i never said it was good for you...

Here is the recipe for the breakfast casserole we had Sunday morning...but I never said it was healthy. : )

Egg BaKe Casseole:
1 stick of butter

30 oz. bag frozen hashbrowns

12 eggs

1 cup Milk

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 1/4 cup of cubed ham (may use italian sausage or bacon)

salt and pepper to taste

Melt Butter in 9x13 pan. add 3/4 of hashbrowns on bottom of pan. Combine milk, eggs, cheese, and meat. Pour mixutre over hashbrowns. Top with remainder of hashbrowns. Add salt and pepper to top. Bake 1hr 15min @350F.

I'm not so sure what the melted butter did in the bottom of the pan, I think it might be okay without it, but either way it was pretty good.

Byu/ countdown/skiing adventure!

Well everyone, I have officially been a student at BYU for 2 weeks. It is awesome. After Christmas break was over I headed back to Provo and with the help of Riley (W) found all of my classes for the next few days. I'm glad I had someone show me around or the first day would have been scary. Here is my schedule: Wake up and work from 8-12 everyday. Then I head to school, I haven't figured out whether walking or driving is best. What I do know is the stairs by the Richards building are like death and I refuse to walk up them. But me protesting the stairs looks silly and I end up walking, or should I say, crawling up the stairs with a 50 pound backpack anyway.
On Tuesdays/Thursdays I have Political Science 110 which is required for my major. I have Quin Monson and he is excellent, keeps you engaged and interested for the most part. I have started reading the New York times as that is what the quizzes are based off. Then I go to Marriage Prep taught by Jason Carroll. He is easily the best teacher I've ever had and I love this class. Not only is it a good time to take this class but I can use it if I decide to minor in Family Life (which just might happen)! This class ends at 5:15 so I usually study for a bit and then head home. On Monday I have LDS Marriage and Family which is the religion version of the above mentioned marriage prep class. It is a little more centered on the gospel rather than research. It's a good class but I wish I had taken a different Religion course... Too late now. Then I got to History 201 taught by Professor Hamblin. This class.... ugh. I don't mind the lectures or the material, but this stupid book report he is making us do is ridiculous. We had to submit the title of a book we'd like to do that met very specific requirements. I chose a biography of Leonardo da Vinci (it had to be about someone born before 1500) but he denied it. So now I'm doing Joan of Arc. Let's hope he approves, because 2 TA's did!On Wednesday nights I have Geography 101. Which I already took at UVU but it didn't transfer.. Luckily I have an adjunct teacher who teaches full time at a middle school. Pretty sure he doesn't change the course material at all. Only problem is it's a two and a half hour class. It's very hard to pay attention! Overall, I'm enjoying my experience and hope the rest of the semester is just as good! For Christmas Riley (S) gave Riley (W) and I ski lift passes to the Canyons! So we went on our day off for the Marin Luther King holiday. We had a wonderful time! Scott and Riley joined us for the day but we were slowing them down on the bunny hill so they took off and did some really fun stuff. It was Riley's first time so we kicked it on the bunny hill for a while but moved up to the bigger stuff after lunch. I had a great day!

For those of you who care, 93 days till April 23rd.... You know what that means!

These pictures were taken with my phone, so excuse the poor quality!

Christmas 2010...Unforgetable

For several weeks we looked forward to having the whole Serafine family home for Christmas. Then on Monday, Bradley and Mandy's family got the stomach flu and had to get off their plane and go back home. We felt so bad for them and us. So, then we were all depressed, but we quickly regrouped and focused on baby Graham coming with his parents from Arizona and the rest of the family. Hold on-- on Wednesday we started getting some vibes that maybe something might be going on... then we talked to Bradley and they were in Laramie!!!!! We couldn't believe it, after they got over the worst part of the flu, they got in their car and drove out to Utah. So for two and a half days we enjoyed non-stop fun and togetherness. I know for sure that the parents and grandparents of this group were in heaven and loved every minute of this memorable Christmas.

It all started quietly like this...Graham and Grandma


Frosting sugar cookies with the girls. Aren't they cute?
By the way,we used Mandy's new recipe and loved it.

Graham's first Christmas Eve Program.


Grandma and Grandpa Bradshaw and Graham

Serafine family reciting 15 fun facts about candy
canes...don't ask.

No matter what anyone says, Annie is an Angel!

Jane participating in the Bradshaw nativity program
She is the angel. Anna, Eliza, Drew, Caleb, Sam and
Ben are shepherds and the star.

Jane and Annie sitting on Grandma and Grandpa
Bradshaw's lap. Jane is holding her chocolate gift.

Bradley, Mandy, Jane and Annie Christmas morning.

Look carefully and see that Annie could only use
one hand to unwrap her gifts because she wouldn't
put down her new chocolate!

Graham sitting upright in the gift wrapping position!

One last sleepover with Aunt Katelyn before she
leaves on her mission to South Carolina.

The three sweetest grandchildren ever. We just
loved having them and the rest of the family for Christmas!

Allison and Riley Wilson are Engaged!

Allison and Riley Wilson got engaged on Friday,
December 3, 2010. They came over to make their
announcement, but we weren't home. So they waited
with Katelyn for a while, then called us and we came
running home. We did have a "heads up" that it was
coming since Riley had asked to meet with Dad the
day before. We are very happy for them and
celebrated that night with a toast and sparkling cider.
Ok... so maybe I should remember what has already
been posted, you already know they are engaged!

KATELYN'S CALL

After what seemed like an eternity, a lovely large white envelope arrived at our house on December 15th! Congratulations to Katelyn on her mission call to serve in the South Carolina Columbia Mission. She reports to the MTC on March 23. We are all so excited for her and know she can do anything she puts her mind to. We love you Katelyn!

Kelli & Jake Trip to Oakland

This last weekend Jake and I were able to make a quick trip out to Oakland to see the Terrones family get sealed in the Oakland temple. We drove Friday afternoon and evening, spent the entire Saturday with friends from the mission, and then drove Sunday. It was such a quick trip, but turned out to be the perfect weekend. Let me tell you why....

The Terrones are an amazing family! Back in the summer of 2007 when I was in my last area of Richmond we knocked on their door and first met Enrique (the father) and he chatted with us and invited us back when we could meet with his wife as well. We went back a few days later and met Evelyn (the mother) who was just as kind as can be and an amazing cook. We taught them the first lesson and then wanted us to come back to teach their 2 teenage daughters and their younger children (Lizbeth, Nohely, Lil' Ricky (Enrique), Eve (Evelyn)). And so we taught them again and again and within a few short months they were attending church & mutual, having family prayer and scripture study and preparing for baptism. They were the perfect little family and I just felt so blessed to even know and work with them. This family though before they were baptized has several little problems. Not really anything big, but they seemed to always be arguing with one another, had lots of financial difficulties, and were struggling to keep their family going. Since they have joined the church they still have these difficulties, but they are able to work through them with the principles of the gospel, paying their tithing and receiving the blessings that Heavenly Father has for them. The gospel has blessed their life. The gospel blesses all of our lives.

So, we fast forward almost 3 years later when I hear that December 11 they are going baptize their youngest daughter who turned 8 and then walk over to the temple to be sealed. I was so excited! This was the family that I had seen come to church for the first time, pray for the first time, read scriptures, develop their testimony and become active and faithful members of the church and know they were going to be sealed! This is what every missionary of the church wants for everyone they talk to. They want for all people to return back to Heavenly Father and take the necessary steps and ordinances to do so.. and that's what they did. It was nothing that I ever did or said that made them join the church or get sealed. It was all the work of Heavenly Father and I was lucky enough to be a part of it. I can't really even express the feelings and the joy that I felt sitting there in the sealing room with their family, watching them take the next step in their eternal progression.

After the baptism and temple and in traditional Mexican style there was a fiesta at the church that afternoon/evening. The Terrones celebrated this sealing almost like it was another wedding...a renewing of vows of sorts and so there was a wedding dress, cake, food, dj, dancing and all that fun wedding stuff. I loved Eve's description of the day, she said, "I'm getting married to my parents!" and really that was the newly baptized 8 year old's understanding of the day. They all wore matching dresses and danced the night away. Jake and I only stayed for a little bit because we went to San Francisco that night.

Anyways, it was a great weekend. I am so glad I was able to make it back for this event and to introduce Jake to all these people that I always talk about. The weather cooperated nicely and we enjoyed ourselves. Let's all remember the joy we feel when we do missionary work and really renew ourselves to sharing the gospel with others. We have the knowledge and blessing of the gospel that we should be sharing with others and I hope we can all make those efforts to do so. Here are some pictures of the day.

10 days and counting!

Hey family, did you know we have completed 100 posts? This blog is awesome and I'm glad we have it and each contribute. There are only a few more days until Christmas and I can't wait to see you all again, have some good quality time and enjoy Christmas together!!

A few things that will happen before everyone gets here:

-Katelyn will get her mission call tomorrow!! If you haven't put in your guess you better do it soon!

-New Mexico Bowl, I think Jake and Riley (S) are going down to it. Which means they miss..

-The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert!!!!!! This Friday night! I might burst with excitement!! Only problem is...we have 4 tickets for 6 people. Hopefully standby pulls through for us!

-Savior of the World! Riley Wilson was sweet and bought us tickets to it on the 22nd. So, for those of you rolling in that day I won't be home till around 10, sorry!! I can't wait for this either :)

-Finals end.. Thank goodness. A long semester and it is soon to end! Ok, I'm not actually in school, but Riley studying all the time can

be a drag. Four finals down, two to go!

-I've got a few projects that I'm working on, so hopefully those get finished by Christmas!

-I only have three more days at East Shore High School. Yes! Oh but I will be working from home for them next semester, along with part time at UVU, and 14 credits at BYU, and oh we'll be planning a wedding. Wish me luck..... I doubt you'll hear from me next semester.

-I start at BYU in like 23 days or something. I should probably start doing something to prepare..

-I haven't participated in any service projects yet this Christmas. Any good ideas? That always puts me in the Christmas spirit!

-Last, but not least, I love this bouquet...

P.S. We're engaged.

I don't want to brag, but I could very possibly be the happiest person in the entire world! Here is why:Here is the low down. On Friday, Riley couldn't hold the secrets in anymore so he told me everything! (which, you should all know, I was very happy about. I couldn't stand waiting either). So, we followed his original plan, which was supposed to happen on Saturday, and drove up to Bridal Veil falls, took a lovely walk and then he "popped the question". I think it goes without saying that I agreed. Afterward we went to Macaroni Grill for some dinner which was delicious. Then we went to Riverton to surprise the parents, but they weren't even home but Kate was. The parents soon arrived and had Martinelli's in some lovely plastic cups. Soon after we went to West Jordan to tell his parents and they were very excited as well! It was a wonderful evening, Riley and I are very excited!!

Holiday Greetings

Office Max offers some great fun this time of year...

The first clip has Riley Serafine, Riley Wilson, Allison, Katelyn and Annie.

The next clip stars Kelli, Brad, Mandy, Dad and Jane

and the last clip features Graham, Matt, Stacy, Mom and Jake.

I had too much fun...

warm things on cold days

I woke up to the sound of rain outside of my apartment. I couldn't bring myself to look...that means that our week of GORGEOUS weather is over. But, miraculously, I got up and ready for work anyway. I wore slippers to work today because I don't have any closed toed shoes other than boots. This is a serious problem! A problem that I don't have the energy (or resources) to fix. On my way out the door I grabbed leftover's for lunch. I didn't think much about it, but while sitting here I realized that the good potatoes sitting in my fridge will be the perfect thing to warm me up! Nothing fixes dreary weather like hearty, steamy, delicious potatoes.

Speaking of delicious potatoes.. I will tell you of Riley (Wilson) and I's adventures yesterday!

On Saturday, Riley called his Grandpa to see if we could bring Sunday dinner and visit for a while, he happily agreed! We ran to the grocery story that night to get some ingredients! We made marinade for bbq chicken so it would sit over night. On sunday morning, Riley boiled some potatoes before church. I had a meeting in the morning... Then Church, then I went to Riley's church. He was teaching the Preach My Gospel class. I don't mean to brag, but he's so good!! He taught a great lesson, one of those naturally gifted teachers. Which is semi-lame because I'm the one going into teaching. That's beside the point! We went back to his place and continued making dinner (and when I say make dinner, I mean that I talked on the phone with Mom while Riley worked the kitchen).

We made:
bbq chicken

good potatoes

rolls

salad

Chocolate pudding pie!

It was fast sunday so we were both pretty excited to eat. We drove to his Grandpa's (20 minutes) and when we got there he wasn't home. We called and he thought we were coming on Monday night! He was at his son's house (Riley's uncle) and invited us over. On the way Riley was so hungry that he ate one of the uncooked rolls. Which I think is disgusting (later he said his stomach felt like the roll had expanded 3 times it's original size). They had dinner all ready for us so we left all of our food in the car. They were such nice people! Oh they made homemade caramel for caramel apples. Then covered them in white chocolate and cinnamon/sugar. SO GOOD!! When we came out the uncooked rolls looked very wrinkly.

We cooked everything when we got home so it's all ready for tonight! Yay!

Oh and one more exciting thing, Riley and I skyped with a senior couple and a few members from his mission! It was so fun to talk to them. Riley had taught me some Russian phrases that I could say. One of the members was the sweetest Babooshka ever! Now I can say that I have spoken Russian to a real Russian.. So cool.

Dasvidanya! (for those of you who don't speak Russian, that means goodbye!)