Merry Christmas! 2016

What a Christmas this was!  Every year I get SOO excited for Christmas! I literally can barely contain myself.  A little fun fact about Jessica:  Whenever I get super excited, I get a little bit of anxiety.  I can feel my heart start to race and I literally will close my eyes and make this high pitched noise.  Devin calls it my excited squeal.  So I was super squealy the week of Christmas.  The fun thing for me this Christmas was I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting for Christmas from Devin.  He was able to keep it a total secret! Devin wasn’t so lucky.  I was only able to keep one of his gifts a secret.  I have a really hard time keeping secrets from Devin.  In regular situations, that is a good thing.  For Christmas and birthdays, that’s not very cool.. 

Jason, Jessica and Lindsie

Christmas Eve we woke up and Devin and I cooked a really delicious breakfast casserole.  It had ground sausage covered with a cheese, egg and milk mixture, topped with seasoned tater tots.  I really thought it would be kind of greasy from all the cheese, but it was surprisingly pretty healthy looking – and it tasted SO good!  Holy Jingle Bells! It was divine.   Devin’s grandma Shirley came over for a “breakfast for lunch”.  We had crumbly toast and bacon.  Again, divine.  We watched “Singing with Angels”.  It’s an LDS movie about a lady in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Wasn’t as Christmas-y as I would have liked, but it was still a really beautiful, spiritual movie.  Later we went and hung out with my family for a little while. 

Angie, Brandon, Devin and Jessica

Christmas Eve night Devin pulled our mattress off of our bed and moved it into the family room.  We were sleeping by the Christmas tree!  How exciting!! :)  Devin said that once we have kids we won’t be able to sleep out there for fear that Santa wouldn’t come for the children, so why not make it an “us” memory!  He’s just so thoughtful I can’t even stand it.  *heart eyes*

Dev and I were up at 5:15.  Haha, uh..I’m still a little kid at heart and I really was just so excited (and still squealing) over the fact that Christmas was finally here.  I was really trying my hardest to be an adult so I laid back down and tried to go back to bed until at least 6:00.  As soon as it was 6:00, D jumped off the mattress and ran upstairs to see if we got any snow.  Boy did we ever!  Another white Christmas for the books!  He came running down stairs saying it was time to open presents!  It literally took us from 6:00 to 6:26.  TWENTY SIX MINUTES PEOPLE.  UGH. 

This year we were truly blessed to have Christmas on Sunday.  What a special day! Spending the day where we celebrate our Savior’s birth, at church! Ah! My mom-in-law played a beautiful piano solo and it was just so perfect.

When we got home we opened gifts with Devin’s parents.  We had lunch with his family which was also divine.  I seriously just love food.  So freaking much.  It’s becoming a problem.  After we headed on over to my parent’s house.  Again, so much food. 

I was literally so spoiled this Christmas!  I got photo shop, lazy one slippers, water proof speaker, turkey baster, bowls, whisks, make up brushes, an apron, a new tripod, windshield cover, perfume, wireless charger (usb), Yoshi’s Wooley World, a Yoshi Amiibo, clothes..the list goes on!  Devins big present that he got this year is an electric smoker!  I’m so excited for him to start smoking some meats!  He also got a new wooden watch, a Nintendo NES classic, clothes, and I surprised him with a steak brander.  It’s a moose.  Now whenever I want a steak, he can brand a cute little moose into it.  What a blessed Christmas we got to experience this year.

Devin and his smoker

Also, we bought both of our families “Bean Boozled”.  Have you ever freaking played that game?  Google it.  Actually..just click here.  Either way.  GROSS.  Devin and Lindsie got canned dog food one time, and Miga wouldn't even eat it.  She went and hid under the table because her owners were being mean.  Eventually she came out.  With the help of normal human food. :) 

Devin got to open one of his presents a little early this year.  On December 6^th D got a new snowmobile!! It’s a 2007 Polaris and it runs like a champ!  Since it snowed so much on Christmas morning, of course we had to take it out of the shed and take her for a spin.  I got my snowmobile all cleaned up and ready for our next ride.

Sunshine and Night Rider

So in other news..Carrie Fisher died this week.  I was super sad about that.  I just barely got into Star Wars and she dies.  I may or may not have cried..  I loved Princess Leia!  Carrie’s mom, Debbie Reynolds, passed away 1 day later. 

RIP Princess Leia <3

I am so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ.  For the sacrifice that he made for me and for my family.  I feel so blessed to celebrate his birth and to be able to give as he did.  Nothing that I give will ever compare to what he gave me, but I know if I try my best to be as he was, that will be enough. 

Hope that everyone had a great Christmas and that y’all will have a safe and Happy New Year! 

Holidays 2016

Thanksgiving this year we went to Idaho.  How funny huh.  We just move back only to go there for Thanksgiving.  It was really nice to have Thanksgiving with the Jackson side this time.  I haven’t been with them since 2010.  Do you realize that was before I even moved to Mexico?! HOLY TOLEDO.  My parents have gone up, but one of the years we were supposed to go up there D and I were married and just decided to stay home and enjoy the holiday in good ol’ Cache Valley.  We actually went up Thanksgiving day.  Allie and Sean rode with us and we left bright and early.  Ok it was really only like 8 AM but that’s still early considering I wasn’t going to work.  Since my dad’s side of the family is so big, we rented out the civic center in Roberts.  There was plenty of room for everyone to eat.  This year was a little bit different.  Since we weren’t at my grandparents’ house, after we ate, everyone just kind of disappeared.  It wasn’t like Thanksgiving’s past.  We went and chilled at grandma and grandpa’s and watched the Cowboys beat the Redskins.  My aunt and uncle are living with grandma and grandpa while they build a house, so we didn’t sleep there this time.  We got a hotel in Idaho Falls.  We went swimming and then off to bed it was.  We got up at 5:30 the next morning to go BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING!! Man oh man do I love to shop!  The biggest deal that I found was a smoker.  I bought my husband a nice electric smoker for Christmas this year. (Don’t worry.  He already knows about it.) It was on a KILLER deal! He’s been looking at one for a while now, so he decided to finally jump on that wagon and I’m super excited to have him smoke some delicious meals.  Also, my mother decided to dress us.  Do you know how moms dress their girls when the have the opportunity of doing so?  Matching.  We all freaking matched.  Red ugly sweaters that were actually pretty cute. 

We went back to grandma and grandpas to chill then back to the hotel to swim.  The next morning we checked out and then went back to Roberts to watch the Ohio St vs Michigan.  Ohio St won in double overtime.  It was actually a pretty good game.  I fell asleep during the 4^th quarter and woke up to people in the house yelling during overtimes.  After the game we headed on home!

As soon as we got home, Devin helped me put our tree up! We were so tired though, we didn’t get it decorated until the next day.  I love my tree.  Yay for Walmart buys!  We celebrated Devin’s grandmothers and mom’s birthday pretty much right after Thanksgiving.  We went to Texas Roadhouse.  Couple of days later we were supposed to go to the Jazz vs. Warriors game in SLC.  Devin was sooo sick though. L  I felt so bad.  I bought him the lower bowl tickets for our anniversary back in October.  We made it all the way to the train station in Ogden but I finally made him turn around and come home.  He had a fever, sore throat and I just knew that he would be miserable.  My poor love bug! He went home, turned the game on and then fell asleep.   The next weekend, we had a little family party.  I got to see my aunt Shelly and Uncle Jared and their kids.  There is always such good food!  I made my “famous” (all my family loves it!) Loaded Baked Potato Dip. Recipe is below.

We did make it down to Temple Square this year too!  The lights were BEAUTIFUL!! I loved it.  I have a hard time around the holidays trying to enjoy it.  But going to Temple Square just days before Christmas really helped.  When I was little, going and sitting on Santa’s lap, wrapping all these presents and putting reindeer food on the roof of the house on Christmas Eve was what it was all about.  Now that I am older I truly understand the meaning of Christmas.  Going to the temple even to just look at the lights was the perfect way for me to bring Christ into my Christmas. 

Meet Devin

I’ve been contemplating that last couple of days on what to write next.  I’ve written posts about how D and I met, my life in Mexico, how grateful I am for Devin, events that go on in our lives and I’ve even done my first movie review.  Today I think I am going to actually write about Devin.  Let you get to know him a little bit more.

Devin William Fabricius was born March 25, 1991.  He is the youngest of 2 kids.  When he was little he was all boy.  He loved playing outside, playing video games – I can’t even tell you how many times he’s broken a bone.  He had a Springer Spaniel named Brindy and another one named Diamond.  He loved them both so much.  It’s so fun to hear stories about his dogs, since usually stories told are about cattle.  He used to ride his scooter off of jumps, (even jumped over a line of kids from what I’ve been told) loves being on the family farm, and fell in love with snowmobiling at a very young age.  In fact, he just bought a sled!! 2007 Polaris.  He is in love with it.  Originally he didn’t even want to go and look at it.  He asked me what he should do and I said if he has even a tiny bit of interest in it, we can at least go and look at it.  Well… I now am part owner of a new sled lol.  He loves Aggies sports.  (even though he might be a little upset with them right now..)  He graduated in Spring 2015 from Utah State University.  He majored in Business Administration and Marketing.  He was a part of Beta Sigma Gamma. In order to be a part of Beta Sigma Gamma, D had to be in either the top 7% of the junior class, top 10% of the senior class or the top 20% of the Master’s program.  When Devin received this award, he was in the 7% of the junior class. 

Devin LOVES football!! His favorite teams are the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks.  He really likes Denver Broncos too.  He HATES the New England Patriots and Alabama.  Also, he hates anything BYU.  His favorite college teams are USU, Oregon and any underdog.  Really, unless Alabama, Ohio State, New England Patriots and BYU are playing..he’s  pretty open to a good football game.  In 2014, we went to Denver and we were able to tour the Mile High Stadium.  He was in heaven.  We’re planning on going back to watch a game there (least expensive to travel to..) but hopefully we will be able to see many more football arenas. 

D was really into basketball right before he went on his mission.  He LOVED USU basketball.  Back before they started to suck..  He gets into March Madness every year.  He loves watching NBA too.  (When football season is over.)  He likes the Jazz.  He hates the Spurs and Cavaliers.  He used to really like LeBron James..but then he got cocky.  After he got home from his mission is when he really started to get into football. 

When it comes to food – Devin loves to eat.  He hates fish.  He is always saying “if it swims in the sea, it’s not for me!” haha!  He loves his moms lasagna and Cheetos.  One of his favorite soda pops is the Shasta Raspberry Crème.  In the winter, he really loves my loaded baked potato soup.  In the summer, this sweet boy LOVES grilling!! He makes the BEST hamburgers and steaks.  Oh my gosh, nothing can compare.  Believe me, I’ve tried!  Even when it’s not grilling, Devin is a very, very good cook.  I love cooking…but somehow his food is usually better. .  Life with Devin has been incredible.  I learn more about him every single day.  Every time I think about not being married to him, I literally cry.  I can’t image my life without this Cheeto loving, cattle herding, snowmobile riding man!

The Book of Life

With Halloween just ending and November starting, I wanted to write about my favorite movie – The Book of Life.  The Book of Life is based off of the holiday Dia de los Muertos.  In English – Day of the Dead.  As previously written, my family moved to Mexico in July of 2011, and home February 2013.  I have grown to love the Mexican culture.  I love everything about Mexico.  Devin could attest to that.  I love the food, the people, the country – everything! With that being said, I love this holiday.  It is by far my favorite “Mexican” holiday.  

Dia de los Muertos is celebrated vastly throughout Mexico.  Many other countries around the world celebrate their own versions of Day of the Dead by having special days designated to honoring the dead.  I would have to say that Dia de los Muertos is one of the most important holiday’s in the Mexican culture.  Familia means everything to them, making this a very important holiday to remember their ancestry.  

Dia de los Muertos official day is November 2^nd, however many people begin their celebration on October 31st.  This beautiful holiday corresponds with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, which are Catholic holidays.  The reason that they celebrate it on both November 1st and November 2nd is because traditionally they would celebrate children and infants who have passed on the 1st, and adults on the 2nd.  A lot of people will make altars for their loved ones and decorate it with candles (symbolizing life) and make sugar candies to trade and give away. 

ANYWAYS! – now that I have provided a minor history lesson, back to the movie! THE BOOK OF LIFE.  It’s adorable.  The story starts out with La Muerte, who rules the Land of the Remembered, and Xibalba.  He rules the Land of the Forgotten. Xibalba is sick and tired of being the ruler of the people who are forgotten.  He wants to rule the Land of the Remembered.  On the Day of the Dead, Xibalba and La Muerte make a wager to see who will marry Maria – Manolo or Joaquin.  La Muerte puts her money on Manolo, while Xibalba bets on Joaquin.  However, Xibalba cheats and gives Joaquin a medal that will make him invincible.  The Medal of Everlasting Life. 

Manolo is a Sanchez.  His family history is bull fighting.  His father, Carlos, believes that he can be the best bull fighter in the entire Sanchez family.  However, Manolo wants to sing and play his guitar.  Joaquin’s father is the town’s biggest hero.  He has big shoes to fill.

Maria is General Ramiro Posada’s daughter.  She believes in all things right.  When Maria, Manolo y Joaquin were little, she set a herd of pigs free who were about to become bacon.  As a result of this, her father sends her to Spain to become more lady-like.  At her departure, Manolo gives her a gift – Chuy, the baby pig she rescued.  (pronounced chewy) In return, Maria gives Manolo a new guitar, engraved with the phrase, “Always play from the heart”. 

While Manolo is being trained to be a bull fighter (much to his dismay), his father has planned his first public bull fight.  As luck would have it, Maria returned that same day.  Manolo defeats the bull, but does not believe in killing it.  This angers his father, but pleases Maria.   That very same night, Maria’s father is pressuring her to marry Joaquin so that he will remain in the city and keep them safe from Chakal.  Manolo also proposes, but is bitten by a two headed snake that Xibalba sent after him. 

When Manolo goes to the Land of the Remembered, he is greeted by the entire Sanchez family! All bull fighters – along with his mother, Carmen.  Meanwhile, Maria has accepted Joaquin’s proposal after learning about Manolo’s death. 

Manolo and his family travel to La Muerte’s castle, only to find Xibalba.  Manolo and members of his family travel to the Cave of Souls in order to reach La Muerte, who is now in the Land of the Forgetten.  After battling battles that no person has ever won before,  Manolo reaches the Candle Maker.  Candle Maker takes him to La Muerte after seeing that Manolo’s pages in the Book of Life is blank and can be written by Manolo. Here he explains to her that Xibalba cheated.  Since he cheated, she insists that they send him back up to the real world.  Manolo makes a wager with Xibalba.  If Manolo can defeat a giant bull skeleton, (made up of bones from every bull the Sanchez family has killed) he can return to Maria. 

Just before Maria was set to marry Joaquin, Chakal enters the city with this army.  He is on a quest to find the Medal of Everlasting Life.  Since Manolo won the wager, Candle Maker, La Muerte y Xibalba send Manolo to life, along with the Sanchez family to help defeat Chakal. 

The story ends with Maria and Manolo getting married.  Candle Maker also encourages the audience to “write your own story.”

I LOVE THIS MOVIE!! Seriously – everyone needs to see this.  Even if you don’t believe in Dia de los Muertos, this is a must see— By far my most favorite movie in the entire world.  I would absolutely recommend it to anyone. 

***to see the trailer of this movie, click here!

La Muerte

La Muerte y Xibalba

Sanchez Family

October 2016

So the beginning of October, we took our annual Jackson trip with Devs family.  October 8^th (Friday) I didn’t go to work.  I stayed home to clean the house a little bit and finish packing.  We left at about 12 o’clock.  We drove out to Star Valley  -- we had tickets to go through the open house for the new Star Valley Temple.  It. Was. Beautiful.  Santa vaca! I couldn’t even believe how pretty it was on the inside.  The pictures, the chandeliers (made to look like wagon wheels) the sealing room, everything was gorgeous!! I couldn’t even believe it. 

After we left Star Valley we finished the trip to Jackson.  We got there just in time to go for our first ride to look for animals.  That night we saw a bull moose and a cow moose on the Moose-Wilson road.  Then we saw 2 more cows and a bull along the Gros Ventre River.  They are such beautiful animals.  – this trip I felt like I didn’t get as many pictures as I wanted because we were driving to different places.  We went to our hotel and checked in for the night.

Saturday we got up bright and early and made it to the Gros Ventre campground before the sun came up.  There were a bunch of moose! We drove around all day. So there really isn’t a whole lot to write about.  It was just like every other trip.  The difference this time though, was we saw quite a bit more elk.  Normally we see cow elk, but not a lot of bull elk.  Saturday we saw 3! They are just as pretty as moose in my opinion.  Total Saturday we saw: 3 bull moose. 6 cow moose. 3 bull elk. Multiple cow elk.  One of the bull elk that we saw was inside the Teton National Park loop.  You could tell he was a little bit beat up and that he was on the move fast.  He had a patch of skin that was pulled off.  But he was big!

Sunday we did a quick animal run.  We saw 2 bull moose, 2 cow moose, and 2 bull elk.  Sundays are hard.  We’re always soo excited to go to Jackson and then before you know it we’re back home getting ready to go to work again.  It was still really enjoyable and I’m glad that we were able to spend that time with Devin’s Family. 

D and I celebrated 3 years on the 18th!! WOW!! I can't believe I have been with him for this long.  I just absolutely love and adore him to pieces.  He took me to Chili's for dinner - he enjoyed their skillet mashed potatoes, steak and broccoli.  I had their Caribbean salad.  Both were delish.  After we enjoyed the Salted Carmel Lava Cake.  OH. MY GOSH.  If you want to taste a piece of heaven, I suggest going to Chilies RIGHT NOW and ordering that.  It is divine.  After he took me home were we watched our Tuesday night shows.  NCIS and Bull.  What a lovely day!

The rest of our October has been pretty normal.  We took family pictures with my family on the 15^th.  That is always a pleasant experience.. haha.  Our freedom from cows is about over.  They’ll be coming home from Dry Lake soon.  Friday the 28^th we preg checked them.  (make sure they got pregnant)  that was wet and cold.  We were lucky enough to have it rain almost the entire time we were there! Haha lucky us huh — Later that night I went to a Halloween party with my parents ward.  Got to see my cute niece and nephew! Oh my goodness I just love them so much it’s not even funny.  Saturday the 29^th we had a party with Devin’s cousins.  We carved pumpkins, ate chili and played Telestrations. On Halloween my mom put together a trunk or treat at the Wellsville Dam.  Everyone that came donated a dollar to support Tyler and Jenna Willets.  They were in a big accident in the middle of September.  If you haven’t read that story, you can find it here.
  
Devin decided he wanted to go as a farmer – which means he brought the tractor as our car.  He made a best friend that night.  We met a little autistic boy who we will call “C” for privacy.  He absolutely loved the tractor.  Devin let him sit in the buddy seat and C had a blast.  C went trick or treating around the parking lot and then came and sat with me in the bucket for the remainder of the time. 

I can’t believe how fast the time is flying! Pretty soon we will be in 2017.  Looking forward to making November and December great.

September 2016

Earlier this month Allie and Sean got married – Derik, Devin, and I went to Jackson.  I already wrote about those events.  Not a lot has really happened.  I did mention that D and I got church callings.  Now that we’ve been sustained, I can write about it.  Devin got asked to teach in Elders Quorum.  He teaches every 2^nd Sunday of the month.  I was blessed with the opportunity of receiving two callings.  First, I am a nursery leader.  Second, I am the sports director for the Young Women’s.  I adore both callings.  Everyone knows that I can’t wait to be a mom, so I guess nursery is the next best thing.  I love watching these cute little kids grow closer to our Heavenly Father each and every Sunday.  Their personalities are so different, they grow up so differently, yet when you bring them to nursery all have one thing in common.  They love Jesus.  The example that each of those kids sets for me, just amazes me.  They are just darling!  Working with the young women however, is a little easier at times.  We are in volleyball season right now.  It has been fun to teach these girls about the sport that I loved to play in high school.  People will always have an opinion about me when it comes to volleyball.  When I was in high school we had a situation happen that made me decide to quit the team.  Some people would consider me a quitter.  But in reality, it depends on how you look at the situation that happened.  Anyways, that’s a whole different story.  It is fun to see these girls go out and have a good time.  They’re not there to necessarily win.  They are there to have fun.  They are doing a marvelous job at that!

Last Tuesday (September 27^th ) I went to a podiatrist.  Dr. Andrew Burgon in Providence is the best.  Just in case anyone was wondering.  Back in July, I got stepped on by a calf. My toenail hasn’t grown since.  As a girl I can tell that it hasn’t grown because all my other toes have a nail polish grow out line.  That toe did not.  After going to Dr. Burgon (he was the second doctor that I’ve been to for my toe) he gave me two suggestions.  He told me that since my matrix was damaged I could either: let my toe nail fall of naturally and let it continue to hurt – or – he could remove it for me right then.  WHAT?! I’ve never had a toe nail removed.  Dev was with me and he recommended that since it was already dead to have him just pull it.  I’d be out of pain in 1-2 weeks instead of 5-6 months.  Boy was I glad he was there! Haha he held my hand while the doc gave me two shots in my toe.  He had this cold thing that he would spray right before giving me the shot.  So really, I didn’t even feel the shots.  Devin held my hand too while they tore the nail off.  I get queasy even thinking about it.  I’m glad that he was there so that I wouldn’t throw up haha.  Dr. Burgon was a little bit surprised that I didn’t have a new toe nail growing underneath.  It’s possible that I won’t get a new nail. (great!)  It’s healing pretty quickly though.  Parts of it have calloused so hopefully here soon it will be just skin and it’ll be like it never happened.  I don’t have the pain that I used to have from when I got stepped on.  Just the pain from my nail being taken off.  So that’s a refreshing feeling. 

Fall 2016

I love fall.  It is by far my favorite season.  I especially love when the colors in the trees start to change.  It’s not even just the trees, I love when the foliage turns color.  September 09-10, we went to the Uinta Mountains.  We tagged along with Devs family. We stayed in Evanston WY.   When we got there, we decided that we were going to go and swim while Jedd and LaDawn went to Walmart to grab a couple of snacks.  Me, being the girl that I am, (with long hair) didn’t want to get my hair wet.. I would just have to wash it, and it takes way to freaking long.  So I decided I was going to get in the hot tub.  Dev and Derik got in the pool and by the way that they were acting and the sounds coming out of their mouths, it was not a warm pool.  Since I get so cold anyways, I am so glad I didn’t get it in!  When we went back up to the hotel room (we had 2 rooms that were conjoined), Derik put his swim trunks on top of the shelf in the bathroom and when he pulled them down, a condom wrapper fell down...**insert embarrassed emoji** Gratefully it was JUST the wrapper! I was laughing so hard, which made it even funnier because the situation really wasn’t that funny... -- The next morning we got up and went to go and look for..guess what? MOOSE! Haha what else would I be waking up so early for? We’re driving and driving looking for moose, we had to turn around to make a couple of pit stops.  When we were heading back into the park, a BULL moose was running through the field right by the ranger station.  We finished taking pictures of him, we kept on driving.  We decided to turn around cause we wanted to go get a pop when a cow moose ran right in front of us! She was HUGE!! After we finished driving through the mountains, we went to go check on the bull moose.  Since we knew he had bedded down for the day, we knew he’d be there again.  Well guess what.. haha we found 2 more moose with him! One was a little bull with cute little antlers.  It was so cute.  After we finished taking pictures of them we decided to head on home.  On our way home, we got right in the middle of the biggest sheep herd I have ever seen.  HOLY COW! –well I guess, HOLY SHEEP!

Back to fall.  I really love when the leaves are turning color.  September 21^st (first day of fall..) Derik, Devin and I took a trip up to Tony’s Grove.  It was gorgeous! Red is my favorite color of tree and the canyon did not disappoint! The biggest storm of the year decided to hit, right after we got home.  I was so afraid that it was going to knock down all the leaves!  September 24^th we took a ride back up there with Devins grandparents and his mom.  Surprisingly, it was just as beautiful.  Except we had a little extra surprise.  SNOW! Ugh. Do not get me started with snow.  D and I went to Walmart before the drive and THEY HAD CHRISTMAS STUFF UP!!!! How am I supposed to enjoy Thanksgiving, when I get so excited about Christmas?! I am not happy.  Oh well.  I’m going to make myself enjoy Thanksgiving, my family, and the beauty of fall.

**enjoy some pictures**