Benjamin James and Wilson Tyler Rice

Born November 22, 2009, our sweet little boys are already considered our greatest blessings. Our prayers have been answered as our Father in Heaven has sent angels to watch over both of them through their struggles in the first stages of life. We couldn't be more humbled and more grateful for these two little Christmas gifts.

I can't believe they were BOTH inside me!

Wilson Tyler Rice

Benjamin James Rice

The Big 3-0

No, I am not turning 30 this week, although it would make much more sense to me to be turning 30 and be a mother of two, instead of being a mother of two at 23, but such is life. We passed the 30 week mark in pregnancy today. The boys are growing huge and I am growing huge and Ty...well he is just the same. It is a bit intimidating to outweigh your husband, but again, such is life. I am excited to be in the final stages of this pregnancy. I have never been pregnant before so I don't know what I would compare it to as far as it being a difficult or easy pregnancy, but so far things have been good. I feel myself getting slower, more tired, and more weak every day. I want the boys to be healthy, but I don't know how much longer my body is going to be able to sustain three lives! Time is moving so quickly that sooner or later they will be here, I will be in a completly different reality and life will have a whole new outlook. I am excited, nervous, anxious, scared, and all the appropriate adjectives that apply. Life is changing fast, but I am ready for it!

My New Friends

(Sigh) two years without any in-house laundry has come to an end...

2 Years

It was my turn to plan our anniversary this year. Last year we went to the Utah football game in Logan against Utah State (very creative on Tyler's part) so this year I wanted to find something really fun for us to do. 

Here is what I chose...

I thought the idea was original enough and it would definitely be an adventure. Seeing as I am 6 months pregnant with twins, I didn't think that I would have any self-image issues so I thought what the heck...let's do it! 

I was worried that maybe we wouldn't be able to go because I am pregnant-perhaps they have nudie rules on things like that, but as it turns out, I was not the reason we were unable to go...

Lucky for us, I had a back-up plan. Tyler, since we have been dating, has always said to me how much he wants to go camping together. So we headed up into the Uintahs for a night in the great outdoors. Camping 6 months pregnant is something I had never done, so instead of going crazy and backpacking into the wilderness we decided to find a nice campground instead. We wanted to go to Mirror Lake to camp but when we got there the campsite was pretty full so we settled for a little campsite called Lost Creek. It was beautiful, quiet, and only 100 feet from a bathroom and water facilities so it was perfect.

It had been a few years since Tyler had been camping, so he was a bit rusty with the tent. It didn't help that the ground was slanting downhill, but after a few tries he was successful. 

I laughed that he insisted on bringing a 6-8 man tent for just the two of us. He said we would be warmer with this one. 

I was in charge of making dinner so I made some killer (if I do say so myself) tin foil dinners. They were so good and definitely beat out Tyler's idea of hot dogs over the fire. 

We spent the evening talking around the campfire and making s'mores. We had talked about whether or not we should invite some friends to come camp with us but I am glad we decided to have it be just the two of us. I love spending time with just Ty and I think we both enjoyed a quiet evening together in the mountains.

This is a tribute to our wedding video...

Tyler was so proud of himself the next morning because the night before he had "banked" the fire and was able to start it again without any matches. I was still in bed when all this went on, so I can't provide witness to his Man vs. Wild skills, but I think his excitement was enough to convince me of the truth. 

After breakfast, we brought out the top of our wedding cake. I know you are supposed to eat that on your one year anniversary, but we didn't really know where the cake ended up after our wedding and my mom found it last week in the back of her deep freeze. So I insisted we at least give it a shot. I don't know if it would have been any better on the one year anniversary, but the first bite left much to be desired and was not swallowed by either of us. 

After packing up camp, we walked around the small lake near our campground and then headed back down the canyon. 

We stopped at one of our favorite places, BB Dicks in Kamus for lunch and had some killer cheeseburgers. For the rest of the day, Tyler watched football and I got a pedicure and made cinnamon rolls. It was a quiet way to celebrate, but it suited us both. We get so busy and things get so hectic that it is nice to have some time to just settle down. I love you Ty and I am so grateful for all you do for our family. I am excited that for our 2 year anniversary we have decided to celebrate by having 2 little boys! Mwah! You are from outer space!

The Golden Years

This year Mom and Dad had their Golden Birthdays-the big 5-0 each. We celebrated big by going to Hawaii, but we wanted to give them a celebration with their friends as well. We had a small (somewhat) surprise party for them and some of their friends and family were able to come and wish them Happy Birthday. Aunt Patti is always a great sport about letting us host parties at her house. You're awesome Patti! I am really lucky to have such great family. Thanks Mom and Dad for all you do and hope you had a great birthday! We Love you!

Yes, there were 50 candles on each cake for them to blow out. Seems like Dad had the most hot air...

The Party crowd.

D and Gwampa playing with the "hepicop"

Hawaii

My family and I just got back from ten luxurious days in beautiful Oahu. I had so much fun the last time I was there, I was dying to go back with my whole family. Luckily, we were able to pull it off and our whole family went to Hawaii! I loved every bit of it and I am glad that I got to spend some quality time with the fam. It has been too long since we took a trip all together and it was so much fun. We did everything Oahu could offer-surf, sand, sun, and fun! Tyler and I hadn't been on vacation since we came home from Spain so July was a big month for us with Sun Valley and Hawaii. I am such a lucky girl to have such great family!

Jake and Max

When we got home from Sun Valley, I got to babysit Jake and Max for two days while Jamie had to work. I LOVE watching these guys. They are non-stop fun and laughs. Plus it is helping me prepare for two little boys of my own!

On Thursday we went to the Water park with my sisters, my nephew Daniel, and my cousins, Bayley, and Ryan. The minute we got there Jake asked me if this pool had a hot tub. Knowing that I would never get him out of the hot tub if he went in, I told him it was broken. Later he wanted to go into this pool with a waterfall next to the kiddie pool. I told him ok and when we went in I found it was the hot tub! Jake was happy to learn the hot tub was not broken after all! And of course that was all he wanted to do after that...

Jake loved the raft in the slide pool.


Sometimes he had to fight his way onto the raft. Don't be fooled by his small size-he's a tough one!

Max loved the lazy river because he could swim so much faster than usual.

I had to bribe Jake to get back in the pool for this photo. Once he found the hot tub-there was no turning back!

Max LOVED the slide. My cousin Bayley was nice to take him down any time he wanted.


I know Emily is trying hard not to instill her fears into Daniel-but the identical looks of worry on both of their faces seems to say a lot about how that is going!

Max was finding fun things to do wherever he went that day!

Daniel was wiped out after awhile!

On Friday we went with the kids to Discovery Gateway. I had never been there and it was fun for everyone.

Jake watched Toy Story II before we went so he was sheriff Woody the entire time.

When he got on the horse he would yell "Ride like the wind Bullseye!" (Woody's quote from the movie)

Jake insisted on trying the rock climbing as Sheriff Woody.

We convinced him to at least take of the chaps so he could climb better. When he got to the top he said "I'm done" and put both arms out and fell backward. Luckily Lindsie was able to break his fall!

Max had fun playing with my nephew. Max kept calling him "Baby Daniel" even though Daniel is his same size! He will be a great big brother one day.

Jake and Max racing in the car.

I just love hanging out with these guys!

Sun Valley

Over the Fourth of July we went to Sun Valley with Tyler's family. It is one of our favorite summer trips. We went biking and for long walks but I mostly love just being up in the fresh air and relaxing. It is so fun to spend time with our family and be able to get away from life. We both missed Sun Valley last year so we were excited to come again this year. Thanks Scott and Lesli for always taking us on such great trips!