Jana and Christopher come to visit

We were so lucky, a few weeks ago, Jana and her family came to visit and see the sights because Christopher had to work in PA.

This picture is of us on 10/10/10

Jana and I went on quite the adventure. We drove (I know, brave huh?) into Manhattan and spent the day seeing New York.
riding the subway

riding the ferry to see the Statue Of Liberty

Played at Toys R Us in Times Square

Played the HUGE piano at FAO Shwarz- which secretly I've always wanted to do... so fun!
Found the Manhattan Temple- such a peaceful place in the midst of a chaotic city... love the very evident difference.

Then the next day we headed to Philly... spent the day at the very fun Please Touch Me Museum and had some Philly cheese steaks.

Then to DC

We got to see so many things, it was so fun. We missed the Bureau of Engraving and Printing though... still sad about it, sorry!

And at night we tried to fatten them up Pezely style... homemade cotton candy, homemade ice cream and smores with HUGE marshmallows

more DC

Can I just say that Jana is such a wonderful mom... she's so patient and cute with her kids... I want to grow up to be like her. Really.

I'm already going through withdrawals.... it's too much fun being able to talk and talk to Jana all day. And their kids are adorable!!! I can't wait to spend more time with her and "my friend"

Come back soon! or one of needs to move closer. ;)

Happy 50th Anniversary Grandma & Grandpa

Three years ago My Grandma and Grandpa Schiess celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary, and this summer so did my Grandma and Grandpa Ripplinger. Back then (3 years ago) I didn't blog so I thought I'd say a little something here about both...

First off, holy moly- 50 year anniversaries!!! How amazing is that!! I'm such a lucky girl (FOR SOOOOO many reasons) but I have 4 awesome examples of marriage, friendship, happiness, stickin together. I love my grandparents and am so glad they had my parents, raises them how they did and are awesome examples too me.

Well, this summer I made another trip out to Utah (big year for events in Utah=trips home for me!! thanks Jen for coming home from a mission, Brit for getting married and G&G for making it 50 years!)

For G&G Ripplinger's Anniversary, my sister Kylee made a three layer cake... She did an Aaaawesome job... Seriously, she had some help, but check it out.

She made the cake and then froze the layers for 2 days

She made the roses the week before, full roses, and little buds...

How amazing is this!! is She?!?

We get a little excited and sometimes go a bit overboard----and this celebration was more like a reception.... how pretty is this...

My grandma saved her shoes from her wedding, and flowers from her bouquet and her garter.

My uncle did an awesome job MCing.

Then each of their kids's families did some sort of talent....

I have to say our song didn't go well, we sang the Hawaiian Wedding Song ( heard it for the first time the night before), not my best moment, but a beautiful song that was sung at their reception.

Then we danced the night away... wish Brandon could be there. But it was an awesome night. How cute are these two?!?

Happy 50th!!

My Family comes to visit...welcome to Maryland/DC/Gettysburg

Still Catching Up

We tried to take family pictures... just in the "backyard" of my apartment complex. I'd put the camera where I wanted it and then press the timer and run. Some of them didn't turn out too bad though--



We went to Gettysburg and hired a guide that drove our car, showed us the sights and told us stories. It was a really neat experience.

Thanks Lisa for letting us borrow your car so that we could all ride together!!! Way too nice!
While Brandon and I had to work one day they headed to the Temple

Then of course we showed them DC and the monuments and Smithsonian's

So cute!


So much fun! I should have taken a picture of our apartment while they were here, we all stayed in our place... TONS more room than when my sisters stayed with us in Boston in our little 326 sq foot studio. Flashback..

The Apartment... (that's the whole thing) picture taken from the bathroom, to the right is a closet and that was it. :) It's probably the one apt I'll actually remember the square footage.

Welcome home Jenni

So every time I come home all us sistas have a girls night (or hour if there's lots of homework to be done) and usually we go to Dairy Queen and get ice cream, french fries and lots of fry sauce.

This was us before Jen got home from her mission. She served faithfully in the California Arcadia Spanish speaking mission. And she was one AWESOME missionary!! I'm so proud of her... and just a bit jealous of her wonderful experience.

And so happy she's now just a phone call away.

Well, because my mom hadn't decided if we girls were going to get to take Jen away the day after she got home (which was also the day before I flew back home) for girls night. The three of us had a blast.

But luckily we were able to convince my mom and all of us went again.... can't wait for the next one!! I need me some fry sauce, I'm out. (I do stock up while I'm there and fly that good stuff home with me, really). AND I miss my girls!

A few of the banners, welcoming Hermana Schiess home. We also tied bows all up and down the street.

Coming down the escalator

She's home!!! It was oh so fun for me to be able to be there when she got home. I missed being able to hear her speak in sacrament meeting and missed seeing all the family that came. But it was so so good to get a hug right when she got home.

Welcome home!! It was a little emotional because my parents have redecorated the upstairs... and it looks awesome!! but It was a surprise to Jen and for the first few minutes didn't seem like "home" but now we're ok. Just a few tears then :)

LOVE LOVE LOVE my sisters. Love my family. Love my extended family. Love Brandon's family. Love our Utah friends. Love our Boston Friends. Love our Maryland friends. Lots and Lots of love.

I really feel spoiled, lucky and blessed.

Pezely's come to visit

Brandon's parents came to visit in February and that's when Maryland got dumped on with snow... So much snow they closed roads and schools and even most things in DC. So, it was sad that we didn't get to show them all around the city--- but we did get to play lots of games and it was so fun to spend so much time together.Watching the snow keep falling and falling and falling. ( I LOOOOOVED it!! but am sad that they didn't get to see everything, I guess they'll just need to come back for another visit).

Crab Cakes

Pandas at the ZOO.
Taking a break at the Natural History Museum.