Spooktakular!!

We had a tri-ward activity called "Spooktakular". It was so much fun! There was a chili and cornbread cook off, a carnival and "trunk-or-treating". Rylee loved going fishing for candy and walking around the numbers for the cake walk. Trunk-or-treating is where you decorate the trunk of your car and the kids go treat-or-treating trunk to trunk. Everyone was dressed up and there were some creative costumes!As you can see, I attempted dressing Brody as a firefighter, yet he hated the hat and was sweating to death in the jacket.As for Rylee, she was Tinkerbell! She loved putting on make-up and getting into her costume. After every piece of candy she got, she would pull it out and say, "LOOK! Candy!".This made for a long trunk-or-treating experience.We had a blast, and we sure missed you Jon!

Family Home Evening

So as you know we have been commanded to have family home evening once a week every week. Since we have been married, I have been bad about doing it, but this month we have been consistant. It can only strengthen the home and family as the world crumbles around us. This is my first Rylee-ism:

Me: Rylee, go tell Daddy we are ready for Family Home Evening.

Rylee: (Yelling voice) Daddy, ready for Family Home Depot!!!!

Today she had spent a considerable amout of time with Jon at Home Depot getting wood to FINALLY finish our pull out drawers in our entertainment unit. Jon you did a FABULOSO job!!

5 year Anniversary

Happy Anniversary Lover!! Can you believe it, 5 years of marriage under our belts? Then again it actually has been 14 years. We have almost known each other half our lives. I look forward to many more celebrations with you!

5 reasons why I love you:
1. You are my best friend.
2. You love our children and me.
3. You love to learn and workout hard.
4. You can cook, and you do so when I don't feel like it.
5. You can fix or build anything.

We decided to take a little weekend get-a-way to North Lake Tahoe. This is where we celebrated our 1st year anniversary. It's one of our favorite places to be because of the beautiful fall colors and chilly weather. Those aspen trees are spectacular! Love the bright reds and yellows this time of season.Driving up with just the two of us in the car was a nice trip down memory lane. We had many laughs along the way. We checked into the hotel, ate at a little mexican place and then saw a movie. The cold air at the beach was a nice cool down after the movie. I'm so glad I married my best friend, so we can have talks like we did...and do. The next day Jon decided to test out our communication skills with one another. Family, you guessed it...we rented a tandem bicycle. This is the true test in all relationships. Let's just say, I wasn't allowed much time in the driver's seat, thanks to the back seat driver. Hey, what's wrong with going fast and getting a little silly?This is Jon taking a picture of us as we are pedalling.After doing some balancing tricks on the tandem (what can I say, I'm a gymnast at heart), we stopped off along the way to enjoy the scenery and watch a fly fisherman.Our legs were quite fatigued afterwards. Not a bad workout, thanks to those hills! That evening after dinner it was on: Kimbo Slice (MMA Fighter) vs. Crush (MMA Fighter/American Gladiator) at...bowling and air hockey!!! After a few strikes, spares and a little left handed air hockey...Kimbo Slice walked away with the title. I can admit I was a little "crushed".The last day we were in Tahoe we just went for a walk and talked. It's amazing how much you can miss your little ones when they are away from you and how they just seem to always pop up in most of our conversations. Then again, what park doesn't remind us of them? After a back tuck dismount we headed out to the rocky beach to take a few photos. Though they are redundent, I really want you to look at the cloud formations because they are very whimsical.I wouldn't want to spend this life or the next without you. I love you...Lover.

Addie Visits

Aly went to a photography convention and we had the privilege of watching Addie for a couple days. We went shopping, ate at BJ's, played outside, and...of course, with girls you can't forget dressup!!! Too cute Addie!!!Sad face...but we loved the beads and the Ariel nightgown!!!! Thanks Oma, all too generous as usual! Man how boys grow faster than girls!!! They cycle through clothes so quickly!

Apple Hill & the American River

Well, it's FALL! The best season of the year!!! We decided to take a trip up to Apple Hill. We stopped off at High Hill Ranch to start. It was rainy and cold but it felt, OH SO GOOD! Utah is my favorite place for the fall season. Provo Canyon and Aspen Grove are just gorgeous at this time of year with all the changing colors. It truly is picturesque. I'd love to go there just to see the beauty.

In Apple Hill we started with a short pony ride. When I say short, I mean short. Rylee got on, we took a picture, the pony took one step and she wanted off. Thats ok. Maybe next time.We then ventured over to the train for a little ride around a pond. This train ride sure turned her frown upside down.Waiting for the train ride.After some goodies at Apple Hill we decided to take the scenic route back home and stop off at the American River to let them run and throw rocks in the river.They really do love each other.Jon having fun with his timer and using the stroller as a tripod. Ingenious!LOVE those sweet hugs, or should I say "anaconda squeezes"!Sweet boy.

So sweet!

Sometimes I forget to blog specifically something about Brody. Rylee seems to so easily steal the spot light. Brody, I want you to know that you are right there with us every step of the way. You go everywhere with us. We are so proud of all the leaps and bounds you have made over these past 7.5 months!Thanks for being so smiley and easy going. When things seem to get overwhelming we just look at you and you give us the smile of "everything will be ok". Thanks for being you. We love you so much!

Almost a sleep over...

Sarah had me watch her two kids Ava and Aiden while she took a long time friend to dinner. These kids had a great time! We played out in the front for a while and then moved inside. We camped out on our family room floor with popcorn and the movie "Cars"! Then the lights went down and I turned on some sweet lullablies to lull them to sleep. As you can see it worked. Sweet babies sleeping.Yes, that is Rylee's hand on Aiden's bottom.

Jon's New Toy

Thanks to Costco. Boy do they just suck you in. You really go there with the intent for buying food but, since that's in the back you have to see all the fun stuff first...like long boards. This has been Jon's best friend lately. One day on a whim, Jon asked me to tow him up a steep hill in our neighborhood. I willingly jumped into the drivers seat with Brody on my lap and proceeded to tow Jon around and up the hill. Jon did great!!! No spills, but maybe next time you could wear a helmet, and I guess we could stick Brody in his car seat. I admit, I have had my fun on it too!! I guess we are kids at heart!Rylee loves it too!

Sac Metro Fire Association BBQ

This BBQ is always on A-shift so Jon's crew all decided to take the day off and attend. It was a lot of fun to be out with enjoyable people.Thanks for the laughs Jeff. This is my favorite face of Jon's, because it fully reflects how he is feeling inside.Rylee is dancing......to the Sac Metro BAND! That's right a couple firefighters formed a band. They are actually really good.Brody is right there in the mix just loving to watch Rylee run. I can tell he is really anxious to walk and run. He wants to go, go, go!Rylee made new friends with Paige and Hunter, Happiness and John's children. They were on fire from the hot bounce house! Congrats on the new baby and thanks for the chat Happiness!

The Hair Cut

One day after getting my hair cut I decided it was time, time for Rylee to have her FIRST hair cut ever!We went home and I gave her a plate of snacks in front of the mirror and I proceeded to cut and cut and cut her hair. I'm pretty proud of myself and so is she.She likes to stand in front of the mirror and boof the sides of her hair and twirl her outfits, especially on Sundays because she is always in a dress!