Birthday Day

Ryan's birthday was such a fun day!  It started out with presents and muffins:

 Then his buddy Nate came over and we packed up the kids and took them to Jumpin Jamin!  It is a room full of indoor play place.  The kids were in heaven!  The night before, there were 80 mph winds in our area, so when we pulled up to this place, were were told that everything was shut down because there was no power. We went in anyway and pleaded our case - we had driven 30 minutes and it was Ry's birthday - and they let us stay.  There were no lights, but there were also no other people and we got a discount ( big score for mom and dad!).

Once we got home, we quickly got ready for my family and a few friends ( Ryan specifically wanted all boys.  I had to convince him that moms and Grammy could be there to watch Luke). He wanted a superhero party.  They boys were so cute in their capes!

 The Monster Cake!

 The boys had to go through super hero training camp to get their capes.  Here they are saving a car from rolling into the street.

 Uncle Michael and Danny made it possible for the boys to really fly!

Such a fun party!  Once that was over, we hopped in the car to pick up my little brother who returned home from his Mission to the West Indies!!  The perfect way to end a fantastic day!!

Ry Guy is FOUR!

My baby is four.  Man, it has been so wonderful to have him around.  He is my buddy and I love being around him.

 I would describe four year old Ryan as:  enthusiastic, determined, kind and the greatest big brother.

I asked Ryan a few questions about being three.Here are is answers:

1. Favorite thing to do: Go to the park and riding bullseye.

2. Favorite food: macaroni and cheese ( with the power not all the way stirred in)

3. Friends: Audrey, Elena, Karston, Brooklyn, Crew, Nate and Delin

4. What he learned: Letters, numbers and shapes, how to buckle his own seat belt and cut with scissors.

Favorite tv show: Busy town mysteries

Favorite sports: football, baseball

Anniversary Getaway

Brett and I had an anniversary a few months ago.  7 years!  They have been great years, with every year getting better.  I am so grateful to be married to a guy who is so good and kind and such a hard worker.  And he is my best friend.  I  love spending every minute I can with him. 

We got a chance to get away for a quick trip to Santa Monica.  My parents watched the kids(thanks again!) and we had so much fun.  We ate good food, went on a run on the beach, rode rides ( we loved the roller coaster) , went on a bike ride to get more food, and topped it all off with an evening at the temple and cupcakes.  A very fun 24 hours!

A Fireman and His Dog

Halloween 2011

Our cute fireman.  He was SO exited about this costume.  We couldn't get Luke to stay still long enough for a picture!

 The Fire Family.  I love the progession of these pictures!  Luke is not happy that he has a dog hat on!

They love their grandpa!

Fall Fun

What is the plural for more than one pumpkin patch? We visited a few pumpkin patch-i this year? We sure had fun at the pumpkin patches? However you say it - we went - more than once and had fun!

We'll be back next year!

Swagger

Since my siblings are all younger and cooler than me, they told me about this thing called swagger... I think my boys have it. I certainly don't.  They get it from Brett.
(be sure to watch the second one of Ry.  It is hilarious.)

Cornbellies

I stayed in Utah for a few more days with the boys to hang out with my siblings and friends.  We had a great time, but we still didn't get to spend enough time with everyone or see some great friends ( Johnsons and Burdettes and Whitakers and ( I am sure there are more).. next time!!). I took the boys to Cornbellies in Lehi one evening.  What a cute place!  Ther were train rides, mazes, bounce houses, slides, bull rides, and more.  We loved it!

Haircuts

I really loved Luke's mop.  It was part of him. 

 But with impending family pictures, I felt it was time to bite the bullet and get the boys good haircuts ( as opposed to the hack job I usually do). 

 When the hairdresser asked how I wanted it, I replied " short.." with tears in my eyes.  So away went the hair and away went my baby. Now I have a toddler.  A really cute one with spikey hair.  Ry wanted the same cut. They both look really cute with their new do's.

Weekend in Utah

We found out the Brett's brother and family were going to be in Utah last weekend so we decided to join them.  We had such a fun filled weekend hanging out with cousins, aunts and uncles.  It was quite a shock to our system to go from CA ( 90 degrees) to Ut ( 40 degrees).  However we did get to see some beautiful fall colors on our drive around the Alpine loop.  Ryan loved collecting leaves of all different colors.   It was a fun and fast weekend.

Etiwanda Falls

We finally made it up Etiwanda Falls!  We have lived here for almost 4 years and have  begun the Etiwanda Falls hike about 10 times, but have never made it up to the top.  This time, we were deteremined.  We started bright and early with some friends.  We bright a hiking pack and were ready to go.  But after about an hour of hiking and carrying Ryan most of the way, we were about to turn around.  But luckliy we had some encouragement from fellow hikers that we were almost there.  We pushed on and just 20 minutes later, we were there!  It is a great little hike.