More Birthday Fun

I wanted to do this post to show off my great culinary skills. I am the best cake maker in the world!! Not. For some reason I can not get my cakes to raise. This one looked so pretty when I took it out of the oven and then this happened. Good thing for frosting to hide our mistakes.

I didn't' do anything but frost the cake. It didn't turn out too bad. Just a ton of frosting in the middle.

The reason for a second birthday cake was we celebrated Ryan's birthday again with Steve's family. We did it along with our cute nephew Colby who just turned 6. Ryan keeps talking how we had 2 cakes. One for Ryan and one for Colby.

Happy New Year!!!

We had a fun New Years this year. We had our friends Jeni, Jason and their kids over along with Roger and Becky and their cute baby. We had lots of good food and played games all night long. I was so tired the next day but it was so worth it. We didn't get too many pictures but still had a lot of fun.

Ryan's 3!!!

I can't believe that my baby is 3. I feel like a broken record but really where does the time go. Has it really been 3 years already. It seems like that first 6 months of Ryan's life was never going to end and then all of a sudden he's 3. In the beginning he didn't sleep very well, had multiple poopy diapers a day, and ate constantly. I know it sound like a typical new born but my other 2 were not nearly as difficult as Ryan was and still is. Even with all that we wouldn't trade him for anything. As hard as he is, he brings us so much happiness. There is just something about him that draws people in. Whenever we go out people will come over to him and just start talking to him and comment on how cute he is. He has the best belly laugh I have ever heard. One minute I can be so upset with him and the next second he does something so cute I don't even remember what I was mad at. Ryan's 2 favorite things are his cars and his mother. I don't mind the cars but I sure hope he grows out of being a mamma's boy.

A few days after Christmas we took a trip up to Idaho to see my family and my parents new home. While we were there Ryan turned 3. We had a little party with the cousins up there. It was kind of rushed because we were trying to leave to come back home to beat the snow storm that was headed in. So because of the rush we didn't get a lot of pictures. The ones we did get are sure cute.

It wouldn't be a party without Lightning McQueen!!!

We ate pizza for lunch. One thing I can get Ryan to eat. You'll have to excuse my nieces in these shots. My sister had to work that day and daddy got them ready. He dropped them off for the party so there wasn't a parent there to make sure they were cleaned up for the pictures.

I love this picture of Ryan and Sara. I don't know how we got such a great smile out of Ryan.

If you look at all the kids you will see they are all trying to blow out the candle. So cute! Ryan is blowing through his teeth. Not much air comes out that way. Oh well. They also watched Car's also on Grandpa's new projector.

Christmas Eve and Christmas

Christmas Eve we went to Steve's parent's again. And just like always there was lots of yummy food. I think every time we are over there the only pictures we get are of everyone eating. You'd think that is all we do. Really it is the only time you can get anyone sitting still.

I love this picture of our cute niece Heidi with Ryan.

Jakob, Dallin, and Bryson goofing around.

Every Christmas eve the kids that take piano play us there Christmas recital pieces. This is a picture of everyone while the little concert is going on. Quite funny.

Cute nephews. Waiting to open their presents.

This is the only shot of opening presents. Ryan got a blue McQueen and phone, Jakob got a bionical and transformer, Sara got a mermaid barbie and littlest pet shop. The little kids draw a cousins name and get them a gift. The adults do a $5.00 gift and do the white elephant game.

Steve's mom and dad opening some of their presents.

After all the fun festivities we headed home to open our Christmas pj's. I love doing this with the kids. I just remember wanting to open a present so bad on Christmas eve when I was younger that I told myself I would try and find something for my kids to open. I had heard of people doing the Christmas eve pajamas and I loved the idea. Problem solved.

Christmas morning!!!

Can you tell Jakob loves Lego's?

Sara wanted an American Girl doll so bad this year for Christmas, and she almost didn't get one. Santa thought it was an awful lot of money for a doll. But he gave in. That was the best gift ever. She loves that doll so much. It goes everywhere she does. Church, Idaho, her friends house's. I'm suprised she hasn't asked to take it to school. She already has the doll picked out that she wants for Christmas next year. Oh my.

Yes Ryan is obsessed with the movie Cars. He doesn't watch it as much as he use to. But he sure loves all of the toys that come from it.

Here is his bike all put together. I know he will love it even more when summer comes and he can take it outside.

Christmas Fun

The Saturday before Christmas we went to Temple Square, along with the rest of the state, to see the lights. It was a fun night and as always the grounds were so beautiful. It was the first time we had been there since Jakob was a baby. In the years past when I was in Young Women's I would always go with them and wouldn't make it with our family. Then Ryan was born and well we all know what that did to us. Just kidding.

I loved this shot of the temple that Steve got.

Some time in the beginning of December we wanted to make ginger bread men. We made a house at Thanksgiving but we thought the men would be fun to make and eat too.

Nice teeth Jakob.

The finished product. Sara's is on the left and Jakob's is on the right. This is Jakob's second one. His first one is the one was covered in blue frosting as you can see in the group shot, and in the one of him with the blue teeth. Ryan ate his before we could get a picture of his.

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we were able to spend it with Steve's family. It was a very nice and relaxing day. As always there was lots of good food and great company. My favorite part of the day was listing to Steve and his siblings tell funny stories from their childhoods.

The kiddie table.

Another kiddie table! =)

We always make gingerbread houses on Thanksgiving after dinner.

These guys made this big tower and then smashed it. Boys!

I bought a gingerbread house kit for Jakob and Sara because they always complain about how hard it is to make a house out of graham crackers and frosting. Well this year they kept complaining they wanted to make it out of graham crackers. Go figure. I can't ever win.

Cute Hannah, Leah, and Maria with their house's.