Birthday Check-up/V-Day

I was so busy with Ryker's birthday week that I hadn't even thought about what to make for the boy's valentines boxes for school. I'll be honest I was totally dreading it. I get frustrated with all these elementary holidays that require Moms to be so creative. There's pressure and expectations that need to be met. I blame Pinterest for that. It's a great resource but also maddening when I feel overwhelmed and not feeling up to the expectations. 

I found an idea on Pinterest to make an R2D2 out of a mini garbage can with a domed lid and glueing foam shapes onto it. Easy Right? Well I spent the whole day yesterday trying to find said simple garbage can and had NO LUCK. I went to 4 stores and by 3pm I decided I needed to make another game plan. 

Feeling frustrated and running out of time I assessed what boxes I had lying around in recycle. And when I found some boxes the ideas started coming. I swear it was an answer to a prayer. I really was stressing that I couldn't get 2 boxes done in time and get the family fed. But I swear the Lord stepped in helped me out. I was able to put these boxes together in no time. And the best part was they both loved them. Win-Win. Thank you Heavenly Father!

Then for their Valentines they were handing out to their classmates I wanted it to be a simple and healthy one. So I had the idea to buy Cutie Clementines and write U.R.A.Q.T. on it.

Cy loved his box so much that I found him with it in his bed this morning. And on the way to school he had to have it in his lap while. Haha. It made me very happy to see.

After school I picked up the boys and we headed straight to Ryker's birthday checkup. On the way there I had a conversation with Ryker about how he was nervous that the doctor was going to have to check under his underware. He remembered it from last year and we had a good conversation that it's only ok for doctors to do it while mom is in the room. I was grateful for that moment that we could be open about it with each other. I hope that we can always be open with me as I raise him.

He was so fun to sit back and watch him interact with Dr. Sabey as he asked Ryker questions. He wasn't shy. Just answered the questions with such confidence. He's such a good kid.

His stats are...
BMI: 17.2 (70%)
Weight: 68.4 lbs (68%)
Height: 52.8in (53%)

As soon as we left the doctors office we went right over to Timalee's house for a little Valentines Dinner together. Her husband was out of town and Jesse was working. Her and I were talking last week about V-day and we decided to get our kiddos together. We made personal sized pizzas and salad.

We chilled for a few hours until Timalee had to leave for work.

I love this cute little bug of ours.

The night was still young and I thought it would be nice to finish the day off with a little YogurtLand. Getting a little date night with my 3 little men on this Valentines Day.

Family Birthday Dinner Party

Typically we do our birthday parties on Sundays since it's usually the most convenient time for everyone. But Jesse was scheduled last Sunday and tomorrow. I really wanted to have him at the party so I asked if we could change it to a Saturday! I knew not everyone could do that, but luck turned out everybody from my side and Jesse's side were able to come. It was incredible. 

 We love hosting because we have the space for it. Especially now that we have our new Dining Room table. We are coming up on 12 years of marriage and are finally buying a nice big table for our home. Feels good. No more cramming around that tiny table with everyone. But we have a table that seats 10 comfortably around it. I love it. Makes our home feel way more cozy.

Ryker picked the menu for the night. Chicken Rollups, Steamed Broccoli and Carrots with a Ceaser Salad. The chicken rollups are very time consuming and we had alot of people there. So with the help from Heidi we got them all done had lots to spare.

We feel so blessed to have so many family members to come and give their love to Ryker. He is definitely one loved kid. Andrew and Emily even drove down from Logan to be there. It was so sweet of them to do that. When they told me they were coming I was really excited. But when I found out it was just for the night I really felt so happy for them doing that for Ryker.

We were all getting a kick out of Fynn laying his head on Jacklynn. He really is the sweetest thing.

And like that... He's 9 years old!

This morning as I was finishing up my morning scripture study, I was thinking about how 9 years ago today Ryker made me a mother for the first time. I was thinking about how much Joy he has brought to me. Experiencing all the firsts with him. Because of him I have grown. And watching him grow up into who he is today is remarkable. He has a heart of gold! He is everything that is good and genuinely wants to do good!

I hear very often from teachers, friends, neighbors, family or anyone that meets him "Man, that Ryker is a good kid. You guys are good parents." I wish I could take all the credit, but honestly he was born that way. This kid is a friend to EVERYONE! And he makes everyone he meets feel so loved! When he could only choose 8 friends for his birthday party it was really hard for him. He said to me "But everyone is my friend."

Oh, I just love that about him!

During our morning shuffle of getting ready for school, I wanted to write Ryker a letter to go into his lunch. I took a picture of it simply for record keeping. It reads...

Ryker-

I hope you are having a great day so far! I just wanted to tell you how much I love you and how proud I am to be your mom. I feel special that I am called "Ryker's Mom" because you are such a good boy! Your heart is a heart of gold and you spread Joy to everyone around you! One of my favorite things about you is how you are a friend to anyone- no matter their age, gender or family. You are a light to those around you and you have the leadership ability that comes so naturally to you! People, friends and family will always look to you as an example of righteousness and goodness! Thank you for being you! Happy Birthday! I Love you

-Mom

I had to work for a little bit today, but was able to be off a little bit early. And I was able to make it to Jesse's Firefighter Presentation for Ryker's Cub Scout activity! Jesse was asked to do it a few weeks ago and I thought it was kinda fun to have it land on Ryker's birthday! Ryker is super proud of his dad being a firefighter!

I know Jesse has given these presentations several times, but I haven't ever been able to see him in action. So I asked him if it would be ok to come take pictures and see him do his thing! He was sweet and let me join in.

Realized later that Ryker blinked when I took this picture, but I thought it was cute to see all the scouts very interested in what Jesse was saying. On occasion they would get side tracked on random topics.

Jesse was so great and gone all the way back up to Ogden this morning to get his gear so he could show the boys.

Sometimes I forget that he really is a firefighter and he gets to experience some pretty amazing situations. As he was going on with his presentation and interacting with the scouts, picturing all the situations he's been in as he's talking about them, I couldn't help but feel very proud of him. Sure its not the best paying job, but it sure comes with a sense of pride. I like to brag about him all the time.

As the hour was drawing near he was asking the scouts if they had any questions. One of the leaders asked him "Who is YOUR hero?"

He sat there a second thinking and his first response was ..."My Dad. Because he's smart, strong and righteous." Then he said Ryker was his hero. Before he could continue he started to get a little teary eyed and said "I look up to him and want to grow up to be just like Ryker."

Before he got too choked up he said something cliché so he wouldn't cry and said "And also Ashley is my hero." Haha.

We got a sitter for Cyrus and Fynn so that we could Jesse and I could take Ryker out. Just One-on-One Birthday Dinner Date. I told Ryker he could choose anywhere he wanted to go eat. He chose Mikado. Haha. It's one of our favorites. So I was happy! When we were driving there he wanted to try the new Tepanyaki tables that they recently put in. So we said Yes!

When dinner was over Ryker said "Thanks Mom and Dad, that was Great!"

You are more than Welcome Ryker Dude. I wish I could give you the world!

Happy Birthday!!!!

Living on the "DartSide"

Yesterday I put together a friend birthday party for Ryker. I'm not the type of mom to hold it at my house because I can't handle the choas, mess or entertaining in my home. So we take the party else where. I recently had heard about this new Dart arena where kids get to go and shoot each other with dart guns. How can you go wrong? 

I called them up and found out that the birthday party package included 10 kids for $130 and you could bring your own food in. Ding! We have a winner. So over the past few weeks Ryker made hi list of friends. I kinda felt bad telling him he could only invite 8, because he's friends with everyone and wants everyone there. But he narrowed it down and he was able to get numbers from them to contact their mom's. Since these kids are at the charter school they live all over the county. It's not like I really know the moms due to not living in the same neighborhood. But it's a great way to get to know more people. Ryker's circle of friends is very large because he's got a different group at school and another from our ward/neighborhood. So hopefully nobody felt left out. 

Anyway all the parents dropped the kiddos off at our house yesterday at 12:15pm. I borrowed a bigger vehicle from Chantel's MIL so we would have enough seats to get all 13 of us up to Layton. Thankfully Jesse was off and he could be my other driver. We had to split up between to vehicles to get us all up there. 

We all arrived at the place around 1pm and they got their rundown of how things would work.

They divided them into teams and put on their vests.

I got a group picture of them all before they went into the arena to play for the next hour. They were all so excited.

Ryker was on cloud 9 (haha that's funny since he's turning 9) with all his friends with him and shooting all of them.

I tried to get so many action shots but they were all running around so much that this is the best one I could do. But I loved just chilling on the side lines with Jesse and Fynn, taking pictures. No stress for me and just letting them all be crazy.

After the hour was up they came out and we had lunch. Instead of the cookie cutter birthday party lunch of Pizza, cake and soda pop, I made turkey sandwhiches, apple slices, string cheese and crackers (and water) as their meal. They all loved it! I also got Parsen's Sugar Cookies as their treat. Which are so yummy!

Group Picture again with the Birthday Boy! Left to Right: Marcus, Emily, Jace, Ryker Eli, Ella, Ever and Emily. Cy and Landon are the 2 in the front.

I got a personal picture with all of them except Cy and Ella. Don't know how I missed that those 2. Dang it.
(Jace Seaman, Marcus Stephan, Emily Akerlow, Teylor Anderson, Landon Burbage and Eli Bodell)

We headed back home and waited for them all to be picked up. They were all having such a good time running around my house being crazy, but thankfully it was only for a little while. I always tell Jesse I'm worried that I'm not going to be the cool mom because I get so uptight about the messes and the craziness going on (Thanks Dad for passing that on to me Haha). Jesse just says he'll be the cool dad then while I'm stressed out. Balance Right?

Anyway, it was all such a successful party. Everyone came that Ryker invited and everyone all had such a blast!

Still can't believe that Ryker is turning 9 in a few days. Eek. We are approaching double digits soon. And we are half way until he leaves on a mission. Oh that's a scary thought.

10th Annual New Years Family Sledding Day!!

The first year we started this tradition was when Ryker was 11 months old. And here were are 10 years later with not just one grand-baby in the Smith Family, but 5. 

Last year we had gone up to Eaglewood (which is super close to our house), so we decided to go there again this year since it was such a success. 

Before we went we actually tried to see if Snow Snowing would be a possibility, but between the last minute notice, having to rent some and not having enough time before A&E needed to drive home to Logan, we decided no to worry about it. 

But we still had the best time. Fynn hadn't been in the snow really so it was very enjoyable to see him play in it. He loved it and wanted to keep touching it. It was a constant thing putting his gloves back on after he'd take them off. 

I got a kick out of Jesse pulling Fynn in the sled. Fynn was just so content going for the ride.

First time down the hill.

A&E.

Evie didn't love the snow a much as Fynn did. Matter of fact she cried every time we put her down either in the snow or on a sled. So Grandma was content holding her.

Ryker took Fynn down the hill with him and they both just loved it.

The hill we were on was really long and steep. Which is way fun. But after awhile the kiddos were very tired walking back up it. So we went up behind us a little bit to a small hill and it was perfect for the kids to go down over and over again.

While the girls were talking we were getting a laugh at Fynn trying to give Evie kisses. Such cute cousin love.

Trying to walk in his boots and the snow was a challange, but that didn't stop him or the smile on his face.

As we were wrapping things up it started to snow and I got giddy about getting a family picture. Hallmark moment right?

Trying to get a family picture was tricky so we did it in shifts. One with Dad while Mom took the picture...

Then one with Mom while Dad took the picture.

Seriously such a fun sledding day. We were all pooped and ready for a warm dinner by the time we were done. But it was another day well spent in the snow!

Just like that... I turned 31!

Woke up this morning a year older and feeling younger then ever. Jesse was coming off of a shift this morning so I let the boys sleep in while I went to the gym. It's been nice now that Ryker is at an age where I trust him for an hour or 2 to be in charge. I went early and got a nice workout with my friends Tara and Cand. 

When I do leave the boys at home I will usually call them on my way home just to check in with them. When Ryker answered the phone he seemed a little suspicious asking me where I was exactly. I told him that I had just left the gym and would be home in 8 mins.

Well much to my surprise when I walked through the door I was greeted with these 2 boys (in their unders) holding a homemade birthday banner and singing Happy Birthday to me. Oh they sure know how to make me feel so loved on my birthday. While they were singing I felt like my heart was going to burst and I wanted to sob. But I couldn't because I had the biggest smile on my face. When they were done I had to hurry and snap a picture of them. Ryker said "No, I'm in my underwear" but I didn't care. I had to capture this moment.

Then Ryker took me into the kitchen to show me that he had made pancakes for me. They were all ready on the table waiting for me to eat them. Oh I was so tickled by how thoughtful he was. They had NO HELP from anyone. Matter of fact Ryker manned the whole thing (Cyrus got distracted he told me haha). I even asked Ryker if Grandma Heidi or Daddy gave him the idea. But Nope. It was all his idea. This is what I call a Pay Day Moment for a mother. So awesome. I just felt so special that he would go to all this effort for me. I guess the minute I left this morning he got up and started working on the banner and cooking the pancakes. Makes sense why he was acting so suspicious on the phone. He was frantic to have everything ready for me. And he did a great job!

I went to work at 11 and was feeling TOTALLY BUMMED that I had scheduled clients. I was only going to work until 4pm. But still, I was really wanting to stay home with my family.

But when I was coming home I drove up our street to find that Jesse had rented this 4-wheeler for the snow. Date night was looking to be a good time.

I came in the house and he said "Surprise!!!" Haha. He had a sitter there ready to go and he told me to go change into warm clothes and we were leaving. He had hot chocolate ready to go in thermos mugs and we were going to pick up soup on our way out from Parsen's Bakery. Mmmm. And a yummy birthday treat.

He took me up above the "B" and we rode around as far as we could go. Pretty much until the trail ended. We found a spot to chill and we ate our soup, hot chocolate and cookies under the starry cold night.

We headed back down the hill and Jesse let me drive. Hehe. I liked driving because the backseat was very bumpy. And I got to get some paybacks for giving me such a bumpy ride. Haha.

When we made it back down I was feeling very cold by that point. But we were done so that worked out. We loaded it back up on the trailer and took it back to the rental place.
It was only 8:00ish by this point and I wasn't feeling ready for my birthday to be over. So we decided to go and get 2nd dinner since our soup wasn't holding us over so well.

Pei Wei was the stop. And I just loved talking and hanging out with my man a little while longer. Every year he goes out of his way to make my day so special and me feel so loved. I'm a lucky girl. I have all these boys surrounding me with so much love.

Christmas 2016

We woke up to a White Christmas and it didn't stop all day. Since Jesse was working I got up and spent an hour snow blowing the driveway so Chantel and Tyler could get out and go do Christmas with Tyler's family. 

Since Jesse gets off work at 8am we were expecting him around 8:45. But he didn't make it home until after 9am. And he got stuck several times and was surprised that he even made it home in the Suzuki. He told us when he got home that he was able to leave the station around 7am and it took him that long to get home because of how snow packed the roads were. And it was still coming down. 

We ate breakfast together and then had to hustle and get ready for 10am church. I thought we would just open Christmas gifts after church since Jesse got home so late. But I wanted the boys to open up one gift before we left because it was an out fit to wear for Christmas Sacrament.

We were getting a kick out of Fynnie's funny little sqinty smiles. He sure does make us laugh quite often.

Cy opening his Christmas sweater.

All ready to go to church.

I feel grateful for this Christmas Day that we can reflect on the birth of Christ. Especially it being on the Sabbath Day. It felt good to step away from the hustle and bustle of the day and worship Him, partake of the sacrament and to listen to and sing Christmas Songs. The spirit touched my heart and I felt Happy.

And seeing these boys all dressed up to worship in their new Christmas attire makes my heart swell. I love these 3 so much.

After church Jesse went out to snowblow. The whole neighborhood and the church needed to be cleared. He was out there for about an hour and the boys were inside just dying to open their gifts. So when I finally gave them the go-ahead, they were thrilled. By this point Fynn was napping so we just started without him.

We surprised them with a Lagoon Season Pass and some Legos.

When Fynn finally woke up we let him open up his  gifts.

He was actually really good at opening the gifts.

The boys played with their new legos and some of the stuff from the stockings for a few hours, but the it was time to go to my parents house.

Thankfully by this point the snow had finally stopped. We all arrived safely. Mom started out the night with opening gifts. We got a kick out of these 2 grandkids and their new rides they got from Grandma and Grandpa.

Ryker is always so good to give thank you hugs.

So is Cy. I thought this was a cute picture of my mom too.

My mom loves Christmas and this year she had all of these gifts to open for a game that we played with some dice. By the end we were all "stealing" each others gifts and laughing about it all.

We had a yummy dinner and yummy desserts to the point that we were all stuffed. We played games until we were all too tired to think. Even to the point that we forgot to take a group picture. Dang it. Oh well. The memories will have to be good enough.

I loved how relaxing this day was. It was so nice to only have one place to worry about going to. Makes for one good day with family.

Merry Christmas!