So long Baby Kayson, Hello Big Boy Kayson!

Today we said goodbye to Kayson's baby boy locks and got a a big boy haircut. When he was a baby, he had little curls that were just precious. Each time we trimmed his hair, they faded just a bit til they were gone. I held out as long as I could, but he had gotten to the point that he just looked like a ragamuffin all the time, and I knew it was time for a "big boy" cut. I have to admit that I got a little choked up as I watched all those long locks hit the floor, but he does look super cute with his new do!

From this:
To this:
Riser didn't want to be left out, so here's his do... not quite as dramatic, but still very handsome:

December! (A word of warning... This one is LONG!)

I'm getting closer to being caught up! This post seems almost relevant!

*We find a house!! We spend months looking from Layton all the to Draper, and where do we find it? Right in our parents' stake. If we end up staying there, Riser will go to all the same schools that Karl and I did. From elementary to high school. Pretty funny huh? I'll post pics as soon as we finish the remodels.

*We "helped" Grandma Marlene and Grandpa Larry decorate their tree...
Riser had a location on the tree that he felt needed LOTS of bulbs... Kayson just loved running back and forth with the "BALL!!"
They'll really miss our "help" next year. :)

*We took a trip to Gardner Village with Aunt Rachael, Kennedy, Matthew, and Joshua. You're right Rach... we definately had more fun, but come on, how many trips to McDonald's and Burger King have we made? They owed us! :)
Matthew was completely unimpressed with all the photo ops we found. Rach and I, on the other hand, were impressed. We took lots. If you want to see them all let me know, I'll email them to ya... Anybody else just love that store? I could spend a small fortune there.
We found that Aunt Milly has a store that she hadn't told us about.
More elves, Matthew feeling a little bit better about being followed around by the mama paparazzi.

*We get a brand new niece!! Congrats to Kent and Justi on sweet little Baby Rees. You guys are already wonderful parents, and Rees is simply gorgeous! (I neglected to bring my camera when we met her, so you'll have to take my word on it!)

*We take a family trip to see the lights down town... Such a great night.
Dad and Riser (who absolutely loved Trax)
Mom and Kayson (Who wanted off Trax the minute we sat down...)
Dad and his boys.
Mom and the boys.
What Kayson spent the majority of the evening doing... Yep... He's eating that snow! Yum!
Our Family!


*Christmas Eve Breakfast at Grandpa Kraig's shop!
We ate a fabulous breakfast. and then the kids went crazy!
I promise, he was having a good time.
Climbing the carpet stacks!
Getting down!
Uncle Kevin's Fan Club!

*We had Christmas Eve Dinner with Karl's family at a Mexican Restaurant... The place was EMPTY a big change from the Italian place we usually go... But the food was yummy, and it was nice to know that we weren't bugging in other diners as our 5 hooligans romped about. Then we went over to Grandpa Kraigs and Grandma Kelly's for a nativity production and presents... the Camera was MIA for the entire event.

Riser also graced us with a completely impressive not to be forgotten Christmas Eve fit. I think he might be up for some sort of award it was so impressive. Poor Man... I think the excitement had gotten to him.

*Christmas Morning. Fabulous Time! The camera was still MIA, but I think my mom and dad got some... I'll have to chheck with them. Each gift Riser opened, he'd shout "WOW!!! This is JUST what I wanted!!" (Mrs Santa even came through with some additional "football shirts and pants" as much a present for mom as for riser... less fights about what he'll wear) Kayson got a ball pit that he pretty well refused to some out of for the entire morning. All in all... Good work Santa! It was a great morning. oh! Almost forgot about my "gift" So, with the new house and all, Karl and I agreed no presents for each other. but as the boys opened a gift, Karl left the room for a minute. He came back and handed me a black box. (Anyone who knows me knows, I'm not a really big jewelry fan... if you are, that's great, I'm just not. I don't "get" spending lots on it, and the jewelry ads on TV bring many a sarcastic statement from me.) I just kind of look at it for a minute and then open it to find "diamond" earrings... I kind of stare at them for a minute thinking... "wow He really doesn't know me like I thought he did" Not wanting t be a jerk I look at him and say "thanks these are... pretty" (they weren't) At this point he starts cracking up and says "no they aren't! They were a dollar fifty at Walmart!" Good Work Karl! You got me! At least they weren't real!

*Christmas Night: Party with my siblings! After a super delicious dinner, we opened a few presents and spent the evening playing and chatting.
Riser and Anna playing tools.
The babies playing with their blenders. How fun to have 3 all the same age!
One with a light, One with a rope and One with a stick. After reading "the Spooky Old Tree" With Grandpa Larry Way back in like late November early December, Tanner and Riser got it in their heads that they should get these things for Christmas. Every time we'd ask Riser what he wanted for Christmas, he'd say "a stick, a thomas, and some race cars." Tanner would do the same thing, only he wanted a rope. So Santa pulled through, and left a light a rope and a stick at Grandpa and Grandma's house.

Not wanting to leave this side of the family out, Riser graced us all with a repeat performance of the prior night's fit. Thankfully, his bed was at this home. And we were able to help him find his way there. Christmas is a stressful time in the life of a 3 year old. WAY too much excitement.

*Christmas Party at the Cabin!! We went up to the cabin the next day for a little party. The boys did some sledding,
And even had a snowball fight with Uncle Chris and Aunt Susie


Hoping to avoid another fall apart, we opted to head home following dinner. It proved to be a good choice.
The boys fell asleep after being in the car for just a few minutes, and end up sleeping from about 6:45 that night til 7 the next morning. Exhaustion had apparently set in.

*Sleep over at Chris and Susie's

My brave brother and sister-in-law took all four of the older cousins for a sleep over while Anna was in town. It was a HUGE success. These 2 really know how to throw a party. Highlights for Riser included, Watching Aladdin in the big tub with the bubbles. Eating the yummy strawberry ice cream with REAL strawberries. Playing Operation, Eating Waffles and drinking 2 cups of Hot Chocolate. Thanks Chris and Susie! Riser is still talking about how much fun he had!

Craft Day with Gabby:
We got together with Grandma Kelly, Aunt Rachael, Aunt Milly and our soon to be "Aunt" Gabby. We made a fun Valentine's Craft and played with the cousins. Oh p.s. Kevin, FABULOUS choice! The only problem is, you'll be fighting off your nephews who are completely smitten. Welcome to the fam Gabby!
New Year's Eve:

Rachael and I Pretty well invited ourselves over to Kraig and Kelly's to have a New Year's Party... we have really patient in-laws. Anyway, we didn't quit make it to the New Year (Kayson had had it, and wanted to be in his own bed), but we had a great time playing games and eating and chatting.
Kev and Gabby
Karl's Story hour.
The kids passed out after watching Mulan 2 times in a row.

Well, that wraps up 2009! Thanks for hanging in there for all the catchup!

Fall 2009

October:

*After fighting "motion sickness" our entire trip to Disney World, I came home to find that it still didn't go away. After eating a burger and fries for dinner one night I found that it was giving me huge indigestion. I didn't think much of it that night, but in thinking about it the next morning, I thought to myself "That is so weird... I only get indigestion like that when I... am... Pregnant. 3 minutes later, it was confirmed... Ready or not! #3 was on his way!

*We move out of our first home and in with my parents... Thanks to a long vacation, a quick closing, and General Conference, I think that most of our old ward is still scratching their heads as to what ever happened to us.

*I stand in line for 2 hours trying to get the stupid H1N1 shots for me and the boys...
When they were both in tears, and frozen and when I was so frustrated with the lack of a better system that I was ready to start swearing, we left.
I figured that I was doing them more harm than good standing out in the cold for that long.

*Halloween!
We went for our annual trick or treat party at Grandpa Wayne's with the Matthew, Kennedy, and Joshua.
Costumes: Willy Wonka, Batman, Taylor Swift, Robin

More Halloween Fun with the other cousins! This year Anna and Isaac were even in town, so they all got together at Grandma's for a Halloween Party, and a little trick or treating!
Cinderella, Batman, and 2 BYU players.
The little guys... really bad picture, but have you ever tried to get a good photo of 3 one year old boys? BYU fan, Skunk, and Robin

November:

*I manage to ignore Strep in Kayson for long enough that it turns into Scarlett Fever...
One of my finest parenting hours, as I am told by his Doctor... "he has scarlett fever. It's basically Strep that has been left untreated..." Nice. Good work me. She also notices my 3 year old whining and asks if I want him tested too... I say yes and as she looks at his throat, she says... "We'll need to treat him too." No test needed. Anyone want to nominate me for mom of the year? The picture doesn't do it justice, but the rash was everywhere. From his head to his toes.

*Plenty of goofing around in Grandma and Grandpa's Basement (our new "home") or "The Dungeon" as Riser says...