There is a Santa!

Our friends, the Kailings, invited us to go and see Santa at the Dickens festivle. Santa was great, but Ryan wasn't so sure she liked him. Maybe it was just too much facial hair? It was so fun to watch her react to him--cry really. So for all of you who doubt there is a real Santa, here is your proof... the real santa is out there and he was in St. George last week!!

How did I forget Halloween?!

So We didn't really do much for Halloween. We did go to a ward party. Other than that we just hung out at home. Even though we just were home alone, we still had some fun. Ryan was a lady bug, and I was my sisters boyfriend--AKA a Michael Jordan fan! It started as a joke and it ended as the best family joke ever! I think that the beard freaked Ryan out a little though!

Updates

Ryan not only began crawling some time ago, but she also got two teeth! As I am sure you saw in our last post we were able to seal her and bless her a little bit ago. We also lived through our first flu with Ryan! I didn't think that it would be that hard to care for a sick baby, but I was wrong! I was just glad that she was so sick on a Saturday night and Jared was able to help me care for her through the night.

Here are some of the pictures of Ryan at 7 months old in her blessing dress.

FINALLY FOREVER!!

We finally made it to the temple with Ryan on Friday Sept. 26th! Even though Ryan cried the whole time it was so neat!!!

Family meeting

We had the opportunity to meet with Kenzie, Jeremy, Bev, Mike, Danielle, Annette (all members, in one way or another, of Ryan's Birth family!) We are so grateful for the pictures and the meeting so that Ryan can know how many people really love her! Although it was a little more emotional for me than I had thought it would be, I was so glad that we were able to spend some time with these family members.

Ryan with Jared and I as well as her birth mother Kenzie, and birth father Jeremy

Kenzie and Jeremy with Ryan

Me and Kenzie with Ryan

Jared and Jeremy with Ryan

maybe Ryan will end up country too!

Kenzie with Ryan!

Lake Powell again but with DAD!

We were able to do another trip to Powell when Jared got home! Jared really needed a vacation! The weather was much cooler this trip; however, we were not able to ski or board much--Jared got in once. Other than that, it was really fun to spend some time as a family in the sun and water!

Sitting up

So I have really failed to keep on top of this blog! For now, Jared and I do not have the internet in our home. However, I promis to do my best. Right before Jared Came home from MN Ryan decided that she would start to sit up all by her self!! She still wont roll, but this will do for now!! You might also notice that she flaps her arms a lot! I think that she has decided that she would rather fly than roll over!

Finally making the drive!

Ryan and I have been away from Jared for the past three weeks! We miss him so much! He has been out in Minnesota working hard at something he does not enjoy! I would have to say that this summer has been one of the hardest for me! Every day I have to get up and send my poor Jared out to knock on the doors of strangers! I know he worked hard, but I don't think that we will do it again--at least that is my hope! I am just so glad that he is on his way home and he can never knock another door again if he doesn't want too!!!!

Lake Powell

Catching lizards with Dax

Swimming wth Ryan

Papa and the grand babies

Swimming with Grammie

Bree and Dax

The day after Ryan and I flew home we left for Lake Powell. We left at 4:30 am so that we could be on the boat by 9am! Luckily Ryan slept the whole way! It was a lot of fun but a lot of hard work too! Every day was really hot, and there is no air on my parents house boat. The only relief we got was to get in the water and swim a lot! Good thing Ryan also loves to swim! She kicks her legs and just goes crazy--she just doesn't like to be splashed at all! I just had so much fun with her in the water!


Nat and Riley

Me and Ryan

Ryan

Mall of America

We finally found some time to get out as a family and see some of Minnesota! It was kind of fun to see the Mall of America; although it's just another mall! It may be huge and have roller coasters, a wedding chapel, and an aquarium, but seeing it once is all I needed. My favorite was the Lego Land! The pictures say it all!

Silly Girl and her Daddy

My new toy!

Daddy loves me!

Dad said he had a surprise for me and Ryan and boy was it a good one! He got us this bouncer. This is Ryan getting used to all the fun toys! I am just excited because now Ryan will let me shower or make dinner in peace!

The Fireworks over the Mississippi River!!

Happy 4th

Hope everyone had a great weekend!! We were able to celebrate our Nation by going to the Minnesota Twins game and seeing the City's fireworks! It was really cool. The Twins played the Indians and won...I think--we left early to get to the fireworks. Ryan did really well. At first she was really tired so every time the crowd cheered she would cry. As the night went on she had more and more fun! She also enjoyed the fireworks. I don't think that she really understood what was going on but the lights were holding her attention!

Solids

So this past week I started giving Ryan some Rice Cereal! It is so fun!! She really likes it! Now that she is 4 months old and over 15 pounds we decided to really start packing on the pounds and feed her some solids!

Like a fish she is!

Ryan does AWSOME in the pool! I can't hardly wait to take this little fish to lake Powell!! We swim around and kick our legs and never had one accident--she never wears a diaper..ha ha oh well! But this little one is good in the water! She even went all the way under and was still just fine--a few tears and then back to swimming!

Cute...or NOT so Cute?

So Ryan has started this new little thing...its a cry...no its more like chatter...lets just be honest its a warning for me! Now to communicate to me that she is not happy, needs something, is uncomfortable, etc... she does this high pitched little chatter to warn me that if I don't do something for her quick she is going to explode with anger! Nice? So I know it sounds cute, but just imagine it angled at you all the time and then tell me if you still think it's cute!! Push play and see for yourself!!

Happy Fathers Day

For Jared's first fathers day we took some pictures and had them framed. He was so excited. My friend Nichole took them with her new camera and they are so sweet of Ryan--just look at that smile! We are just so excited about this little girl...Ryan is such a blessing in our home! We love her so much!!!

Sun Babies

As of late we have not really been able to do much outside. Due to all of the tornados and flash flooding we have not been able to catch many rays. However, we have now been able to get to the pool a handfull of times. Ryan and I have fun with a few of our friend out by the side of the pool. We have yet to get in the water because it is still too cold--and lets just face it, mom doesn't want to get in the cold water!!