4 Wonderful ones

On the 23rd we celebrated 4 years of marital bliss with some sweet surprises. Being in love is so much fun, and I think a big part of the fun is coming up with new ways to celebrate it. You really know how to make a girl feel special Mr. Rice.

i.love.you.

-Mrs. Rice

-June 23, 2007-

Best buds in Boston

This blog should be called 'The Life of the Rices... and Botown.'

They chat most days and we've taken atleast 4 vacations together.

Does your husband have a best bud?...

STANLEY CUP FINALS 2011

GAME 4

New York City (FINAL) Day 7: TODAY...

Of course we couldn't leave the city before visiting the TODAY Show!

We woke up real early and made our way to Rockefeller Center...

Wahoo! Meredith Vieira is as sweet as she seems. She took time to shake everyone's hands, chat and take pictures. I have to laugh at myself for not puting on any makeup and looking overly excited and bug-eyed in these photos. Oh well!

(Doing a food segment.)

(Cameraman? Fabio?)

(Al Roker, Meredith, Matt Lauer, and Ann Curry)

Joanne's favorite, Ann Curry, stopped to talk with us, asked where we were from and told me where we could go to warm up our frozen selves.

They were all so kind and gave us tourists exciting things to blog about. :)

Until next time NYC...it's been fun. :)

New York City Day 6: Wrapping it up...

By day 6 we were exhausted, but still had some to-dos to check off.

(Jo planning every step with her gadgets and apps.)

As far as I'm concerned, one can never be too tired to enjoy waffles and pancakes. It took over an hour and a half of waiting to be seated at the famous Clinton St. Baking Co. for breakfast but it was totally worth it. After a couple pieces of french toast, some candies bananas, hot chocolate and some sugared bacon, we rolled- I mean strolled- out of there as happy as can be. (Yes, we shared.) If only they would have had this in my Dad's size, his butter-lovin' self would have this t-shirt:

We made our way through SOHO and bought a new outfit for the plane ride home, some other boutiques, Dean & DeLuca, and had yet another cupcake at the LuLu cake shop.

At Washington Square Park, we rested our feet and watched these funny kids do tricks on their scooters.

I just love his fringe jacket. Before long, they argued over some space and, in true New York fashion, threw a few punches at each other before the nanny broke it up. Haha.

We walked through Chelsea Market (which was the old Nabisco factory) and Highline park, a neat park where the benches rolled on the old train tracks.

Next was nap time back at the hotel, then our goodbye meal with Jo and Mike. We ate at Oprah and Gail's favorite pizza shop- Maryella's. The staff all hung over the counters watching the Knicks game and yelling at the TV in heavy New York accents while we ate. It was great. :)

Joanne and I picked up some frozen hot chocolate mix to take home from the Serendipity Restaurant and then made our way to the subway to say our goodbyes.

Love ya Jo. ;)

On our last stroll through Times Square we found ourselves on one of the huge screens. We are the two waving at the bottom.

New York City Day 5: Story Time

And so, it is 3 months later, and before I get on with the latest happenings I still have more to tell about NYC.

(In case you were wondering, there are 7 days.) :)

This beautiful red brick building is where Jo's YSA Manhattan 3rd ward meets. Each meeting, we met more exciting people with more exciting stories. During Sacrament meeting, a singer/songwriter performed a beautiful song about the Savior. Then I learned a lot from the Sunday School teacher that was attending school to become a seminary teacher. Relief Society was conducted by the president who was a doctor, and the lesson was taught by an aspiring artist. I was amazed at the faith of the room-fulls of these young people- each with different goals and dreams, some struggling to make it in the big city. Pretty awesome. I wanted to hug them all!

Back at Jo's adorable studio apartment we whipped up some Italian grub, some of Nonie's best: Sausage and peppers, polenta, and salad. The whole building smelled like garlic, sausage, basil and tomatoes.

(Nonie, Joanne, Jo)

After Mike joined us for dinner we all found a comfy spot and ate Joanne's cupcakes.

Our curious questions about Jo and Mike's beginnings started a night of telling our love stories. This was one of my favorite parts of the whole vacation. Jo and Mike told us about the fun-awkward-flirty-do they like me? phase of their dating; Nonie told us how she won over the star ball player and they danced nights away; Joanne told us about young sailor Mick and his flowing blond hair; then Joanne told us about her Mother's story of losing her soldier and later being swept up by Joanne's Dad who had loved her and waited for her for years. As Joanne said, it really is a movie-worthy story and we were all mesmerized as we listened to it.

We ended the night with a taxi ride to the Brooklyn bridge where we walked out to an amazing view of the city.

What a fun night. :)

The end.

Marilyn McNair

As Jeff and I were lounging after church today, I thought of Marilyn.

This is Jeff on his mission in Houston, Texas with Marilyn and David. I love this picture. It reminds me of the wisdom of our Heavenly Father- and the love I know he has for each of His children.

Neither Marilyn or David chose to be baptized, but they welcomed Jeff and his companion into their home and lasting friendships formed. Jeff, his mom, and Marilyn have kept in touch since. I was able to meet Marilyn over the phone during one of her and Jeff's Sunday conversations shortly after we were married. She told me she loved me after our very first chat- and I already had plenty of love for her too. Every few Sundays Jeff and I would catch up with her. Even though it was hard to understand her at times, Jeff and I would laugh through conversations with her about my failed attempt at a brisket recipe- or try and answer to when we were going to have kids- and how her pug 'Pugsley' was doing. She always wanted us to email her some of our latest pictures.

Unfortunately, Marilyn's health wasn't the best, and she recently passed away- much sooner than we had expected.

This post is for Jeff, because I know that was some difficult news to get. I know she loved you lots and really appreciated your time. And I know she'll be waiting for us- excited to tell us about all she has learned. :)

Thank you for exercising the faith to go on a mission and the example you are to me.

xoxo.

Exercise and Endorphines

(Soaked after my new favorite run around the neighborhood.)

When we are old and gray, I will remember that the first few years of our marriage we were very active. Seriously, between tennis work and play, running and kick boxing- we do spend a lot of time exercising, and I'm glad because it does make me happy and it kicks any worries or anxieties to the curb. I'm typing this today with dirt under my fingernails after taking on another backyard challenge (a workout indeed). I may have got my first sunburn of the year- yay!

Jeff came home a while back excited to show me a gift he was given. Eight-year old Colton ran up to him on court and handed him a bag with this homemade treasure in it. I think they love coach Jeff. :)

An exciting first for me this year was playing my first ever real tennis match. The Oly Aces 3.0 ladies team that Jeff teaches invited me to play with them. It was quite the experience. I played 3 doubles matches- lost the first two and won the last one with my awesome partner Janet 6-4, 6-3! I made it through the season without crying or throwing up. And if you know me and my nerves/emotions- you know that is a feat! It was so much fun. Cassey, Diane, Loretta, Janet, Linda, Barb, Pat, Patty, Noreen, and Jill- you are the funniest tennis team in the world and as sweet as they come. Can't wait until next year!