Oh, The Places We Go!

The long duration in blogging has been due to the fact that this has been a summer of travel! And, I must mention that we loved every minute of it.

Things to recap on include:

-My Freshmen Year Reunion with girls from BYU dorms in Newport Beach, CA

-Nick gone to Kentucky for a week of 'fun' aka work!

-The much long and anticipated Reunion (10 years!!) with my best friends from high school in Vegas

-A week long vacation to Williamsburg, Virginia to spend time with his family

-A quick weekend trip to Sacramento for my good friend from high school's wedding

-Our two year anniversary

-My 27th birthday

-Nick starting ASU

I am sure I missing something...but hopefully as I get rid of this writer's block I will have a few more things to say. Stay tuned...

Zion's National Park

Over Fourth of July weekend we decided to meet up meet up at Zion's National Park in Utah with one of my old roommates from my BYU days, Rochelle. Since she and her husband, Jeremy, live in Boston now we aren't able to get together too often. So we jumped in the car, drove 7 hours to 'cooler' weather (it was in the 90's and perfect), and joined in the fun of the Durfey family reunion. We didn't arrive until later Friday evening, but we were sure to stay up playing werewolf until the early hours of the morning. Saturday we spent hiking (Rochelle and Jeremy put up with the gimps that Nick and I have become) and lounging in the river next to the camp ground. We all got nice sun tans, but more than anything we enjoyed the great weather. Sunday, we went to a great church meeting at the local ward for the 4th, before spending the rest of our holiday driving back to AZ. It was a great way to spend our weekend, and we are so glad we got to see Rochelle and her family!

At the trailhead for the hike

Nick doing some extra exploring
Nick and I at the overlook

Nick trying to hang on for his life!

Best of Friends!

The boys being boys: Jeremy and Nick

Friends Forever! Me and Rochelle

Our Chicago Adventures

The Fiet Family gathered from all corners of this good ole' USA for our only cousin's wedding on June 19th. Can you believe I only have one first cousin?! My cousin, Jay had been living in Chicago for the last ten years getting his PhD in philosophy when he met Christa. After being together for 8 years he graduated, and before moving to New Haven to accept a job teaching at Yale (very cool) they decided to tie the knot. We decided to make a family trip out of it, and were glad that everyone could make it except for Rachel, Becky, and the nephews.

We packed so much in to two days. It was unbelievable how much sightseeing my mother can pack into a trip! We used all forms of transportation--train, bus, taxi, and of course plenty of walking! And what trip would be complete without great eating (see the pictures below). We saw the John Hancock Tower from the top floor (3rd tallest building in the world), a Cubs baseball game at Wrigley Field, Navy Pier, lots of shopping, and nearly survived a 'gust-nado' while on a boat tour of the Chicago River! We walked away alive after having to emergency dock the boat, account for all the passengers injuries from flying chairs, didn't get to finish the tour, and only got a lousy poncho out of the experience. Seriously, our whole family could have perished!

The wedding reception was fabulous! The restaurant was so yummy. My mom provided the most entertainment as she was stealing all the animals that were used for the place settings at the tables so she could take them home to her grandsons. Of course our family was tearing up the dance floor in our usual fashion. We all had such a great night, as it ended with a hilarious cab ride back to the hotel with my dad telling the cab driver how to drive!!! Hah! Can't wait for the next Fiet family vacation, because this one was certainly over too quickly. Here is the proof that a great time was had by all.

Nick at Navy Pier

The family getting ready for the Boat Tour. Notice how dark the clouds are getting!

Kevin hanging over the boat as we head towards the dark clouds. At this point everyone is commenting on how we think we are headed the WRONG direction!

The storm then happened: This is at 4pm!! My Dad emailed me this picture when I got home. He found an article on the Internet the next day that had this picture showing how lightning struck the two tallest buildings at once. Don't forget we were all on a boat at the time this was all going on!!!

After the emergency dock, we had to wait out the storm. My dad and Nick decided to re-enact the fear that overcame all of us as they told us to take cover under the boat!

Katherine and I 'enjoying' our selves in the 'free' ponchos!

Nick's only request: Deep Dish Chicago Pizza

Kevin, Grandma, Nick, and Me

Katherine, Mom, and I outside the restaurant

From the top floor of the John Hancock Tower

Me overlooking Chicago and Lake Michigan from the top floor of the John Hancock Tower

Katherine in the middle of Michigan Ave.

Nick and I at Wrigley Field with all those crazy Cub fans

Nick and I before the game started

All of the cousins together:
My brothers (Kyle and Kevin), Jay and his new wife (Christa), along with me and Katherine

My mom stealing the animals! Seriously too funny for words! I just love her!

Everyone getting down on the dance floor--everyone as in my family!

We had such a great trip. Congrats to Jay and Christa on their wedding. We can't wait to go back to Chicago to pack in some more sights.

Memorial Day Weekend

It was off to Utah for Memorial Day weekend. I had four days off and this was Nick's last weekend of freedom before the dreaded calculus summer school class begun. We try to go to Utah at least once a year to see Nick's brother, Jake and his family. I can't believe how fast those kids are growing!! It is fun watching how smart Penny is! She will be in second grade this coming school year. She is very laid back (so much like her Dad), and loves that she got to stay up late with the grown-ups while we were there. Liam is 4 going on 10! He is huge! The whole trip all I heard him talk about was food and how hungry he was. I guess he is taking after his uncle Nick. Liam was so excited for Thomas the train that he wore his Thomas hat everywhere! Henry is a mama's boy. When he isn't busy napping he is running all over the place or wanting to be held by his mom. By the end of the weekend he would walk up to Nick without crying at least! Oh well, maybe next time he will think we are more fun. This trip was great because we got to go on a double date with Jake and Jamie. It was so much fun spending time together just the adults! As usual Nick and Jake had their trip to the shooting range while Jamie and I got caught up on our girl talk. Such a fun weekend. We always dread the 10 hour drive up there, but the whole car ride home we talk about how great it was to see everyone.

Utah Scenery

Liam, 4, had the prime spot to see Thomas the Train
Henry, 18 months with Dad, Jake

The Jake Styer Family with the Thomas the train conductor

Us Arizonans' trying to stay warm at the end of May!

Such a great weekend. We can't wait until we can go up again. Hopefully next time it won't be in the 50's at the end of May.

Take 2

Torn Hamstring: Take 2---- (the second tear in 2 months)
Nick forgets sometimes that he isn't a professional athlete. After each injury he exclaims, "Oh Jen, I will be fine, professional athletes have this happen all the time." I guess I 'forgot' that I was married to a pro! LOL.
Seriously though, Nick now realizes that 6 months really does means 6 months of nothing!! No sports for him at all. And I will be sure of that. Here are some pics of the latest "All-star injuries" of Domenic Styer. (if only he had the seven figure paycheck that went along with professional injuries) :)

7 days after the tear

10 days after the tear

(I patched test the bruise with some oils that get rid of bruising. I'd say they worked pretty well)

I know what everyone is thinking---wow, those Styer's are always getting hurt! Yes, we are! Our 2011 New Year's resolution will be to change that fact. Good thing 2010 is half over! :)

"Domestic" Merit Badge

Nick is taking his assistant scout master church calling very seriously. Here he is sewing patches on his scout shirt. He definitely knows how to do this better than I do!

The following day Nick learned the patches were iron-on! HAHA. At least he was so excited about the two full days of his summer break that he spent sewing. Isn't there a merit badge for sewing after all?? Just love this guy!

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Jones

We couldn't be more excited for our friends Caitlin and Cody who tied the knot on May 22, 2010. We had to be sure that the celebrations were as great as the couple!

The girls were sure to party it up-with Caitlin being the entertainment! She showed that bull who was boss!

We danced the night away at the reception

Caitlin was such a gorgeous bride.

And of course Nick and Paul provided the jams!
The newlyweds exiting the Mesa, AZ temple

We are so glad that we got to share in this special day with the happy couple. When Nick and I were dating we would double with Cody and Caitlin, so when they broke up for an entire year we were sad to have our weekends more available. haha. But in the end it was more than worth it. Congrats to you both. We love you!