Merry Christmas!

Our Crazy Fun Christmas!
I cant believe our Christmas is OVER!!! As I was putting decorations away yesterday I was sooo sad.. Plus, my house looked SO boring and plain! We had a great Christmas!!
We started Christmas Eve by going to Grandparents house in Diamond Valley, and to me Christmas doesnt start until I am here.. HOME!.. We had dinner, and then opened gifts! Rydge got sooo spoiled! He got a little Kawasaki 4-wheeler.. that he pretty much LOVED! And really has lived on that thing since Christmas Eve. Brent and I also got spoiled, I got scarves and fun girly things, and Brent got pants, and tools..

He is our Stunt Man... Uh..Oh!



MERRY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Rydge had a blast playing in all the paper and boxes. We had the best Christmas Eve, Christmas time is SO much fun when you have kids. I was itching (sorta) to get home so we could do SANTA and have some "Mommy Daddy" time!

Rydge passed out on our way home. We tucked him into bed, I cleaned up the living room a bit... ate my milk and cookies, Brent helped... Put out ALL our santa stuff!!! Both my boys got pretty spoiled, and off to bed we went! Well, I didnt sleep at all because I get to excited! I have ALWAYS been that way! So I read alot of my Christmas short stories. Rydge woke us up about 730ish... and we RAN into the living room!!! And if I do say so myself. We did good with Santa this year!

I tried putting him in the middle of all his gifts! He wouldnt stay in one place to long!

 Rydge had opened ALL his gifts, and he got so many trucks its crazy.. Brent and I have decided once Spring hits were building a sand box! Rydge got some cute Clothes, books, an awesome rocking horse that turns into a desk and a high chair. It is literally the coolest thing ever.. between that, the wheeler, and the tunnel tent he is pretty occupied!

This is the coolest thing, and he runs in and out of it all the time! It will be fun to take out side and play with once its nice outside!

Brent got some animal stretchers for skinning (that is his new hobby??) Clothes, CD's. I got soem clothes..which the hubster did amazing with, You've got mail, a Glee Cd, a new Camera!! Wahoo!! We also got tons of goodies from neighbors and friends (Thank You)! I now cant fit into my pants ;)!!

I Love getting Christmas cards, and we recieved lots!! When I took down my Christmas Decor I didnt want to throw those away so they are on my fridge!! I hate when people go to so much work on Christmas cards, and you chuck them right after Chrsitmas! Why not enjoy them a while!

I also got the oppurtunity to do the 12 days of Christmas. Which rocked, and I loved it!! I have decided its going to be a yearly thing! I love giving, and feeling that excitment when the people open the door to a surprise on their door step! And the smiles on their faces are priceless! I didnt really know what I was doing but I will get better with each year.

 Christmas afternoon we headed over to Brents parents house to see what the kids got, and enjoyed some delic lunch! We stopped by my dads and opened a few gifts there.. he of COURSE gave Rydge a toy guitar! :). Finally ended up home, and just enjoyed each other and our little family!!!

I hope you ALL had a Very Merry Christmas! And everyone is getting ready for a great New Years.. Bring on 2012! Let the adventures begin!

Live Nativity.

Thursday Rydge and I went to Tuachan with my Grandparents and watched the Live Nativiry. It was awesome, and for some odd reason I always get choked up!! They do such a great job. and by the way it was FREEZING!!!! We had blankets. rydge was bundled up it was so cute!! We had to go the last night.. And because we waited the wind was crazy..which made it even colder! I was a little bummbed because I wanted to get hot chocolate, look at the lights, and let Rydge see Santa.But it was great just listening to what Christmas really is about. Its funny how we all get wrapped up in the Presents, and the Santa...when its about giving, and jesus and all he has done for us. Anyway I love the Live Nativity and next year I wont wait till the last day to go. Ha!!

A little Rydgey!

He fell asleep like this.. Looks uncomfortable!!!

He is SOOOO his daddys boy!

I LOVE this face!

I found him on the bed like this, remote in hand, kickin back!!!

One minute he is shoveling food in his mouth, and then BAM he is out!

Had to share a few little pictures with you!!! He is SO darn cute!!! I feel like I havent blogged in FOREVER.. :( I guess that is what happens when your computer is off in La La land and not working!! Thank goodness my Grandma loves me and lets me over load her computer with pictures so I can Blog!!

A night full of AWESOMENESS..

Thursday night the girls and I got together for  our annual one month dinner... ok, we've slacked so we finally started up again! LaVonne, Carrie and Lilly, Karalee and I all had dinner at the Pizza Factory and then all of us but LaVonne went to see the Temple and all the beautiful lights, and Nativity set.

Rydge LOVED it!! we decided to walk around the whole temple and enjoy the peacefulness. Rydge walked the whole way around.. he enjoyed himself more than we did I think!!! He was a trooper, It was great to get together with the girls and visit, catch up on our busy lives!!! I love how even when we dont see or speak to each other ALL the time, that when we do get together it feels like no time has passed, we act like weve just seen each other!!

Great friends are so hard to come by, and I LOVE mine!!! Cant wait to see them again in Jan!

A Christmas Party.

Rydgey boy LOVED santa!!! I was SOOO stinking surprise when I set him on Santas (Grandpa Stratton) lap that he just hung out.. looked at his present, and everyone around him! No tears, No screams! It was GREAT!!! Im hoping he likes the santa at Tuachan just as well!!!

Last night Rydge and I went to my Mother in Laws Christmas party. We had a great time, we played games, had santa ate lots of goodies, and food. Vistied with everyone.. Rydge absolutly loved playing with his cousins that we dont get to see all the time! This boy ZONKED out on the way home. It was a fun night, and got me more in the spirit of Christmas!! I Love this time of year, and families coming together!

Its Begining to look...

                                               ALOT LIKE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

This is our cute little CHARLIE BROWN tree!!! Literally, There is holes everywhere.. and I am taller than the tree!!! BUT, it is the perfect tree for us!!! And our living room loves it because its not over powering our LR like it did last year!! I think when you like the "real" thing.. you cant be TO picky!!! But, We are OFFICIALLY ready for CHRISTMAS!!!!!

WAHOO!!!!! I Love Christmas!!! 

12 Days Song History Lesson

Ok.. So I was at my Grandmas house typing up Christmas tags and my 12 days of Christmas.. When she pulled out this cute little story about The 12 days of Christmas song!! So I HAD to share it with you..

This is one Christmas carol that is always singing

What in the world do Leaping Lords, French hens, Swimming swans, and especially the Partridge who won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

Here is a History lesson:

From 1558 until 1929, Roman Catholics in England were

Not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has 2 levels of meaning: the surface meaning

plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the old and new testiments

-Three french hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The five golden rings recalled the torah or law, the first five books of the old testimant.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit – Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit– Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

So there is your history for tonight.

Dec 2nd.

DECEMBER 2!!!!

Let the Festivities begin!!! 

Today Rydge and I went to town to play!! I left Rydge with my mom while I did some Christmas shopping, Met up with a couple friends at the Dickens Festival, LOVE it!!! I did buy myself some earnings that my hubby is giving me for Christmas :)! And a cute little Birthday gift for my sister! Went to lunch, then headed back over to my moms were Whit, my Mom, Rydge and I decorated her house for Christmas, 

Take one....

Take Two... HA

and made Sugar Cookies!!! YUMMY!!!!! It was a fun day!!! I cant wait to get my mom a TREE! Woot.. Woot!!! 

UGH! and just a little side note of frustration! Went to the dollar store today, spent over 20 bucks, got home to only one bag of my things.. I had the receipt of everything I paid for, and I am missing half my items? CALLED the store, asked if someone left a bag there, the girl said no (she was kinds bratty) and so.. some where from the dollar store to my car I lost a bag?? did it hop right out of my trunk?? WTH do I do now..20 bucks is wasted :(... I am SOOOO irritated! So a little note, CHECK everything before you leave the dang store!

ALL things Rydge!

MY BOY IS ONE!

I cant believe A year ago at this very moment Brent and I were coming home from the Hospital with our baby boy. Its so crazy to think how much has changed in a year! How much Rydge has learned, and how much he has changed Brent and I. It really does go by sooo fast! And I cant believe I am sitting here writting about my 1 year old! SHESH!

11.25.10

 He doesnt even look like the same little baby!!! He looks like a little BOY! haha...

11.26.11

Rydgey.....

is 31.5 in TALL and weighs 20 pounds even! Healthy as can be! He eats everything and anything! He loves yogurt, twinkies, apple juice, he eats all fruits and veggies, even TOMATOES! (Yuck).. He is NOT a picky eater. He would rather eat what Brent and I are eating than his baby foods.. So, I try to feed him what I am eating.. which I never know when he is exactly full.. I swear he eats twice as much as brent and I! ;). 

Loves to be outside, he cry's when I bring him in. He is SO stinking smart! and catched onto things so fast. I love watchin him learn new things. He says mom and dad, I swear when he says ma it means grandma.. he can say hot, and dog. he says oh! which is soo funny, hell drop something and look at me, and say oh. and pick it up. He runs everywhere.. lol. Its like a little trot! its the cutest thing ever! I love when he points at things that he wants, and hell shrug his shoulder like come on already... Give it to me. 

He is a little whinny when he doesnt get his way! Brent is not a big fan of that!!! He is stubborn, If something doesnt go his way, he crys or gets frustrated. He makes the cutest little faces ever! He goes to anyone and everyone. He will let anyone hold him, he is soooo laid back! He sleeps through the night, YAY, he still takes 1-2 naps a day!

We are down to REAL WHOLE MILK instead of formula.. I am only giving him a bottle in the mornings and at nights, Im trying to take the morning bottle away! He loves to be read too, which I absolutely love! It puts a smile on my face when he drags out a book and sets on your lap. He is for sure a daddy's boy, he has to be doing what dad is doing. Even when he is overly helpful.

He still has 4 teeth on the top, and 2 on the bottom. He is spunky, I can see alot of Brent in him, but I can also see myself in him. He is always smiling (which he gets from me!) and he is SUCH a little lover boy! He loves to give hugs, cuddles, kisses. It makes my day. If im having a bad day, or flustered he will randomly come give me loves. The best is when he backs into you to sit on your lap just to sit for a while.

He likes to dance! he does the cutest little dance moves! Watching him climb down from the couch, or the bed or even a little box is the funniest thing ever!!! He will turn around and just start scootin, until his feet are dangling then hell change his mind and climb back on the bed! 

He knows what he wants and he wants it THEN! 

He likes to stick his tongue out all the time!! 

Ah...

He is THE. CUTEST. BOY. EVER. and I am so lucky to have him in my life!! Love you Boogie!!! I cant wait to see what this next year brings, and the learning and changing he will do! And I am lucky enough to be able to stay home and enjoy all of it! 

Just a few little pictures to show how much Rydge has changed in the last year....

Happy FIRST year!!

Thanksgiving.

This Clan had the BEST Thanksgiving ever!!! The whole weekend was full of fun, family, and FIRSTS! First, we had Thanksgiving.. Boogies first Thanksgiving, then my sister came from San Fran to visit for a few days, Rydgeys BIRTHDAY was on Thanksgiving this year!, AND we had a birthday party. It was sad for Monday to roll around and have to be done with the awesome weekend holiday we had :(.. My sister left, Brent had to go back to work, Rydge and I had a house full of boring to ourselves! Anyway...This post may be long!!! )

Happy Thanksgiving!!! 

And HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!

We had to set up 2 tables this year for all of us... I only could get a good picture of the first table!

Rydgey opening up his presents!

Great Grandma made him this blanket.. HE LOVES IT!!! It is soo soft and cuddly!

His first BIRTHDAY MONEY!!!!

..of COURSE we had to sing him Happy BIrthday!! :)

We had a great Thanksgiving.. I was literally in a turkey/ pie coma! My mom and Alan came up, along with Alans son, Cassie and his girlfriend Paige, and my sister Whit! My Uncle Lymans clan was there and Monicas Dad joined us as well! My Aunt Elva was there.. and my sister Alisha flew in about 4! So she came and visited, had some left over Thanksgiving dinner.. and Rydge, Brent and I ate a few more pieces of pie! (Why I didnt get a family picture of the 3 of us is beyond me.. I guess I wasnt paying much attention.) And Rydge had a great FIRST birthday, lots of gifts from loving fam!! 

Friday, Alisha and I went Black Friday shopping! And luckily we got everything on our list!!! It was awesome! No line waiting, in and out... I think we missed most of the crowds! At Kohls we had to wait for a few minutes in a line, but it went pretty fast. Got half my Christmas shopping done! And my Grandparents watched Rydgey for me!

Saturday rolls around and we are ready for a

FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTAY! 

Birthday boy

THE Train Cake!!! Turned out AWESOME if I do say so myself ;)!!

ALL the family was there to celebrate the special day! My Grandparents and mom are sitting next to me, so I didnt get to get a picture of them!

By the way.. the balloons were his favorite for a few minutes! Everytime he opened a gift he would make this funny noise and tighten all his body up.. I am pretty sure he was EXCITED!!!! He got spoiled!

We had a great day! Lots of cake and Ice cream.. we did an ice cream buffet, so there was TONS of toppings to choose from! Rydge loved his gifts! And for my dad and mom and grandparents im pretty sure Rydgeys birthday made there whole year!!! If you can see the smile on my dads face in the group pict..it says it all. Made me laugh! 

..And Alisha came to visit.. which also mad my dad the happiest man alive!!! ..

Sunday, we put up Christmas lights, played outside because it was such a beautiful day and had spent half the day with family! Since Alisha was to leave for Monday we had to get everyone in!!! ( :( Im sad she is already gone!) 

Monday we went to Rydgeys year ONE check up!!! Just a quick note, this baby boy of mine is 31.5 in TALL.. and only weights 20 pounds.. Tall and Skinny! Ill do a huge 1 year old post, but I had to post our Thanksgiving Holiday first! After the appt Alisha, Rydge and I went to breakfast at Bear Paw, the walked down to "Downtown St.G" were the Carousel is, oh my, I have never been there yet, and it is so pretty!!!! I loved the water pad, and the walk ways.. the carousel totally makes that little area feel like an old movie or soemthing! haha.. but, we rode the carousel, we started out with Rydge on a horse, he DIDNT like that one bit, so we sat in the sleigh and he did alot better, we let him run around for a bit, and took a couple pictures!

Like how Rydge is looking at us like were crazy... he was supposed to be looking at the camera.

 It was a GREAT Holiday weekend.. I am so thankful for so many things!!! And Extra Thankful for my litte family! I Loved Having my sister in town, and visiting with family! And I cannot believe my little boy is 1! Seriously, this past year flew by! Now we are entering December my ABSOLUTE favorite time of year, and cant belive the new year will be here! This was a post invasion of LOTS of everything!!!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Holiday!!!