Parties, Programs, and Performances

Peyton was a great singer at his first Kindergarten Christmas performances. Lance went twenty minutes early to save us a spot but still ended up almost on the back row. Note to future first time attendees of "Sing around the Christmas Tree" you must arrive at least thirty minutes early if you want to be able to see your child sing.

Zoo lights was a big hit with the kids and the aunts.

Lexi loved her Nutcracker tea with her ballet class.

Decorating cookies at Nana and Grandpa's house is always a treat.

The Annual Rice cousins skating party was a blast as always. Lance was a champ on the ice with the kids while Mindy had to sit this year out. Aunt Chelsey and Nana Rice were very helpful with Lexi while Peyton was going around without any help by the end of the night. We think he could be the next Scott Hamilton.

Sub for Santa shopping with cousins.

Utah Man

Well Lance had a rivalry game of his own last week. The Utah alum football team played against the BYU alumni football team. The game was a fundraiser for the Road Home Shelter and was sponsored by 1280 the Zone. It was a lot of fun and all the players had a good time laughing at each other.

Lance learned he doesn't quit have the same skills as years ago but Peyton and Lexi loved watching their dad out on the field.

We had a great time at the big game! It will be exciting to see where the Utes will go Bowling.

Halloween Fun

Our little Snow White and Jedi had a great Halloween! We enjoyed a week full of Halloween fun and parties.

Nana Anita planned a special day for the kids at Gardner Village. They loved the witches and eating donuts at the bakery.

Both Grandma's deserve an A+ for hosting fabulous parties complete with cookie decorating, carving pumpkins, bobbing for bucks, soup with bread bowls, and making caramel apples.

We experienced our first Elementary school Halloween parade. All the kids looked so cute marching around the school in their costumes.

On Halloween the kids loved trick or treating but most of all they looked forward to going to Aunt Leslie's Halloween party. She plans the most elaborate party every year and the kids always leave with gifts and yummy treats. Thanks Leslie!

Happiest Place On Earth!

We wanted to take one last vacation before our new addition arrives in January. We spent last week in California enjoying Disneyland and Legoland. This year is " Year of a million dreams" at disneyland. Well we got lucky and were choosen for one of the dreams. We got to stay in the park for an hour after closing. We managed to fit in eight rides in our time, it is amazing what you can do when there are not any lines.

Lexi loved the Princesses. She also suprised us with her love of roller coasters. On Splash Mountain she had her arms up during the free fall just like her dad and brother.

Peyton was so excited to be choosen for Jedi Training especially since he plans to be Obi Wan for Halloween. He was so proud when he defeated Darth Vader.

Buzz Light Year and the New Toy Story Ride were a family favorite. Peyton likes anything where they keep score.

The parades were a lot of fun but the best part was watching Lexi dance to the music and getting so excited anytime a princess came by.

We went to Legoland for the first time ever and had a great time. The atmosphere doesn't quite compare to Disneyland but it was a fun change.

The kids enjoyed playing in the water park. The weather was nice and warm. It was kind of depressing returning to the cold and snow in Utah but the kids were excited for the new snow.

Peyton snuck into the big kids driving course at Legoland. He was a very cautious driver like his mom and obeyed all traffic signs unlike his dad.

Prima Ballerina

Anyone who knows Lexi knows she loves to dance. If there is music she is dancing, even when there is not music she is usually dancing.

Lexi was so excited to finally start ballet. She loves her teacher Miss Mimi and having her cousin Riley in class with her. It is probably a welcomed change from dancing in the kitchen with her dad.

Gymnastics is a close second to ballet. Her teacher is a former Ute gymnast and keeps the class very focused.

Lexi fills our life with everything wonderful and girly. I hope she will always continue to dance like no one is watching.

Go Utes!

Well, the Utes are off to a great start! We enjoyed the game last Saturday including the fireworks in honor of the ten year anniversary of the stadium's renovation.

Utah football is a huge part of our lives every fall. Peyton has been going to games since he was just a few months old to cheer on dad as he played. When Peyton was born Urban Meyer brought a Utah football outfit to the hospital for him. So I guess you could say football is in his blood. He looks forward to every game and has been to almost every home game in the last five years.

My family has even gotten involved in the action. While Lance was playing they went to almost every game (home and away). That is pretty impressive seeing as they are all USU and BYU graduates.

The boys in my family still like to take a road trip every now and then. Lance seems to always manage to schedule business trips that coincide with Utah games. He had a great time in Michigan watching the Utes big win.

Utah football is a big part of the whole Rice crew. It has been a fun tradition to have in our family.

There he goes...

Well, today was the big day that Peyton started Kindergarten. He was so excited he woke up three times wondering if it was morning.

I can't believe Peyton is old enough to start school. Time sure has passed quickly from when he was born and learning to walk and talk to now learning to read and be independent. I will miss having my best little buddy around to talk and laugh with every morning. Luckily, Lexi will still be around to entertain her mom.

Jackson

Every summer Lance's family heads to Jackson to spend the week at Signal Mountain and boating on Jackson Lake. The kids love looking for wild life, fishing, and sleeping in a log cabin. It is always fun to walk around town and shop.

Lance was anxious to wakeboard and water ski because he had been on an eight week break since his LASIK eye surgery.

Peyton was so excited to get his own wakeboard so he could be like dad. He gave it his best shot but couldn't stay up long. Better luck next time.

Cowboy Up!

A few nights ago we went to a fundraiser for The Huntsman Cancer Institute at Grand America. I had to document the event because the dress was Cowboy Chic and I saw Lance in a cowboy hat for the first time. I think he makes a rather handsome cowboy.

It was fun to see Julianne Hough perform. However, I think she is a better dancer than singer.

High School Friends

I had so much fun getting together with some of my best high school friends last week. We had a great time catching up and laughed a lot reminiscing about old times. It is amazing how fast time flies however when you get together with old friends it is like you have never been apart.

The main reason we got together was to celebrate the arrival of Tiff and Kenny's baby Krew. They have waited a long time to be parents and were blessed to adopt a baby boy. They will be great parents! We are so happy for you.