Em's Fresh Friday

Introducing: Eduardo "Ed" Treto

Jeff and Ed have been friends for years. Their stories go way back to boy scouts and the 7th grade. (Oh, the stories!) There's camping stories, stake dance stories, spaghetti dinner stories, school stories, and don't forget the infamous "Who started the fight that ended up in the middle of a busy LA street, the donut? The newspaper?" It's a long story.

I met Ed soon after Jeff and I were engaged. We spent a day at Disneyland and all I remember about that trip was that Ed ordered two dinners, ate them both, and then had enough room for a churro. I thought it was amazing!

Ed is a very caring husband to his beautiful wife, Amber and has three lovely little daughters. (Leah, Naomi, and Calista.) I was honored to be part of their sealing ceremony by helping out Amber in the brides room in the temple. Amber and I have become good friends and we have Ed to thank for that.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Ed.

Favorite color? Blue
Worst Habit? Avoid eating vegetables
What would you do with $1000.00 right now? Pay Bills
Biggest decision that you are thinking about now? Which brokerage I will be working for.
Do you have a motto? A's get the grades... C's get degrees
If you knew then what you know now: I would have gotten into real estate earlier
How do you know Jeff? I've known Jeff since the 7th grade. He called me by my brother's name "MEMO"
If Ed was president…:everyone would have affordable medical care
Ed’s favorite possession? Wedding Ring
What’s on your Ipod? Don't have one and if i did I would have a bunch of clips from the Phil Hendrie Show
Favorite movie? Born in East LA. Not allowed to watch it anymore, only when it comes on regular TV.
What is something that no one knows about you? I barfed at sizzler when I was 13. Good thing we pay before we sit down.
What is the quality that you best like about yourself? Im easy going
Favorite Jeff, Ed, and Pete Memory? The fight in front of Averil Park after seminary. Pete was annoyed with the banging of the newspaper Memo picked up, the clapping of our hands, stomping of our feet and the straw that broke the camel's back was the throwing of the donut by Jeff which lead to me laughing and Pete attacking me. One of so many memories.
Most embarrassing moment? Bob Chase taking a picture of me on the latrine.

One word that describes you? Funny

To check out more of Ed and his family, click here.

Jeff's "in depth" explanation of the donut incident:

As you refer to the map above, the incident begins at point A. Jeff, Ed, Memo, and Pete leave the church parking lot after seminary and head for school. As usual, Ed, Memo, and Jeff taunt Pete on the way to school. At point B- halfway into the incident, Jeff lobs his remaining donut from seminary at Pete's head. Somewhere between point B and C, Ed finds a stray Penny Saver Newspaper on the ground, rolls it into a tube, and starts smacking the retaining wall directly behind Pete's head as they walk. At point C, Pete has had enough and turns suddenly, ripping the paper from Ed's hands, smacks it across Ed's face, and the fight begins.

I will admit, the donut was thrown by me, but Ed's cackling laugh and taunts with the newspaper was the straw that broke the camels back.

thursday in tahoe.

Sorry for the inconvenience...

Thank you for your patience.

I'm blog refurbishing for fall.

New attractions coming soon!

the recipe you didn't know you wanted. (but you really do!)

Twenty- Minute Tomato Sauce

enough for 1 pound of pasta

Heat in a medium saucepan over medium heat:

2 tablespoons evoo

add:

1 onion, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced

Cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in:

One 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 to 2 teaspoons dried oregano

Simmer, uncovered, until the sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes.

Remove to a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth.

Return to the pan and stir in:

1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar

1/2 to 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes

salt and ground black pepper to taste

Heat through about 5 minutes, meanwhile boil your spaghetti.

Serve and enjoy!

I found this recipe one day while searching for new meal ideas. While spaghetti is a stand-by meal at our house, this sauce sounded interesting to try. It has a creamy taste, almost like a bolognese sauce, without much fat. My family loves this recipe, they cheer when I tell them what's for dinner, and the sauce is great to freeze.

this is THE party.

Since summer has quickly come and gone, we find ourselves on the cusp of yet another preschool year. Of course there is the annual preschool party to celebrate, where the red carpet is rolled out for the most elite in the preschool circles for hob nobbing, hors de' oeuvres (pretzels and goldfish), and fun in the pool.

Rumor has it that the famed green goggle gang took time out of their busy schedules to come and socialize at the special event. "It is only once a year," Joshua (The middle goggle) commented. "who can turn up a chance to be a part of the best party of the season!"

Princess Janelle was also sighted at the event, to which she brought her baby brother Spencer as her date. Both were seen relaxing by the pool, chatting up friends, and one onlooker even spotted baby Spencer drinking the pool water though representatives for the star declined to comment when contacted.

Superstar Sammy was also spotted in the mix, making her way around the different social groups. She spent most of the time running from paparazzi as our picture can plainly show.

You can always count on us to bring you the best celebrity gossip first. Is there a hook up in the works for Goggle Gang star Joshua and his co-Gang star's little sister Elizabeth? We'll keep you posted.

wednesday in tahoe.

A quick stop on the way to our hike rendered a sweet view. Emerald bay in the glow of the warm morning sun was a sight to see.

And here we are... we were all smiling while keeping a lookout for that pack of crying coyotes we heard so close to our camp last night.

Josh and his buddy, Cousin Cecily.

The boys enjoy a peek down to Emerald Bay and a chance to see the Vikingsholm Castle and Tea House Island. Next stop - a short drive to the Rubicon Trail...

This way to the fun! Did you know that Lake Tahoe had a lighthouse? Stay right there to be shocked and amazed!
The View= free... Can you believe the view? I love this view.

What?! The paparazzi followed us up this trail? Is it my face consuming Jack Lord glasses?

Lighthouse= this way. Follow the steep, rocky steps. Watch out for hikers that poke fun at your inferior footwear and/or non-shock absorbing hiking sticks... wait, give me a break!

Ta-da! Here it is, the lighthouse! Weeeelll... I know, it looks like an outhouse, but it is still fun to see. It's pretty old and out of commission, but it still stands tall out on the Rubicon Bay.

Ben and I power walked up the steps to get a shot of the rest of our party making their way back. It also gave me a better chance to enjoy the view longer.

Ben enjoys his trail mix at the best seat in the house.Grandma and Cousin Ces take one last look before we head back down the trail.That long hike made us hungry for dinner, and I was in charge of night three! After a quick trip to Raley's, with no luck finding skewers for kabobs (I knew I should have packed some!)... I had to come up with something else. What's on the menu for our family hikers? Hearty hamburgers, chips, pickles, and fruit salad. Even the Cartwright boys would be impressed!

tuesday in tahoe.

(a perfect, crisp, blue sky day.)
(it's such a nice feeling to know that you have nothing better to do then skip rocks in a lazy river.)
(they learn from the master. I've seen an 8 skipper.)

(aunt amanda, ben is your mini me. this picture says it all.)

(to the little river.)

(we had to stop and see the wildlife.)

(jeff taught us that the pines that carry his namesake "jeffrey pines" smell like vanilla. we sniffed them all the way up the trail. ben loved this.)

(we finally made it! we had to wait for the early morning chill to wane, it was 40 degrees that morning!)

(you have to inch your way in until you become numb to it. but, what do you expect from melted alpine snow?)

(perfect for sand castle building.)

(it's one of our favorite spots on earth. the happy pine trees, the weather is gorgeous, and the water is so clear and blue.)

(that was my favorite spot)

(Thank goodness for quick husbands!)

(he told me himself. it was a long day. we all passed out in our sleeping bags that evening.)