Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

Tonight, I made dinner for Jared.  I made Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta.  I found it on pinterest and got the recipe from a blog called Amy's Kitchen.  Here is the recipe and then our thoughts about it.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
Recipe courtesy of Amy from Amy's Kitchen.
Serves 6

1 lb. Pasta (penne is my favorite)
1 cup Chicken Breasts, cooked, and cubed. (we got chicken tenderloins and cut them before cooking them)
1 cup Ham, cooked and cubed (we got the salad topping cubes)
1 1/2 cups Milk
8 oz. Cream Cheese
2 Tbsp Dried Minced Onion
2 cups Swiss Cheese, shredded (we used mozzarella)
Salt
Pepper
Red Cayenne Pepper
1 Cup Panko Crumbs
1/2 cup Melted Butter

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over med-high heat.  Salt it and add the pasta; cook until al dente (about 11 minutes.)  Drain and return to the pot.  Add in the chicken and ham and toss to combine.

Preheat the broiler. (I preheated to 350)  In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, cream cheese and minced onion over low-medium heat.  Cook, stirring frequently, until it becomes a smooth texture (about 5 minutes.)  Stir into the pasta mixture.  Stir in the swiss cheese and season with salt, pepper, and red cayenne pepper to taste

Transfer pasta to a baking dish and top with panko crumbs.  Pour melted butter over crumbs and broil until browned.

*Jared and my thoughts.
We really liked it.  We had this with green beans and rolls.  The only change we talked about was to crush up corn flakes for the top instead of bread crumbs.  We felt like that would bring out the breaded flavor more.

The Big Move

Jared and I decided to move to Las Vegas.  

Jared wants to finish his education here.  His plan is to get his undergrad in Exercise Science and a minor in Addiction Studies.  He is currently going to College of Southern Nevada, but will transfer to UNLV as soon as he gets residency.

Because Robin has graduated college, she is able to go and focus on working.  However, she will take a class or two online from Blue Mountain Community College to add on minors to her degree.  The plan is to take classes in Hospitality and Business.

Robin was able to find a job in Las Vegas.  She was hired on the spot for Childs' Play as a shift leader.  The job posting was for a floor attendant so an immediate promotion was great.  I also currently have the knowledge that when a new location opens next spring, I will become a manager.  All of this was because of my degree and the fact that I worked at Disney World.

We were lucky enough to get a condo in a home owners association.  It is a two bedroom, two bathroom condo.  I will post pictures as soon as the apartment is situated.  the HOA is in a gated community with a pool and spa just outside our building.  Oh, the best part is. . .We have a washer and dryer.  I am so excited.

Summer Items

I need to catch us up for our summer activities.

Jared-
     Worked at Belmont Inn and Suites until early July.
     Made many trips to Las Vegas for job interviews and moving preparations.
     Moved our stuff in the moving van with the help of his dad.

Robin-
     Worked two jobs. Aquatic Assistant at South Jordan Fitness and Aquatic Center and Head Guard/Program Coordinator.
     Recieved a new job in Las Vegas.
     Made Dean's List for School
     Graduated in Recreational Management at BYU.
   
Together-
    Colin (Robin's brother) came to visit for a month.  He was coming for BYU football camp and stayed for fun.
     We went to Lagoon.
     We attended Jared's family reunion.

Here are a few pictures of everything.

Robin at Lagoon

Robin and Colin at Lagoon

Jared at Michael's Wedding Reception

Colin at the Tumbling Gym

Jared jumping into the foam pit

Jared stuck in the foam pit

Jared playing at the toy store.

Colin trying to be scary

Colin actually knows how to smile.  I didn't know that

Jared being a hula dancer

Wet, Wet, Dry at an event I held

Las Vegas

Las Vegas

Honeymoon (part 2)

In March, we went on our real honeymoon to Southern California.  We stayed at his family's vacation club, went to 6 Flags, Disneyland, Hollywood, and the Newport Beach LDS Temple. We also went to dinner at my cousins' house and saw Hunger Games.

Disneyland

Just inside the gates.

Jared and me in California Adventure.

On the Symphony Swings.

Tigger is one of Jared's favorite Disney characters.

Its a small world.

Newport Beach Temple

Observatory when you can see the skyline and Hollywood Sign.

Jared in front of the Hollywood sign.

 Getting his hands dirty.

My cousins live super close to the LA temple, so we went on the grounds.

Valentines Day

On Valentines Day, I ended up getting pretty sick.  Therefore, to keep things simple, Jared made me dinner and we ended up watching a movie here at the apartment.

I made this with some of the other women in Relief Society.

The pizza was shaped like a heart.  

The movie we ended up watching.

Honeymoon (round 1)

We had a mini-vacation when we first got married.  This involved staying at the Anniversary Inn in Salt Lake City.

The First Night we stayed in Tuscany.

The second night was Swiss Family Robinson

We spent some time in Salt Lake City.  We went around Temple Square. 

One of the best things was that Jared bought me a picture that he knew I really wanted.  This picture was one that my bishop back home painted.  

Pendleton Reception

The week after the wedding, we traveled to Pendleton to have another reception.  It was held at the Pendleton Art Center and it was wonderful. I am so happy with how everything looked.  The center pieces were different types of cakes.  This forced people to mingle to get whatever type of cake they wanted.  A few of the flavors were carrot, triple chocolate, carrot, strawberry, red velvet, german chocolate, and so on.

Above is my special two tier wedding cake that I really wanted.  It was super simple but beautiful.

We served punch, hot chocolate, and wassail.  

How everything looked just before starting.  Also, the staircase on the side had garland, lights, and spray painted pine cones.

Utah Reception

Jared and I had two receptions.  The first was in Utah, the day after the wedding.  We held it in a church building where a wonderful decorator transformed the gym.  We served hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls.  I thought everything turned out just wonderful.  Here are a few pictures.

Wedding Day

It has now been 7 months since we tied the knot, but we decided to go ahead and start our married life blog.  Yes, I have jumped on the bandwagon.  Oh well.

Jared and I were sealed in the Bountiful LDS Temple for time and all eternity on January 5th, 2012.

I just want to share a few pictures of our BEAUTIFUL day.  I am not joking.  It was 50 degrees on the mountain and January.  It looks like it could have been March.