Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Growing boys...

The boys had an appointment to see the pediatrician for a well-check this week and it always amazes me to see their growth.


Ryder was totally happy in the waiting room playing and saying hi to the nurse every time she opened the door and called someone's name...that is until she called his name and then he started to protest! He was NOT happy to get undressed and get weighed and measured. He was even LESS happy when the doctor examined him and VERY upset when the nurse gave him his shot! Then about a minute after the shot, when he realized he was finished, he went back to happy again. At his 2-year appointment he weighs 25 lbs. 5 oz. and is 33 1/2 inches tall. He is a cute boy with a fun personality. He is putting words into sentences and can even tell you knock, knock jokes. He has favorite songs he loves to sing and dance to. He follows his sisters everywhere and copies everything they do (good and bad)! He truly loves all balls, cars, trucks, sports, airplanes, trains and tools. He has great hand-eye-coordination and a strong pitching arm with pretty accurate aim. He loves to read books and wants to check out his own books when we go to the library. He loves to play outside on the swings and slide or kick the ball or throw rocks (who teaches boys to throw rocks?). He loves to help and be involved, he's great at helping me put laundry in the dryer and getting stuff for Sawyer. Potty training is still a work in progress, but he does pretty good most days. He is an all around great kid and we love him a lot!


Sawyer did awesome with the nurse and doctor and was happy and pleasant throughout the entire process until the second the nurse stuck his leg with the shot. Then he cried until he was picked up and then slept all the way home in the car. At his 4-month appointment he weighs 14 lbs. 3 oz. and is 24 1/4 inches tall. He can hold his head up pretty good and will look around and watch everything going on. He grabs toys (and hair) and boy does he have a strong grip! He can roll from tummy to back and is happy in his swing and bouncy seat for short periods. He can also sit in his bumbo chair. He talks and coos and loves to do patty-cake. He smiles all the time and is starting to laugh. He is a decent sleeper and makes it through the night about half the time and the other half he wakes up between 4am and 6am, but then will go back to sleep after I feed him. He has started to suck on two of his fingers to soothe himself (usually till he falls asleep). We are trying to prevent this habit, however, he doesn't care for the binky and his fingers have a way of going right back in his mouth no matter how many times we pull them out! He has the most kissable chubby cheeks and is well loved by his brother and sisters who all want a turn to hold him. He is a sweet baby and we love him very much!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Happy 8th Birthday Kendyl!

It just doesn't seem possible that our little girl is already 8 years old! She is smart, creative, fun, loves to cook, help out, and play with her brothers and sister. She is a beautiful girl and we love her a lot!


She woke up early yesterday so she could open her presents before going to tennis.


She got clothes and toys and books and games, birthday cards, and birthday money!




Ryder was so excited and kept saying "Happy to You"!


Sawyer was interested and watched all the action going on.


She was most happy about getting new scriptures for her 8th birthday.


After tennis we headed to the new McDonald's by our house. Kendyl has been asking to go there since it opened and when Brityn got invited to a birthday party there yesterday, Kendyl insisted on having lunch there too. The kids had a blast playing in the indoor play area.


Later we planted some flowers that Kendyl picked out and watched the movie "Night at the Museum". For dinner, Kendyl wanted Olive Garden. Her favorite food is spaghetti and the girl can put it away!


At the end of the night, the kids were so worn out Brityn fell asleep on the couch before we even got to the cake and icecream! It was a great day! Happy Birthday my sweet Kendyl! Can't wait for you to get baptized on Saturday!


Kendyl is on the job...

Thursday was take your son or daughter to work day and Kendyl begged and pleaded to go to work with Steve. So after strict instructions on how to behave with professionalism, Steve agreed, with a caveat that if there were any issues, I would come pick her up.


The girls at the office found all kinds of jobs for Kendyl to do and loved having her around to help.


One of them even brought an extra scrub top for her to wear.

Along with filing, typing, answering phones, pushing the x-ray button, and checking charts, she escorted patients to and from treatment rooms.


Luckily Aunt Margaret happened to be on the schedule that day.


On break for lunch at Subway, with Daddy and Aunt Margaret.


She even sat chair-side and suctioned.


Thanks to Dr. Hardy and staff for teaching Kendyl all about what Daddy does during the day. Steve came home and said she had a really good experience and did great all day without any concerns. She has informed him that she will be working there all summer and getting a paycheck. :) The girls at the office think it would be fun and enjoyed having her as well. Kendyl came home excited to tell us everything she did, her favorite thing was typing on the computer. She was completely worn out at the end of the day, but happy.

FHE...

Our kids love family home evening. I'm sure that will change at some point, but for now they get so excited when we say its time for FHE. They are quick to inform us if we have left anything out...we MUST have multiple songs, a prayer, a lesson, some sort of activity, and treats!


Just the mere mention of FHE sends Ryder to the piano to "lead the music". His current repertoire of favorites include "Snowman", "Popcorn", and "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" (he likes it supersonic fast!).

The girls like to take turns planning the lesson and activity. Personally, I think they just like to be "the boss". :)


For treats, we headed over to DQ for some blizzards. This was the first time the kids got a blizzard, and I think they were all in heaven.








And the only reason we got blizzards, was because it was buy one, get one for $.25. You gotta love a deal!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Brityn can...

Tie her own shoes!!!!!


She has been working on learning how to tie her own shoes and after many weeks of practicing she has finally done it all by herself!


Hallelujah! Great job Brityn!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Egg coloring...

The kids were really excited to color easter eggs this weekend.



Every year it seems like there are never enough eggs to go around--they color them so fast and then they're looking for more.


And this year, Ryder colored more eggs than anyone else!


Brityn was a pro this year and was dipping eggs all by herself!



Kendyl made some very pretty ones.



Ryder could hardly contain his excitement! He was standing up and reaching for eggs, putting them in the dye himself, and asking for more!



Sawyer took a little nap during the egg coloring.



Here is Ryder's version of egg coloring...be sure to stick your fingers in to test the dye and make sure your egg is still in there.


Then, before your dad can tell you NO! reach in the cup and get the egg out with your hand.


Put your egg in the tray. And, just for fun, drip some dye on the table and yourself! Luckily there were no major spills and everyone had a good time, except maybe Steve who was only too happy to get through the egg coloring process with Ryder. :)

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Easter...

The easter bunny comes to our house on the Saturday before Easter. He leaves empty baskets outside the kids' doors and a trail of eggs all over the house that leads to the easter baskets.

The girls were scooping up eggs and Ryder was right behind them.


He was so excited each and every time he found an egg. He would yell, "I did it! I am awesome!"



Every egg he picked up got shaken (to make sure there was something inside) and cracked open so he could take the candy out. Then he'd drop both on the floor and go find another egg. :)



The girls got hair stuff, body wash, books, socks, and a few little toys.

Too much candy--I think the easter bunny knows a dentist lives here!

Ryder was hilarious to watch all morning--he loved it!

Sawyer is such a happy boy and even got his own basket with socks, a couple of toys and some new bowls and spoons for when he starts eating cereal. It's hard to believe he is already 3 1/2 months!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Spring Break...

Steve set up the tent in our loft since it is completely empty and let the kids camp out overnight. This is totally my kind of camping...sleep in my own bed, got my own bathroom with a flush toilet...it was wonderful!


The kids loved it and that's what counts.


Kendyl and Brityn had fun and lasted most of the night. Brityn got up and slept in her bed at some point though.


Ryder got to try out his new Lightning McQueen sleeping bag...he only made it for about an hour and then wanted to sleep in his bed. Like I said, my kind of camping.


We decided to head to St. George and took the kids to see the temple. It always amazes me how white this temple is.












On our way back from St. George we stopped at Valley of Fire. We've never been so it was new to all of us.


The scenery is quite stunning with the red rock formations. It wasn't very crowded and the weather was perfect. Spring is definitely the time of year to see Valley of Fire. It probably earns its name during the summer.


This was rainbow rock with all of its pretty colors.
















The kids love taking road trips and it was nice to get away and take a break from the normal routine. Fun times!