Not a fan of Jolly St. Nick...

Ruark is the happiest baby I have ever seen and been around. He goes to everyone, loves everyone, and is content with just about everyone....until today. We went to go see Santa Claus at the mall...and he was not happy about it. He clawed at my coat and sobbed and screamed the entire time. If you look closely at the picture, you can even see his tear rolling down his cheek. He was so relieved when we were done, and he gave Santa nasty looks as we walked away.

Maybe next year he'll be a little more excited, as for this year he wants Santa to stay away!

Christmas Projects

So many of you know I have been working on Christmas projects, which have been so much fun! Ever since I sewed Ruark's Halloween costume, I've been dying to start more projects! I don't understand patterns, so I decided I'd figure these out without one. Dixie, my friend and I worked the last two months on 6 sets of the felt food and then I decided to add an apron for my niece, as of last night. I love the way it all turned out! I love sewing, especially girl things! Man, I can't wait to sew pink stuff again, it's so cute! Luckily I have so many nieces to hold me over :) We made carrots, strawberries, watermelon, sugar cookies, hamburgers...with cheese, lettece, tomoatos, meat patty, and french fries. We even added a little shopping bag to give them away in!

The apron is reversible, don't want it to clash with our outfits do we ladies :)

Merry Christmas, I hope everyone is having a wonderful week preparing for the holiday season. I know I am!

Christmas Photos

Playing in the snow :)

We've been married for 4.5 years now and we're still more in love than most newlywed's I know.

I could see so many of these photos in a magazine!

We look so good together!

Ruark is so full of personailty!

Thanks to my very talented sister, Danielle, and good weather. We were able to get our family Christmas shoot in. The pictures are amazing and we couldn't be happier!!

I love having all of these precious moments suspended in time. We are loving this season and hope everyone else steals some time to enjoy time with their family and feel of the rich spirit of Christmas.

Put your running shoes on...

Ruark is crawling up a storm these days. He's into everything, opening cupboards, getting into toilets (that happened when Chase was watching him, not me), eating dog food, and generally just causing a mess behind us as we are cleaning. But he is so much fun now that he is so mobile! I think this is a perfect explanation of what he's up to by the look on his face..."Hey, I thought you were in the other room!"

His cheesey face! I love this smile! See all eight baby whites!

His first experience with snow...

This week we got snow and he loves standing at the back door banging on the glass and laughing as the puppies trudge through the white fluffy snow. We love being parents to this sweet energetic and fun little boy and can't wait to add to our joy we have found as parents.

Thanksgiving

Next week is Thanksgiving, and we are so thankful for all the blessings we have! I have been having so much fun preparing for Thanksgiving this year. Here are a few fun Thanksgiving songs I grew up singing around Thanksgiving and now we sing around here:



There's a big fat turkey out on Grandpa's farm

and he thinks he's very gay

he spreads his tail into a great big fan

and he struts around all day.



You can hear him gobble at the girls and boys

for he thinks he's singing when he makes that noise

but he'll sing his song another way

upon Thanksgiving day

kkkl kkklll (sounds turkey's make when they die) :)





Second Song



Turkey turkey in the yard

you'd better run away

farmer dell will look for you

before Thanksgiving Day.



Do not gobble quite so loud

don't go near your pen

quiet down and hide your head

he'll never find you then.



Because I was so pregnant last year I missed out on all the yummy food because my belly simply couldn't hold it all! I'm eating my fill this year because who know if I'll be pregnant again next Thanksgiving :)

Hair Cuts and Grape Juice

My sister has grape vines, and pretty much the coolest backyard I have ever seen. She had a baby last month and knowing she wouldn't be able to get around to canning her grape juice this year she sent up a huge box of grapes for me. I got 15 QUART JARS of PURE grape juice, no sugar or water added!!! I love canning, and I love it even more when the food is free!!! My house smells so yummy like grape juice and I am so excited to expand my food storage in new and tasty ways! Thank you Lisa!

Hair cuts and grape juice...Not two that often go together :) My son was in dire need of a hair cut! Here's a pic of him before

and after! Now he looks more like a little boy! We sure love our little man and can't believe how he's growing and how fast he is getting into things!

Ruark is finally crawling up on his hands and knees the entire time, which just makes him faster! He's walking with his "shopping cart toy" and he totally has a mechanical mind like his daddy. He loves taking things apart and figuring how they go back together! Example... He doesn't like the snacks he likes figuring out HOW to get into the snacks. He doesn't want the bottle he wants to figure out HOW to get into the bottle. Funny little boy.

Pinocchio

It all started when my mom began watching Pinocchio a few weeks ago, she couldn't get over how much Ruark looks like Pinocchio when he turns into a real boy. So she started calling him Pinocchio, I looked everywhere for a costume to buy. They don't make Pinocchio costumes in his size, and so it began. I thought, "it can't really be that hard can it?"

So it began, and it was so much fun! I didn't have a pattern I just went at the felt with some scissors and thread, added ribbons and buttons and did some thread work and WOW it's amazing how things come together! It was cuter than I could have imagined and cuter than any outfit I saw on the internet and now I can't wait to hopefully make Halloween costumes every year for my children! So here is his Pinocchio costume! Can't wait to see him in it!

Halloween

TIP: Next year give him less candy Grandma's!

Last night was Halloween and we had too much fun taking Ruark Trick or Treating. First I have to say I made Ruark's costume from SCRATCH! I'm so proud of how it turned out! I want to be the mom who makes the Halloween outfits, so I decided to try my hand at it this year and it turned out better than I could have imagined. I didn't have a pattern or anything, just started cutting! I can't wait for next year! Chase was Gepetto, Ruark was Pinocchio, and I was the Good Fairy who turned Pinocchio into a real boy. Chase had a "fat suit" under his clothes and he made the BEST Gepetto and Ruark was the cutest Pinocchio!

We went to see as many Grandparents as possible, they kept giving him suckers to suck on (paper still on). They forgot he has those little teeth and before we got out to the car he had bit through that wax paper and had some goodies :). Every kid is supposed to get sick from candy on Halloween night, it's only one night a year. Then we went back to our house for some 'Left for Dead' (only fitting to play a zombie video game on Halloween night, right?), pizza and time with friends. Our best friends had a little boy Alex last month and we can already tell our boys will be such good friends. I think they remember each other from the other side, I can't wait to see what good friends they will be! It's only fitting they are already getting along because as parents Ben and Dixie and us have such easy friendships. Here's a pic of the boys...Ruark loved seeing Alex laying in his bed he was standing on the ground laughing and reaching through the bars to get to him, Alex was laughing at Ruark too and grabbing his hand. Aww, they are too cute together! The funniest thing is how much little Alex resembles Ruark at that age! If you can believe it, he's growing even fast than Ruark did!

Falling off the face of the earth...

That's a good way to describe where we've been, I haven't blogged in FOREVER. I had all these posts that were only saved and I never posted them! Ha ha, so here we go!

This is a picture with our new little Cheyenne Ruth!! There is such a size difference! We probably won't be able to see her again until we go back out there hopefully in May of next year, but we feel so lucky to have had a chance to get to know her.

Ruark now has 8, EIGHT TEETH! So scary when you are still nursing...especially because he thinks it's funny when I tell him no when he is biting me. We have welcomed 3 new babies into our family, our best friends, my sister and my sister-in-law all had babies within 3 weeks of eachother. Kinda helps with wanting another baby so bad. Kinda :)

We went to Missouri, which was such a great trip. We were able to see my new niece Cheyenne's blessing and her big brother Stetson get baptized. We stole a few hours away to see Adamondiahmen which was so cool, there was such a feeling of holiness. We were also able to see Liberty Jail.

We can't wait to get back there again so we can spend a few days in Nauvoo, which was the original plan, but we booked the day we left later than we thought. So we decided to make our next trip longer so we can go to the Nauvoo Temple and through the whole experience. Here's hoping my anxiety is better by then so I can leave Ruark with my mom while we go!!! I still can't shake this anxiety, but it's getting better, I at least leave him with Chase to go do some shopping :)

Even with all of the fun trips we were able to go on this summer...There's no place like home!

From One to Three!

Ruark got his first front tooth last week, and now he has three bottom teeth right in front, and his one little canine! Poor thing is teething up a storm, I'm just glad we're getting it over with so quickly! He has been a little fussy, but you know our son, he's still giggling through the pain. Because his gums are hurting we have a hard time getting him down for a nap. Instead he wil sit and giggle hysterically

And we're off...

Ruark cut his first front tooth on Saturday, I keep trying to get pictures it's co cute! His first tooth was his left canine which cut at 4 months, well now his front teeth are finally following suit! He got his bottom front right tooth. We couldn't figure out what was wrong with him Saturday, we were supposed to be on our way to the Andrews family reunion, and we couldn't get him to calm down enough to head out. So we missed seeing all of our family, which we are really upset about! Later that night Chase gave Ruark his watch to play with which he was chewing on, I didn't think that was such a good idea so I took it away when he grabbed my finger shoved it into his mouth and bit HARD! Normally that's not such a big deal, but that little tooth was like a razor! OW! He's so cute and happy!

What a big boy! This week, we started CANNING! YEA! I love canning! My neighbors had extra beets which they gave to me to can, it was great. Luckily my sweet niece Elle, was able to come over and "babysit" Ruark, and keep him entertained. I keep telling Chase we need to have an older baby to entertain Ruark, well we found her! It's great! Poor thing tries to carry him around, but he's a big boy, and it's not that easy.

Chase had to head back to WA, so he decided to take us with him. It's been great so far, HOT but great. It's nice spending time together, we'll be back home around my birthday (the 13th) but in the meantime, Ruark, Chase, the puppies, myself and Gabe are sharing a trailer. We'll have to see how it goes!

Turning 23

Happy Birthday Chase!

23 years young! Life is passing us by so quickly, it seems like we can barely keep up! Chase just celebrated his 5 year, high school reunion. It was great to be able to meet friends he hadn't seen in a while, and catch up. It seems like just yesterday I was watching him cross that stage to graduate!

Chase turned 23 last week, we celebrated with our friends when he got back with a BBQ. Mom helped me make and decorate this beautiful 3 layer carrot cake. Which was SO good! After BBQ and cake, we went to the drive-in to see the new Harry Potter movie. We had a great time, spending time with friends and being back together as a family. Happy Birthday Chase!!! We sure love you!



Ruark loves his Daddy! As soon as Chase got back, he was all he wanted. When I held him, he'd hold out his arms for Chase to take him back. What an amazing dad Ruark has to grow up with, he is so blessed!



Ruark is the spitting image of his Daddy! We had a fun little photo shoot, outside the last day Chase was home. I love all of the chances we had to catch Ruark being so inquisitive, he is full of so much energy! We have our work cut out for us raising this little tyke!

6 Months Old

Chase and I also just celebrated our 4 YEAR anniversary! Can you believe it's been that long! We were able to stop in Boise on our way back from Washington and enjoy a Brazilian BBQ Restaurant, we had a lot of fun remembering our life over the past four years.

Ruark is now 6 months old! Half a year has flown by in the blink of an eye! He now weighs 19 pounds and is 27.5 inches long, he's sitting up like a champ and into everything he can get his hands on.

We just celebrated the Fourth of July! The 4th has to be my favorite summer holiday! Luckily Chase was able to come home so we were able to spend it as a family. Ruark loved the parade, everything except for the dang firetruck who blasted their horn when they were right in front of us, it scared him to death! We also enjoyed my family's picnic at Tautphaus Park, even the annual water fight. He didn't even cry when he got wet, what a champ! After such a long day, we even made our way over to to the fireworks, which he loved!! He sat mesmerized by the lights, as we watched from our car near Freeman Park. Then we made our way home and lit off our own fireworks in our front yard. It was such a great day spent with family, remembering our blessings and freedoms we enjoy.

Next on our list of things coming up...Chase and I are turning 23 soon...we are getting old! His 5 year class reunion is coming up too. I'm really excited to see people he went to high school with, and put names with faces.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! How thankful am I to have a day to express my appreciation for the Father's in my life. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father, he blesses me in more ways than I ever dreamed possible. I am so thankful for his steady guidance and protection in our lives.

I am so thankful for my husband and best friend Chase! He is such an amazing man who surprises me everyday with his generosity, kindness and passion for life. I am so blessed to have him for my eternal companion. He loves me more than I deserve, and treats me like a Queen. I never thought you could be so happily married. I wish Chase were able to spend his very first Father's Day with us today, we truly feel the hole in our home when he is gone.

Ruark loves his Daddy, the connection between the two of them is beyond words for me. Chase plays with Ruark, loves him, prays for him, protects him, provides for him (us) what more could we ask for? I love my husband for a million reasons. I pray everyday that not only can we spend eternity together, but that we can spend our lives together. I can't imagine life without him.

My Daddy, what a wonderful grandfather he is to Ruark. We love him and are so thankful our son has so many grandparents who love him, and are able to enrich his life. We look forward to fishing, hunting, horseback riding and boating with Grandpa!

Ruark has so many grandfathers who love him, I wish we had pictures with Kevin, and all of Ruark's great grandparents! Here is a picture of Ruark's blessing, with all the men from the circle...all of them are father's in our life. To all of the Father's in our lives, we love you and are thankful for your sacrifice and are so happy to have you apart of our lives! If we don't take the time to tell you, Have a great Fathers Day!

Chubby Baby

Ruark is so sweet, and he loves his bumbo seat. We put him in there and he watches us from the counter, while we cook and eat...it's nice to have something to hold him besides my arms...he gets heavy! I wonder what it is we are feeding him that makes him so chubby! Sometimes I wonder if we aren't feeding him cubes of butter! Maybe mom needs to lay off some of the cookie dough!!

Look at all those rubber bands! I guess we know where he carries his chub... in his thighs! :)You could gnaw on the one set of chub just behind his knees! They are like turkey drumsticks! He is getting so healthy and strong! The doctors are really happy with how he is growing and they are "amazed" by how calm and happy he is! Maybe I prayed that he would "grow big and strong" a little too much! Truthfully,we are so thankful, for this little spirit and for his healthy body and cheerful attitude! I am thankful everyday to be with him for eternity!

If he is ever grouchy, once in a blue moon, we put him in the bath. Oh man this boy loves bath time! He kicks and splashes like there is no tomorrow! Even on a grouchy day, he's all giggles and grins. He's talking up a storm! In the middle of the night, Chase and I wake up to him jabbering on and on, he must be talking to angels. Instead of crying, he just yells out "MOM" all the time, Chase uses it as an excuse to say he wants me, so I get up. Chase is so great, he gets up every night, and gets him for me so I can nurse him. We are so grateful for the father, husband and preisthood holder he is. Ruark loves playing with his daddy..."num, num's" and fighter pilot are among his favorite. Where would we be without Chase?

So Blessed!

We started feeding Ruark baby food to hopefully sustain him a little more through the night, we started that a few weeks ago, here are some photos of the first time he ate "mixed veggies", which he loved by the way. Of course he did! He loves to eat...he loves biter biscuits too, messy disgusting little creations!! I hate giving them to him, but when he loves them so much what can we do?

He loves drinking out of a glass. We began giving him water in a glass, and then Chase tried feeding Ruark a bottle, with some rice cereal mixed in and he refused the drink from it, so I poured it into a glass and he drank it all up! What a silly boy, he know what he wants, even at such a young age!

Ruark is laughing up a storm these days, and stealing hearts. He is a ball of personality. He got his first tooth, his canine. We took him to see Wolverine that same day, and he loved it! He watched the screen the entire time and laughed. I tried to cover his eyes during fight scenes, and he would pull my hand away and peek around to watch. He loved it, and he was so good through the entire movie, poor little tyke fell asleep in the last ten minutes.

We are so blessed. Since our last posting we sold our home on 11th street and are set to close on our new home very soon. We really love it here, and are enjoying making it our own. Chase has been working on the outside of our home to make it more functional. I can't wait to fill this home with children!