Trouble

Ryan's new nickname is "Trouble." It has gotten progressively worse as he has learned to get around on his own. First the army crawl at age 7 1/2 months. Then he mastered the hands and knees crawl by 10 months, which was quickly followed by the pulling up on everything. Finally, a few weeks before his first birthday he took his first steps. I can only imagine that the trouble will get worse!



June 30, 2011- Ryan was just learning to stand. He always came crawling whenever I would do laundry. The front loading washer is one of the best babysitters I ever bought.

















Washers are cool, but so is the camera. Let me see that...














July 21, 2011- Ryan in the dryer. It is so hard to do laundry sometimes with all of his "help." But he is one of the cutest laundry helpers I have ever had.









July 30, 2011- Ethan was so kind as to share some of his ice cream cone with Ryan.













September 9, 2011- He must have the same talent as his big sister Erin. I can always tell when those two get some chocolate. And usually so proud of it too.







September 18, 2011- Another incriminating chocolate picture. Just a few chocolate chips please...












September 24, 2011- Ryan figures out he can get where he wants to go by pushing the kitchen chairs around on the tile as a walker. Then he doesn't have to stop and crawl the rest of the way if he falls.







Now he has moved on to walking unassisted, and is getting faster and better everyday. Last week he was upstairs with me while my visiting teacher was over. Ryan disappeared from the room for a while. I just assumed he was in the kitchen. Moments later I heard Katelyn yelling from downstairs for Ryan to get away from her toys! He had crawled all the way downstairs by himself. I knew he could come up, but not down. He does it all the time now, usually by sliding on his tummy backwards on the kitchen tile toward the stairs. Then he heads feet first all the way down like Superman in reverse. What a crackup! The entire house is now his domain and he comes and goes as he wishes. (Much to the dislike of his sister Miss K.)

The Painting of the Purple

When we bought our house, Katelyn got the boy Mario room. We promised her a new paint job soon. Soon has come later than sooner, but it is finally finished! She helped to pick out her new purple butterfly bedding and the coordinating wall color. Only two walls were painted purple, and the other two white. Sometimes there can be too much of a good thing. It took two days (thanks to the four coats it took to cover, even with primer), but she is happy. She was excited to help on every coat and is so excited to show it off to everyone that comes over.




Katelyn happily gets things going. She has been patiently waiting a long time for this.














One coat is never enough. It ended up taking 4!















Some of the not-so-happy help.










Finally in the new purple room with her new bedding.












Ryan shouldn't mind for another year or so, right?

Discovery Park

(Click on the picture to make it bigger)

We have been trying to have lots of low-cost or free fun while dad is home to play too. One night we headed over to Discovery Park for a picnic and to play and enjoy the evening. The kids had so much fun. What a great find for adventures close to home!

Sego Lily Carnival

We decided to check out the school carnival this year. It was perfect weather and there was so much to do. There were pony rides, train rides, face painting, hair coloring, sno cones, cotton candy, a dunk tank (Erin and Ethan dunked the principal!), small carnival games and lots of silent auction baskets. Ethan won a 2 liter of orange soda from a ring toss game. Even Ryan had a fun time riding around in the stroller watching all the events.

Back to School

"The days get short, the nights get cool, and all the kids go back to school."

That's exactly how I am feeling. School started. Back then it was still hot and summery. Ethan and Erin took the plunge first. Then a week later it was time for my youngest daughter, Katelyn, to take her first adventures in school too. They are all adjusting to earlier bedtimes and routines that include homework and after school snacks. We are learning to love a new area and a new school all at the same time. The kids are making new friends, and Jeff and I are contributing members to a ward once again. The summer days of play are over. The crisp of fall is in the air again. It is my favorite season. Perhaps I am ready for a break from the summer heat. Maybe it's the changing colors all around. I do enjoy some hot chocolate and a blanket too. So welcome fall! You have been missed.

Here are some traditional back to school pictures from this year.

Erin's first day of 3rd Grade

Ethan's first day of of 6th grade

Katelyn's first day of Kindergarten

The new purple backpack

The oldest three on Katelyn's first day.

Go Roadrunners!

Zoo Fun

** As I attempt to get caught up on my blog, I wanted to start with the newest stuff. It's just more fun that way. Please bear with me...


Last week my sister Heather and I went to the zoo with the kiddos, and Jeff came too since he is on a permanent vacation from his job. It was overcast all morning, with a few scattered raindrops, which kept things cooler. By the time we left it was blazing hot though. The kids loved seeing the elephants and giraffes. We actually went to the Bird Show- a first for us after 10+ years visiting the Hogle Zoo. It was a big hit with the kids and adults. Abram's favorite thing was riding in the stroller. Ryan was so good and even fell asleep on Jeff's shoulder for a little nap after our picnic lunch. And of course we had to ride the train before we left- a number 1 thing on Abram and Katelyn's list.


The traditional "hatching in the egg" picture. I can't believe that they all fit in it! These days are definitely numbered.

The zoo gimmick this time was "Zoorassic Park." There were animatronic dinosaurs scattered about. Most of them were pretty realistic. These are some of the ones we found. Ethan loved it!

And some more fun pics- just because.

After the zoo Heather came over to our house to have dinner and hang out for a while. I caught this cute picture of our boys playing together on the floor. Ryan is older than Jeremiah by three months, but they are already the same size!

Red, White and Blue

This year, we were able to celebrate America's Independence over an entire weekend.

Saturday morning started out with the Freedom Festival's Balloon Fest. Some of this year's favorites included the pink piggy (Katelyn), Darth Vader (Ethan & Dad), Coke Bottle (Erin), and mom liked the fact that they launched this year! It was a longer drive to get there this year, but definitely worth it. We might be sucked in for life now that we actually saw them all take off! After the balloons, we headed over for a pancake breakfast put on by the Sidewalk of Fire Committee.

Later that evening we participated in some neighborhood firework fun. Jeff also added some additional excitement by launching rockets, taffy, and glow sticks with his launcher. The kids had a blast and it was great getting to know some of our new neighbors better.

Monday was the actual 4th of July. We went to the Petersen family BBQ late in the afternoon. Our kids loved running amok with their cousins while the adults conversed. After filling our tummies, we headed over for the 7th annual Sidewalk of Fire. It is the best neighborhood show around. Jeff and I served on the committee again this year. Activities included a street carnival with games, face painting, fish ponds, and eating contests. Then came the rocket and taffy launching. Afterwards was the children's parade. (All this was accompanied by the best DJ SWofF has ever seen!) At dark the real show began. It was more spectacular than ever, partially due to the new Utah law allowing aerial fireworks. Even the rain couldn't dampen our spirits. By the time we got home all tired bodies climbed into bed. It was a great evening!

I didn't get my camera out for the Sidewalk of Fire- Shame on me! Somewhere between 4 kids, the rain, and all the fun I just forgot. But Jeff did manage to catch the girls face painted cheeks with his Ipod. Yea dad!





Katelyn

Erin