john 3:30

our adventure to california

Now for a post on our trip to LA, Pasadena, and San Diego. It may be 3 weeks after we've been home, but it was our first trip to California so it deserves this entry :)

We visited Tampa, FL for one week with my family as usual and flew out of Tampa to LAX.

We made it to Pasadena for Kristin and Blake's wedding. Kristin is Jacob's awesome cousin, and her wedding was absolutely beautiful.

We spent a few days in L.A. and then drove over to San Diego to visit Jake's other awesome cousin, Jennifer. San Diego was one of the best places I've ever been to (thus far). Everyone was super laid back, nice, and the weather and sceneries were beautiful. We had burritos stuffed with fries with an accidental side of fries, went surfing, and hiked a mountain/cliffs that led to the beach (Torrey Pines).

Here's a glimpse into our trip. You'll feel like you were right there with us... sort of.

A visit to Santa Monica and Venice beach. The weather was a little dreary, but still fun.

and of course, Hollywood. (I know, I took a photo of the Twilight cast...)

Jennifer and her man Justin showed us around San Diego.  This restaurant was at the top of our hotel and overlooked downtown San Diego and the bay.

The burrito stuffed with fries I was telling you about..

Post surfing in December. We didn't get any photos of us in our wet suits, but trust me, it happened.

My favorite spot,  Sunset Cliffs 

Needless to say, Jacob is determined to move to San Diego post graduation, haha. Can't wait to go back.

love, the stagnaros

sweets!

Something about being home after two weeks of travels made me appreciate cooking, so despite my trying not to be mom-ish, I'm posting another recipe. But this time dessert!I found this recipe via pinterest on this website, and thought I'd give it a try for a cookout this past weekend. This cookie recipe might not be the right start to any New Years resolutions, but.. it's worth it once you see the recipe name.

Oreo Pudding Cookies (told you.)


Ingredients:
1 cup butter, room temperature
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (4.2 ounce) package instant Oreo Pudding mix 
2 1/4 cups flour  
1 teaspoon baking soda 
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Hershey's Cookies N Cream Candy Bars broken into small pieces (King Sized bars)
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips


To Make:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside. Cream together butter and sugars. Beat in pudding mix until blended. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add the flour mixture and mix to combine. Stir in cookies n' cream pieces and chocolate chips.

Using a cookie dough scooper, place golf ball sized dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. The cookies will feel and look under-cooked, but they aren't. Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet before moving to a cooking rack. 

...so good.