Birthday Boy

Today is Ryan's 2nd birthday. I can't believe that just 2 short years ago this was my baby. The time has gone by so fast. It makes me so sad that he his growing and changing by the day. In some ways though it is good that it went by fast. He was such a naughty baby, well he is still naughty. But he has also brought so much joy into our lives. I could not imagine life with out him. Happy Birthday Bubba!

Just look at him then.

Look at him now. How can you not love that smile.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you all had a fun and safe holiday. Christmas Eve we went over to Steve's parents house for dinner and fun. There was lots of yummy food. I always eat way too much. After dinner we did the Nativity. The kids always love that part of the night. We did a gift exchange with the kids and then the adults played a game with gifts. I think it was the night before Christmas left right game. Anyways it was fun.

All the little girl cousins.

The little boy cousins

Nativity

Every Christmas Eve we all get new pajama's. As you've seen on my flashbacks we try to take a picture with us in our new pj's. It doesn't always work out though.

Santa has just come.

Jakob's stash.

Sara's haul!

A few of Ryan's things

Building Houses

Last night we finally decorated a ginger bread house. We had a fun watching Elf and decorating the house at the same time.

Before

During

After

Steve liked this one because you can see Buddy the Elf in the background.

The day after.

Christmas Parties

This week was full of fun Christmas Parties for us. As you know I have 4 really good friends from college who I still get together with usually once a month. Every Christmas since I think I got married or the year after we have been going to the Olive Garden for dinner to celebrate Christmas together. Then after dinner we go to Natalie's house to have dessert and exchange gifts. It is a fun tradition and I look forward to all year. I love my friends and I'm so blessed to still have them in my life. This year was really special because our friend Jill who moved to Wisconsin 2 years ago was able to be here with us. Our girls nights are just not the same without you Jill.

On Thursday it was my works Christmas party. We went to Bella's restaurant in North Ogden for dinner. It was a lot of fun to be with my co-workers outside of the office. I'm grateful for my job. It is only part time but it is a life saver. Especially when I've had a hard week at home with the kids. It is my sanity!!! As you can tell I don't have a picture, I still have a hard time remembering my camera.

Friday night was our friend party with Steve's friends from High School. We had a blast at Jason and Jeni's that night. Thanks again you guys! It was full of good desserts and fun games. We laughed so much my cheeks were hurting so bad by the end of the night. I have said this before but Steve has some really great friends and I think it is awesome that they have stayed friends for all these years.

Flashback Friday Christmas's Past Part III

Ok so I am a slacker again with the Flash back Friday but here it is again. This time I did it backwards, I meant to go from 2005 - 2007 but I ended up doing 2007 -2005. Oh well you get the idea.

Christmas 2007

This was our Christmas card that year.



Christmas 2006

I was pregnant with Ryan due any day and you can sure tell it in my face. Yuck!



Christmas 2005

Our Christmas card for that year.

Can you tell what Jakob likes!! He sure takes after his dad. I'm afraid Ryan is going to also. He already knows how to say Star Wars and loves to play with light sabers.

Flashback Friday Christmas's Past II

So this isn't really flashback "Friday" since it is Saturday night, but I wanted to continue my post's of our past Christmas's. I didn't get it done yesterday because I had scanned in pictures last week and then when I went to do the post I couldn't find the file the pictures were in on our computer. I had Steve help me find it tonight and of course he looks in one place and finds it right away. Anyways here we go.

Christmas 2002

For some reason we didn't take our family picture in front of the tree but I thought the pictures of Jakob and Sara playing on the new slide were pretty cute.

Christmas 2003

I love Sara's singing pose in this picture.

Again no family pose but a nice shot of all the presents.

Christmas 2004

Picky Eater

I am in need of some motherly advice. My Ryan is the pickiest eater I have ever seen. He won't eat anything other than pizza and ramen noodles. Seriously I'm getting a little worried he's not getting the nutrients that he needs because I can't get him to eat any fruits or vegetables. Jakob and Sara were never like this, they would eat anything I put in front of them. It seems the older he gets the less he eats. I'm growing very tired of my finicky eater. So if any of you have any great ideas or advice I would love all that I can get.

Thanksgiving

This was our year to be with my family for Thanksgiving, so we made the trip up to Idaho to be with the part of my family that is there. We had so much fun with everyone. We had our dinner at my parents church and it turned out really nice. We ate dinner in the Young Women's room and when the kids were done they were able to run around in the gym and be as noisy as they wanted. We also had a TV set up in another room so if they wanted to watch movies they could do that. We did the usual tradition of everyone saying what they are grateful for. The things I am most grateful for is my little family and both mine and Steve's extended families. I'm grateful for the things our parents taught us, especially teaching us the gospel. I love this time of year and I loved spending time with my family who I don't get to see very often.

Everyone

My mom and dad

Jakob and Thomas

Sara and Lydia

Goofy Ryan

Shootin hoops

Allison, Lydia, and Sara