California Here We Come

For Fall break this year our friends Mike and Lindsay invited us to go camping in Carlsbad California. Wednesday after school we were off. I was slightly freaking out since I hadn't been camping for more then 1 night in like 5 years. We stopped in Vegas and then finished the trek on Thursday. We got to Carlsbad and went straight to Jaunitas, it was delicious! We set up our camp and went shopping. On Friday we went to Six Flags, they had the best roller coasters there. The lines weren't to bad either. Saturday we spent the day at the beach. It was cloudy but it was still fun. Brad's family came and joined us at the beach until Todd got stung by a sting ray. His foot swelled up pretty big. We went with them to dinner. We had a camp fire that night and roasted marsh mellows and made li'mores. (Recess, marsh mellow, and gramcrackers). Of coarse it was raining when we went to pack up which made things difficult. However, we had a great time! I hope we can go back sometime.

He loved this ride. That is his Whoa face

Jeeping with Dad

I want to ride the ride.


Batman ride
Waiting for X-Scream

Watching Mickey Mouse while camping

13 Months

Ryker is 13 months. At his check up he weighed 24 lbs and is 28 in long. He is tall and skinny like his dad. He is officially walking! He loves to be chased, pull his socks off, and trying to get through the dog door. I don't think there is anything better then having him reach his little arms around my neck to give me a hug and cuddle. When he feels like it he will give you a kiss if you ask. He is such a stud!

SEP's

Two 12 hour days! It's killing me. The stress of parent teachers + I miss my baby + not sleeping well= tired/ slightly sad me. It is hard to be here and have energy right now. :(

Happy Birthday Brad

My wonderful husband had his 26th birthday on Monday! What a great guy he is. I surprised him with a fishing trip for him and his friends and family. I kept it a secret for a month and it almost killed me. But when I told him the Friday he left he was shocked! I hope he had a fun time! I told him to take a lot of pictures.... he took 4....

Baby Brad

4 years old

8 years old

15 years old
19 years old
26 years old
Fishing

1 Year

My baby boy is no longer a baby! Ryker is now 1 year old! He is an amazing kid! He loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He loves to push everything and anything along the floor, mostly books. He loves to hide things in drawers, like my flip flop in the drawer under the oven where the cookie sheets are. He sleeps for 9 to 7:30. He loves food, not a big fan of potatoes and some kinds of bread. He shakes his head no but I think it's his way of dancing. He loves to give me hugs when I get him out of his crib in the morning. He likes to crawl on his dad when he is trying to sleep. He loves our friend Michael Malouf and will crawl to him as soon as he comes over. He is in a front facing car seat and thinks it is neat. He can go up and down the stairs on his own. He can take a few steps by himself. He will stand up by himself then squat then stand, he must have strong thighs. He likes to walk behind his Buzz Light Year car.

For his birthday we had family over for cake. Ryker loved his cupcake he shoved the whole thing in his mouth and then stared at my dad expecting him to give him some more. He got a lot of presents which he loves to play with. He is loved by so many people!

Reverse order....
Grandpa helping clean him up

After math
Every last bit

Really? For me?!
Really out of order... He likes to get in the dishwasher
Blow out the candle
Mickey Mouse
First time facing forward

Arizona

Each year Brad's dad's family has a reunion. We have never been able to make it down due to different things. This year Logan offered to pay for us to go down. I must say sitting outside in the Arizona heat didn't sound like that much fun. But we got packed and took a quick trip down. We flew because I didn't think Ryker would do well in the car, or Brad and I for that matter.

Once we got down there we went to lunch with my friend Candace. It was fun seeing her and her cute boys.

Once we got up to the Ranch everyone was so nice! It was fun finally meeting the rest of Brad's Aunt and Uncles and some cousins. I actually had a pretty good time. It wasn't too hot either. It was fun watching Ryker crawl all over the grass and get dirty.

It was a nice quick little trip and it was great getting to meet such sweet people! Brad's Aunts, Uncle and cousins are so nice!

Great Grandpa Stapley showing Ryker his pocket knife

Grandma and Grandpa Playing with Ryker
Our little family
Ryker driving the tractor
Daddy and Ryker

2nd cousins

First airplane trip looking out the window

Cooking

So I was starting to dread cooking, which is odd for me. I was sick of making the same meals, just cycling through our favorites. While we were in California my sister Cindy got a cooking magazine, "Taste of Home". I started looking through and realized all of them sounded pretty good. On top of that the magazine had picture as well as what to cook for sides. I love seeing what it will look like or should look like in the end. I also liked the side ideas because I never know what else to cook. So when we got home I got the magazine. I Love it! I has been so fun making new meals, not to mention meals that taste good. So for the past 3 weeks I have been trying different meals. I have also been getting ideas from Good Things Utah and Meals4Moms. I use different meats and ingredients. I have been branching out and trying new things. It has made such I difference, I look forward to cooking dinner. We have also found some new favorites. Tonight I am going to attempt to make funnel cakes, wish me luck!