It's 2013 Ya'll!

Soooo....for those of you how read my blog will come to find that I have been MIA and haven't blogged in a while. The end of 2012 was crazy busy with work, my grandpa's funeral, Christmas, family in town, etc. BUT, I am back and ready to blog and share my life experiences!

I want to start out by telling you about my New Year's Eve.
Wow.
What an incredible night?!
My parents were amazing enough to hire "Cruzin' Sushi" to come cater our dinner.
I knew that we had a sushi chef coming over but I didn't think it would be like this!
I pulled up to my parents house and there on our driveway was this huge truck.
Anna and Josh (the chefs) were walking in and out of it with containers
full of sushi ingredients and platters of who knows what.
My mom had the table as set up so beautifully...she always does.
My parents were nice enough to let us all (me, hugh and stephen) bring dates.
It was an all around fun packed dinner!
Anna made the sushi in front of us while Josh would be in the truck
frying our tempura and other yummy treats!
I cannot tell you how amazing this was.
Anna then invited us to come and make our own sushi.
That was an experience!
We have found a new tradition and I am so happy!
I love my family so much and it was so much fun to spend New Year's Eve with them.

After dinner, Trent and I headed over to say hello to my Aunt Annette.
They were in the middle of games but it was good to see them!
We then headed over to Trent's friend Jonathan's parent's house.
We played some games and had a good laugh.
The Deesing family has a tradition where they burn their Christmas tree at midnight
and shoot off fireworks.
Watching the tree light up was awesome!
We watched an amazing firework show.
If you know me...you will know that I LOVE fireworks!
It was a good way to end the night.

I loved the year 2012....
but bring it on 2013!

December 5, 2012...

This is a day that I will never forget.
I remember what I was wearing.
I remember what I ate.
I remember it all.

I woke up that morning in my bed at my parent's house.
I woke up knowing that it was going to be a long day.
I called my mom who had slept over at my grandpa's care center.
My grandpa was already on his way through the veil.
It was just a matter of time.
I went over there around 9 AM so my mom could come home and shower.
I got there and about 10 minutes after being there, Joan, the Hospice nurse
came in to tell us that he was so close to passing away that my mom might want to stay.
We stayed and watched.
Eventually the rest of my family came over.
We all sat around his bed, watching old John Wayne movies.
Trent was nice enough to bring us all lunch.
We sat and sat and sat.
My siblings would come and go.
I was fortunate to have the day off of work.
I didn't leave my grandpa's side.
1:30 AM came around and we were all exhausted.
I asked to have a few minutes with him alone.
I sat and prayed.
Prayed for him to just go.
I wasn't sure if he was in pain or not.
He was asleep the whole day.
His breathing got slower.
It looked difficult for him.
It was painful for us to just watch.
My mom told me just to go home.
But I knew that if I were to go home, that I would miss something.
She kept on insisting that I go home, but I was too stubborn to give in.
I slept right next to my mom that night while she slept next to her dad.
I surprisingly enough fell asleep.
Around 3:30, my mom fell asleep.
It surprised me due to the circumstance.
At 4:00 in the morning we both sat up at the same time.
Looked over at grandpa and listened for one of his painful sounding breaths.
Nothing.
Pure silence.
We were in shock.
He passed.
He was finally through the veil and reunited with his sweetheart and his Heavenly Father.
It was a long, emotional day.
I won't go into so much detail of what was said and what exactly happened.
But all I will say is that it was a peaceful night.
I have learned so many things through this experience.

•  Life is short. Live it.
• People are kind and have good hearts.
• This gospel is so true.
• Take advantage of the time you get to spend with family.
• Love one another.
• He never said it would be easy. He only said it would be worth it.

I love my grandpa so much. 

I loved holding his hand and walking around with him.

I loved sitting with him and watching old cowboy movies.

I loved it when he would pull me in for a kiss.

I loved his stories.

I loved his example of hard work.

I love him.

I will never forget the legacy he has left behind.

I can't wait to feel his presence at my wedding.

I can't wait to see him again.

Because I know I will.

Numero Quatro en NYC

What a day! Man, I am just falling in love with this city.
I can see why Jess and Jake are loving it here and never want to come home.
I told them that I would be okay if they chose to stay here for the next few years.
Then I get to visit more!

Let's see...
Woke up. To the Hurley dog right by my face.
He is a child.
Who I love and adore.
Jess and I headed to Union Square.
This is probably my favorite part of the city.
So open and clean and friendly!

We started out by going to Forever 21...
What's that?
Shopping?
For those of you who know me...I HATE shopping.
Ya. I'm a female of this world who dislikes that activity.
BUT...I was looking for some new shoes.
Forever 21 didn't have the ones I wanted.
BUT...Jess found some heels that made her a whole inch taller than me!
She had to embrace that short period of time.
For it will be the ONLY time she is ever taller than me.
Off to DSW.
Failure.

Annie got a little tired...shopping does that to me.
So Jess and I headed over to Barnes and Noble.
Her and Jake do this all the time.
Grab a drink of Starbucks....Vanilla Frap for me!
Grab a book....Hunger Games for me!
Find a spot....the floor for us!
And read!

After regaining our energy we were out!
We stopped by this market called Dean and Deluca.
A-MAZING!
We sampled some cheese and lots and lots of soup.
People were very generous.

We went into H&M.
Last pair of shoes in the whole store? MY size? $10?....okay!
Last flanel shirt/hoodie in the whole store? MY size? $10?....OKAY!!!
A total that would have come to $46 came down to $20....man I'm good!

Done with shopping.
We found a stand that sold sun glasses.
$5? Okay!
I bought me and Jess some poser specs!

Off we were for more adventures!
I was challenged to find the cheapest street vendor item.
"Let It Snow" wooden Christmas decoration: $1.

I needed some gluten.
Ya....Dunkin Donuts....HELLO!
Hopped onto the subway [p.s....i LOVE the subway]

Met up with Jakie for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
We get into the theater and we are guided to our seats.
We were led to the box seats.
Second row.
Umm....keep in mind...these tickets were $30 a piece.
Box seats are usually about $150-200.
Ya....we  were stoked!

I was very impressed by the show.
Nick Jonas was the lead.
Loved him.
Loved the whole night!

Came home to the Hurls.
He gives the warmest of welcomes!
With a little tinkle here and there :)

Jess made dinner.
A-MAZING...as always.

Jess and I watched some Friends together to end the night.
Couldn't have asked for a better day with my 2 favorite people!

Adios peeps!

Day 3 in the Big Apple.

Day 3.
Monday.
Oh Monday.
I hate Mondays.
But...not in New York!

Woke up and got ready for the day.
Jess and I skyped Aub before heading out!

In "Something Borrowed", there is a place where they eat.
The SHAKE SHACK!
Jess and I went there last year for ice cream but we decided to get lunch this time around.
However....
The line:

As you can see...this is a popular place!

We waited for a while and finally ordered!

We had burgers, fried AND out very favorite....Concrete Jungle shake!
It's tradition!

We took a walk around that park and talked and talked.
Jess is a really good listener.
I updated her on life, friends, family and school.
I love my sister.

We met up with Jake.
He opened up an email with us regarding his application for the PHD program at the U of U.
UTAH MAN SIR! A UTAH MAN IS HE!
We were so excited for him!

Off to Ground Zero.
Such a quiet and amazing spirit there.
It's almost like you can't hear the hustle and bustle of the city while there.
Both of the fountains are complete and they are still working on the museum and the tower.
It was a good time for us 3 to stop and feel the spirit of those who lost their lives on 9/11.

To finish out our 9/11 pondering,
we headed out to Staten Island on a ferry.
There is another memorial there for those who lived on Staten Island.
The theme of the memorial was "Postcards from Staten Island."
Again, a hushed spirit was there.

I love how New York shows their love for those who lost their lives.
It was a day that may have changed the world,
but I think it changed New York City alone.

We were getting Hungry so we headed back over to the city.

Dinner time!!

We went to Jake's favorite place.

Araga.

It's an Indian place that Jake loves.

In celebration of his Ute victory, we enjoyed a nice meal there.

What's a dinner without dessert??

We went to this gelato place called Grom.

It. Was. AMAZING!!

Ended the night the way we do.

Took Hurley out for a walk.

Popped some popcorn.

Watched Friends.

It's a nice tradition Jess and I made last year when I visited.

Why not carry it on?!

Good night big world!

I'm in a New York state of mind...

Think of being in the greatest place on earth.
With the greatest people on earth.
New York City.
With Jessica and Jake Garrett.

Last summer I went to New York for my birthday.
It was the best week and the highlight of my summer.
Seeing the city and living the New York life with Jess was amazing.
Jake was out of town the whole week so I got my sister to myself.

Fast forwarding to January 2012.
I thought to myself..."Annie...it's time to head back over to the Big Apple."
Without any hesitation, I looked up the dates for my Spring Break and call Jess.
Her spring break was the exact same week.
Tickets were bought.
March 10, 2012.
I was on a plane heading to what will be known as the best spring break ever!

Flew into Denver at 4:00.
What's this I see?
Flight to NYC delayed?
Can't be too  long of a delay.
Welp...3 hours later, I was on my way to NYC.
Got in at what I thought was 2 AM.
No Annie....it's daylight savings.
3:00 AM it is.

Took a taxi to Jess and Jake's apartment.
As I pulled up, Jake, Jess AND the Hurley dog were waiting outside for me.
We hurried upstairs and there was the pull out bed all set up for me with a nice welcome note and a chocolate on my pillow.
Jake and Jess really know how to make me feel right at home.

Slept.
Until 11.
Woke up and Jake had already headed to church.
Jess and I got ready and headed off to relief society.
Oh wait...the subway stop by their apartment was closed for the day.
Uptown we go!
Get on the subway.
Right as it starts to go, it made an immediate stop.
Causing a man to fall over.
We were stuck for a good 15 minutes.
What's the emergency? Everyone was thinking?
They finally let us off saying it wasn't going to run.

We just want to go to church.
We aren't doing anything bad!
Why is this all happening?

We started heading back downtown.
Trying to get a cab.
After 20 minutes and walking and cab hunting, we finally got one.
We made it right on time to Relief Society.

After church, we headed home.
Jess made us lentil tacos!
They were amazing.
Not to mention her homemade guacamole.
**Side note....Jess is an INCREDIBLE cook. We ate like kings and queens**
Jake and I were tired so we both took naps while Jess did some reading.

I woke up to her making dinner.
Best thing ever.
She made pasta for dinner!
She was amazing enough to make me my own GLUTEN FREE pasta!
We made our "toasties".
They are slices of toasted baguettes cream cheese and sliced tomatoes cooked in sugar.
A-MAZING!

We ended the night with watching "Something Borrowed".
What's a movie with Jess and Jake without some popcorn and mini peanut butter cups? :)

Yes the flight was long and miserable.
Worth it.
You betcha!

Stayed tuned for more N-Y-Cizzle adventures!

My 2 Heros...

These guys...

Jake and Jess.
May 3, 2007 wasn't only the best day of my sister's live...
but it was one of the best days of my life too.
Having Jake as a brother has been a huge blessing in my life.
I'm really missing them both right this second.
They live in NYC right now while Jess is going to Columbia to get her masters.
These 2 have shown me what love is.





I hope to marry someone someday who is just like Jake.
Smart.
Loving.
HILARIOUS.
Handsome.
He shows so much love to my dear sister and I hope to have someone love me like that someday.
They have supported me through EVERYTHING in life!
Dance company.
Musicals.
Graduation.

Life.

    

I call them up whenever I need advice. For living across the country...they do an amazing job and helping me out in life.



I don't refer Jake as my brother in law.
He's my brother.
I talk to him about school, drama, boys, work, dance..you name it.
Oh and did I say he has an INCREDIBLE voice?? Ya...he does.
Thanks to him, I was able to find all of my classes at the U of U last year.
He is someone I can just sit on the couch with a talk.
He is a good listener. I KNOW he will be an amazing father someday.
He is hilarious. He is probably the funniest person I know.
I am constantly laughing around him.
Almost to a point where I might have an accident.
When I'm sad, Jake is the first one there with an arm
around me telling me everything is going to be ok.

Jessica is amazing!
I think we are twins.

I was just born a little late...okay...maybe 7 years too late.
We dance together.
We laugh together.
We cry together.
I honestly don't know what I would do without her.
She is the most Christ-like person I know.
I love that I am able to call Bethany and Jessica my best friends....eternal best friends.
They are both there for me 24/7.

How did I get so lucky?

Jessica is going to be an incredible mother.

She is so comforting and gives great advice.

When I call her crying...she cries with me.

She'll call me up every once in a while just to say hello and catch up. 

I always try to pick up the second I see "Caca" calling.

I was able to go to New York over the summer to visit them.
Jake left town and so it was just me and Jess.
I can't get over how amazing that trip was.
We cried at the airport as we said goodbye.
It's never fun saying good bye to someone you love so dearly.
Welp...March 2012 is coming up... and I'll be returning to the Big Apple for a week with Jess AND Jake! NYC trip take 2!

So who do I miss??
These guys...