Brad's Business Trip to Japan & Korea

It's been quite sometime since Brad's been able to travel oversees with work, something he used to do regularly, so he really enjoyed his recent trip to Japan and Korea. Sima, his co-worker, was a good sport as he dragged her hither and thither with their rigorous schedule!

Brad's text to Merinda...he was so excited to try Korean corn dogs for the first time, and share it with Merinda, who used to sell them via Bun On the Run.

Merinda's Birthday

Now that Merinda is officially an adult, and basically living on her own, we said it was up to her to make her birthday everything she wanted it to be. Which she absolutely did by making a lunch date with good friend Austin Holt, who is attending BYU and lives just a few minuets from her.

That evening she went to a friend's house in Orem, whom she recently met through church. Her new friend was so sweet and made her a stake dinner and bought her a beautiful cake! Merinda then topped off her birthday catching up on her favorite shows.

The birthday celebrations continued the next day at Mom's house with Brittney and family. Mom made a nice dinner for everyone, and for dessert had not just one, but two strawberry cakes (Merinda's fav)...one made from scratch and one store-bought. Mom also gave Merinda the balloons, flowers, picture saying, and books...she completely spoiled Merinda!

Brad and I gave her a rice cooker (yeah, we're all about the practical gifts!)

All in all, I think Merinda had a great birthday as real adult!

Aubrey & Raul's Big Move

The day I flew home from Breck & Iris' Aubrey picked me up from the Cincinnati airport and filled me in on their moving plans for that evening.

Friends from church came to help load furniture and boxes from Aubrey & Raul's old basement apartment into the moving truck, and then from the moving truck into their new townhome, also located in Georgetown.

Aubrey and Raul really appreciated everyone's help, especially Rex and Veronica for driving the moving truck, helping move the furniture and boxes, and then helping Aubrey & Raul figure out the best placement for their furniture!

Aubrey's Birthday

This was the first time, in a long time, that I was actually home for Aubrey's birthday! We celebrated with a day of shopping (she took the day off) for home furnishings and decor. That evening, Aubrey & Raul treated me (I felt like it was my birthday!) to dinner at Galvin's, and then we got Hoggy's ice cream for dessert (of course).

Aubrey's birthday concluded with Rex helping Raul hang their big-screen TV!

Aubrey and I enjoyed the fruits of their labors (in our un-planned twinning outfits😆) by admiring the television in picture mode while sharing pictures on our phones.

The Sunday after Aubrey's birthday we celebrated with Aubrey's favorite meal and pistachio dessert instead of cake and ice cream, per her request. We then sang Happy Birthday as she made a wish and blew out her candles. I don't know about Aubrey, but I personally had a great time celebrating Aubrey's birthday this year!

Date Night

Speaking of Hoggy's, we met Rex and Veronica at Hoggy's one Saturday evening. We also saw and visited with other people from church and the community as well. Everyone knows that Hoggy's seriously has the best ice cream!

Chile Independence Day

Aubrey & Raul try to observe Chile's Independence Day every year, but due to pregnancy issues, stresses at work, and moving to a new place, they said there was no way they would have the time (nor energy) to celebrate it this year.

Luckily, Rex & Veronica said they would host Chilean Independence Day at their house, and make all the delicious Chilean baked foods with help from Molly and Wesley (and little Mason) who came down from Indiana for the weekend.

Making authentic Empanadas with meat, egg, olive & yellow raisins, and Aubrey friendly empanadas with meat and cheese.

Brad helping out by holding Mason, but Mason not sure if he liked the idea.

Mason warming up to Brad!

The amazing cooks!!

Molly changed into a traditional Chilean dress, usually worn by Chilean women doing a traditional Chilean dance. A church member made the dress for Molly during her mission trip to Chile.

Crazy to think these kids would still be together after meeting in Chile all those years ago!

The empanadas turned out amazing!

The caramelized onions, fries, and Rex's seasoned steak (seriously the best ever!) were all ingredients for the chorrillana, which is a very popular dish in Chile.

I call it Chilean loaded fries, but basically chorrillana is a giant plate of french fries topped with fried onions, strips of seasoned beef, fried eggs, and olives.

Aubrey & Raul brought ingredients for the Completos, or Chilean hot dogs smothered in guacamole, tomatoes, and sometimes onions.

And of course watermelon, which I'm sure they also eat in Chile?!

The food tasted as delicious as it looked!!

Last but not least, dessert...Veronica made the best Berlins ever! Berlins are a popular Chilean dessert which are the equivalent of our jelly-filled donuts, only the Chilean version is more like a roll filled with custard or dulce de leche with powdered sugar on top. We filled our Berlins with vanilla pudding, chocolate pudding, and dulce de leche.

Veronica really outdid herself, in fact, all the Holts did an amazing job preparing an authentic Chilean Thanksgiving meal!

The best part of any great meal is the socializing and reminiscing!

Brad finding his own entertainment...

The boys enjoying some male-bonding time!

Also, in the spirit of Chilean Independence Day, Rex played a video of people dancing the official Chilean traditional dance, but the only one who felt comfortable enough to dance along was Mason!😆

A wonderful time was had by all, and we're so grateful for the Holt family who made this Chilean Independence Day one to remember!