When Banks and I went home to WA to visit my parents we went to this awesome indoor pool.  It was so warm, clean, VERY kid friendly.  Banks had a BLAST playing with all his cousins!!

Brushetta.  Yum.

Banks hangin out with his friends, Jada and Brea.

This White Chocolate Vanilla Bean Cheesecake was soo good!  (http://www.melskitchencafe.com/vanilla-bean-white-chocolate-mousse-cheesecake-my-new-favorite-cheesecake)

Banks saying goodbye to daddy before we headed to Washington to visit my parents while Jeff headed to Germany for work.

Banks and I had a wonderful time visiting my parents in WA while Jeff was in Germany.  As you can see, Banks ADORES his grandpa.

IMPORTANT NEWS!  Banks is NOT ALLERGIC to peanuts!  Yay!  I didnt think he was, but with his Dad's nut allergy I have been nervous and haven't exactly let him indulge.  My mom was kind enough to buy some childrens benadryl (which was basically the only reason why I havent tried out peanut butter, etc.) and to my relief he was just fine eating peanuts.  In fact, he really really liked them.

Ahhh, so peaceful!  Banks still sleeps in a crib, but he loves taking naps in the guest bedroom queen bed.

Jana picked us up from the airport in Spokane WA.  Let the fun begin!!

Banks feeding the ducks with his cousins in WA.

Playing with the Spokane WA cousins on a beautiful sunny day!

Banks loved driving Grandpa's tractor!

Banks helping Grandpa clean out the grill.

Visiting my childhood best friend's farm, Jenna.  She is a veterinarian now.  She let Banks pet some of their new born calves (Washington)

Question for anyone who is NOT a Maruji:  Have you heard of or ever tried a breakfast dish called 

'Eggs on Golden Rod'? 

 

 Pictured above, Banks is helping Grandpa makes Eggs on Golden Rod.  I dont know that I've ever met anyone who really has tried  Eggs on Golden Rod (besides my family) but it is delicious and I only ever have it at my parents.  What a treat!  Brings back so many memories.  (http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/eggs-a-la-goldenrod/0338c7c9-7c25-4857-b9d9-e461c2a08950....Add crumbled up bacon or sausage on top...they dont mention that in the recipe)

Building a TALL tower with daddy!

Jeff got to fly to Switzerland after his work conference in Germany.  He got to visit his sister Juli, her family, and her new baby.  Also, his Mom and Dad were there. 

The newest addition to the Eggenberger family: baby Ari.  Jeff also got to be their for His blessing!

When Jeff was in Koln Germany, he took this beautiful picture of the local Cathedral. 

Some pictures Jeff took snowboarding at Snowbird.

chocolate cake anyone??

This is Banks wishing you a HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

In love with is new teddy bear from Grandma for Valentines.   Thank you grandma!

Ha ha ha ha.  Ahhhh I love this pic.

Banks is so proud that he built a tower as tall as he!

Meet: the magical, delicious, CRO-NUT.  (A Croissant/donut hybrid)  IT IS SOO YUMMY!  Come to Utah and I promise I'll buy you one and change your world! 

(Not the best pic, sorry) but a datenight out with Banks playing some croquet!

Banks get soo excited to open letters in the mail.  And whats better than opening a letter to him in the mail?  A letter WITH STICKERS!  Thanks for making his day, Pa pa!

MMM, loaded beef drip sandwich.  See recipe here: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/02/drip-beef-two-ways/  (She describes two different ways to make her sandwich, I do the FIRST way and add sauteed veggies to a toasted bun)

I had to show this because we have been so lucky with the mildest February weather.  This seriously has been the average temp for the last couple weeks!!  (My tulips and daffodils have been coming up for awhile now too!)

My right hand man!  Loves helping mommy in the kitchen!

Banks had SOO Much fun celebrating his best friend Jada Lynch's 3rd birthday last week.  They got to play at the Provo Beach Resort, Ride the carousal, and eat lunch together!

Lots of park days for us.  Trying to take advantages of this beautiful (uncharacteristic) February!

Jeff's job is to arrange my food and photograph it for me.. he usually does a killer job.  But today I think he was extra hungry, and it was more of an after thought haha.  His Valentines Breakfast: French toast and loaded sweet potato-bacon hash.

Part 2: Loaded sweet potato hash.

These two boys being silly on xmas morning!  Love their matching vests.  :)

Banks cooking in his NEW apron Grandma Gail made him.  Isn't it so cute!?

Banks was so excited to get snow for Christmas!  He could not stop smiling the entire time he was out in it!

Banks got this neat puzzle for Christmas from the beloved neighbors , Elton and Lorna.

Christmas Morning excitement!

Sorry this pic is a little blurry.. its the only picture I have though of the two of us on Christmas morning.

More snow fun!!

I got SUPER SPOILED this year by my mom... I got a bosch mixer!!  Wow, wow, wow is all I can say.  Someone still needs to pinch me because I'm not sure if its a dream or not!

The SWEETNESS of this lil boy is unbelievable!  

What a great daddy!  Taking snow up the back and down the pants just so he could do snow angels with his boy!

I must say, I am pretty proud of this beauty.  Yes I made it ALL !  From the crust, to the filling, to the chocolate curls...

I also made an apple pie...
This was on Christmas Eve.  I hosted the family dinner.  My menu was Prime Rib, Grilled chicken in a homemade mushroom sauce, Green bean casserole (with a homemade mushroom sauce), Raspberry pretzel jello salad, Homemade rolls, Green salad, Mashed potatos and Gravy.  Sorry I didnt get a picture of all the food.  Guess we were too busy stuffing our faces!  :)

Banks with his "Pa Pa" Maruji.  Look at the magic sparkle in Banks eyes!  He's very intently watching as "Papa" performs his famous 'disappearing penny trick!'  (My favorite!!)

A better picture of Banks in his new apron helping mom make rolls for the debut in the bosch!

This is what I made to take to Japanese New Year Years.  (More details about Japanese New Years below)

Sorry this pic is a little blurry.  Lets talk about the BEST/FAVORITE Maruji tradition ever!  So my Aunt Diane and Uncle Don for years have been hosting "Japanese New Years" on new years day and inviting all the family.  Every year it might very slightly, but one thing is CERTAIN: Lots of delicious Asain food!  This year was so fun because there was sooooooo much delicious, Maruji-handmade sushi!  So not only is there endless delicious food, but its so fun to see all the family and get caught up!

Isn't this SO beautiful!?

I had to save the best for last!..PERFECTION!

(Sorry this pic is a little blurry) After everyone stuffed themselves at Japanese New Years,  Grandma Minnie (who is 90 years old) took all the kids in the gym to play the infamous "I have a lil Doggy" i.e. similar to duck, duck goose.  And the best part is, is Grandma Minnie still runs and chases the kids around!  No joke!  She is so amazing.  I hope one day I am as agile as she is!  90 never looked so good.

Banks finger painting with one of his best friends: Kate!

At our ward Christmas party Banks dressed up as a lil shepherd in keeping with the theme "A Night in Bethlehem".

  We hope you all had a Merry Christmas and wish you the very best for 2015!!