Climb Every Mountain (or Red Rock)!!!!

My brother-in-law, Stephen
Stephen
Connor, Laura, Rylie

Connor

Rylie, Allie, Jacob, Kristen

(Connor refused to be in the picture, thus the above picture)

This is us at heart! Goofy as can be!

My sister, Stacey, and me (Laura)

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What can I say? I love every excuse we can get to take the kids out and go hiking, or wander, or go on little adventures. The weather has been wonderful so, we took advantage of it and went wandering the red rocks of St. George. The kids had a blast and couldn't wait to go find the next cave or hill! Stephen was the most brave with Jacob following his every move! It was a bit windy and coolish but, over all, it was perfect!

Let's Go Fly a Kite!!!!

Laura & Ben, flying their kites
Laura trying to help Jacob

Connor, Melinda, and Melinda's sister

Rylie was more interested in the ball

Stephen, Kristen, Connor, and Jacob

Connor & Jacob

Elena

Laura & Jacob

Connor did a great job flying his kite!

Rylie finally took an interest in flying her kite

Melinda & Laura Laura & Melinda

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Not only did I get to see my sister and her family this past week! I got to see one my favorite mission companions and her family!!! We met at a park and had pizza and flew kites! There were 7 adults and 9 kids! It was a party for sure! We had such a great time and, as usual, Melinda and I laughed our guts out!!! It was so good to laugh and be goofy for a while! So much fun! Oh yeah, and the kids had a great time too!

Park Time!

One of the things I love about St. George is all of the many, many parks there are! I especially love the ones with splash pads on them. Sunday was a gorgeous day, and Mike was still here. So, Mike, me, and the kids met up at the park with some friends of mine and their dogs to just play and have a good time. We took our kites but, there wasn't a breeze. So, the kids ended up playing with their golf clubs and the dogs. It was a fun afternoon!

Rylie's 2nd Birthday Parties

Rylie was able to have a few birthday parties! The first one took place at my parents house, because they weren't able to make it down for her birthday. The 2nd one took place on her birthday, when we took her to McDonald's. The 3rd one took place the Saturday after her birthday, with Mike's side of the family. He wasn't able to be here ON her b-day because of work but, he was here for the weekend. It made for a fun, fun week!

The Great Outdoors

This weekend, while Mike was here, we took the kids hiking. Like most kids, my kids absolutely LOVE being outside! It was gorgeous weather, so we went to one of little adventure spots that we take the kids. We packed a lunch and snacks and off we went. For those of you who know Connor, he is really timid when it comes to being brave and aggressive. He's more the type to stand back and watch and maybe, just maybe, he'll try it....but not likely. That's just him. Rylie, on the other hand, is our little dare devil and doesn't seem to be afraid of anything. Well, when we go hiking their personalities seem to reverse. Connor is not afraid of a thing! He always leads the hikes and has no problem with heights, cramped spaces, caves, ledges, etc. He's all about them! Rylie, on the other hand, is scared to death. Unless the ground is flat then she has to be holding someone's hand the whole time and is saying, "Oooh! Oooh! Oooh!" over and over, like she got hurt! It's so interesting to me! We had a great time! It was so nice to be outdoors, where the kids could just wander wherever, and to have all the time in the world with them and Mike!

Happy Birthday, RYLIE!!!!!

Rylie's blessing day!
1-month-old

My baby girl turned 2 years old today!!! Time flies when you're having fun! Which is exactly what we've had with her!!!! I remember being so nervous when we learned I was pregnant with Rylie. Connor was a bit difficult for me so I was extremely scared about how this would be, especially since we were living so far away from our families and having a baby in an unknown land, or at least an unknown hospital. I remember when I first had thoughts that I was having a girl. I've been right on each child, when I guessed the sex. But, I remember being so very, very sick thinking, "This has got to be a girl!!!" However, I wanted a baby girl so badly that I didn't dare get my hopes up and with not finding out the sex it was an anxious 9 months for us. I tried to play off that she was a boy but, I was wrong! It all became more and more exciting when it came time to choose the date of the c-section. My original due date was March 25th. They like to do the c-section a week early, so that would've been March 18th. However, with Mike's background being Irish, I asked if I could have our baby on St. Patrick's Day. The day of the c-section was SO EXCITING!!! My Mom had flew in from UT to help us out. I remember so scared and excited at the same time. So, in we went into the surgical room, green toenails and all! They began and I grew more and more anxious until I heard the cry and I started to cry! Then, they told us that our baby was a girl! Then the tears just started to flow!!! I was so happy, giddy, and excited!!!! The fun just grew fromt here! Rylie was born at the Ingham Regional Medical Center, in Lansing, MI. She weighed 6 lbs. 5 oz. and was 19 1/4 inces long. For her name we were deciding on Leah or Rylie. We named her Rylie because it was an Irish name and loved it. Originally we were going to spell it Riley but, I came into contact with a very special friend of mine and she spelled hers Rylie. I instantly loved it!!!! So, we then decided to change the spelling to Rylie. Her middle name is Anne, which is my middle name. Rylie was an EXCELLENT baby! She was very, very mellow, content, and super happy! If wanted to take a nap, she'd take one too! She would go to anybody! She felt too good to be true but, it never stopped! We fell in love with her instantly!!!! From there her personality just grew and grew! She's always been happy, giggly, spunky, easy going, loving, and loves to giggle! She especially loves to copy-cat Connor, play with Connor, steal toys from Connor, torment Connor, and bite/hit Connor! She really loves her brother, so much! Her current loves are french fries, corn, green beans, steak, fish sticks, rice, milk, fruit, popcorn. She just loves food, basically. She loves to play with trucks, babies, balls, dancing & music, and watching movies with Connor. She's quick to give kisses and hugs and has been jabbering up a storm! Even though I think she's entered the "Terrible-Two" stage with a vengeance, she's still so loveable and can get into your heart! We love you Rylie!!!!

Connor's B-day Party Pictures