My Nephews...

Here are my two new nephews. They were born Sunday November 22. Both weighed 6lbs. 6ozs and were 19 1/2 inches long. Megan is doing great and can't wait to take them home from the NICU. Hopefully that will be sooner than later. I love these little guys and they have the best Hair ever!

Benjamin James Rice

Wilson Tyler Rice

P.S. these pictures are not the most recent but I don't get to see them every day because they are still at the hospital. But I think they give you a good Idea of how sweet they are.

Tis the Season

This Christmas I want to make a special effort to focus on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. People keep asking Daniel if he is excited for Santa to come and he looks at them like "what are you talking about?" Over time and maybe by next Christmas he will understand what Santa means. Right now if you showed him a picture of Santa he'd have no clue who it was and would probably be a little scared he doesn't like bearded men or men with glasses so Santa has two strikes. But if you were to show him a picture of Jesus he could tell you who it was that to me is so important. Don't get me wrong I don't mind the Santa part of Christmas at all but I really don't want him to take over at our house, I want Christ to be the center of all of our Christmas Celebrations. I'm looking for ideas to keep the focus on Christ so if anyone has some please pass them on. Thanks!!!

Mommies Little Helper...

Daniel is quite the little helper these days even if he isn't really helping he thinks he is. Here are just a few pics I took of him helping me around the house.

You make me Smile

I have a few new songs that I really like!!! (I've added them to my blogs playlist.) I'm loving Two is Better Than One by Boys like Girls Featuring Taylor Swift, Hey Soul Sister by Train and Smile By Uncle Kracker.

As sappy as it may be, Smile makes me think of David. He is better than the best, and he can always make me smile. I really am lucky to be married to such and amazingly wonderful husband and dad. I LOVE this man!!!!

(This is a picture from a Murder mystery party, I made him wear my Tights for his costume, that's just how much he loves me.)

WOW

So it has been awhile and I'm sorry. I can't say that I've been super busy but I have felt that way. A lot has happened that I haven't blogged about so hold on because here it comes...

This last Saturday David had a Flag football Tournament and his team won!!! They went undefeated and Daniel loved “watching” him play. He really didn’t understand why he couldn’t run out there and play with the big boys.

Daniel and I went to the zoo again last week. This time was just as exciting if not more then last because there are tons of cute new babies at the zoo. Plus we went with Milo, Elliot, JoJo and baby Fola (Flora you just have to hear Daniel say it. I'm not sure that's right but its close) We are so glad that they live so close Daniel loves the boys and I love the baby and girl talk with JoJo. Anyways back to the zoo. We saw a baby Elephant, a baby Monkey, a baby Giraffe, a baby Snow Leopard and 3 yes 3 baby Tigers and not to mention all the other baby-less animals on display. It was so much fun and seriously you have to see the babies they are so cute!





On Saturday between the morning and afternoon session of General Conference David and I went up American Fork Canyon and decided to try rock climbing. His good friend is amazing and has all the gear and showed us the ropes. There are pictures of David who made it to the top of each climb but none of me. I didn't make it to the top only about half way and my wimpy little arms gave out and my legs were burning so I gave up (I'd like to blame that on riding the bike for 45 mins at the gym the morning before but I'm not sure that's going to make me look any less out of shape). Better luck next time. I did enjoy the beautiful view from where we were on top of the mountain (I also had no idea that I had to hike up the mountain to then climb it), and all the fall colors. So wonderful to take a break from busy life and enjoy nature.

Also during conference weekend we went to the Browns house and enjoyed yummy cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven, one of my personal favorite traditions. Lindsie was also able to come down for the weekend and Daniel Loved spending time with her.

That night Daniel and I went to Great Grandma Parris’s house and enjoyed a yummy meal and of course as always Daniel was spoiled and got to color and decorate a cute Halloween bag. Thanks Great Grandma!!!

Daniel is in love with Baby Einstein's Old McDonald we don't own the actual movie but we watch it on YouTube and he only likes the part two that shows the actual animals. He was asking me to watch it one morning and I personally love it when I need nine minutes to pick up or make something or just time to myself and hate it because its a movie, so I decided that instead of watching animals on a screen that we would head over to Thanksgiving Points Farm Country and see the real animals. That is a great deal by the way its only 3.50 for adults and children under 2 or 3 get in free, and that includes a ride on a pony or on the wagon. So Daniel did great we loved the cows that right by the door he was up close and looking at them. Then we came to the ponies, the not so nice ponies and Daniel got a little close and one of them decided to taste his shirt lucky for us it was just his shirt, but that was the end of Daniel getting close to the animals. On the wagon ride he stood on my lap farthest from the horses, every animal after that he was at least 2 or 3 feet away from the fence. I feel bad that one little pony scared him so bad but I am the same way. He did enjoy the cutest little goat and feeding it. Over all I think it was a great little trip and we both enjoyed seeing the real farm animals.

WOW part 2

Daniel and I took another trip up to Idaho to visit my Grandma Wilson who recently lost her husband. It was her 82nd Birthday so we wanted to go help celebrate. Its also the first one since my Grandpa passed away and I couldn't stand the thought of her being alone. We took her to visit the oldest person I know, her sister Marie who will celebrate her 89th Birthday in November. It was so great to see the two of them visiting and laughing. Daniel is blessed with a great personality and really makes them both happy. They are the only two left in their family and they love each other so much.
Marie's husband ran a dairy so they have a lot of property and some really cool old buildings. I tried to get some good pictures of Daniel but he was very distracted by the neighbors mooing cows off in the distance, but I tried.

Jacob or Jake as Daniel calls him, had his birthday. Happy 14th little brother!

We also went to the water fountain park in Highland with Jake and Lindsie and happened to find his two Favorite friends Milo and Elliot there.

Back in August we celebrated my parents 50th birthday! It was great fun and we enjoyed the good food and good company.

Another good one...

Don't Stop Believin'

Cast of Glee

So I've started watching a new show called Glee (thank you sister in-laws). This song played on the first episode which I just watched and I love it. I've added it to my playlist and it should start playing for you if you wait a bit. Enjoy...

New Favorite Song

Party in the USA
by Miley Cyrus

I admit that this song is probably supposed to appeal to girls about 10 years younger then me just starting junior high or high school (wow I feel really old saying that) but I can't help it I LOVE IT!!!! Every time it comes on I nod my head, move my hips, and put my hands up(I've also listened to it enough to know most of the lyrics so I do sing to it also). Its the beat I just love a good beat, Daniel and I will be jammin' in the Front-room to this one for a few weeks.

My Grandfather passed away last week. He was 88 years old. He lived a good long life and was surrounded by people who loved him. I am proud that I am his Granddaughter and love him so much.He will be greatly missed, but I know that he is happy where he is.
http://www.magicvalley.com/obituaries/?type=obit&id=77152

YUMMY!!

Kiwi Sorbet

2 pounds of tender ripe green kiwi (about 12)
3/4 cup of sugar

Peel and chop kiwis, then pulse with sugar in a food processor until smooth. Chill until cold, about one hour

Freeze in ice cream maker, then transfer to an airtight container and put in freezer to firm up at least 1 hour.

This is such a fun delicious recipe!!! I made this last week with my sister in-laws and it really is SO GOOD!! Thanks epicurious!!!

My new FULL time job

I have really been struggling with not going back to teaching this year. For the first time since Kindergarten I'm not going back, school is starting and I'm not going.

Here are a few things I won't miss:
1. IEP's all the paper work and goal writing good bye!!!
2. Writing Lesson Plans
3. Dealing with difficult/ intimidating parents
4. Scheduling IEP's with 6 different busy adults
5. Finding a teacher/LEA to sit in the meetings
6. Dealing with bad behaviors (Daniel has some but I'm his mom its different)
(I really won't miss IEP's at all!!!!)

The things I will miss:
1. shopping for school supplies (if anyone wants me to do it for them i really will)
2. getting my classroom ready
3. the great anticipation and excitement that comes when you are about to meet your new students.
4. The friends that I won't be seeing this year and will be missing terribly.
5. The wonderful students that I always fall in love with even if they make me cry in the bathroom because they are throwing a temper tantrum and won't get out from under the table.
6. The smiles that they get on their faces when they finally get the right letter name or number.
7. The hugs they so willingly and happily share with me when they walk in the room and leave each day.

I admit I even checked to make sure there were some jobs still open (just in case) and was offered an interview yesterday for a great half time position, but then I look and Daniel and I KNOW that I am doing the right thing. I know that I'm supposed to stay at home and be his FULL time mommy. I love him so much I honestly couldn't ask for a better job. I also know that I'll get to share those moments with him. Like when he finally is able to do his puzzle alone and tell me that's a star.
I know this is going to be a huge adjustment period for me, walking past the school supplies at Walmart or Target won't be easy and I may cry the first day of school when my siblings and mom go back and I'm still home, but I can do it and Daniel will be there to make me smile when I'm down.

Hawaii Summer 2009

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox photobook

The Zoo

Ok back in June Daniel and I went to the Hogle Zoo with my family, cousins, Grandma and Aunt. It was so much fun! Daniel loved the animals! Here are just a few pictures.
Excited to go to the Zoo!

Looking for animals

Elephant!!!

Daniel didn't really like the train ride.

Daniel telling us what the Giraffe says.

He refused to ride the Giraffe,

But was totally fine with the giant life sized Gorilla.