Merry Christmas!!

We had a wonderful Christmas.  It is sad it's over.  

 Ryan's mom got a new cricut and made us cards to try it out.

 We went to my parent's for Christmas Eve.  We had a wonderful dinner, program, and presents.  Carson told jokes and Wyatt rode his stick horse.  The annual nativity at my mom and dad's house.

 All the grandkids!  I love how they lined themselves up.

 The older grandkids doing a kickline?? 

 Wyatt and his pals.  You would have no idea he is the oldest. 

 The littlest boys.  They almost look like triplets!  They are wild little men.  Sorry about your decorations, Mom!

 Christmas morning I woke before the kids.   Carson's favorite gifts were his skateboard and football.

 Wyatt hasn't stopped playing his DS and loves getting on his wooden buckin' bull. 

Easton got a vacuum that he loves.  I wish it was real then my house would be really clean!  He also loves his choo choo train.

 The boys also got bean bag chairs.  Wyatt calls it his "yump of coh" (lump of coal).  Good observation buddy!

 All dressed up for church.  Handsome little guys!  I got put in as the primary chorister.  I am very excited and also very nervous too. 

 Wyatt and Easton in their new clothes. 

Merry Christmas!!

Love you, Grandpa!!

(Grandpa Sheldon & Grandma Judy holding Wyatt on his blessing day June 2007)
I am so grateful that I got to spend a lot of time with my grandparents when I was growing up.  Even though I was at their house most of the time because I was in trouble and my mom needed a break from me, I was able to get to know my grandparents and develop a special bond and relationship with them.  My grandpa has been sick for a while and needed emergency surgery only a few weeks ago and wasn't able to recover.  He passed away this past Thursday, December 15.  It has been so hard knowing he was suffering. 

My grandpa was very humble, loving, and very supportive.  He was there for my graduations, marriage, and even visited me in the hospital with all three of the boys.  He never said a cuss word; he would say "son of a gun".  He loved ice cream.  He could fix anything.  He loved the outdoors--hunting and fishing especially.  He would take us on his boat and let us drive his fourwheelers and snowmobiles on his farm, which was so much fun.  I even remember him pulling some of my teeth when I was Carson's age.  I loved playing cards with him and going on the many vacations and camping trips.  Some of my favorites were Disney World, Flaming Gorge, and of course, the church history tour when I drove with them in a motor home clear across the country and back (with Gib, so don't be too jealous). 

He always would join us for Christmas Eve at my parents, which will leave such a void this year and years to come.  I am going to miss him dearly.  He is an amazing example to me.  My grandparent's love for each other was so awesome and if Ryan and I make it 62 years together and love each other the way they loved each other, then we will have it made.  It's times like these that I really hope what we believe is true and we will all be together again.  I love you, Grandpa!  We will miss you so so much! 

(Me, Easton, Grandma, Grandpa, Wyatt, & Carson:  April 2011 stayed in St. George with them on our way to California)

Congratulations Ry Baby!!

After 10 weeks of intense training, Ryan graduated from POST (police academy) on December 15th.  His work put him through LEO training since he is a transportation officer, which requires him to carry a gun and wear a ballistics vest at work.  He received a few battle scars from defensive tactics and being shot at (with Sim rounds), but otherwise survived just fine.

 He got to shoot through 3000 rounds of ammo, drive police cars, test peeps for how drunk they were, perform scenarios, and perform a lot of physical training and defensive tactics.  One such PT workout would include:
200 air squats
200 sit-ups
200 push-ups
20 flights of stairs
and of course running!

 Class #293 (They are in different uniforms because they all work for different agencies across the state.)

 We are so proud of Ryan!!  I really wanted to just run up and kiss him!  The boys think it is so cool seeing him in uniform with his gun.  Oh, they worry me!  (Carson decided to go to school since it was pajama day and he is working on a 100% attendance for the year.  :)  We missed him!)

 Proud parents of the grad!

 Taking oath

Receiving his certification.  Way to go Babe!  You made me proud.  And did I ever tell you how HOT you look in your uniform!  Whoa baby!!  :)

Santa Baby

Our ward had Breakfast with Santa and the boys got to sit on his lap.  Santa goes to church with us, so the boys think that is so cool when they see him.  I remind them frequently that he is always watching and they better be good!

 Easton jumped right up there and wasn't shy one bit.  I was surprised, but he is in a phase where he prefers men.

 Wyatt was so shy and wouldn't talk.

I just wish he would have scared Carson a little into working a bit harder on being good. 

We are very excited for Christmas and this was a super fun morning to get the season started!

A way to a man's heart really is through his stomach...

Carson asked me what was for dinner.  I told him pumpkin waffles with apple cinnamon syrup (thanks to Amber).  His reply...oh I just love you so much Mom! 

Easton @ 18 months!!

My little man is 18 months old!!  He is a wild man, but so much fun. 

He loves to climb, play hide and seek, read books, play with his brothers, "talk" on the phone, and make messes.  Oh and his latest is undecorating our Christmas tree.  He puts on our shoes and tries to walk around the house and hates holding still long enough to get his diaper changed.  He gives the best hugs and kisses.  Easton can feed himself really well.  He loves to eat yogurt, bananas, mac and cheese, cereal, ice cream, cheese, and pancakes.  He LOVES bath time and goes running as soon as he hears the water in the tub come on.

 He doesn't talk very much, but can say mama, daddy, dog, done, and tractor.  I know he understands a lot and can follow directions, we just need to stop giving him what he wants when he just points and grunts.

 Here are Easton's 18 month stats:

Weight:  22lb 5oz (8.5%)

Height:  31 1/4" (20%)

Head Circumference:  19" (64%)

The doctor said his height is slowing down showing he probably won't be super tall.  I was shocked!!  ;)  He put him on some antibiotics because he has been sick for 4 weeks and is stinking ornery!  But, we love our Baby E!! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ryan took the boys to his parent's this year for Thanksgiving.  They had a wonderful time.  Ryan's favorite thing was my pie and salad I made for him to take.  Carson's favorite thing was going to Grandma's house.  Wyatt's favorite thing was eating.  Easton seemed to enjoy tearing Grandma Nita's house apart.  I started out Thanksgiving morning scanning an older gentleman's area, and pretty much spent the next 24 hours at the hospital.  It was crazy busy.  The ER in the morning was filled with injured men from trying to relive their glory days playing in the Turkey Bowl and the evening was filled with people who ate too much and their gallbladder's were flared up.  I found out the next day that I could have gotten free turkey dinner from the hospital but instead, I ate a Charleston Chew that Ryan stuck in my purse that morning.   

We do have many things to be grateful for, most of all for one another.  Happy Thanksgiving!!

Grandparent's Day!

My mom came down to help me out with the boys one day and was able to make it to Grandparent's Day with Carson.  He LOVED having her go to school with him, and I think she had a pretty good time too.  The kids got to interview the grandparents and one question was how am I like my mom/dad.  My mom said that I loved school and did really good in school just like Carson.  I appreciate the plug to make Carson want to continue doing so well in school!  Thanks, Mom for making Carson's day and making him feel special!

Happy Anniversary!!

Ten years ago, I thought I was in love, but really, I didn't know what love was.  I read that "love is a choice to commit to something, someone, no matter what obstacles or temptations stand in the way".  I think it is a lot more than that, but in a world where marriage is so disposable, I am happy to be married to my best friend and share life's ups and downs with Ryan.  He helps me a ton and accepts and loves me for who I am.  Ryan told me he read that ten years is the first major milestone in a marriage.  I feel like we have had a lot of milestones and though life has not been perfect (nor do I expect it to be), I am grateful for where we are now.

Here is a look back:
2001:  Met on a blind date while waterskiing, fell in love, got married 6 months later.
2002:  Decided we loved each other enough to be married not only now but for eternity and got sealed in the Salt Lake Temple November 27th.
2003:  I graduated from Weber State University in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.  Ryan started working for the Utah Department of Corrections. 
2004:  Bought our first home in Saratoga Springs in February and found out two weeks later I was expecting our first son, Carson who would later be born in October.     
2005:  We must have been busy learning how to be parents, because we can't remember anything else from this year!  :)
2006:  Ryan graduated from Weber State Uniniversity in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology.  Yahoo!
2007:  Welcomed Wyatt into our family in March.  We sold our home and moved into our second home in September.
2008:  Spent a lot of time working on our yard and working at work.
2009:  Had a romantical vacation in Cancun that reminded us why we fell in love in the first place.
2010:  Baby Easton was born on May 24.  I officially live with 4 boys!!  Had to buy a van.  :)
2011:  Finished our basement!  Ryan will graduate from POST (police academy) on December 15th!!

Ryan also told me that the gift thing-a-ma-jiggy for ten years is tin or aluminum because it is strong, yet flexible.  I was a bit worried he was going to make me a necklace or something out of aluminum foil.  He surprised me with tickets to Lady Antebellum (Thompson Square & Darius Rucker) and we will be going on Februrary 14th!!  I am so excited!  He did perfect--knowing it would be something for me to look forward to and a date night with him with some dang good music, which I love.

Happy Anniversary, Ry!  I love you!!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was a busy day around our house.  That morning, the boys decided to trade costumes and Carson went as a ninja and Wyatt as a pirate.  I got them ready then I was off to Carson's parade.

 Then helped in his classroom and we played Don't Eat Frank.  The kids LOVED it--they got to eat M&M's for heaven's sake!

 I also got to help in Wyatt's classroom with the fun activities and watch his parade.

 That night, Wyatt decided he was done being a pirate, and wanted to go as a cowboy instead.  Halloween is better than Christmas to this boy who loves costumes!

 And Baby E got to be Superman!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Party!

We had my mom's annual Halloween party.  It was so fun to get together and see all the kids in their cute costumes.  I just realized I was the only adult in this picture.  Awesome!  :) 

We went as the Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Big Bad Wolf.

 Easton did not like being dressed up and Carson was mad he didn't get to choose his costume (which I did give him a choice weeks ago when I started planning for this party). 

 Painting pumpkins was one of our favorites.  I can't even think about throwing them away yet.  I put Easton's hand and foot prints on his pumkin.

 Ryan helped Wyatt, or rather, did it for him. 

Carson did a super good job!