Getting the Christmas Tree



This year we got a NORDMAN FIR Christmas tree. You can't tell with it all wrapped up in its mesh, but it is beautiful and we love it.

(As you can see Mason is missing his 2 front teeth. He lost them before Halloween and his adult teeth still had made their way in. He has lost a total of 6 teeth now and he feels so grown up.)

Family Picture
It seems like we never get pictures with all of us in it anymore. I love Kennedy's cute little face.

SANTA 2009
Ryker looks thrilled. I'm sure if he could speak, he would have told us no thanks....not sittin' on his lap, just like Kennedy said. Later in the day Mason told me he knew that that wasn't really Santa, that it was just one of his workers dressed up.

Big Sister



Kennedy is such a good big sister. She is so helpful and loving towards Ryker and he gets excited when she comes in the room.

Yesterday Ryker woke up from his nap while I was cooking dinner so I asked Kennedy to go down and talk to him until I could get him up. Ten minutes later when I got down there she was standing next to him, rubbing his back, and in her sweet voice saying, "Here she comes, momma's almost here." It was really cute.

RYKER-IS-A-MOVIN'



This little guy has been keeping me on my toes for the last month. He is constantly moving and is into everything. He can pull himself up to standing anywhere, and gets himself stuck often. He has fallen off the dishwasher a couple times and down the bottom half of the stairs. He does successfully climb the stairs now, and is pretty fast, but I'm sure he will take a few more spills. He is very determined and will figure out a way to get where he wants.

He has his 4 front teeth now and has had a few haircuts. His diet consists of fruit, vegetables, rice, oatmeal, and he still nurses.

If it can fit into his hand, it goes in his mouth. I check his mouth all day long, and find various things in there.

He is a very good baby and is so much fun for us.

Mason's Fall Festival


Mason had a little "Fall Festival" for us this year. He decorated his room by making a large pilgrim and a turkey out of butcher paper. He set up stations with various activities, like puzzles and games. He made invitations and gave one to the neighbors and we had a great time. Mason asked me to get things to make little turkeys for dessert. So I quickly ran to the store before the festival began.

MOUSE

Last week....
Kennedy: MOM! I just saw a mouse run across the kitchen.
Me: Hmmm, are you sure?
K: YES!

When Don got home I was telling him what she said and she could hear the doubt in my voice and piped up with "AND IT WASN'T A SHADOW!".

Subject dropped.

Yesterday morning....
Don: It wasn't a shadow

bummer....

Parent/Teacher Conference

WARNING: IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ A BRAG SESSION, SKIP THIS POST :)

We had Mason's first parent/teacher conference this morning, and it was wonderful. Mason had a + or an E (exceptional) on every section of his report card AND he has scored VERY TOP in his class for literacy.

I am so grateful to have a smart little boy who strives to do his best and wants to please. I am also grateful to a Grandfather who always said not to start a boy with a summer birthday in school until he is 6.

Mason SHOULD score well because he technically could be in 1st grade. However his teacher did say he also scored very well for a 1st grader and that his penmanship is also great for a first grader.

She also said that he always listens to instructions and follows all directions. This is something that we work really hard on at home so I am glad that it is showing at school.

I know that we made the best decision for him and I hope that we continue to get these great reviews through out coming years.

(A funny little note...I told Mason last night that I was going to his conference today and that his teacher was going to tell me all the bad things that he does at school. He knew that I was teasing and grinned but then got a little nervous and said, "I did get in trouble once in line for talking". Then a little while later he said, "Mom, I did get in trouble one other time for talking over Ms. Perkins. But I didn't get a yellow card."

Don't worry I assured him that I was teasing and that I knew his teacher had wonderful things to tell me.)

Crazy Few Months

We have had the most crazy few months. Here is a short list....

-Grandma Ballard died
-Ryker born
-Fam reunion in Utah
-Renter #1 died
-Renter #2 give notice and move
-clean/paint/clean/paint
-find new renter
-Renter #3 give notice and move
-clean, clean, clean
-find new renter
-Family of renter #1 halfway empties house
-Gut rental and start renovations
-Don's Dad died
-Renter #4 gives notice and moves
-clean/paint/clean/paint
-Find new renter
-Grandpa died
-New bathroom goes in
-New kitchen goes in
-Renter #5 gives notice
-Finish renovations
-Renter moves in

Did you follow that. Ya, I know....CRAZY! We have had 3 family deaths and have had 4 renters move in the last few months and one moving in the next couple of months(hopefully after Christmas).

So not only have I been a busy mother lately, I have been a professional house cleaner, painter, contractor, and slave.

awesome.

Portraits

Kennedy got in trouble the other morning for being disobedient.

Kennedy drew this picture of Don.

She drew this picture of me.

Me: Woooow, Kennedy....I look....a little upset.
K: Ya. I drew you angry because you were angry with me this morning.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

babylicious

Don't you just want to EAT your baby sometimes. Don't tell me you've never had that feeling. Their skin is just so soft, and squishy, and smooth, and buttery, and yummy.

Anyway, this afternoon I knelt down next to Ryker, and with his huge smile, he leaned his big head over to touch his face to mine. ahhhh! I was immediately hungry.

almost 7 months here

CRAPPY day at the eye doctor


So Kennedy's pre-school has people come in and check their hearing, eyes and teeth. They take pictures of their eyes and then if needed, refer you to an optometrist. Her pics came back, and didn't look good, so they told us to take her in. I really didn't think much of it. She seemed to see things just fine. After a few months went by, I decided I would take them both in, just to see....

Mason first. "Your son doesn't have perfect vision, but he won't need glasses at this point. However, he does have serious tissue damage around his optic nerve." WHAT?

The doctor wanted to know what happened to his eye. He gets hurt ALL the time and I don't keep track. I can vaguely remember him hurting his eye and thinking, I'm glad his eye is okay. Short story is that we don't know the extent of the damage yet and will have to watch it. They can do tests later as he get older. Appears that he will just have a very LARGE blind spot.

Kennedy was up next....BLIND. SHE IS ALMOST BLIND. (her scrip is a +6.) I was totally shocked and devastated. I didn't want her to have to get glasses at such a young age. Especially THICK magnifiers. I did have a good Mom moment and I let her pick out the glasses of her choice. She choice the pink/purple ones with butterflies and rhinestones on the sides (not my fav). She is happy as a clam and knows she looks BEAUTIFUL.

Now I have to say that after I cried a little, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I'm so thankful that we found out so young, (she never complained about it...she didn't know any different), and so glad that there is an easy fix!

Here are a couple of pics of the new specs...

Goodbye Summer

So long to riding bikes in flip flops and tank tops, swimming, and fresh summer produce.
Hello jackets, crunchy leaves, caramel apples, costumes, and fun decorations.