michael buble

Okay, so I know I said Josh Groban was amazing but he is nothing compared to Michael Buble. Our anniversary is next week so Jason gave me an early present to see Michael Buble at Radio City Music Hall last night. I honestly don't know how to describe it, it was by far the BEST concert I have ever been to!! The music was amazing, every song he sang was my favorite and it just kept getting better with each song. It wasn't just the songs but his personality, he was such a fun entertainer that really got the crowd going. Now I know what your thinking ... how could he possibly get the crowd going with songs like "Fever"? But he did!!



The best part was that Jason enjoyed it too. He even said it was an amazing concert, now I won't go as far as to say he enjoyed it more then 311, but he enjoyed it none the less. The one thing we enjoyed the most was his laid back personality. He's just a cool Canadian that likes to have a good time. Some of the concerts we've been to it seems like the preforms have to add a little something about there political views, but he was just there to make us laugh. My favorite was it seemed like everyone around us was with someone they loved. It was just a bunch of couples holding hands, something you don't see very often here in NY.



I know I may sound a little obsessed and Jason was getting a little annoyed when I kept saying how sexy his voice was but what can I say ... it was!! I highly recommend seeing his concert if you ever get the chance.

Besides the concert, Jason's highlight of the night was seeing Glen Beck. Just as we were walking out of Radio City he was walking in, Jason spotted him and from across the crowd said hi to him and he waved back and then we said we were fans from Utah and he gave us a thumbs up. If you don't know he's a political commentator with one of the top radio shows in the country and he's a convert to the church, so we thought it was fun seeing him after watching his show so many times on CNN.



Here's a little Buble for you all to enjoy!!!

Mom's weekend

Because Jason had a little break before school starts he decided to take advantage of his free time and go home and see his family. So as soon as my mom heard she jumped at the chance to come out and spend some alone time with Sheena.

She arrived early Thursday morning so we decided to take it easy and relax before hitting it hard. The problem with my mom is when she goes somewhere she spends most of her time trying to find presents for everyone back at home, so of course the first on her list was purses. After her first subway ride and a successful stop at Canal Street we decided to see one tourist site while she was here.

Neither of us had been to the Statue of Liberty and my mom had heard a lot about Ellis Island so we went down to Battery Park to catch the ferry. Of course we had to take the audio tour so we knew what we were looking at but we definitely looked like tourists with our headphones on. The Statue of Liberty was amazing to see up close, and it made it even more amazing to learn about the stories while standing in front of it. Next we were back on the ferry to Ellis Island. Again we had our audio tour to lead the way so we began walking through each room and listening to what took place there, but my mom was going so fast that she was way ahead of the guide and I couldn't figure out way she was skipping everything when it was her idea to come in the first place. Well it turns out that she was so tired from the flight that she just wanted to sit down, I felt bad for dragging her everywhere so we decided to go before she fell asleep. That night we walked down to little Italy and had lobster and some rice pudding from Rice to Riches to top of the evening.



The rest of the trip was spent shopping, eating and shows. We went to Mary Poppins and it was very cute, but the highlight of the trip was seeing Wicked. I have been waiting so long to see it and I LOVED it. I love the story, the songs, the humor but of course my favorite was the ending. I won't spoil it, but it exceeded all my expectations. I loved it so much that I will go to it again if anyone else wants to come out and go with me.

I had such a nice time with my mom and I'm so glad she finally came out to visit. Everything we saw and did was so much fun but my favorite was just the visits we had each morning just catching up on all the news and talking about nothing. Every night we would say we were going to wake up early and hit the streets but it was always noon before we left the house. My brother and his wife made a DVD of my niece and sent it out with my mom for me to watch and it was so fun to see how much she's grown and her cute little personality. Thanks for coming out to visit, mom. Maybe next time you can convince the rest of the family to come!!

Boston

It always takes me a little while to post but eventually I get around to it. So a couple of weekends ago we went to Boston with our friends Bryan & Kelli Granum. We found cheap rates a couple of months ago on Jetblue and decided to make a weekend of it. So that Friday Jason and I made the trek through Time Square to meet the Granum's at their apartment. When we got there I walked up to tell the doorman what apartment we were going to, and while I was just standing there minding my own business waiting for the guy to give us the go ahead and this women standing next to me was talking on her cellphone really loud, she had huge white sunglasses but I really didn't get a good look at her. Then Jason nudges me to look at the girl, and it was Fantasia from American Idol. I must have had a surprised look on my face because the security guard started laughing when I realized who I was standing next to.


After a late arrival in Boston we checked into our room and decided to get some sleep so we could be ready for the big day ahead of us, but Jason was so impressed with the big bathtub that he had to take a bath before he could go to sleep (the first of many). The next morning Jason had to take another bath, and then we were off to meet up with the Granum's. We went to breakfast at a cute little hotel in Beacon Hill (the same neighborhood where John Kerry & Teresa Hines live) and had some amazing french toast. After breakfast we got on the subway and headed to Harvard.

It was such a beautiful campus and just as I imagined it. We started walking around but decided it would be better if we knew what we were looking at so we decided to take the "HAHVAHD" walking tour where we learned all about the famous students who attended and saw where their dorms were. After our brief history tour we were off to Fenway Park. Unfortunately we didn't find tickets so Bryan and Kelli went to the game, so we decided to walk around the harbour and check out the sites.

The harbour was beautiful as well as the Boston skyline. It was interesting to see just how different Boston is from New York. I was expecting it to have all the large skyscrapers but there wasn't that many. Boston is more of a quaint little city then a large metropolis, and we loved everything about it.

We met back up with the Granum's for dinner and afterwards Bryan wanted to take us to a dueling piano bar. While we were figuring out where to go we saw some secret security guards in the lobby of the Granum's hotel, so Jason being the little celebrity stalker he is wanted to see who they were waiting for. So we are sitting there waiting for Jason to get out of the bathroom so we could see who this famous person was and out walks Bob Saget!! He walked out and looked for someone and then got back on the elevator, it was so funny and random ... but there was still someone else because the security guards hadden't moved. Well, the important people finally came and it wasn't anyone we knew, we just figured they were royalty from another country so it really wasn't that exciting. In the mean time Jason was stuck in the bathroom with a bloody nose and was missing all the action. But then out walks Bob again so Bryan asked if Kelli and I could get a picture with him and he was a little annoyed but agreed. Finally Jason was out and we went to the piano bar. It was pretty wild and Bryan got the DJ to try and get Jason on the stage with the wild Bacholorette's but Jason wasn't a fan.


The next day was full of tours, we started with our self guided tour of the freedom trail and ended with the duck tour. It was this cute little truck/boat they call a duck that takes you around the city on land and then ends with you riding around in the boat on the Charles river. After our crazy tours, a wonderful lunch and Jason's hunt to find a cool Boston shirt we were on our way home. All that was missing was a third celebrity sighting. We loved Boston and it was so fun to go with Kelli and Bryan and see the sites, we highly recommend it to all who have never been. But you must come and see us in NY first!!!

Palmyra, NY

Over the weekend Jason and I, along with our law school buddies, rented a mini van and drove upstate to Palmyra to see the Hill Cumorah Pagent and all the church history sites. We started out bright and early and drove straight to the Peter Whitmer farm, after checking out the sites we grabbed some lunch and drove up to Rochester to check in to our hotel. After such a long drive we all decided we needed a little dip in the pool, including Beckett. It was his first time in the pool and I don't know who had more fun ... Beckett or Jason.

Our next stop was the Smith Farm and the Sacred Grove. I've been here before and it's amazing how each time you go you instantly feel the spirit when you walk into that home. It's crazy to walk up the narrow little staircase and see the little beds where they slept and to know you're standing in the exact room where angel Moroni appeared to Joseph. And of course the Sacred Grove is just as amazing. It was raining and it was so peaceful to walk through the grove quietly and just listen to the rain while feeling the spirit. Wondering where is was that Heavenly Father appeared. It was such a spiritual experience and I'm so glad Jason was able to experience it.

The Smith Home



The Sacred Grove

After seeing the sites we decided to stake our claim at the pagent. It was so nice to be surrounded by Mormons again, in away it felt like we were in Utah again. It was pathetic but just seeing Utah license plates excited us. My favorite part was when I got to see my sweet little grandma, she and her friend were on a church history tour and we arranged to find each other at the pagent. It was so fun seeing her out here in New York and just being able to give her a hug and visit for a minute. The rain continued off and on through out the pagent, but the production was wonderful. It takes place on the actual hill and there are so many actors with amazing costumes.


The next morning we slept in (well, I slept in while Jason soaked in the hot tub) had a nice breakfast and then we hit the road again. The traffic was a little crazy and it took longer then we expected to get home but Jason and I weren't complaining because we got to entertain Beckett (more like he entertained us). It was a wonderful trip and we're so glad Chris and Dawnell came with Beckett, he was definitely the highlight of the trip.

Mr. Cool

Welcome to Miami

Because we work so hard at KPMG we were given a five day weekend for the 4th of July, so Jason and I decided to make the most of it with a little getaway to Florida. After a late arrival we went to bed anxious for a day of fun in the sun. It was so nice to walk across the street to the beach each morning where we just lounged out and relaxed. Little did we know that the first of July was the start of Hurricane season in July, so each day we woke up to a beautiful morning and then at about two in the afternoon we would have to run back to our room while it poured for an hour and then ... out came the sun again.

The next day we decided to rent a scooter so we could check out the sights of south beach. Luckily Jason was able to speak Spanish or we would have been in trouble. We walked in and told the lady we were interested in renting a scooter and wanted to know how much it would be to rent it for a few hours. After trying to answer us with some broken English Jason decided it might be easier to just speak in Spanish. It was so fun to see all of their reactions when he began speaking to them, and it was interesting to see just how much more willing they were to help us when he spoke to them in Spanish. The scooter was a great way to see the sights despite getting a flat tire and running out of gas. After our adventurous day we ended the night with some wonderful stone crab at Joe's.



Our favorite day was the day we went snorkeling in Key Largo. We woke up early that morning and headed down to the dive shop to prepare for our trip. The first time I went snorkeling I had a hard time and kept freaking out, so I was a little nervous going into it. After an amazing boat ride through Key Largo we arrived at our diving destination. After jumping in I was okay with the fact that I had fish swimming all around me and actually enjoyed myself. We saw several tropical fish along with a couple of nerf sharks that made it very exciting and was a perfect ending to a wonderful trip. While we loved Miami, I think it's a place that now that we've been there and seen all there is to see, we probably won't be going back.


Our future summer home in the Keys

Our limo ride to dinner


The Versace Mansion

Salisbury, Ct

So Jason finally handed over the computer so I have a minute to catch up. A couple of weekends ago Jason and I, along with some of his law school friends, stayed at the dean of the law schools "summer" home. A couple of months ago the law school held an auction where they were able to bid on the dean's summer home for a weekend and won!!

We left after work on Friday and it was so nice to get away from the city. Jason couldn't believe how rural the towns were outside of the city. He's always said he would like to live in Connecticut and now that he's seen it, he's set on it. He was like a little kid at Disneyland, staring out the window the entire ride. After two and a half hours we arrived, come time find out it wasn't just their summer home, but their guest house next to their summer home where we'd be staying.

The next morning we woke to the chirping of birds and for the first time in a long time we were able to enjoy the quiet morning. We woke up before everyone else and checked out what was in store for the day. First things first Jason was out with the skimmer in the pool preparing for his morning swim. Not only did they have a pool but they also had a full size tennis court where we all got a little morning work out.

The rest of the day was spent basking in the sun by the pool and a little game of baseball. That night we all took a little hike through the forest that led to a beautiful vista with the perfect view of the rolling hills and trees. At the edge there was a fire pit where we got to roast our first (and probably last) marshmallows of the season. When we finally made our trek back to the house we all got a little nervous when two of the guys found ticks. Luckily I was the only girl that wore make-up and had tweezers to save the day.

The next morning was so relaxing just lounging by the pool and enjoying each others company. Although I have to say it got a little old listening to all their law school jokes. (leave it up to law students to make humor out of torts and property laws) Despite the dry jokes it was fun to get to know some of his law school friends and so nice to get away for a relaxing weekend.

The Main House

The pool with the tennis courts in the back

The Guest House (doesn't it look like a scene from Anne of Green Gables?)

The View of the Vista

Another shot of the backyard

family comes to town

Finally, someone came to visit us out in the big city. Over Memorial day weekend Jason's parents and three sisters came, for the first time, to New York. In fact, it was the first time the twins had flown, so this was quite the experience for all.
They arrived early Friday morning with no time to rest. While I went to work Jason took them to Friend of a Farmer for a wonderful breakfast, where they saw a Victoria's Secret model. After a tour of NYU and Washington Square park they walked down to Magnolia Bakery for the experience of their lives. They loved the cupcakes, but the banana pudding was a definite favorite. By that time I was home from work and they were ready for the trek across the Brooklyn Bridge. This was an adventure in itself and I must say they thought the views were breathless. I think they got just about every shot of the downtown skyline they could. Once we were across we walked right into Grimaldi's, no waiting in line, where they experienced New York style pizza for the first time. After checking out the skyline one more time from the pier we were on our way home with blisters already forming.

The next morning we woke up bright and early to catch the double-decker tour bus for our adventure around the city. Now I know some of you might laugh and think it's silly that we took a tour bus, but this is one our favorite things to do in the city. Not only do you get some great shots of the city from the top but you learn all sorts of fun facts along the way. After cruising around the city all morning we hopped off for some burgers and shakes at the shake shack. After the long wait and struggle to find a seat and were finally able to prove that the shake shack was better then In-and-out burger. Then back for a little rest before heading down to check out the lights of Time Square and some family style fun at Carmines. (where everything was big including the titanic dessert)


Because this was so long ago and I can't remember every detail I will leave out the minor details. The next day we were excited to go to a Broadway and everyone was awaiting the experience. Apparently not a lot of shows were showing and our choices were quite limited at the TKS booth. After a decision to see The Spelling Bee we were ready to get our tickets, unfortunately there was on 5 tickets available so we settled for Avenue Q. All I have to say is that this was a HUGE mistake, Avenue Q is the WORST show I have ever seen, after about 45 minutes we were so embarrassed and uncomfortable that all seven of us had to get up and leave. Please tell everyone you know, there is nothing good about this show and I've never been so uncomfortable in all my life. To make up for the humiliation of the show we then went to our favorite chocolate place, Max Brenner, to end the night on a sweeter note.

We spent Memorial day enjoying Central Park, where we toured the great lawn, had a picnic below Belvadere Castle and canoed in The Lake. The next day was back to work for me and shopping for the family. First making a stop at the top of the Empire State Building, then on to some of New York's finest shops, H&M and Forever 21. With a final stop for some more banana pudding they were ready for the long flight home to relax.

All in all they had a great trip, despite the blistered feet, and we loved playing tour guides and showing them all of our favorite hot spots in the city. We can't wait for them to come and back and see us again.

lions and tigers and bears ... oh my!

So now it's time for catch up. A few weeks ... actually more like a month ago, Jason and I attended the Bronx Zoo. KPMG (the accounting firm where I work) hosts an annual firm family day, and this year it was at the zoo. We saw everything from the polar bears, to the gorilla's but I have to say my least favorite was the bat caves. I was expecting to walk in and see a few bats and walk out, but no, there were several different bats from all different parts of the world screeching and flying around. It was definitely the creepiest part of the zoo. All in all it was a great day. The weather was perfect and the animals were playful. Our favorite of course was the gorilla's playing hide-and-go-seek with each other and the polar bear when he dove into the cold water to take a swim. I would highly recommend it to all of you New Yorkers who are looking for a fun filled day in the city, and for all of you from Utah, it puts Hogle Zoo to shame.

happy father's day

I just wanted to wish a happy father's day to all the wonderful men in my life. I've always been a daddy's girl and not being their to be with my father today was very hard for me. I just want him to know how much I love and appreciate all that he does for me.
Also a happy day to my big brother who just recently became a father, my step father-in-law, and grandfather-in-law. You all mean so much, and have played an important role in shaping Jason into the wonderful man he is. We both love you all so much.

4th of July in June

I have so much to catch up on but just wanted to feel you in on the celebrity sightings we had tonight. NYU occasionally offers free tickets to television screenings and tonight we got to go to a taping for the 4th of July Spectacular with Joss Stone and the American Idol finalists; Jordin, Blake and Melinda. We were literally 10 feet away from the singers. It was crazy being so close.

Joss Stone was first and she was amazing!! Not only does she have an amazing voice but she's beautiful. They only sang one song each but they had them sing a couple of times so they could capture the best shots.

Next came the idols singing God Bless America. Because it was a taping they would have them stop between each take and while waiting the idols would joke around and Blake even did a little beep boxing for us, it was so fun to see their personalities on stage. I have to say ... Jordin is beautiful. She's tall but she wasn't the giant I thought she was on tv, she just looked that way standing next to Ryan Seacrest. Melinda was tiny and while she does look like DW, she was cute in her own way. And of course Blake was the crowd pleaser. He had a cute gray suit and pink shirt, but he is surprisingly small himself.

So be sure to tune in to the 4th of July Spectacular on NBC at 9pm to see us in all our glory. You can't miss us, we we're the tall ones right in the middle.

One down ... two to go

Jason has officially finished his first year of law school and I don't know who's more excited ... me or him. After an adventures year of moving to New York and learning to tackle the stress of law school, he is now working on his writing competition and once he turns that in tomorrow he will officially be done. Then it's on to entertaining the family this week and starting his internship the next, with no time to relax.
I'm so excited for him to work at the NY Attorney Generals office and to be able to see just how the justice system works. I know he is also excited and little bit nervous but I want him to know how proud I am of him. Law school isn't easy and it's been hard for me to give up my husband. I've been very selfish and it wasn't easy for him to say no to me so he could study. Now we can enjoy the city with no thought of studying.

baby blessing

Finally ... I have a minute to write about my Utah trip. So the start of my trip began a little rocky. After waiting two hours we eventually boarded the flight but as we were taking off it began to storm. If any of you know me, you know that lightening storms freak me out. So I was doing good and until the lightening started flashing in the window next to me and suddenly ...BANG!! Our plane got hit by lightening. We were fine, I guess this happens all the time, the plane simply flew above the storm and it was all over. Every plane has lightening rods so it just hits the rods and they keep on flying.

After finally arriving in Utah I met my mom and stayed the night in Salt Lake. The next day was filled with some Mother-daughter bonding and a whole lot of baby. After 3 months I finally got to see Shealynn. It was crazy to see Ricky with a baby and see how much he's changed after becoming a daddy. In fact this baby has changed my entire family. I loved seeing how much one baby can make such a difference in my family. Everyone seems to be so much happier, before the baby my family was kind of boring but now they bring over Shea and everybody fusses over her.


It was so nice to just relax and visit with family. That weekend my grandma, aunts and cousins came up for the baby blessing and we all partied together. On Saturday we had a BBQ at my moms and the women played with the baby while the men cheered on the Jazz...with the exception of grandma. My grandma is a HUGE Jazz fan. She has macular degenerate so she can't see very well so my dad pulled up a chair right next to the big screen and that’s where she stayed the rest of the night.


Sunday was the blessing and my cousin Clay did a beautiful job and she looked so sweet all dressed in white. After church we reconvened at "the plant" (the weather wasn't cooperating so we had the lunch at my dads work) for yet again, more food. The best of the day was when Ricky was holding Shea in her blessing dress to get his picture taken for the 4 generations picture with my mom and grandma, and just as we were all grabbing our cameras she had a little blowout that went all over her pretty dress and her dad. (It’s a good thing she only has to wear the dress once)


The lunch was great and it was hard seeing everyone go after such a nice weekend. After relaxing and getting ready for the flight home I said goodbye to my new little niece. It was so nice being able to spend some time getting to know her and just as I was leaving she was getting comfortable with me. But I have to say I LOVE being an aunt!! Unfortunately the next time I see her she will have changed completely.

happy mother's day

I just wanted to say Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful mother and to all the women who have played such an important part in my life.

My mother is such a beautiful women who has always been there for me. Being the only daughter she's always been more of a best friend then a mother. As a girl growing up it was always me and mom paling around together. I just want her to know the wonderful example that she has been in my life. She's so strong in everything she does, a quality I wish I had, but can never aspire to. She's always been there for me, and it's so nice to call home every Sunday and always know that she'll be there to listen.

And to my grandmother and aunts, for being my second mothers; to my sister-in-law for being the sister I never had; and to my mother and grandmother-in-law for welcoming me into their family; and to all of you for the love you've given me. You have all played an important role in my life and have taught me so much. I hope you all have a beautiful day and know just how much you are loved. I only wish I could've been their today to give you a big huge and wish you a Happy Mother's Day.