"...concrete jungle where dreams are made of..."

Ben and I got to spend a weekend in New York City!! It was Anne's idea and we were happy to accompany her to the Big Apple. I took so many pictures and it was so hard to decide which ones to post so I made a slide show of my favorite pictures.

After checking into our hotel, we walked to Bryant Park. I fell in love instantly! It was full of people chatting, reading and relaxing. Soon is was buzzing with the dinner crowd. We ate at a great restaurant right there in the park.
Then it was off to explore the city. We didn't get too far because I spotted the Forever 21 right there in Times Square and could've spent the whole day there! We browsed some shops and ended up at the Empire State Building. What a beautiful, amazing view. We finished off the night with a chili dog from the famous Papaya Dogs!
Saturday, we took a sailboat out on the harbor. Talk about relaxing!!! The view of Lady Liberty was awesome. It was a unique way to see the sights. And I loved it.
Then it was off to Rockefeller Plaza. We ate a delicious meal and shared a GIANT piece of cheesecake. Did I mention that NYC doesn't believe in free refills on your Diet Coke? I will never again complain about $1.99 sodas here in Utah! Because there, they came at 4 or 5 bucks a pop, no refills! My body had to adjust to the taste of water. ;) But the food was amazing.
That evening we saw the Broadway show Promises, Promises staring Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes (who was a riot, BTW.) It was great! We loved it and were so entertained.

It was all fun and games until after dinner at Rays Pizza (delish), I was walking through Times Square in my high heels and was trying desperately to look sophisticated and sexy ;) when with every step I took, I was crying inside! So, our classy evening ended with me on the 3rd floor of Walgreens buying pink fluffy granny slippers to walk home in. Hey, anything goes in this city! Relief!!
Sunday, we explored Central Park. Gorgeous!! Seriously had me wishin' for Fall and that I was kickin' up the leaves! Loved it here! And decided that if I ever lived in NYC, I would spend my Fall days in CP. Loved the huge trees. Loved all the people running by or walking with their spouse and baby in the stroller. Cute!
After CP, we hit Canal Street. Which is an experience that isn't even worth writing about. Decided I will pay full price for my next Coach purse! At least it will be legit!
Holy cow! What a whirlwind of a weekend! Loved the busyness, loved the crazy taxi rides, loved the charming old buildings, loved the women that get dressed to the nines to go out with their husband for the evening. Not because of any special occasion. Just because that's what you do. Such an enjoyable vacay and of course loved spending the time with Anne and Ben.

This picture slideshow made with Smilebox

Can you believe Summer is coming to a close?? Where has time gone? Hope you had a wonderful Summer shared with your family and friends.

xoxo

B.A.S.S. Reunion 2010

It was time the family all got together. Ben's siblings are spread around California and northern Idaho so we all met up in Island Park, Idaho to spend time laughing, playing and relaxing together. All 30 of us in one big beautiful cabin!

Ben and I were so excited to return to one of our favorite places...Yellowstone! Where Mother Nature is at her best.

A few highlights from our trip...

Grizzly's ready for his close up...





A red fox with his dinner...I think I'll pass, thanks.


Finally!! A bull moose!

So excited when we spotted this guy on our way to Jackson Hole!

Well, look who it is...


relaxing on the porch


Beautiful elk relaxing in the shade



Me and Em enjoying dinner at the Lodge with the adults

Surprise!! Happy 40th birthday Anne!!


my little buddy...Josh


golfing at Island Park Resort



Riding the tube with Samie. We were laughing so hard!



Family picture time!! (which actually reminded me a lot of Senior class picture time!)

I love the silly moments together!

We are so sad to see our Summer vacation come to an end! We had been looking forward to it all year. It was so fun to see everyone and catch up. Until next time...
xoxo

"Everything's better with bacon!"

...at least that's what Ben says. I am not a bacon fan, but because I love my little bacon bit so gosh darn much, I had to make him Paula Deen's Wilbur Cupcakes for his birthday treat. If you like the salty/sweet combo, or if you are just a die hard lover of bacon, like Ben...you will enjoy these little guys.




Ingredients:
Chocolate Cupcakes
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk

Bacon Chocolate Frosting
4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
4 slices bacon cooked crisp and cut into 1/2” pieces for garnish

Directions
Chocolate Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line a muffin pan with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of a standing mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk; beat well after each addition. Fill the muffin cups 3/4 full.

Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. When cool, frost with Bacon Chocolate Frosting.

Bacon Chocolate Frosting:

In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat margarine and cocoa together until combined. Add milk and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until desired consistency is achieved. Adjust with more milk or confectioners’ sugar if necessary. Fold in chopped bacon. Frost chocolate cupcakes and top with a piece of crisp bacon for garnish.

Servings: 16
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Difficulty: Moderate

July 17, 1977

Happy Birthday to the man who keeps me smiling, to my favorite vacation companion, my walking buddy, my personal cheerleader, my golf caddy, my shoulder to cry on, my best friend, the love of my life



Ben, sometimes I think your birthday is more fun for me than it is for you! I love spending the day together. Eating breakfast at the club house, walking around Gateway and talking about fun memories and dreaming of our future.
I love you and I'm so glad you're mine!

Ashlee

Be Forever Strong: Girls Camp 2010

Girls Camp was such a ball. It was so gorgeous! I had such a great time with the cute girls in my ward. Every one of them was just so funny and cute and kept me laughing, crying and laughing again. I had to remind myself that I was a leader and not just one of the girls. The girls just made it so fun for me! And even though I was so happy to see Ben when I got home, I already was missing my girls.
I'm so glad that I had the experience and I'm already looking forward to next year.
Farmington 7th ward Girls

Lizzie, me and Jana (Beehive Advisor), on our 10 mile hike!

Summer's here!

This time of the year is a busy one for me and Ben. You can be sure to find us in the yard getting things back into shape. We have been busy planting our annuals and sprucing up the perennials.

This fuzzy guy was hard at work too...

How do you possibly choose a favorite flower?





I have to share with you one of my all time favorite books that I discovered a couple years ago...

This adorable, little book is filled with tons of great ideas and tips for your garden! I love sitting on my patio and reading it. Makes for a major feel good
moment.
Monday was the first day of Summer...yeah! It was also the longest day of the year which I really didn't mind since it was a beautiful day. Sunny and 80 degrees...can't beat that in my book! Ben and I worked in the yard all evening until the sun went down. It was such a beautiful evening. So beautiful that I didn't even mind the stubborn dirt under my fingernails.
Pause on the gardening...I'm off to Girls Camp with my cute Laurels and I have a feeling I'm about to receive payback for being such a spaz in my youth!

xoxo

Learning Something New

A sister can do anything. She can cook an artichoke to perfection. She can sew a skirt cuter than any of the ones you'll see at Downeast! She can plan a Young Women's Girls Camp of impeccable taste, and actually enjoy the planning. She can assist in a newborns delivery at 3 a.m. and then come home just in time to drive car pool. She can MAYBE catch a quick shower before she heads out the door to help Lois. She can do all of this and still teach her little sister how to sew. Thank you, Paige!