Happy 1st Birthday Ryker!

He wasn't sure about the cupcake at first. He didn't like it on his fingers and I think was hesitant because everyone was staring at him. In the end, he enjoyed it and finished it off.

We got him a helicopter that has lights/sounds/music. He was interested for about 1/2 a day. This boy doesn't really dig toys. He just wants to explore and destroy.

Ryker has been such a fun addition to our family. We have really been able to enjoy him with the other 2 being a little older.

A few things about Ryker:
-loves playing outside
-has 8 teeth
-is very cuddly
-sleeps 8 pm - 6:15 am, 9:30 - 11:30 am, and 2:30 - 4:30 pm
-has no bottle/binki/blankie (i.e. is attached to nothing)
-is easy to take anywhere (except church...he just wants to explore, which we don't allow)
-plays in the toilet if the bathroom door is left open
-loves to have his teeth brushed
-has had 4 hair cuts already
-weighs 23 lbs 40 %
-80% for height (can't remember how tall he is, nice one mom)

Dear Ryker,
I hope you don't feel jipped that we didn't have a big party for your 1st birthday like we did for your siblings. I know you don't care now and we are smarter this 3rd time around. We love you just as much as them and in fact, appreciate you more, you know, since we are smarter and all. Thanks for being my little snuggler and helping me remember that I have the best job on the planet.

Mason - Effort Award

(totally awesome picture with my quality camera) (Mason is bottom second from left)

Mason was awarded the "Effort Award" at school for always doing his best. His teacher said she never has to repeat herself or remind Mason what to do at school. He was excited about the key chain that he got....whatever motivates ya!

Kennedy's Garden Party

We took pictures of the girls as they arrived and they also sat here with K as she opened her present from them. They thought it was so great. You know when you get all excited about the present you picked for your friend and then you don't get recognized at all for the totally awesome present you picked? Well this fixed that problem.

We made really fancy, beautiful fairy wands.

I love this one.

We also painted butterflies, jumped on the trampoline, and played with the parachute.

What a great day for Kennedy.

Happy 5th Birthday Kennedy

Kennedy had a great birthday this year. She started out the morning tying her shoes by herself for the first time. Yipee. (I love it.) It was Centers at her Pre-school and so I went and helped. Miss Joan gave her 5 birthday spankings and Kennedy loved the attention. I made this cupcake flower for her and when I showed it to her she said, "Hmmm. It doesn't look very good." (uhh, ya, thanks) So we added the sprinkles and red hots and she said it was a little better.

She is wearing the princess pj's that Aunt Holly got for her at Disney World. She LOVES them. (She is also wearing her princess panties from Grandma Hatch.)

Kennedy got a new scooter, helmet, and the Princess and the Frog movie.

This little girl is so much fun. She makes me laugh every day and is such a girlie girl. She always wants me to dress up and put on lipstick and will tell me me how pretty I look. She is easy going like her Dad and is really fun to be around. She will sit back and watch and doesn't always have to be the center of attention. She will also make wise cracks, which I love. I enjoy her so much.

(We were getting ready for her "Mother's Day Tea" and as she was looking in the mirror she flipped her hair behind her shoulders and said in a sing songy voice, "I couldn't look any cuter". :)

My 4 year old....riding her bike!

Don took Kennedy's training wheels off, came inside to get me and the camera, and I went out and there she was riding around. No following behind, no pep talks, nothing. I was so proud of her, I think she looks so cute riding around on that tiny bike.

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.

Ryker

I haven't posted many (or any really) updates on Ryker.....

He is doing great. He is 6 months now and is happy, healthy, and very loved. I don't know his weight...haven't been to the doc since 2 months, but he seems very big.

Here is a little video clip from a couple of weeks ago, so about 5 1/2 months. (Please turn down your volume so you don't have to listen to me and my baby talk.)