“Easters”

We went to my sister’s house for “Easters” and had a day with the family. We had an amazing dinner which I ate way too much of and then did what all families do…pay Chinese Jump rope! Don’t all families play that? Anyway, if not do you remember it? We used to play it everyday during recess in elementary. Oh, the days…

We also played a little kick ball and played at the park.

Over all it was a great “Easters” and I was happy to see the sun out again after such a wet week.

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'Tis the Season for...Christmas Parties

fWe went to a few Christmas Parties this month. One was with Ryan's friends from Indiana...It was an ugly sweater party and guess who won? ME!!! I have to give credit where credit is due...MOM! Thanks mom for having beautiful Christmas sweaters years ago that now are considered winners at "ugliest sweater" parties. I took a picture but it is lost amongst the many pictures stored on my computer so to see a picture go to our friends blog: ben and Chrissi. My gold pants may have had something to do with the win! :) Thanks Ben and Chrissi... we had a great time. Then there was the family party we had at our house. Here is Ryan with our niece, Aulbanie.

This year I made all my family gifts. Here is what I made...It is their last names on blocks. My friend in AZ showed me how to do it and it is really fun. Dani...your is coming :)

We had a good time playing Christmas Bingo and hanging out. There were a ton more picture but two is enough...right!

Giving Thanks for a Thanksgiving Weekend!

We had a great Thanksgiving. We went to my parents/sisters house and ate way too much food. Thanksgiving food is so good I am confused as to why we wait another whole year to eat it again. It is just so tasty! We watched Fred Clause which only two out of about 12 stayed awake for the entire movie. We ate pie and played Apples to Apples. My grandma also came out for the festivities.

Even though she can't really remember who any of us are it is always good to see her and have her around! Then this weekend we put up our Christmas decorations! Yea! I was sick all weekend but I refused to be down and out for my four day holiday so I pushed through and because of it it is day 5 and I am still sick. Anywho...here is our tree.

As Ryan was tightening the tree in the stand Chase got right up under the tree too to see what he was doing. He just watched--it was funny!

The lights were low when we took the picture so it is a little blurry...it is a tree you have the idea. And then our favorite part of Christmas decorations...our village! Over the years it has grown! We didn't really realize it until it was up. But, we like it--it is Christmas to us.

Look Jess...this is for you. Do you recognize those "sisters"? We got a church last year to give them a home. :)

Merry Christmas Decorating Everyone!

Oh and if you ask me if I have seen Twilight 4 times (so far) I would have to say...YES! I promise there are more Twilight Crazed people out there than I am! :) I am just a fan! I am also still open to invitations...Anyone what to go see it? If not, I can go alone...like I did today!

Do I have a Twilight problem? (Ry, don't answer that!)

Zion National Park

Ryan's little (in age) brother, Nick, came to visit for two weeks in July. The last week he was here we went to Zion with my parents on a camping trip. We had a great time. We were there for 5 days. One night Ryan, Nick and me all went on an over night hike. We actually had reservations to hike the narrows but due to storms in Bryce Canyon the risk was too high. So we did the East Rim Trail instead. We hiked in about 8 miles and then camped under the stars. Then in the morning we hiked back out 5 miles. It was so much fun! I loved it. Earlier this year I got a pack and haven't used it until now. In fact this was my first overnight back packing experience. And I loved it!

My parents walked the first mile with is...my mom wanted to try my pack. They want to go on an overnight with us next year when we go to the Grand Tetons and Yellow stone.

We were told that when we hiked in our 8 miles there would be a "spring" to get more water to purify for the rest of the trip...when we reached it this was our spring:

We camped close to the spring to have water in the morning. We ate dinner as you can see Ryan is a very good cook with his little camp stove...mac & cheese and chicken & rice:

Here are just some pictures from the awesome surroundings:

Here are some of the trails: This is the side of the mountain. After we hiked the side of the mountain I turned around and took a picture. Also the others are to show the steepness of the last couple hours...It was rough

looking down looking back from where we came.

And then of course our favorite camping game...which my dad refuses to play...BOGGLE

Cool Aunt Nici and Uncle Ryan

Not having kids (yet!...for all you hopefuls) lets us be "Cool Aunt Nici and Uncle Ryan". We get to take this nieces and nephews and lets them drink what their parents don't let them and eat what their parents don't let them and stay up all hours of the night doing what ever they want and their parents can't say a word about it...because what would they say any ways?..."We will never let you babysit-for-free-over-night again!" I don't have to many crazy sisters who pass up 24 hours of free baby sitting. :) Anyway, this last weekend we took my 2 nieces (Diamon and Raiven) and nephew (Jett) for the night and had a great time. We all stayed up late playing Disney Trivial Pursuit till we were all too tired to care who won and then we all went to bed. But not without a fight of where everyone was going to sleep. Then the next day we all ate at a Hawaiian BBQ place, watched the Disney channel for what seemed like hours, everyone had a ride on the WASP (our scooter), and then we rode TRAX (Trax can be cool if you are a kid and have never rode it before) to the Franklin Covey Field where we watched our wonderful Salt Lake Bee's win their way to a 14-1 record! (They are on fire again this year!) After the game my mom took all the kids home to their parents and we went home as "Cool Aunt Nici and Uncle Ryan"! And EXHAUSTED--Kids wear you out! :)

P.S. We are very excited about the Bee's this year! We are HUGE fans and last year we didn't get to go to any games because we were in AZ. This year we already have our games picked out and can't wait. If anyone wants a fun double date let us know, my dad gets cheap tickets (that's why we are huge fans...it is a cheap summer activity!)
GO BEE'S!

Happy Birthday Yanice and Brit

It was my little sisters birthday last Monday and my moms birthday last Wednesday. On Thursday my family met at TGIFridays and had a birthday celebration.
Funny story... my mom's name is actually Janice but in High School I told my softball team that her name was Yanice and I guess I forgot some of them that it was really Janice and throughout the whole season every time they saw my mom they called her Yanice...and now it has just stuck. So sometimes I call her Janice and sometimes I call her Yanice. I started calling her by her name when I was in High School. One day she asked my why I did that I told her it was because she called me by my name, Nici, and if she called me daughter I would call her mother, so we did for about two days and then just went back to our names...She is one funny lady!
Birthday Girls!

Pictures from the party...

So the next day I went to work and opened my purse...there was a fork and knife wrapped tightly together in a napkin from the restaurant. I have no idea how it got there but I guess I accidentally stole their silverware...oops!

Christmas Time Updates!

It is such a busy time of year we haven't been able to sit down and update our blog so since I finally got that annoying Christmas song off and changed the background I will fill you all in on our holidays!

Christmas was wonderful and expected. All of my sisters and their kids slept over and on Christmas morning there was an explosion of gifts around the tree. I can't even say that the gifts we under the tree because there were so many! With 21 people here to open presents in the morning it took a few hours. It was really fun thought to see all the kids and how excited they were over every present. We sure did have some spoiled kids this year...one big present after another. But, I would include Ryan and I in the group of spoiled kids. Living with my parents gave us a little extra money and we had a lot of fun buying for each other. Pretty much I spent most of Christmas day playing with the ipod Ry gave me and he spent about 16 hours playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band. It was a lot of fun.

Then for New Years I tried to surprise Ryan and take him to Bed & Breakfast but I am really bad at keeping surprises and he knew within 5 hours of me booking the room. It was actually so much fun! Usually New Year's is all about the parties and the the banging of pots at midnight but this was so different and just so much fun! We had a blast! And when it came to midnight I had to set my alarm to wake up. I tried to wake Ryan up to watch the ball drop...he saw the last few seconds but can't remember a thing... and we woke up in the new year! We had a great time and may even consider making it a tradition! :)
Last week we flew out to Indiana to spend a week with his family there. We had a great time! We ate at all the restaurants that we love out there....I think we ate more than we did anything else :) But we did do some really fun things. We went shooting clay pigeons with Ryan's little brother Nick and his dad. Nick got a thing that shoots the clay pigeons so it made it easy and fun. We all left with sore arms from the kick back and a few days later a few bruises that are still here.

We went and saw the movie Juno...which we also thought was very funny along with anyone else who saw it. Ryan's dad and his wife, Teresa, threw us an open house where people could come and visit us without us having to go all over Indiana to see people. We had a really good turn out for the ward members, family members, and also some of Ryan's old Friends. It was actually very nice to sit and visit with everyone who came. On Sunday we went to Ryan's aunt and uncles house and celebrated his niece's birthday, she turned 10. It was just a really fun and relaxing vacation. Ryan's dad and Teresa recently bought a new house so it was fun to see that and there was plenty of room for everyone! I think it is the first time going out there that we didn't kick someone out of their room for a week. One of the places that we spent most of our time was on this huge, comfortable, and inviting couch! We loved that thing and even thought of was that we could take it home. Every night was stayed up until 2:00am or later reading. We each had our favorite places on the couch and would snuggle up as we ate conversation hearts and read all through the night. I read Twilight and New Moon...I am working on Eclipse! I am obsessed! I have never more in my live wanted to become a vampire and I am afraid when I finish the third book I will be sad because my little vampire, Edward Cullen, word will be over. :) And Ryan has been reading a series that our friend, Tracy, there told us about. There are four books they are called: Uglies, Pretties, Specials, and Extras. So far he is enjoying them and is about the finish the second one. We are having fun not going to work, laying around and reading all day:) Well, we got home late last night and now we are sitting around again for one more day till we have to go to work tomorrow. Ryan's dad and Teresa bought him Guitar Hero for his upcoming birthday (in 8 months :)) and he has been playing all morning until just now when he started to read again...I am surprised he pried himself away from the guitar long enough to eat! He loves that game. And As soon as I am done with this I will resume my position on the couch and finish reading about the greatest fantasy world that I would like to become apart of! Hopefully we can now stay up on our blog better and there will not be anymore of these enormously long updates!

Tis the Season for... Christmas Parties and Santa!

We have had family Christmas parties on the past two Sundays both with a special visitor, Santa :). Last Sunday we had just sat down to dinner when Santa Clause showed up. All the kids were very excited but I think most the adults were just hungry! Except for my dad who is more a kid at Christmas time than most of the actual kids. He is thinking of buying a suit and being one of "Santa's Helpers" next year. If you know my dad he would do a great job! Santa distributed presents, I got a $50 Gap card and Ryan got an itunes gift card. We were very excited. (Especially me...losing 39 lbs. (as of now) I am in need of some new clothes:) ).

After we opened presents and sang songs Ryan and I introduced a new game to my family of passing a present while the book 'The Night Before Christmas' is read and then yo get the present you end up with. It kind of back fired because everyone ended up with the present the started out with...and of course some kids cried because they didn't like their treat. It was a lovely idea:). Then Ryan and I recreated the Nativity Story using the grand kids. You can all imagine how great that was... When all was said and done we finished off the party with a little bubbly that Debbie (Ryan's mom brought) and we toasted to the Christmas Season and we all went around and shared one thing we are grateful for. For most of the kids that consisted of Play Station 3's and Wii's. But it was really nice to hear all the wonderful things that my family was grateful for. And my Grandma gave a very sweet testimony that we all enjoyed, she is a great lady! Over all the parties have been fun and we are happy to be around family for the Holidays this year!

The Square and Bucks

Well, before Pat left we all had to go to Temple Square and see the lights but coming straight from AZ we needed something to keep us toasty warm so we went to Starbucks. This is how the story goes.... we had 6 people in the car and 5 wanted hot chocolate. Ryan and I ran into the Sarbucks at the Gateway to get 5 peppermint white hot chocolates. I guess it was a lot easier said than done. We got two of our drinks and then two other people got their orders. Then they gave us 4 other drinks and said that one was a mistake but that we could take them all. So we loaded up the cup carrier with 6 drinks and headed to the car. Ryan thought it would be funny to try to beat me to the car so he ran off pretty quick but as I was walking I wanted to taste a hot one so I took a big sip and to my surprise it was not peppermint hot chocolate, yes it was a fat cup of hot coffee...with peppermint. As I ran out of Starbucks to catch Ryan I couldn't yell because I had a mouthful of coffee...Yuck. I sit it out in the nearest garbage and called for Ryan. All 4 drinks were coffee. Needless to say we ended up going back and some how leaving with 7 peppermint white hot chocolates. It was a long process but it kept us warm and we walked through the lights.Let me know if anyone else has gone to Temple Square this year because we thought that it was not as lit up as usual. It was still really cool but there were a lot of blank trees. In fact, Ryan and I went driving around last night to see Christmas and we drove down entire streets without lights. I think that people forgot to have that Christmas cheer shining bright for all to see. We were kind of disappointed and decided to come home. Although, the lights that did have lights looked really great! I really do enjoy being home for Christmas!


Yes, I do have sandals on...I didn't have any shoes. I never needed them in AZ :) But, I do now...moving was a good excuse to go shopping for shoes and warm clothes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had one last final holiday together before we left to move back to Utah. I am actually writing from Utah so that means we are back but I have to still do a few posts of the last few days in Arizona. Thanksgiving this year was really fun. Pat, Ryan's younger brother flew in from Indiana Thanksgiving morning so we shared it with him and also out very good friends the Crowley's. We had enough food to feed 20 more people but we all ate a lot of food and had a good time. Before Pat got in and it was time to make all the final preparations Ryan and I decided to go on one last bike ride in AZ. Yes we are dressed in long clothes because it was a chilly Thanksgiving morning! :)Pat was nice enough to come out and spend the holiday with us and also help with the move...he is a trooper! We are really grateful for his help.
We also had James, Dede, and Ramone (their puppy and Chase's best friend) over too. After we ate we played the Wii for a little bit and then we went to see August Rush. After the movie we had pie, hung out for a bit, and then went to sleep. We were all pretty tired and needed a good night's sleep before the big packing day!

So Many Things To Be Grateful For!

Well, this week I have been a bit absent for blogging because I was in Utah with my family for a funeral. It seems like a funeral is always a good time for reflection and to think about the things that are truly important to you. This week I thought about things that I am really grateful for especially because the death of my cousin came as a shock and was very unexpected I thought of things that give me comfort during rough situations like this was.

1) I am grateful for my knowledge of the gospel and the atonement. When I find it difficult to put myself in someone elses shoes it is comforting to know that Jesus Christ knows. He is the only one who has experienced all things and knows exactly what we are feeling. It is comforting to know that God is just and merciful. We all make mistakes but God knows the true intentions of our hearts. I love the gospel and the peace it brings me.

2) I am grateful for the knowledge that families are FOREVER! In a rough situation my family is a good one to be apart of. You say family reunion and no one can come but you say funeral and everyone is on the next plane out. We had family come in from New York, Colorado, North Carolina, California, and Arizona. It was good to see everyone again and be able to laugh, cry, and strengthen family bonds. I love my family!

3) I am grateful for good friends who support me and my family in a time of need. For good friends who fed my husband while was gone and all the kindness that was shone on my families behalf.

I am grateful for so much more but this is a good start.

Happy Birthday Dani!

Today is my little sisters birthday she is turning 26 and she has cool hair! Don't notice that she is the same age as my husband:) oops. Dani Happy Birthday! We love you and miss you and we hope that you had a good birthday. COME VISIT!














P.S. It is 75 degrees here and we are freezing--just last week we were in the hundreds! :) Enjoy the snow.

Sanchez Family

I just wanted to share this picture because I think it is so cute!!! These are my nieces and nephew, Raiven, Jett, and Diamon. I miss them.
Love you guys!

"Wii are a family...I've got all my sisters with me"

It is true...we are obsessed! It only took us less than a month to get our own after playing with friends. We thought it would be a good family activity...and it was a huge hit! It only took going to and calling about 15 different stores. It was crazy to find but worth the search. We had a tennis tournament complete with brackets and all. We had a great time and it was full of surprises like... Ryan being beat out in the first round by Shad who is 7 years old...

and Dan (brother-in-law) was beat out by Jaidan who is his 13 year old son...

Or Dani (right)and Britt (left) (my sisters) and the funny faces they made...After not even wanting to play in the first place Dani, went all the way to the finals, having a bye in the first round may have helped! :)









DANI vs. MACK

But when all was said and done... After winning 5 games, one of which being Shad (his son) Mack (brother-in-law) came out on top! He holds the title of the Wii tennis champion September 2007. :) But beware...when we come back we will have a lot of practice under our belts and the pressure is on! :) GOOD JOB MACK!


Oh, and this is my cutest niece...she is so cute. I am sure she will have amazing ab muscles because she tries to sit up all the time, she will not lay down. She just likes to see what is going on.
Little Kennlei...she is a little cutie!