Meatballs

So I made meatballs last week and John paid me the ultimate compliment: "these are the best meatballs I have ever had!" Usually when I ask John what he thinks about dinner, he responds with a "it's good." I love to cook (mostly bake), but dinner is my least favourite meal to make, so I thought I would pass on the recipe, since I got such a good response.

Spaghetti & Meatballs
(serves 4)

500g pork mince (I used a pork/veal mix)
2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
1-4 cloves garlic, crushed (I like garlic, so I tend to use a lot)
1/2-1 tsp salt
1/2-1 tsp pepper
1 tbsp Italian spices
1 egg
1 cup stale breadcrumbs
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp olive oil
400g can crushed tomatoes
600-650ml tomato/pasta sauce
375g spaghetti
1/3 cup Romano cheese, finely grated

1. Combine pork, parsley, garlic, salt & pepper, Italian spices, egg, breadcrumbs and tomato paste in a large mixing bowl. Roll large tablespoons of pork mixture into balls.

2. Heat olive oil in large frying pan (or saucepan) on medium heat. Cook meatballs in pan until browned (be sure to rotate so that all sides cook evenly.)

3. Place undrained crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce in the pan with the meatballs. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.

4. Cook pasta according to directions. Serve pasta topped with meatballs & sauce and sprinkled with cheese. Enjoy!

It's a bird, it's a plane, no . . .

Or, it will be. Sorry to disappoint all those who really wanted a boy (or were convinced it would be a boy - John!), but we're expecting a girl. Yeah!

Graduation

While I was in the States I also had the chance to go to my sister Christina's graduation from Bellevue High School. It was the first time that I had been in Bellevue at the same time as all three of my siblings since December 2007. It was so much fun. One of my aunts from California and cousins also came into town; I hadn't seen them in over five years. It was great to just relax and catch up with family. A big congratulations to Christina!

From left to right: me, Brandon, Christina, Kelsey, Mom

The triumphant graduate!

From left to right: Kameron (cousin), Brandon, Kristopher (cousin)

The Portland Temple

Today I had the chance to escort my sister Brittney through the temple for her first time. It was a sweet experience. I am so glad that I was able to come over from Australia for the occasion. I hadn't been to the Portland Temple since its open house 10 years ago. As all temples are, it is extremely beautiful, especially the granite on the outside. For all of you who wanted to see my growing belly, check out the pictures below; not only will you see the huge belly, but you'll get a good look at my chubby cheeks!

Brittney and me inside the temple atrium:

Brittney and her fiance Jesse in the temple gardens:

The temple spires:

The lovebirds!

Wallaman Falls

For John's 28th birthday, we decided to hike Wallaman Falls (after a birthday breakfast at C'est Si Bon and John's massage at Tropical North Day Spa). It is the highest sheer drop waterfall in Australia at 268 metres. It's about a 2 hour drive from our house. You start at the lookout at the top and then hike down to the bottom. It was listed as a short, but moderate hike. Let me tell you, for us, it was strenuous (and not because we're out of shape). It took us about an hour and a half to hike down to the bottom. After a picnic lunch, we started back up. I expected some leg burn since we would have to walk up hill the whole time, but instead my lower back was the problem. I assume due to the baby. We were not expecting this. Thanks to my genius husband who made some makeshift walking sticks out of branches he found about halfway up, I survived. And what's so amazing is that even with all of the breaks I had to take, it only took us an hour to hike back up! We finished off the afternoon with a stop at the Frosty Mango, our favourite ice cream shop.

Wallaman Falls from the lookout.

John at the bottom of the waterfall. There were several great rainbows.

At the end of the hike, there were butterflies everywhere. It was so cool! For once, John couldn't rattle off their scientific name, in fact he wasn't even sure what kind they were, but they were beautiful. My camera isn't great; this is as close as I could get without it turning out totally blurry.

On a portion of the drive, after the we passed the farmland, but before we started up the steep incline, there were a ton of cows just roaming around. There was nothing to keep them off the road. In fact, the road was covered with a ton of cow pies. We took this picture on the way back. (You can see the poop on the road too.)

Go Cards!

While I was in the U.S., I had the chance to see my brother Brandon compete at the National Cheer Association Collegiate Cheer Championship. He is on the cheer team at the University of Louisville. The competition was held in Daytona Beach, Florida and felt like something straight out of the movie "Bring It On." It was awesome! His team won the competition for the seventh straight year!! Way to go Cards!

Practising before the finals:

Competing in the finals (Brandon is stunting the girl second from the left):

Brandon and his stunt partner Dana competing in the individual stunt competition:



Brandon and Dana with the team trophy (Isn't she tiny!):

The Sweetest

Not only was the house totally clean, but this is what greeted me when I got home from my trip overseas. I have the sweetest husband in the world!