Breckenridge in the Winter - part 2!

Oh Breckenridge, I can not wait to go back because Texas just does not do it for me!

We flew in on Saturday and spent most the day looking at snow, EVERYWHERE! I just can’t put it into words how much prettier Colorado is than Texas.

We woke up and the view of the mountain was beautiful!!

It was day one of skiing! Let me start by saying this was my 4^th day of skiing ever! The first 3 days consisted of me crying every time I fell because I just did not understand why I couldn't ski and then I would cry just thinking about skiing. But day 4 was GREAT! I was not sure what was in store. Michael said he was going to ski with me, but I knew that did not mean greens so I had to step it up. Luckily this time I could. We went half way down a green and off to the blues we went. It was actually a little warm, sunny and just around 32*(warm haha). As the day went on Michael was a little bored and wanted to do a more skiing so he went off with his sister while I stayed with Michael’s dad! It had been a long time since the last time he had skied, but he was GREAT at it! Just like riding a bike he said. Michael's dad is really patient, so he spent some time helping me become more confident! Thank you so much!

Monday it snowed all day! When we woke up we could not even see the mountain.

Michael and I went to a yummy breakfast in town and then spent the whole day on the slopes! It was such a fun day! Very cold and windy but couldn’t complain one bit! We tried some new runs, I got a little more confident, and Michael was not as bored as the day before. (Michael  is more advanced than I am - I am not as confident going super fast down blues as he is, but I am getting there) 

Michael’s parents spent the early afternoon with a realtor looking at homes!! Maybe one day they will own a home in Breck! That evening we went to dinner in town and spent the evening hanging out and playing games!

Valentine’s day was beautiful! When we woke up and could see the mountain, but could see more snow on its way! 

We had yummy crepes for breakfast and then went off for the last day of skiing. We all went to peak 7 and loved the new terrain. It started snowing on our way to the mountain and continued for the next few hours. The slopes were pretty much empty which was perfect! Afterwards we went back to the condo, got cleaned up and left. We were able to go by and look at a house Michael's parents really like before leaving for Denver which was lots of fun!

Michael and I lucked out and got to ski for free for 2 of the 3 days! Because Michael’s parents are looking for a home, their realtor had free passes and we were able to use them! YAY!! That was a nice surprise when we got to town!

We had such a wonderful trip! Michael said it was the perfect amount of time. We only missed a few days of work, but were able to spend lots of time doing what we wanted. We are so happy we were invited to go back a 2nd time with his parents! Thank you so much for taking us with you guys! 

Here are some random pictures from the weekend:

Day 1

All of us

CRAZY SNOW on Monday!

Too cold to show our faces

3 of us :]

Michael loved the natural icicles

Ahhh! So beautiful!

Snowing on the mountain

Just perfect!

Colorado, we will be back soon!

Jalapeno Popper Dip

Yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday so it was the perfect opportunity to make a new dip to share!

Michael and I love jalapeno poppers and love dip, so the idea of putting the two together sounds great!

Ingredients:

2 8oz containers of fat free cream cheese
1 cup low fat mayo
1 cup Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons of minced garlic
4 oz canned green chilies
4 oz drained jalapenos
8 oz cooked and diced bacon

Directions:

Mix together softened cream cheese, mayo, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Once mixed add the green chilies and the drained jalapenos. Mix in bacon and pour mixture into a 9 inch baking dish. Cook at 350*F for 20 minutes, or until the top starts to brown. I served the dip with crackers.

If you haven't had a jalapeno popper, you are missing out!!
Enjoy!

Morning of Pampering

It has taken about 7 months, but I am starting to cash in on my birthday present from Michael.

My birthday was on July 7th and Michael's gift to me was a day at the spa. He bought a spa package, but it can be separated and used at different times, which is good for me since we normally have busy weekends. I have been wanting to go to the spa since football season ended, but for some reason our weekends have been too busy for me to plan some time, until today.

I had an hour massage that started my day off perfect. Thank you Michael for knowing me so well and getting me the perfect gift!

I have had different spa experiences and this one was one of the bests. The Boardwalk Spa is located off a quiet road, very nice people, relaxing soft music, and smelt like violet and eucalyptus. Exactly how a spa should be!

I have enough left on my gift card for two more trips back to the spa, so I can not wait for the next few weekends where I can start them off like I did today.

Neisch Dinners

Yay for Pinterest and making dinners a lot more yummy at the Neisch house!

I would say we make at least one new recipe a week and so far we have not been disappointed with what we have tried. We have been trying to mix it up and not repeat dinners that often, so luckily I have a huge bank to chose from on my food board.

I wish I was able to come up with a recipe on my own, but I just can't. I tried to think about what ingredients I could buy to make something new on my own, and I just kept thinking of ingredients that go into dishes I already know how to make.
So I thought I would share some of our new favorite recipes that are here to stay. We have altered almost all of them somewhat but I will attach the recipe so you all can try them too!

Toasted Raviolis -

We tried this one twice. The first time we fried them in oil and they were good but not what I was hoping for. Too greasy! So a few weeks later we tried them again and baked them in the oven. They are MUCH BETTER baked.


Penne with Chicken Pasta -

We really liked this! We both love broccoli and white sauce so this was a perfect meal.


Pesto Baked Potatoes -

I think Michael was a little unsure when I told him we would be making these for dinner, but he let me try making them and surprisingly really liked them. I loved how crispy the skin got when they were re-baked after they were stuffed. I can not believe all the years I skipped out eating potato skins.


Chicken Gyros -

If you have never had a gyro, you have to! They are delicious! When we get them when we are out, they are greasy and full of yumminess! When we made them at home they were not greasy at all, but still full of yumminess. This meal was very fresh and light! The only thing was the recipe made SO MUCH sauce, I have no idea why, just about 10 times the amount we needed. I should have realized it when I was making it, but I didn't. My bad. We made homemade naan as the bread and this will be made a lot more in the Neisch house!


Baked Manicotti and Fried Mozzarella -

OH MY GOSH! I can not believe it took us so long to make both of these! Michael and I loved cooking this meal. The manicotti was so cheesy and delicious, and the fried mozzarella sticks, no words to describe. I am getting hungry just thinking about how yummy this dinner was!


Lettuce Wraps -

We have made these about 3 times since we made it the first time! This is the fastest meal we make with lots of flavor! We actually ate this last night for dinner, we love these! (We alter this a bit and do not add the peanuts or water chestnuts.)


Queso Chicken Pasta -

This is the closest to a casserole that I have gotten Michael since we got married. Michael has this thing where he thinks he does not like casseroles, LAME is what this is haha. I love casseroles and I love how easy they are to make. This meal was so cheesy which means so yummy!!




Creamy Grilled Chicken Penne -

We made this tonight. The sauce on the pasta was so flavorful, but not over powering and the chicken was wonderful! The marinade on the chicken made the entire house smell great as it was cooking. This will be another recipe we make a lot. (We left out the capers from the recipe.)


I am a lucky lady who has a husband who loves cooking with me and who is great at doing it.

Diaper Cakes

This past weekend I went to two baby showers, one for a little girl and one for a little boy. They were both so fun!

I have not been to that many baby showers as my friends are now just starting to have babies. So the fun is just starting!! For both friends, they are due so soon and I can not wait to meet the little ones!

I was very surprised by the diaper cakes that were there! The first day was for the little girl and they had this adorable girl tricycle with a monkey driving! I had never thought about making a diaper cake look like a tricycle, but such a cute idea!

She also got another diaper cake as a gift from a friend that looked like what I would imagine a diaper cake to look like.

They are doing the nursery in a pink and green monkey/jungle theme, so that explains the monkeys. But aren't those just adorable!!

A few of my friends and myself through a shower for the same friend a few months back and she got a pink giraffe diaper cake then too (she has gotten a lot of diaper cakes so far - lucky girl).

Then the next day I went to the little boys shower and another cute tricycle!!

One day I hope I can be as creative as the people who made these adorable diaper cakes! It is so neat when people come up with new ways to to make traditional things.