SweetHearts Invite

One morning Avynlea came downstairs to tell me how cute Rylee looked as she was sleeping. I sent her back up with my phone so she could take a picture. I agree that she looks really cute in her sleeping pose.

 Brit was coming home from Utah with her kids Monday night when she ran out of gas on the freeway. Kelsey did not want to drive out from Emmett to get her gas so he asked Kefford if he would. Kefford is such a nice guy that he said he would do it even though he was so sick. Kefford caught the flu and it hit him pretty hard. He left with Ryker and then came back a while later with Brit and Kelsey's kids. Even with the gas Brit's car wasn't starting so she sent the kids with Kefford and waited for Kelsey and a tow truck to come. Asher stayed with his Mama so she wouldn't have to be alone which was sweet. Once the tow truck arrived Kelsey and Asher stayed with it and Brit took Kelsey's car to pick up her kids and take them home. I liked seeing them all gathered on the couch watching Ryker play his game. 

For mutual the girls learned how to conduct music to pass off a personal progress value experience and then they did Karaoke. I was questioning our decision of letting them do Karaoke but luckily it wasn't too bad and the night was over pretty quick. I took a couple of pictures of Rylee and her friends singing the song "Fight Song". They did an interesting job, the important part was that they had fun :)

Brynn, Saylor, Rylee and Taylee

When we got home Wednesday night there was a surprise waiting for Ryker on the front porch. His first dance invite. His friend Aubree was asking him to Sweethearts and the invite was so cute and creative. Even though he tried to downplay it I could tell that Ryker was excited.

 We had such a busy week that it wasn't until Sunday night that Ryker could respond to Aubree's invite. I had a bunch of AirHeads and so we came up with a clever saying. Ryker made the poster with input from me and then He, Rylee and I went to go leave it on her porch. Kenedy always had her friends around to help her with delivering invites and answers and I never got to be a part of it so I was super happy that I could go with Ryker to help him deliver his. We wanted to watch her open the door so I had Ryker park the car down the street a little bit from her house and while Rylee and I watched he snuck over to her house and left the poster on her porch along with more AirHead candies scattered around it. He rang the doorbell and ran to hide behind a parked truck, we didn't want him to get back into the car because it would have turned the light on and it takes a while for it to turn off. We did not want to be seen.

Once the door was opened I realized our mistake. Aubree has an older sister who probably asked someone to the dance also and we didn't put who the answer was to or from. I could see their confusion from where we were sitting but couldn't hear what was being said. Once they went inside Ryker sprinted back to the car and we left. He told me after school the next day that when he talked to Aubree she said they were confused but then her older sister got her answer in a class that morning so she sent a text to Aubree saying the one we left was for her.

College Roommates

Kenedy has been loving life in Rexburg since she got back. She loves her new apartment complex and her new roommates. They have a lot of fun together and like to hang out and go out. Kenedy sent me some pictures of them on a Sunday afternoon and then pictures when they went snowshoeing. 

CJ, Darcee, Kenedy, Michaela and Melynne

CJ and Kenedy

Michaela, Kenedy, CJ and Gina (Gina is a neighbor friend)

Kenedy and CJ

Seeing these pictures makes me so happy that she is forming fun bonds with her roommates and that she is having so much fun. College life is pretty great!

Rylee's first Temple Trip

I got to watch Mikell's kids one morning while she went to the Temple. By that time I still hadn't unpacked from my California trip so I had her kids keep me company while I did that and cleaned out my closet a little bit. The girls had fun trying on my shoes and dresses and they all enjoyed eating some of the candy I brought back from California. I love my Nieces and Nephews!

Jenna, Kelly, Brooke and Jason (James was not in the picture because he was off doing other more fun stuff)

 In December an email was sent out about a major change the church was implementing regarding the ages of our Young Men and Young Women. Starting January 1 The kids were going to move up as a group at the start of the year they turn 12, 14 or 16. This means that Avynlea will become a Mia Maid as a 13 year old and Rylee will become a Beehive as an 11 year old at the start of January and this also means that she will be able to go to the Temple to do Baptisms for the dead as an 11 year old turning 12. I was floored and so very excited. I could not wait to tell the girls that we would be able to take Rylee sooner then we thought. 

The girls were a little confused when I told them but thought it was pretty cool and a little strange. I agree with that but I think it is more cool then strange and only strange because it is such a big change. I told Rylee she was not allowed to go to the Temple for her first time without me. Since I was going to be in California till January 5th I thought she would try to go before I got back. She was ok with the wait and when Tuesday January 8th rolled around she and I were very excited for her first Temple trip.

Avynlea, Rylee, Ryker and I went to the Temple after school and we showed Rylee where to go and what to do. Ryker baptized both of them which was pretty awesome and Rylee really loved her experience in the Temple and can not wait to go back. I love taking my kids to the Temple every week and am so glad that we live close enough to a Temple to be able to do this. It has been a blessing for both them and I and I welcome any opportunity to strengthen my kids in the Gospel.

After we got out we took some pictures and then we stopped at McDonald's for ice cream cones. Rylee's first time in the Temple definitely warrants celebrating with ice Cream.

Bonnie the Bunnies Christmas

Rylee wanted to get Bonnie a christmas present so Kefford took her to the store to get him one. Rylee had the gift wrapped and under the tree but never gave her bunny the present. She finally got around to it after I got back from California. Bonnie is a stinker and kept running away from the girls as they were trying to get him out of his cage. 

They finally managed to cover him and Avynlea help onto him while Rylee opened his present.

A new feeder! Yay!

I think he was thrilled..

Mount Rubidoux Hike

Mom, Heather, Ashleigh and I made plans to hike Mt Rubidoux Saturday morning before I had to leave to go back to Meridian. That morning Ashleigh called and said she was not going to be able to go, she thought she got mastitis again and was in a lot of pain. Heather asked us if they would like us to take the baby but they said it was ok they could keep him. About 20 minutes later we got a phone call asking if we could take the baby because Andrew was going to take Ashleigh to urgent care. I was so sad for Ashleigh but so excited to have my little nephew that morning.

Mom decided not to go because she wasn't feeling too well so Atticus, Heather and I hiked up Mt Rubidoux on our own. I pushed Atticus in his stroller and he slept the entire way up. We ran into Stephanie close to the top which was kind of random but we chatted with her for a couple of minutes and then when she left to run back down I pulled Atticus out to feed him his bottle. While I was feeding him he decided to have a blow out and he made quite the mess. Luckily the baby poop wiped off my pants pretty good and we had an extra outfit to change him into. After he ate and I cleaned his bum we took some pictures of the three of us at the top of the mountain.

Atticus was being a diva and not wanting to look at the camera. That or there were too many more interesting things to look at.

Here I am showing Atticus the Hospital where he was born as well as where his Mama was right that minute. I put some socks on his hands because they were cold, it was a chilly day.

After we got back down I changed my clothes and Mom, Heather, Atticus and I went to Brandon's for lunch. Atticus was such a good baby and I even got the cutest little smile out of him.

After about 6 blissful hours spent with the cute baby Andrew Brown came to pick him up. Ashleigh was given medications and was home resting. I hope she gets better quick, this was her second round of mastitis and that is just hard.

Heather drove me to the airport later that day and it was time for me to say good bye to my family and California for a little while. It is always bittersweet when I have to leave but Heather will be coming in a couple of months and that is something awesome to look forward to.

Kenedy Back to School

Kenedy kept going back and forth between putting in her mission papers or waiting and doing more school. At Christmas she had decided to put in her papers so she got a lot of dresses and some new scriptures. While I was in California she changed her mind and decided to go back to Rexburg to live while she did online schooling. I was fine with whatever choice she made and thought if she was going to stay and do online school she might as well live in Rexburg. Most of her friends are on missions or going to school themselves and so in Rexburg she would have the social life she needs. I was sad though that I would not be able to take her back to school, that fell on Kefford and Rylee who wanted to go with them. Kenedy decided to live at the Cedars this semester and I had Kefford and Kenedy send me pictures once they were all moved in. 

Rylee had fun trying out all of the new hangout spots in Kenedy's complex.

And college kids are so spoiled these days with their two refrigerators and free washer and dryer units in the apartment.

I really like how Kenedy decorated her room and I know she is excited to meet new roommates and have lots of fun in Rexburg. 

The view out her window..

Kefford bought Kenedy groceries the night before and after they unloaded, unpacked and took pictures Kefford and Rylee left to come back to Meridian. I think it is impressive that Kefford stuck around 3 hours to help her get situated.
The next day Kenedy sent me a picture of her in one of her new church dresses. She is beautiful!

Los Angeles Temple

New Years Day Mom, Heather, Erin, Mary Beth and I went to Brandon's Diner for Breakfast. It was good food and even better company.

Mom and I wanted to go to the Temple together and I also wanted to find a time to go visit Aunt Jeri. Mom suggested we go to the LA Temple to do a session and then we could go to Aunt Jeri's after for a visit. Heather drove us to the Temple and then she charged her car and waited for us while we did a session. It was so nice being back in the LA Temple and after our session I took the opportunity to look at the sealing room Kefford and I were sealed in 20 years ago. I love the memories and am so glad I can come back every once in a while to visit my Temple.

After we were done we went to Simi Valley to spend a couple of hours with Aunt Jeri. It is always so good to see her. 

The next day we went to Target and found the Christmas stuff was marked 90% off so we found some really great deals. After we got back I colored in Atticus's eyebrows just for fun. Joshua did it with Amos when he was a baby and told Ashleigh she should do it with Atticus. He looked adorable as always but the eyebrows were a little funny.