All-Star Game

We were all looking forward to this game. The All-Stars Game. The game was so much fun to watch. The played the teams as the Dark Side and the Light Side. Ryker played on the Dark Side team and they won 12-6. And I know I'm his mom and think Ryker is dang near perfect, but I would have to say Ryker was the All-Star of the All-Star Game.  

 It was rainy but they all came out with Smiles...

 and muddy knees.

 So proud of Ryker! He'd such a stud!!!

Ryker's Tournament Games

Ryker's Team had a great great Season and he personally shined. He was joining a team that was established a little bit already and with a new coach. His first practice he felt like the coach didn't like him very much and he didn't get the ball all that often. Jesse and I both told him that if he stayed true to himself, listened and followed the Coaches instructions he'll be noticed. And that's exactly what happened. 

As the season progressed his name became quite known. We heard parents on the opposing teams say "Oh we are playing Ryker's team" like they knew they were going to lose. Not "we are playing the Packers" but "Ryker's Team". Is it a sin that I felt so much pride for him? 

Ryker constantly had good plays and often made alot of the touch downs. I truly felt like he was an All-Star. Well this season the coaches got to pick 2 players from their team that they thought would be really good for the new All-Star Game. And Ryker was picked from the Packers Team. Matter of fact I found out from my brother Tyson (who runs the entire Flag Football program), that Ryker's coach was the only coach that DID NOT just pick his son but really picked someone who would do well. 

Well tonight was the tournament game and Ryker had the biggest desire to win 1st place in the Tournament. And being 2nd seed they really stood a good chance at that. They won the 1st tournament game, but the 2nd game which would take them into the Championship game they Lost. It was against the 3rd seed team and it was one really intense game. It was one of the most turnover games he's ever played in. Which made for a devastating loss for the team. They were all in tears at the end of the game. Oh as is mom I naturally want him to win them all and be awesome in every game...especially when Ryker is crying in my arms that he hasn't won 1st place yet. 

But it's good for him right? And taking 3rd place overall is still really good. The Packers had a great season and I loved watching this dude pour his whole heart into every game. 

I have so many pictures and videos of him with the ball. He's so much fun to watch play.

The coach of this team was just the greatest. I loved how much he worked with Ryker. I feel like Ryker really grew this season. Are we ready for Tackle next fall? We shall see.

2nd Place CHAMPS!!!

Cy's team took 2nd place in the Playoff Tournament today. They had such a good season. Cy really showed a big difference in how he played. This season he made an effort in watching the ball, going after the players flags and being apart of the team. Our (Me, Jesse and Grandparents) only complaint was we feel like the coach didn't really play Cy all that much. I know he is still learning the game, but it felt like Cy sat on the sidelines alot. Especially during crucial plays. But it's part of the it right?

I really love that I get to watch these boys play. It sounds silly but I love that I get to be cheering on the sidelines at a football game instead of having girls. I have SO many people that feel sad for me that I don't have any girls. But I feel differently. How ungrateful would I be if I was sad about that? God has blessed me with 3 perfect boys who fill my life with so much joy.

Playing Hookie Today

I had scheduled to go boating  with my family one time every month through the summer. But last two months my mom couldn't go boating because of her herniated disk in her back. The poor woman has been in so much pain and the recovery has been so much slower than expected.  But as the weather was still looking promising for mid September and my mom has been cooped up for the past 8 weeks and just aching to get out of the house, my parents suggested us taking the boys out of school for the day to enjoy one last chance on the lake. 

 Why does a day on the lake with my family just make me so happy?

 This man. My goodness. The strength he has is amazing. He had Fynn in the front of him when he was in the water and when he got standing up he pulled Fynn up onto his shoulders. All the while he's hanging onto the rope with one hand and doing all the maneuvering with the other arm. He's incredible.

 It is always so fun to get some good jumps in on my board too. I'm no pro, but I it feels good to be out there in the water. Just me and my board.

 Ryker did fantastic on the skis today too.

 I never tire of seeing these 4 boys together. They make my heart so happy.

 Since it still was a school day we had to get our reading in for the day. Cy had a tough time last year with getting him to read, but this year I showed him the Magic Tree House Books and it got him really excited and he's been loving to read.

 My mom actually sat on the beach the entire time with her white folding chair and a pillow to sit on. She's unable to twist, bend or pick anything up over 5 pounds. But she loved just soaking up the sun and watching us wakeboard and ski from the beach.

 We stopped for lunch on the beach and played in the sand. There was maybe 2 other people(boats) that we saw the whole day and we eventually had the whole beach and lake to ourselves. It was AWESOME! Plus we had the best water.

Oh such a fun fun day! I didn't want it to end.

9/11

Jesse bought these shirts for us from a Fair they had at work to honor the Fallen Fighters from 2016. It's also in honor Patriot Day to remember 9/11/01. 

There are events that happen to us that will always be something that we will remember where we were when it happened. When the Twin Towers were struck I was a sophomore in High school sitting in my first period History Class. I remember not knowing what the twin towers even were, but knew the significance of this event. As I have grown older and every year on this day reflecting about what happened, it's humbling to think about all the people who died, served and sacrificed for others.

Now that Jesse is a firefighter I think about what it would have been like for him had he been a firefighrter in NY back then. Those men and women are true heroes and I'm proud of Jesse for being the hero to represent our family.

Happy Patriot's Day!
Thanks babe for thinking of me and buying me this cool T-shirt! Love you!

Labor Day Weekend/Fynn is TWO!!!

With the unnexpected time off that Jesse had and not having gone anywhere during the summer, I really thought it would be nice to go up to Eden for Labor Day weekend. I talked with the Smith Family and 3 out of the 4 families were able to go.  I got on VRBO and found a condo that was affordable for everyone and booked it.

Saturday:

After family pictures this morning out on Antelope Island we came home packed up the food and clothes and by 4pm we were on our way up to the Condo.  Andrew and Emily weren't able to come up until Sunday night so we were meeting Mom and Dad up there. 

On our way up I found that the condo coordinator sent me an email and they upgraded us to a nicer place for free. More space and bigger rooms. Can't beat that. 

Once we found our place we got settled in our rooms and started up on dinner. Then with the little bit of daylight we had left we decided to head to the pool. 

Some how Mom and I got volunteered to blow up the pool floaties. It seemed to take forever.

But those smiles make it all worth it.

Sunday:
Fynn officially turns TWO!!! Which is totally unreal to me. Gaaa, I really hate him growing up. Knowing he's my last one every stage that is passed kills me to think he'll never do that again. I find myself really trying to soak up every giggle, smile, and new words that he says. He is constantly making us laugh at his big personality that shines through his little body. And he's way smarter than a two year old should be aloud to be.

I took this picture a week ago because I knew we wouldn't be around on his actual birthday. But I had to get a picture with the elephant.

 Also last Sunday I held an early birthday party for him with my family (since we were going to be gone over his actual birthday). Everyone came to our house for dinner, cupcakes, ice cream and presents.

For months now Fynn would bring me (or Daddy) a lighter and say "A-Burr-Day" over and over again until we would light it. We would commence in singing Happy Birthday to him and he'd blow the fire out. This would go on for several times with the song getting faster and/or shorter. The day finally came for it to be the real deal and he was THRILLED!

After 17 days off Jesse had to go back to work today. Luckily it was just down the canyon for him and he could be back up with us on Monday for Labor Day and Birthday celebrations with all of his family (minus T&T). 

We attended church this morning, then spent the rest of the day just chillin at the pool. Well Jesse accidently woke the boys up at 6:30am when his alarm went off for work. Since we are all in the same room they wouldn't go back to sleep. So I was able to take an afternoon nap while Mom took the boys to the pool. I eventually joined them after my nap. 

That evening A&E arrived with their family and we were laughing at how just adding 4 more people to the house it felt like 20. The cousins were all so excited to see each other that they were being crazy loud in the house. But it's all good. 

I made chicken curry that night for everyone. And then we put the kiddos to bed and the adults went and relaxed in the hot tub. 

Monday:
We woke up and ate a huge breakfast. Jesse made it back up to the condo which made me so happy. The girls put together our lunches and when everyone was ready, we headed over to Pineview Reservoir to have a day at the lake.

Being Labor Day we were expecting it to be packed. Since we were only planning beach time (since no one in our company had a boat) it really wasn't that bad. Yes there were tons of people on the beach (some not so nice I learned after asking to borrow a plastic knife), but we still had a good time.

Before we got dispersed in our activities I made everyone take a family pic.

These 2 are so cute together. I wonder how much mischief they will cause in the future?

Always grateful that I have a MIL and SIL that truly are some of my closest friends. They make me happy and love me for me. And when you can be yourself and not feel judged and only loved, it's quite nice!

Grandma time at it's finest.

We stayed at the lake for a few hours. When everyone had their turn on the canoe (that A&E rented and brought for us to play with), had enough time digging in the sand, feeling sunburned and ready to call it a day...we went back to the condo. We still had birthday's to celebrate. Fynn and Sterling both share the same birthday so to keep it a little separate we did Sterling's before dinner and Fynn's after.

Fynn was so cute, once again feeling really excited to blow out the candles. And opening gifts was way cute too. He would give everyone a hug after opening their gift and being prompted to by Jesse.

Fynn has been fully obsessed with trains lately. We have the wooden train sets. The plastic train sets. So what could I possibly give him that he'd be excited about. When I got on Amazon and found a Thomas the Train that was ride-able, I had to get it. I couldn't wait to see the look on this face when he got to see it for he first time.

The whole family went to great lengths to keep him distracted as Jesse was putting it together. But finally the time came for him to see it. It didn't go how I thought it would go. I read reviews about it and this one lady talked about her son riding it for 2 straight hours until he fell asleep on it. Fynn was so weirded out by it at first. He wouldn't even get on it. I think for 10-15 minutes he refused. He eventually did but only would go a foot or two. Haha. In my head I pictured it going alot differently than that.

Eventually we needed to clean up dinner and the whole condo so we could check out. We all had to go back to reality tomorrow. Dang it.

Tuesday:
Jesse went back to work today and the boys back in school. So it was just Fynnie and I. But he had his two year checkup, so that worked out nicely.

I giggled over this smirk of his as we were waiting for the doctor to come in. Notice what he's got around him His new birthday books and toys.... ALL train related. Haha.

He of course looks so good. Talking like crazy. I lost track of how many words he says because we really can have simple conversations with him now. He communicates extremely well. Jesse says that Fynn eludes his emotions really well. We always know how he's feeling. Apparently he gets that from me. Which I don't know if it's a strength or a weakness of mine? Anyway, Fynn is just the best baby...I mean toddler.

STATS at TWO!
Weight: 28.9lbs (62%)
Height: 35in (59%)
Head circ: 19.9in (90%)

Things I want to remember about him right now...
1. He waves at total strangers. All through Costco he's waving at people with a big smile on his face.
2. He tells strangers as he's leaving somewhere "Bye, Wuh you" which translates into "Bye, Love you". So just imagine that with the cashiers at Costco, or the girls at the salon as we are leaving. It's hysterical.
3. Still a parrot and repeats everything we say.
4. Now that he is 2 years old the binki is going to have to be broken of him. Wish us luck. He loves that thing so much. Especially lately. He's only aloud to have it at bedtime and naptime, but he's been begging for it outside of those windows.
5. Showing signs of potty training. He knows when he's poopy at least.
6. You take a picture of him and he immediately says "I see, I see, I see" until you show him. Then he says "Awwww".
7. Figured out that anything with a screen can play "A choo choo" and will say it over and over until you turn it on for him. Sometimes he says "A choo choo, ya" nodding his head yes. As if telling us it's a really good idea.
8. If Jesse or I are showering he'' find us in the bathroom, start taking his close off and say "A showw-a". It's painful to tell him no because it's usually when I'm trying to hurry and get ready for work.
9. He's dumped the 100% pure maple syrup out all over the table. Twice. That was fun.
10. Loves his milk at bedtime. Along with the binki and his little blanket. And occasionally a stuffed animal of his choice. Which seems to rotate between the elephant and the fluffy tiger.