***************Lucille's BBQ*****************

We got a giftcard to Lucille's BBQ Smokehouse in Rocklin and we went to eat there tonight. WE LOVED IT! The food was wonderful and the service was superb! We will be going back...


They bring you warm towels to wipe your hands at the end of your meal- oh so refreshing! :)

They serve your drinks in a glass jam jar.


And they have very good fruit cobbler... and some delicious ribs and pulled pork.

Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful last few days. Jeff surprised me with a thoughtful gift he picked out on his own. He got a new golf bag and I got the clock I REALLY wanted from my brother-in-law who pulled my name for Christmas (thanks Rob!!)My parents spoiled us with Wii stuff- we got Rockband and Wii Fit. We have been playing Rockband a lot and I love playing the bass and singing (as long as no one is really listening to me!).

We had fun watching our little nephew Isaiah open gifts and he was so excited. We were glad we got to see him and Phill and Jeannine from Utah. We ate so much good food made by both our parents and enjoyed the company of our families.

The day after Christmas I braved the crowds at the mall and went shopping with my two sister-in-laws and my mother-in-law. It was a madhouse. Jeff went out with his brothers and played 18 holes of golf. He loves golf and he was excited to use his new bag. That night we went and saw "Seven Pounds" with Will Smith. It was an interesting movie that really made you think. Jeff and I liked it.

On Sunday we were able to take time to sit back and realize how many blessings we have and think about our goals for 2009. We can always improve and become more like our Savior (and we are making it a goal to do that!). Happy New Year!! Have a fun 2009.

D&C 50:5

"But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life."

We have been truly blessed as we continue to put our faith and hope in the Lord. In the last week we have received two checks in the mail from Sac State and American River for refunds on tuition. We have had no idea we were getting these and we really don't know why we got refunded- I even tried calling the school and all they could tell me was that we overpaid. The Lord works in mysterious ways and I am so grateful that we are being watched over and blessed in so many different ways.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Christmas Cards...

Can you believe Christmas is so close? I am sending out Christmas cards soon and wanted to make sure I have updated addresses. So if you want a card, leave your address as the comment and I will delete it as soon as I save it! Thanks. Merry Christmas!

Isreal

Jeff recently got a new toy- a six color silk screen press. Him and his brother have a t-shirt printing business called "Isreal." Jeff hasn't had much time to make shirts lately, but he was able to make some shirts tonight. Making silk screens and putting them on clothing has been one of Jeff's favorite hobbies. He starts off with a design on paper and then puts the image on to a transparency and then burns the image on to a screen and then puts the screen on the t-shirt and voila! Ok, so there are a lot more steps to it... but that's the basics. He has been having a lot of fun and if anyone wants something put on a t-shirt let him know, he would love to do it.

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving I made my first turkey. It went so well and tasted very yummy (according to Jeff and a few brave taste testers- aka my family and Jeff's parents!). I brined the turkey in apple cider and it came out moist. I also made some pretty "sweet" sweet potatoes and my mom's famous "funeral potatoes." I found a recipe for a pumpkin dessert that had lots of butter, a cake mix and tons of sugar- what could be better than that? But despite all the delicious food, Thanksgiving is really about giving thanks. We have so much to be thankful for, the list could go on for days but here are just a few of the most important...

Our Savior, the gospel, temples, dedicated family, fun friends, the home where we live, education, good jobs, medicine, medical research and health insurance.

Reflections of Christ

Jeff and I went to the Stake Center next to the Sacramento Temple tonight to see an art exhibit entitled "Reflections of Christ." The video speaks for itself- it was such a humbling experience. I know that my Redeemer lives.

Birthday Update

Jeff and I and my parents all went to Oakland on Friday night and spent the night and then went to the temple in the morning. The temple was beautiful but it was cold and rainy so we didn't take the time to take many pics but we had a great time.

On Saturday we went to Jeff's parents house and his mom gave me my birthday present- a trip to New York!! We are leaving Dec. 5 and staying for a couple days! I couldn't believe it when she told me. I have always wanted to go to New York and especially in December with all the Christmas lights and the shopping- wow! It will be fun and pics will definitley be coming after the trip.

Thanks to all of you who left me special birthday messages or called me- it made me feel so special!

**UPDATE: Trip postponed until March 2009 due to crazy schedules and holidays!

Shanna's 23rd Birthday

I had a fun day today. I got a huge bag of cookies on my desk when I got to work, I got to leave work a little early, I got to spend time with Jeff and my family, I got an adorable Coach purse and a really cute kitchen board to write on that says "Home is where I laugh the most and love the best", and my parents are taking us to Oakland tomorrow night and we are spending the night and going to the Oakland temple on Saturday since I have never been. I am sure "well loved" (aka SPOILED)! It was so nice to be able to spend my special day with my favorite people.

Happy Election day! Get out there and get your vote on! YES ON 8!!

JFK on Mormons

I love to hear political leaders speak of the great faith and accomplishments of the Mormons. Here is a speech given in the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 26 1963
You can find it at archive.org search JFK on Mormons

Favorite Fall Food

This is one of my favorite recipes to make in the fall when it is blustery and wet outside. It is so easy to make in the Crockpot. Enjoy!

White Chili Recipe from Dawn Teerlink

4 cans Great Northern Beans
3 cups Chicken Broth
1 Cube of Chicken Boullion
1 tbsp. Garlic Powder
2 Medium Chopped Onions
2 cans Green Chilies-4 oz. size (I usually only put 1 can in)
1 tbsp. Oregano
2 tbsp. Cummin
1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
4 cups Cooked Shredded Chicken
1 Large Carton of Sour Cream
2 cans White Corn

Chop onions and saute in butter on stove. Add all spices to onions. Put in Crockpot and add remaining ingredients. Cook on High for 3-4 hours or low 8-10 hours.

Quote of the Day:

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tainted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, and my goal is Heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the cause of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear. -Henry B. Eyring

Christmas Pictures

The other day we had a blast taking our Christmas pictures with Janea Greene. She is such a talented photographer and also a great friend. If anyone is looking for a photographer I highly recommend her... you can check out her blog here. We went to Old Sacramento and just went wild and crazy. Jeff sure made us laugh being his goofy self. Janea- you're awesome and very talented, thanks for everything.

Apple Time

The other day we ordered 160 pounds of apples from an orchard in Auburn (thanks Melanie). Jeff and his mom turned almost all of those apples into delicious apple pies with soft flaky golden crusts. They spent all day yesterday making 20 pies and still have more to make. The warm apple pie smell reminded me of the holidays and it made me excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas to be so close. What a great Saturday!

Most of you may not know this, because I don't openly admit it, but here I go... I am Celine Dion's #1 fan. Call me a cheeseball but I went to Vegas twice to see her at Caesar's Palace last year. And on Tuesday I went and saw her at Arco Arena with three very important people- my mom, my Grandma Carol and my Grandma Ranae. We had a lot of fun and the opening act was hilarious (Gordie Brown). Hopefully you can enjoy the pics even though you may not enjoy Celine!

Jeff and I took a roadtrip to Utah for the first weekend of October to attend General Conference for our church. We had such a fun time. I love visiting Utah (but let's not talk about living there). I love going to Temple Square and I absolutely love all the craft stores they have and it is so much easier to find appropriate clothes that are cute.

Jeff had a mission reunion on Friday night so we left at 9:30am California time on Friday and Jeff wanted to get to his reunion by 7pm. We ended up rolling into Salt Lake at 6:30pm and we made it to the reunion by 7:45. Woo hoo how is that for good timing, and no speeding tickets either.

Some of the highlights of the trip were:

• Eating at "The Roof"- it is a restaraunt on the top floor of the Joseph Smith building and it has windows surrounding it that overlook Salt Lake and the gorgeous temple and not to mention a fab buffet
• Watching General Conference at the Conference Center while being in the same room with President Monson and the apostles (ok so it's kind of a BIG room...)
• Going to Park City and shopping at the outlets
• Going to the Salt Lake Temple and being sealed for my great great grandparents
• Getting to stay and spend time with Phill, Jeannine and Isaiah (thanks guys, we already miss ya!)
• Seeing Jeff's mission friends and President and Sister Ririe
• Going to Uncle Jim and Aunt Michelle's house for a delicious meal and yummy dessert and spending time with the silliest cousins EVER!

Bon Appetit

Chicken in skillet

Sauce for chicken

Finished Product

Last night I made some very yummy Mandarin Chicken using Tari McDonald's recipe. Thanks Tari for posting it! It was very easy to make and it uses a lot of household ingredients so you don't have to make an emergency trip to the grocery store to get something you don't have in the middle of cooking (which I find myself doing way too often). Let me know if anyone wants the recipe and I will give you the link.

Forever Strong

"Making right choices doesn't mean life will be easy, but easier."

Tonight for Family Home Evening we went to the movies and watched Forever Strong. It was a great movie with a good message (a true story too). It has to do with a Highlands, UT rugby team that is really close and stands for strong values. Check it out...

Cardenaz Cruisin'

We just got back from our Carnival Cruise and Disneyland Adventure! We had so much fun with Jeff's family. We got to spend time with Michael,Stephanie, Rick, Nicole, Phill, Jeannine, Isaiah, Rob, Beth, Larry, Shirleen, Janie, Woody, Terri, Uncle Jeff, Ryan, Aaron, Laurie, and Uncle Mike. Family flew to Long Beach from Texas, New Mexico, Redding, and Sacramento to have a fun filled week in Mexico. The food was way too good and the weather was perfect. I had every virgin drink that was available and ate more sushi than should be allowed. Jeff got his "hip hop" on during Karaoke and I got my groove on at "Club Rex." We loved "Soarin' over California" and we sure screamed loud on "California Screamin." It was a vacation to remember and we can't wait to go again!

Wedding Video

I was just having fun with pictures...

Clint's Birthday

August 30, 2008

Sorry it has been so long since our last posting. Summer is coming to a close and the Fall semester of classes has begun. This last weekend our friend, Clint, came home for a visit from fighting overseas and we went to his BBQ/Birthday party. Jeff made this delicious lemon twist bread for the party. Yummmyyy... I am sure lucky that Jeff can bake, since I can't! At least I am working on the cooking thing right?!

This is Clint and his adorable dog, Frodo. This dog was the coolest little guy. I wish I got a picture of his face because he looks like baby Simba from Lion King!
We were so happy to see Clint (and Shahera) and we hope he gets to come home for good soon!

Twue Wuvv

It has been a year and four months since we were married in the Sacramento Temple. I'm not going to lie- marriage is hard. It requires a huge amount of respect and personal concern for another, it requires selflessness and unconditional love. Marriage is dirty dishes, stinky towels, broken appliances, dusty shelves, unpaid bills and primary lessons. Homework must be done and dinner must be made BUT... to be able to clean the dishes, wash the towels, fix the fridge, dust the shelves, pay the bills and finish the primary lessons in between homework and dinner ALL with Jeff as my eternal companion is worth more than I can put into words. Jeff and I are best friends. I know that he gets irritable when he is sleepy and grumpy when he's had a long day. He leaves cupboards open and the toilet seat up, but I LOVE HIM! He gives me bear hugs at 3am, he watches sappy chick flicks with me (because he loves me not because he wants to!), he makes me waffles on Saturday mornings and leaves the light off in the mornings so he doesn't wake me, he takes me to the temple and reads scriptures with me, he works hard for me and doesn't complain. He makes me a better person, far better than I ever imagined I could be. Marriage is about growing and learning together everyday. I've learned a lot about priorities. It's not about looking good or being the cutest couple, it's not about having the house spotless and the clothes all washed every day. But it is about letting the Savior into our marriage and keeping our covenants with each other. I'm rich in love and life. How blessed I am forever!
P.S.- I love Jeff

Wiikend Fun

This weekend we played with the Wii fit and I didn't know it at first, but Jeff was videotaping us. So as embarrassing as it is, it is darn hilarious as well. So for your viewing pleasure I posted the videos. Below is Steph playing the ski slopes game trying to weave in and out of flags while skiing down a hill. Listen to the sounds in the background and try and figure out how well she did... I was never good at hula hoops... and I am still not. Even on the Wii, I seem to make a dork of myself! But in the video I am trying the best I can so don't laugh too hard.

4th of July

We had a great 4th of July, it was a long day but it was sure fun! It began at 7am when we went to the temple and did baptisms for the dead. Jeff was able to be baptized for my grandpa Bart- my dad's dad. He passed away suddenly 5 years ago and it was great to finally do his work. These last couple weeks I have been feeling a strong impression to get his work done. His birthday is on July 5, so it was the perfect birthday present for him. My dad was able to stand in proxy for my grandpa's endowment later that day. What a wonderful day for my family. Families can be together forever.

From the temple we went to Haggin Park where they had a huge carnival with free concerts and bike shows. We went with Jeff's parents and we met my cousins and uncle there too. The kids had a lot of fun.


And then... we entered another dimension when we boarded the GRAVITRON! It is a roller coaster that makes you feel like there is no gravity. It was crazy and it made me want to throw up at first but after spinning so many times I got used to it! If you ever have a chance to go on the Gravitron, don't pass up the opportunity!! :)

The best part of the carnival was when my cousin Miranda kicked some trash and placed 1st in the semifinals for a Guitar Hero competition. And then she won second place for the whole competition. Thats right boys, move over we've got a new champ.

We checked out a free concert with "Hip Service." I have never heard of them before but they sang some classics like Love Shack and then mixed it up with Beyonce and Jay Z. I was excited since I don't get to shake my booty that often since YSA dances are out of the picture (I have been having withdrawals from dances ever since I got married!). It was nice to dance and attempt to sing my heart out- I don't think those around me appreciated it though...They also had a spectacular fireworks show that last 25 minutes with a grand finale! We are so grateful for the freedoms we have and the land of opportunity we live in. We are so blessed in so many ways.