Cancun Thanksgiving 2011

My family's go to vacation spot is Cancun. We love it there. We went for Spring Break when we were younger multiple times, we've been I think 2 or so times for Thanksgiving before, Mats and I spent our honeymoon there (even though we were in Playa Del Carmen, we went to Cancun too!), my bro T* and my sis in law, N*, went there for their honeymoon too, and a couple summers ago we went for 2 weeks-it is heaven! Seriously the best of all beach locations - cheap unlike Hawaii or other places. It's Mexico..., blue water and white sand, perfect boogie boarding and body surfing waves, it's safe unlike some people think, it's not too hot and never cold, and there is a variety of American restaurants!

If that doesn't convince you that Mexico is the best then I do not know what will.

Before flying out on the RED EYE we headed to CPK to meet up with some family friends that were in town for Thanksgiving.

Sister and I at CPK. My family is usually an all water family, but CPK marked the beginning of the vaca so sis and bro ordered a root beer and Mats ordered his Dr. Pepper, of course.

Matson and our friends' son. Matson was corrupting him with even more iPhone games to get addicted too. They were having a hay day!

Due to the outrageous Thanksgiving airline prices, we flew through NYC to get to Cancun which was a major plus because on the way back from Cancun we got to stay in NYC for 24 hours (post coming after this one about NYC)!

Matson's first time flying JetBlue. He was loving all the snack selections and that you could have pretty much as many as you want! That is not my hand, that would be T*'s.

We got to Cancun and spent a full week of fun! (This might be a picture overload). We do all sorts of things. Such as...

We go to Wal Mart/Costco to get food for the week. Matson found this Spiderman mask and loved it!

We bought Chica Strawberry Jane. BAD DECISION. She was overload of nasty smell, worse then even the original nasty smell of our rental car. We were getting quite the kick out of it.

We went on bike rides on bikes that only have the old fashion break wear you push back on pedals.

We went boogie boarding and body surfing. The boogie boarding kings!

We played tennis when the sun left our poolside or we were just too hot and done for the day.

We played it every afternoon.

We sometimes hit tennis balls over the fence which made for an adventure.

We got burned. This guy got super burned this day. AHH. Ironic that he is reading "Catching Fire" while he was so burned and trying to get out of the sun?

We took naps. He was sunned out (is that a word..sunned out?).

We took funny pictures with bronze Mexicans.

We went to yummy dinners and walked around the malls and shops by them. Dad tried to kiss the guys (this happened more than once).

We played badminton and tried to balance on the boogie boards and other flotation devices in the kid's pool.

We went to an aquarium where we got to touch sting rays.

We parked in multiple parking garages where my dad's ultimate fear of hitting the top of the parking garage came out to the in-laws. It is hilarious. He drives like 3mph and ducks his body/head like he himself is going to hit the top (not the car).

I am telling you, Matson would boogie board like there is no tomorrow. I would go in and 15 mins. later would get out due to the fact my mouth was salty or was done getting worked over by waves.

We went to the yummy Ruth's Chris steakhouse to celebrate my brother's birthday (last blog post).

Thanksgiving at the Marriott hotel. Yum. Buffet full of everything and crepes. We gone to this Marriott Thanksgiving a couple times before and it always is the best! Plus, you don't get a frustrated mother and you don't have to clean up! I'd say that's the way to eat a Thanksgiving dinner.

Yummy martini glass salads (like at our wedding). Such good food!

Told you he did it again.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the vacation! It was so needed and so much fun. We loved spending time with you and the rest of the family. We love you!

New York post coming soon.

A Mexican Birthday

My brother's birthday is today! 

Happy Birthday J*!

Seattle Ferry in (I'm guessing) around 1990.

 How dang cute is my brother or I guess I should say both my brothers? But sorry T*, we are focusing on J* here. He was such a cute little boy not that I knew (or remembered) him at that age since I am younger than him, but all the home videos of him are so precious. He has those classic toddler boy moments (anyone who has seen my family's collection of videos, you know what I am talking about). J* is such a sweet brother. Not only is he super smart which is a HUGE plus when it comes to advice on technology, apps, finances, homework help, and pretty much everything! but he is also very caring, secretly funny he cracks some super saracastic jokes/comments, he loves movies a necessary family trait, and ladies, he is single! He truly is a great guy and older brother. 

 

He lives in California and is going to law school. So when we were all in Mexico we celebrated his birthday there by going to a nice little restaurant called...Ruth's Chris. It was such a treat! We got into the restaurant and they asked what the occasion was for. We told them while they replied to wait while they fixed up our table. 

Little did we know that "fixed up your table" meant that they would decorate the table with a bunch of Happy Birthday/Feliz Complenos confetti.

We all ordered our yummy food and pigged out! 

After dinner, we went back to our hotel and John opened some gifts. We gave him the most random coolest gift (at least I think it's cool). My brother (actually both my brothers and actually maybe my whole family) is obsessed with cereal. Hungry? Eat some cereal. Watch out you cereal lovers or you family members of cereal lovers...you are going to want this.

Is this not the coolest invention ever? A slanted bowl, that keeps your cereal from getting soggy! BEST THING EVER.

Anyway...sorry we can't be there with you today, J*!

But it was super fun to go to have celebrated with you in Mexico!

Utah Valley Symphony...Who Knew?

Matson's family and us went to the Utah Valley Symphony's Family Christmas Concert tonight or I guess last night since it is now 1am-ish December 2nd. So...SURPRISING FACT: I played violin as a youngin' definitely don't now. So I have played in Orchestras and taken lessons, but never actually been to a symphony concert. With many stories from my mom about my dad falling asleep through them and operas and such, I thought that I would have the same problem as him. As we were walking to our seats I actually said to my sis-in-law, T*, that she should not be surprised if I fall asleep. SURPRISING FACT: I liked it and didn't sleep. Seriously, really did like it. Got me totally in the Christmas mood. They played songs from the Nutcracker we went to Ballet West's Nutcracker last year...and now because of hearing the music, we are going again this year (but this time to the Utah Regional Ballet's Nutcracker, yep already bought the tickets)! Thank you Matson! and they played Sleigh Ride and White Christmas and others. It was super good and only an hour and 20 ish minutes long. Any longer I may not of liked it and shot myself don't worry folks, not literally shoot myself just a figure of speech, but it was the perfect length and great way to welcome December!

Plus, there were some extra comedic acts at the symphony besides the actual symphony. There was a man in the audience who almost after every song loudly said, "Bravo! Bravo!" It was hilarious. I kept daring Matson to do it, he chickened out. boo. And the conductors themselves were giving us goof balls in the 2nd row a good laugh (refer to picture below).

As you can see there is a large slit in the back of the Conductor's coat that opened wide each time he moved his hands up. My bro-in-law, C*, leaned over to Matson who then leaned over to me and said, "Just imagine if he had no pants on and every time he moved his arms, you saw a nice view of his butt." The rest of that song you know what I was imagining. Haha.

Happy December! 

Post about our recent Thanksgiving trip coming soon (hopefully)!

My Thanksgiving List: 9 Things I am Grateful for in 2011

Since next week we will be in Cancun for Thanksgiving hallelujah this break is needed I will be presenting you all with my Thanksgiving Gratitude List for this year. We are so excited to go to Cancun tomorrow! And I haven't even packed...I usually am the week before kind of a packer not the night before. Anyway here is my gratitude list IN NO ORDER I have a hard time rating things or choosing anything really...ask me my favorite food and I will probably give you like 5 answers or ask me my favorite movie and I could maybe just maybe narrow it down to 8. I am grateful for all of these things. Warning: I may get emotional.

I am grateful for...

Family- I am so grateful for all my family. I would write something for each of them individually because they each deserve one, but that would just be boring for you. My husband, parents, siblings, in-laws, and all our family are the ones that make the biggest difference in my life on a day-to-day basis. They are the ones that make the good days even better and the bad days a little brighter. I seriously love all my family so much and all that they do for me.

Matson's Family - January 2011

My Family (@ My Brother's Wedding) - April 2011

Rookie - I know what you are all thinking..."Your dog really? She gets one whole list herself?" Yes, she does. She seriously brings me so much joy. I can be feeling so down and then I see Rookie dance to a musical greeting card or bury a bone in the dirt in an indoor plant and BAM! just like that I am so happy. She not only brings me joy but she brings it to so many others too. Like, watching Matson play with her is the best thing in the world. Rook loves Matson so much. And no matter how many times my mom says that she doesn't like cleaning up after her and I can't count how many times my mom has said, "She's YOUR dog, not mine!" But my mom loves her so much. I mean just look at those ears...

Friends - We have some of the greatest friends. I hope that we have been just as good of friends to them as they have been to us. Thankful for all the laughs, the advice, the times where they just let us vent, the text messages, the fun dates, the parties, and just everything. 

T*, C*, Matson, and I Skiing - January 2011

M* and Matson - April 2011

Me & J* - Her Wonderful Wedding Day August 2011

Matson & K* - July 2011

Halloween Party with Friends - October 2011

The Church and The Scriptures - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is such a blessing in my life. I am so thankful for the gospel, the scriptures, and that I am able to go to church every week and take the sacrament where I get to renew my covenants and pretty much start over again and again each week we just taught our sunbeams class about the Sacrament last week, it is fresh in my mind! I am thankful that I was raised an LDS member and I am thankful for my testimony. I know that with daily scripture study your life is strengthened daily. I know that Heavenly Father loves me and that he knows me personally. I also know that Jesus Christ is my savior and that he died for me. I know that I can be with my husband and family for eternity if I am obedient and keep my covenants with God. All in all, it may not be the strongest testimony but I am so thankful for it.  

Our Health - I am so thankful that I am healthy, Matson is healthy, and our family is healthy. My grandpa has had some health problems this year and I have cried multiple nights in fear that he will not be ok. I love him so much and I actually have some tears forming in my eyes now just thinking of him. Health is such an important thing. Matson and I try our best to go to the gym daily and eat as best as we can. Minus Matson's occasional Dr. Pepper and my horrible obsession with rolls and homemade sweets!

Vacations - This year we were lucky to go on a few vacations and like I said earlier, we are leaving to Cancun tomorrow! It was so much fun to see different sites, visit family, catch some sun, eat yummy foods, and spend time with each other all day long (instead of just a few hours). Traveling is something that we love and will always do. I am sure when we are old and retired I guarantee that is what we will be spending our money on. 

Seattle Pikes Place Market - May 2011

Caribbean Cruise - August 2011

Cancun Honeymoon - August 2010 (Going there in 24 hours)

Pillow Talks - Each night after our bedtime routine, we lay down, and instantly I start talking unless I am dead dog tired. Most nights Matson says something like, "Erica I have work at 6am. I have to be up in 4 or 5 hours" or "Erica...I am exhausted." BUT some nights Matson falls for my trap and we talk the night away. Those nights are the best. We talk about everything and usually laugh hysterically. These pillow talks are some of my most favorite memories with my husband and I am so thankful for them. 

Thanksgiving Break November 2010 - We were feeling chidlike so we made a fort, watched a movie in it, and pillow talked in it until we fell asleep!

 
Pinterest - This year I was introduced to Pinterest. I guess you could say I am a little addited, but I do not spend all my time on it. Only when class gets boring or Matson is doing homework and I am not. I love it and it provides me with great holiday decoration ideas, recipes, fashion tips, hair tips, and so much more! I may waste some of my time away on it, but I really do enjoy it! My new hobby...
 
Children - No, we are not pregnant, yet we look so forward to the day when we will have our own children. But I could not forget children in this list. They bring me so much happiness, laughter, and they are so dang funny when they aren't even trying to be funny which is even more funny (wow I just funny 3x in a sentence...did it even make sense?). From the kindergartners I volunteer for 2x a week (I wish so badly that I had a picture of this little girl in the class that talks just like my sister when she was little, she has the same haircut as my sister did at that age, and she is very independent like my sister was...she is so precious), to the boys and girls in our Sunbeam class, and to the children I nanny - they all bring me such happiness and daily I have a smile on my face from these children.

E* and his family white board drawing. I am the one in the yellow dress with the orange flower. Too cute.

H* and I both aren't too great at making fishy faces.

Our sunbeams dressed in our clothes on our "We are Thankful for Clothing" lesson.

I am sooo blessed and therefore need to be sooo thankful!

I hope you all have such a wonderful Thanksgiving!

My one Thanksgiving tip:

Let the Holiday eating start now.

Your Responses Needed

Blog Friends,

The guy above, my hubs, has provided us all with a link to a research survey to a new concept that Matson's BYU team is working on.

Reasons to do this survey:

1. If you like me
2. If you like Matson
3. If you are a BYU fan
4. If you are nice
5. It takes 3 minutes...simple stuff here peoples.
6. Just take it :)

Here is this survey: http://bit.ly/s4mFUU

Thanks ladies and probably the one man that reads this...or any at all.

This Will Never Get Old.

Multiple times a day I find myself going to the "Photos" and videos on my phone to see this video that makes me laugh every single time I watch it.

The little girl I nanny was missing her Mom so we decided to record a video to text to her mom who was out of town for a week.

My favorite is how she says, "Nooo" which sounds more like uhhh duh of course I have nothing else to say. And pretty sure we (Matson and I) quote this all the time "I love you and I kiss you all night."

Halloween Festivities.

I could post about each detail and little super fun thing. But I am just going mash it all into one small ish post.

Friday-We went with my brother T* and his wife to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Pointe. It was such a blast. First we ate at this random little fast food joint that my sis in law's dad invested in. Then we headed to Cornbelly's. I had never been and it was such a blast! And when I have kids I am totally going to plan a whole day there because there was so much to do: corn mazes, haunted mazes, play places, bouncy toys, bouncy trampoline like balloon things to jump on, hay pit, plastic duck races, pumpkin tetherball, jack-o-lantern tower, tractors, swings, pig races, and seriously so much more. We went late at night so we didn't do it all but we enjoyed a lot!

Matson loved the HUGE rocking chair. Right when we first saw he said like a little child, "I want a picture on that."

All four of us as "Farm-tastic" Animals.

Matson on the bouncy trampoline like thing.

N*'s weird jump. Seriously we laughed so hard on this thing & were bouncing & playing around with these crazy group of young boys.

Pirate Ship Play Place. I will take an order of this in our future backyard.

Jack-O-Lanterns.

The guys counting off for their duck races.

Lassoing a pink cow.

Pumpkin Tetherball. This got quite intense. Matson's height seemed to be an advantage.

Saturday-We went to a fun Halloween party with friends. Beforehand we made some easy desserts, made our homemade Mario Kart in Battle Mode (with balloons), and then headed to the party! We had a blast - we ate yummy Cafe Rio style salads, ate desserts, costume contest, and played many games including Mafia, What Were You Thinking?, and Catch Phrase. Such a fun Party! Thanks to B* and E* for inviting us and all the work you put into it!

Mario & Luigi Mario Kart Battle Mode.

Homemade. Loved our costumes this year. So fun and really not hard to make!

I made those Rice Krispie Pumpkins off Pinterest

Along with some easy Pumpkin Cookies and my friend H* made these yummy ghosts.

Our good friends H* & K* (dressed as the Princess Bride), us, and N* & T* (dressed as Mrs. Butterworth's & a Waffle).

Like I said, we played some games at this party and it got very intense. I think like 97% of the people there are very competitive. We played Catch Phrase guys vs ladies. Ladies won of course.

The winners (I have no idea why I am hunched over so oddly) but hey we won!!

The poor losers.

Monday (Halloween Day)-School, school, school, normal day. But I didn't have work so I got to get some stuff done! Every Halloween my parents throw a Homemade Donut Halloween Party. the donuts are DELISH I only let myself have 2 or I get so sick. But they are so worth it. This year we made the usual glazed, cinnamon sugar, and added maple donuts. Maple were by far the best. It's lots of work to make the donuts but so much fun.

Making the donuts is quite the process: making dough (mama did that..thanks!), cutting out the donuts, frying the donuts, decorating/putting cinnamon sugar or maple or glaze onto the donuts.

Worst thing is I swear my hair still smells like grease. YUCK! I washed it like 3x Halloween night.

N* and I making some yummy donuts.

Hope your Halloween was as wonderful and fun as ours!