The holidays in Texas

We may never get a white Christmas in Texas

BUT, there is no shortage of "exterior illumination"

Great friends

One of the things that makes all the hours and travel of Ryan's job worth it is the spectacular people we get to call friends. Last Saturday night we were able to get some of the summer interns of 2008 back together for an amazing meal.

Josh, thank you for planning. Julie, thank you for paying....

I found it!

plus a new found love for yelling....

Thanksgiving

Sadly, we do not have any pictures from Thanksgiving this year, but we had a fantastic time. We drove to Lincoln, NE and spent the holiday with Ryan's brother Roger and his wife, Michelle. They made the most wonderful Thanksgiving feast. Not only did they make three different kinds of smoked brisket and the best tasting smoked turkey, but they also prepared side dishes galore - mashed potatoes, green beans, homemade cranberry sauce, jello, baked beans, rolls, pumpkin pie, salad, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something! It was spectacular! Thank you Roger and Michelle!

After Thanksgiving, Michelle and I braved Joanne's on black Friday and bought some fabric for some fun Christmas projects. The lines were huge, but the discount was nice. Michelle was sweet enough to teach me how to make an adorable Christmas table cloth and make a red Christmas sash for my holiday dress. The sash took Michell 20 minutes tops! She said I should be able to make the tablecloths in 20 -30 minutes (somehow I made it take 2 hours :)). Sounds about right, huh Heather H.?

We had a great visit and love that we live close enough to drive and visit family! Happy Thanksgiving!

Birds

Last weekend we went to the zoo. Here's a fun video of Ryan and Everett feeding the birds. Everett doesn't get to do this when he's just with me - I really don't like the birds landing on me.

Happy Birthday!

My birthday was on November 4th. Ryan invited a few couples over and we enjoyed cake, ice cream and letting all the kids play. Thanks for a great Birthday honey!

Check out the beautiful cake stand Ryan gave me. The cake was soooo yummy!

Gotta love this boy!

He gave me the best birthday present yet...listen below!

Swing, Swing, Swing

Sea World San Antonio

A few weeks ago Ryan and I packed up the car and headed south to San Antonio, TX. It was so nice to get away for a quick weekend and spend quality time together.

Our main reason for visiting San Antonia was to go to Sea World, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying the city of San Antonio as well. The city has a fabulous River Walk with shops and restaurants. It is one of the most unique, lovely features I've ever seen in a city. I could have spent all day walking along this path.

Isn't it lovely? I must say that Ryan has quite the photographic touch.

After enjoying time along the river we headed to The Alamo. I always enjoy seeing historic sites and trying to imagine the events that took place hundreds of years ago.

Everett and Me in front of the Alamo.

Our little monkey.

The Family.

Dad was enjoying taking some fun shots of Everett. I love this one!

After a morning filled with sightseeing, we headed back to the hotel so Everett could nap and then on to Sea World!

Everett and Daddy feeding the Dolphins. So Cool!

So cute. I wish I hadn't been behind the camera. I missed all the action because I was too busy taking pictures. Dad said, he had a lot of fun!

Everett and Me during the Shamu Show. Everett loved seeing the whales jump and splash in the water. It truly was magical.

One last picture before leaving the park.

Big thanks to our dad who drove nearly the entire way down and back. We had a fantastic time!

October Trip to Utah

A few weeks ago Everett and I went to Utah to visit my family. It was great to see everyone and let Everett play with his little cousin Lola.

The first day in UT Everett and Lola had a blast coloring with sidewalk chalk.

My cute little sister Annaliese was out of school for fall break, so we got to spend a lot of time together. This is Everett and Annaliese in the helicopter at the Gateway Children's Museum. Everett loves his aunt Annaliese and quickly learned how to say her name - "lease".

My sister Whitney and her cute little girl Lola at the Hogle Zoo. Thanks for getting off work early and hanging out with us. Love you lots!

Everett enjoying the ducks at the zoo.

One of the biggest reasons I went to Utah was to see my grandpa. He has recently been diagnosed with malignant melanoma and has already been through 3 weeks of radiation treatments on 5 different tumors. He's such a trooper. Even though he was tired and chilled (the radiation makes you feel like you have a fever), he still wanted to drive up the canyon and see the leaves. This picture is at spruces campground. When we were little kids my grandparents took us here a lot. We loved to camp or just enjoy a Sunday picnic. I love you so much grandpa and am more than thrilled that the treatments are helping. Thank you for a great afternoon up the canyon!

Annaliese, Everett and Grandpa at Spruces Campground.

Visit from Grandma and Grandpa Butters

Ryan's parents came to visit about a month ago and we had a fabulous time together. The two highlights were trips to the Dallas Zoo and the Dallas Arboretum. Grandma and Grandpa even bought a zoo pass so we can enjoy it all year long - it's fantastic!

Here we are at the petting zoo - Everett thought these goats were awesome!

I love this picture

Look at that Gorilla

The Dallas Zoo has an awesome water path that the kids can splash in - definitely a highlight for Everett.

Everett at the Arboretum. He kept calling the pumpkins balls and would try to throw them. Luckily most of them were too heavy.

Grandma and Grandpa swinging Everett in front of one of the pumpkin houses.

Gotta love that smile!

Thanks for coming to visit Grandma and Grandpa. We had a great time!

Chasing goats

Thank you grandma and grandpa for getting this little guy a membership to the zoo. Goats beware!

Fire Trucks and Dads

A few weeks ago the Fire Department came and read books to the kids during story time at the library. Everett loved the big truck!

Everett is not a snuggly kid, but apparently when it's Sunday Football time he can't get enough of his dad!

Summer Fun

Saturday was play day. We went to a fun carnival, played at our favorite indoor playground, enjoyed naps, and had a babysitter for date night. Ahhh, Saturdays!

This is Everett's camera smile - love it!

We took Everett to a local church to play in their indoor playground, but Everett just wanted to run around and be pushed on this chair.

Everett's first carousel ride. I'm pretty sure that this carousel made Everett's day!

Goodbye Binky

It's official, Everett no longer takes his Binky. Last night Ryan and I decided to try to put Everett to bed without his Binky. We put him in his crib and he immediately started looking for his Binky and saying "uh oh, uh oh." However, he only cried for about 5 minutes and then he went right to sleep. This morning the first thing he did was ask me for it, but then he was fine. This afternoon he cried again for about 5 minutes while going down for a nap, but then tonight he didn't even cry at all. So, for better or worse, I'll never see this cute boy with a Binky again!

18 Months

I can't believe that Everett is 18 months. Time sure goes fast these days. Everett had his 18-month well check-up today and here are the stats:

Height 34.5 inches - 96%
Weight 29 lbs 13 oz - 91%
Head 49.5cm - 91%

I haven't written an Everett update in a long time so here's the long list of random things that I want to remember.

-Everett loves to be chased. He'll start running, turn to make sure you are chasing him, squeal in ecstatic happiness, and then run as fast as he can away from you. It's a fun game, but often he decides to take off into not so safe places, and he's fast! Seriously, it's hard for me to catch him!
-Everett loves when his dad comes home. He runs to the door and hangs on his leg until Ryan picks him up and throws him in the air or some other form of rough housing. Then Everett signs "more" until Ryan does it again.
- Everett is a great sleeper. Our nighttime routine is to brush teeth, drink our milk, sing songs, say prayers and go to bed. When we say prayers, he sits still on our laps (a rarity), and when the prayer is over he says ama (amen). Sometimes he'll try to close my mouth with his hand and start say ama, ama in the middle of the prayer. I guess that means he's done :).
- Everett loves to watch Elmo and Baby Einstein.
- Everett loves to play with his friends and is getting better at sharing.
- Everett blows the best kisses ever.
- Sometimes when I'm sitting on the floor, Everett will randomly run over to me, jump on my back, and start laughing.
- Everett consistently says uh oh, mom, dad, thank you, amen, Jesus, ball, and all done
- Everett has said the following words at least once: tic tac, mall, moon, moo, cow, blocks, and car
- Everett can sign more, milk, drink, all done, and Binky
- Everett brighten every day with his smile and energy. I am so grateful I can be his mom and I hope I can always be patient, loving, and understanding.

Playmate

Everett and Eli are the best playmates. They are the same age and Eli lives in our same apartment complex. We get together a lot! Here they are spinning on our office chair. What cute kids!

Sprinklers

On Sunday, Ryan and I decided to brave the 101 degree heat and take Everett to the park. Everett loved playing and running around the park, but then I spotted this sprinkler and as you can see this is when the real fun began!




I absolutely love this boy. He is full of energy and lots of fun!

Family reunion 2010

I really should let Ryan write this post, but I'm afraid my dear husband has very little time these days, so I'll attempt it.

Over the 4th of July weekend we trekked out to Utah and drove to Zions National Park to meet up with Ryan's best buds from high school.

Here is the clan pre-marriage and kids


Here's the clan now!

The mini clan minus a few

We stayed at a fantastic home and Everett had a blast splashing in the hot tub and playing with his buddy Carter!

Here we are "hiking" the river walk in Zions Canyon. Hiking sure takes on a new meaning with kids. However, I think it's more fun!

Aww, my little boy is the best!

Splashing in the narrows!

Each year we have reunion there is typically some sort of swim. The first year it was in a freezing cold lake - literally freezing. The next year there was a bare-all swim; and this year they discovered the most awesome water hole along the river walk.

This is as far as I made it this time. Although I would like it noted that I was the only female to participate in the freezing cold lake swim.

Bubble, bubbles, everywhere

Game Night!

The newly engaged couple - Congrats again Rob and Katie!

On the way home from Zion's Ryan and I made a quick detour to Bryce - this place in incredible! I'm so glad we stopped.