone?

So I hope that my turkey turns out this good next Thursday. Yes, I am cooking my very first Thanksgiving dinner for my husband and his sister that is coming into town to visit. I bought the turkey last night and have him in our freezer until the big day. I am excited for the challenge to make dinner and nervous at the same time. It's not like I am doing it for a huge crowd so I don't feel as intimated but I want it to turn out good. Todd said that I have to make the same mashed potatoes that his mom makes that is his only request. So I hope I can get them just right, if not it will have to do. I mean his mom has been cooking a lot longer than I have and has had lots of experience so it will take me time to perfect them. So wish me luck with cooking my very first Thanksgiving dinner all by myself. It will be good practice and I may as well start now.

Fun Weekend

Here are the last of the pretty leaves before they fell, I love how many colors fall brings. The trees here are amazing!
Todd's dad Val came into town over Halloween weekend and we had so much fun. We couldn't have asked for better weather for him while he was here. Todd and Val were able to play some serious tennis on Saturday for a few hours and to take a tour of Ohio States campus. We ate at some really good restaurants and watched as much football as they both could handle. Thanks so much for a fun weekend Val, you are the greatest father-in-law!!
We ate dinner one evening at the Easton mall while Val was here. I love that mall, the outdoor feeling is so fun with all the lights. Plus the shopping is unheard of, they have just about everything you would need right here in Columbus. Stores I had only seen through magazines so it's been fun for sure!

Random pictures

My hard working husband studied his brains out this week for two mid term tests which he is happy they are both over. He is so cute, I love this picture. He is wearing his new jacket I gave him for his birthday and the beanie I made of course.
This is us at our wards trunk or treat activity. We are both on the activities committee with my good friend Sarah. We love being able to work with her and to have this calling together.
This is my good friend Sarah, she is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. I am so glad she already lived here before we came. It's fun to have someone you already know. Thanks Sarah for being so kind.

Yes you are reading those numbers right, our gas has gone down so much in the last month we can't even believe it. It was a whopping $2.01 for a gallon today. I filled up and it only cost $18 dollars for a half a tank. Now that is where it should be and if it continues to go down then AWESOME!!! We hear that back in Utah it's still in the $3 range. Sorry guys, we hope it comes down soon for you too!!!

Yummy Apple Crisp

I just made this apple crisp for our dessert tonight and it turned out way yummy. I thought that I may as well post it because I am always looking for new tasty dishes. It's simple too!!

Ingredients:

4 medium tart apples sliced (about 4 cups)
2/3 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. oats
1/3 c. butter (softened)
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. nutmeg

Directions:
Grease or spray bottom of a square pan (or I use an oval shape pan.)
Arrange apples in pan. Mix remaining ingredients and sprinkle over apples.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown & apples are tender.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

This is a perfect recipe for this time of year. I sure miss my grandpa's tasty apples in his orchard this year. He always had so many he made sure everyone got some and trust me they are VERY tasty.

I also had a few requests for Todd's favorite ice cream cake called "Cocoa Freeze Mint." But as I said before it's a family recipe and Todd really doesn't want me to give it out. Sorry for those that really wanted it. I feel so lame not being able to share the love of ice cream to everyone.

Fall Projects

I love decorating in general, but it's extra fun for the holidays. It's been so great having a fireplace to decorate with. I can't wait for Christmas, I have so many ideas.
Here are some cute necklace pendants I made just recently. My good friend Kristen was the one who came up with the creative idea and I have loved making them. They are easy and make cute gifts.

I have a gym pass again!!!!

I am so happy to say that my husband got me a 2 year gym pass for my Christmas/Birthday present this year!! I have been whining to him ever since we left Utah about missing all my favorite classes that I have been going to for over 7 years!! The best part about it all is that it's literally across the street from our townhome. So we walk right to the gym, how healthy is that?? Other great perks is that it's THE nicest gym I have ever been to in my life. Each cardio machine has it's very own t.v and headphone hookups, it has a cardio cinema room, a pool for lap swimming, an aerobic room, free weights of course, and the best spinning room ever!!! I know it's a dream come true for Ashley. If you know me well you know I love my spinning classes, power pump classes, and the pool to do laps. I got my pass on Monday of this week and I have already been to pump twice, a spinning class, and used the cardio equipment. I know I don't waste any time. There are a few girls in my ward that have passes so I can't wait to go with them. I have to give my new friend Tauyna two way big thumbs up for taking me there one Saturday with a free pass to try out the power pump class. From that day I was hooked again. So thanks to my sweet husband for the best gift he could ever give me. He knows I will use it faithfully.

Happy Birthday Todd!!

Todd's turned 29 yesterday on the 11th. We both can't even believe that we are getting close to our 30's. We hate to even talk about it. Unfortunately, Todd was feeling sick yesterday so we didn't get to celebrate it like he would have liked to. But we did get some food to go and rented a movie. Today I made him and I a nice dinner and topped it off with his favorite dessert. It's an ice cream cake called "Cocoa Freeze Mint." The recipe is from his wonderful Grandma Christensen and we will carry on her recipe for many years.
This is only a small portion of the 13 by 9 pan I made up. He will be eating this dessert for the next two weeks. Trust me, he wouldn't have it any other way, he loves this dessert and so do I.
Todd and I taking a self portrait like we always do since it's just the two of us.... and Scout of course.

Todd doing his studies at our kitchen table. He is so smart he amazes me. He is always teaching me new info he has just learned and it's usually way over my head but I still listen and try to understand.
We are very lucky to have the Columbus, Ohio temple in the same parking lot as our church. Today the weather and skies were perfect so I had to get some pictures of the temple. I have yet to go through there with Todd to do some work.

Just one of many shots of the amazing trees changing around here in Columbus.
These next two shots were taken from the window of the 12th floor of my new job. We have such an amazing view of the city I had to get a few pictures. The day I took these it was slightly foggy so it's hard to see all the vibrant colors.