Laker vs. Jazz

Last night we got free tickets to the Laker/Jazz game, and we went with the McGrath's. It was fun to have a night out with friends, and it made it even better that it was free!

The Week(end) and a dessert

Last week we went to the BYU rivalry basketball game against Utah, and it was so exciting. We are definitely going to miss BYU and attending their sporting events. 

We went to Cheesecake Factory and saw the SLC temple lights with our friends. One of the couples is moving to Ogden, so we had a little "farewell" before the holidays, but we've already planned plenty of dates to "meet in the middle"!

We were feeling very festive at church on Sunday. Gettin in the spirit!

I made THE most delicious Gingerbread cake for Sunday dinner. These pictures are such poor quality, but really, trust me. The cream sauce-to die for. Then, top it with some homemade whipped cream and you're set! This is the best dessert for the holiday season. 

Happy Holiday baking!

Gingerbread Cake with Cream Sauce

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 cups flour

2 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground allspice

1/2 tsp salt

Mix until crumbly. Reserve 1/2 cup of the above mixture for the streusel topping. To this, add 1/2 cup chopped pecans, if desired.

To the remainder, mix in

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup molasses

2 eggs

Pour batter into a well-greased 13×9 baking pan. sprinkle with the reserved streuseltopping. Bake at 350 for 28-30 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Watch carefully so you don’t overbake. Let cool slightly, and serve warm with Cream Sauce.

Cream Sauce

1 cup sugar

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup butter

dash ginger

Combine and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Stir 4 minutes. Serve and warm sauce over gingerbread. Refrigerate any remaining sauce.

Bambara-SLC

We went to a new restaurant for our Anniversary dinner, and let me tell you, it was delicious. Tanner's brother suggested Bambara to us, and it was so fun to try something new together! I swear food is the only thing we really spend money on, because we love good food, and love trying new places! 

Bambara is an "American Bistro" and the presentation of the food was absolutely beautiful! Like I said in my last post, there was an open kitchen, and I loved that. There are 4 chefs, including one pastry chef, and everything was brought to you immediately when it was done, so everything was so fresh.

I also loved that they personalized our menus, it added such a cute touch!

I'm going to apologize for the quality of pictures...Tanner is always too hungry to sit and take pictures, so I have to sneak them as fast as I can!

To start off, they bring every table the softest bread ever, with a side of hummus.

I got the salmon (typical) and it was laid on top of mashed potatoes, and had shaved pears on top. The flavor was so unique, it was really yummy. To be honest, it wasn't my favorite salmon, but I've had a lot of salmon in my life. I still thoroughly enjoyed it, and would recommend it!

Tanner got the New York Steak, and the herbed frites. If I go back, I'll definitely get this, even though it's more of a manly dish. It was DELICIOUS! Thankfully Tanner shared lots of it with me, I just couldn't have enough!

We ended the night with a turtle ice cream sandwich. Oh. My. Gosh. Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Pecan Crusted Dark Chocolate Cookie, Salted Caramel Drizzle, Cocoa Nib Crackle. Does that make you want to go just for dessert? Because you should. It was SO GOOD!

Bambara has such a unique menu, we will definitely be going back!

Our Anniversary

I still can't believe we just celebrated two years of marriage yesterday! Two years seems like so long, but also so so short. 

We celebrated with dinner on Friday, because Tanner had an interview this weekend, and our anniversary was on a Sunday. Tanner surprised me with dinner at a new restaurant (it's seriously our favorite thing to do) in downtown SLC. It's called Bambara, and it was so absolutely delicious. We couldn't stop talking about it afterwards! They even personalized our menu for us-it was so cute!

you can see the open kitchen behind me-i loved that! and, look at how darling the seats are!

classic hand holding-at the dinner table-pic. the best.

it was such a classy looking restaurant.

After dinner we got to walk around and enjoy the beautiful fall colors, the brisk air, and the city!

I understand you may think I don't have eyebrows, but I do... 

I just trimmed my bangs don't you worry.

I love that my husband is my best friend, and these have been the best 2 years of my life!

Our Conference Weekend

This past weekend we were able to have Tanners little brother, my oldest sister and her family, my parents, and our friend, Marissa in town. It was the weekend for the 184th LDS General Conference in SLC, and they came up for that. We ate way too good, went to the sad, sad football game, and enjoyed our company. We love when we have visitors!!

My sisters' family got to Provo Thursday evening, and after a stop at Sodalicious and my house, they met me up at City Creek and waited for Tanners class to be over so we could grab a bite to eat.

The girls loved the outdoor mall, and the fact that their favorite aunt let them throw pennies in the creek! :)

The next morning, I had a sales rally at work, and it was superhero themed. I came as Captain America, and if you look closely, you might be creeped out by my mask.

That evening we went to Station 22 on Center Street with Tanners family, and it was so much fun. The city of Provo is so great at having free activities for us poor college kids. For the last couple months, they've had a rooftop concert every first Friday of the month. This last concert was really big, so what did they do? They closed Center Street and made it a full blown party. Although we didn't get to stay for the concert, the atmosphere was so fun!

We had to wait for a couple minutes for a table, and I loved enjoying the cool fall air, the leaves falling, and looking at the new temple being built!

We then headed to the game, and weren't prepared for the embarrassing loss that was about to happen... maybe next time. At least we walked away with some free shirts and sunnies! :)

LOL at the photo bomber.

This picture isn't that bad, but taken from this angle the other pictures made us all have midget legs, it was so funny! We aren't very midgety..

Saturday morning we woke up early and drove to SLC for the morning session of General Conference with my family. My mom watched little Laney girl so that the oldest two could go to the conference center with their parents! She had a big pink box full of cinnamon rolls on her lap, and she was the best little sharer with her sweet-toothed aunt.

car ride selfies

After having my best friend serving a mission at the Visitors Center for the last 18 months, I usually know where to spot her during conference. We had no such luck that morning, and I was SO bummed. I was hopeful she was sitting in the conference center as well (since her mission is almost done, and it would be her last time) but I wasn't quite sure. Thank goodness I literally ran into her walking out. It was meant to be! She goes home October 29th, and I can't wait for her to get back to Utah come January! We've been in the same state, but obviously it's been so different, and I can't wait to party again.

she's so pretty, and i love her.

Sunday morning we went to another session of conference with my parents, and then we packed up and took them to the airport. It was a great weekend with them, and I'm glad we got to see everyone again for another weekend, because we won't see my family until Christmas! 

We got back to Provo in time to watch the next session of conference, and then we had an outdoor dinner for our birthday girl, Marissa! 

i'm such a rockstar

Sunday night she got to bunk up at our house, and it was just like old times! 

We wish you would come live in UT, Riss! 

I feel so blessed and spiritually uplifted after this weekend. If you didn't catch conference, or would like to watch, I'd invite you to please go here. I promise you will feel enlightened!  

I'd love to hear what your favorite talk was!

Life As of Recent

Wow, life was a crazy one this week! I had a long week at work, and started getting sick on Tuesday, Wednesday felt it bad, Thursday felt it worse, Friday started recovering, but luckily I took the day off. Tanner's super crazy with school right now (but really, when is he not) and I seriously saw him for only a couple hours Tuesday-Thursday, I'll get in to the details in a bit, but for right now, let's play some catch up!

A couple of weeks ago we turned in my ole Kia for a Camry, and we've been happy with our choice! I do a long commute every day, and between the gas mileage and the  fixer uppers we had to do monthly, it wasn't worth it anymore! Sadly though, because of my commute, there's been some quick mileage put on our new baby, but we love it!

That car was my very first car, and I've had lots of great memories in that thing... 

Don't worry, I have two feet.

Last week Axiom hosted our summer party at the State Fair! It was easy for me because I didn't have to set up for dinner or anything, I just handed out the tickets beforehand. It was so low stress, and I loved that. My kind of party.

My parents came into town last weekend, and it's always a treat! My sweet mom treated me to a pedicure, and seriously, I forgot how relaxing they can be! (married life) I was in heaven.

My mama also got us some fake flowers for our flower beds, and it seriously just spruced the place right up! 

that coloring is so bad from my father's phone...but I like this pic.

We took them to Provo Beach Resort for some ice cream during the Chalk the Block festival, and we ran into little Minnie (Sophie)! 

She begged me to do the same thing, but I just stuck with having her trace my foot...

On Sunday we rode the scooter to church, and that's always a good time in a skirt...!

I changed into a midi skirt, so there wasn't anything hangin out, no worries.

I had fun with some braids that day!

(shameless selfie)

Monday night we were waiting for Shelley to get to her house, so we stopped at the Provo Library.

I seriously have crazy eyes. And yes, same hairstyle.. it's just what you do when you wake up 5 minutes before you have to leave for work.

Our Marketing Team at work, along with one in CA, is now in charge of doing the marketing for our 8 sister companies. Since we are in two different states, we had them come down this week. I was in charge of planning our "retreat" and had lots of fun with it. The first night we ate at Brio at City Creek, and then we spent the next day in Park City up at Park City Mountain Resort. We rode the Alpine Slides and did the zip line, and then finished the night with some wood fired pizza and gelato on Main Street. Utah is absolutely beautiful in the Fall, and I'm so happy they got to enjoy the pretty colors! Although, it was abnormally hot that day, but I'm not complainin, because it's better than my cubicle!

I didn't get home until 10:30 each night, and on Wednesday I had to be up at the resort, which is an hour away, at 7:30! No wonder I was so tuckered out!

Love this temple at night!

I just want to carve my name in every birch tree I see. 

Mmmmm. 

This week shouldn't be too crazy, besides getting a bunch of stuff done. I can't believe we are almost done with September, I have a Christmas Party to plan! Insert nervous-face-emoji.. you all know which one I'm talking about!

Tanner goes to his first interview this weekend, and I just found out that my other sister is going into town as well, so basically it will be a party without me. Knife to the heart.

Also, I cut bangs... I'm enjoying them, I just still don't recognize myself when I look in the mirror, and especially in pictures. Change is fun!