A Little Bit of Everything

A few weekends ago we went with some of Brian's family to Hardware Ranch to see the elk. I went years ago as a kid with my family and honestly I wasn't thrilled about seeing it again. It's amazing how things change when you're a parent. It was so fun to watch Jaxon and Ryker enjoy the experience. During the tour the guide asked if there were any questions. Jaxon raised his hand and asked why the elk were eating straw. He wasn't prompted by any of us. It was one of those moments where I realized just how grown up he is becoming.

The other picture in there is SIL Emily. I was playing around with photoshop and thought the picture was kind of fun!



Later that same day we went to the Solomon Center in Ogden to watch Adam (Brian's brother) and Brian experience the iFly. This was their birthday present last year! Whenever they tried to plan a time to go it never worked out. Better late than never, eh? Brian loved it! It is so totally amazing how it works. Brian and Adam each got a video of their flying adventure and a t-shirt. Can't beat that! There was a kid there with his parents who did NOT want to do it at all. His mom was literally dragging him at one point trying to force him into the wind tunnel thing. The kid hooked his foot on Adams leg and was grabbing at Brian looking for someone, anyone to save him. Poor kid. No one knew what to do. Eventually he broke free from his mom and went back and sat down. He never did do it and is now most likely traumatized for life!

We also took the boys down to the Draper Temple open house. We debated back and forth whether or not to take Ryker with us. In the end I'm really glad we did. It was so neat to be in the temple with my little family. Jaxon and Ryker were so reverent. Sitting in the Celestial room I had the most overwhelming feeling. Before the open house we watched a short video explaining why we have temples. Elder Holland said in the video something to this affect: It just wouldn't be heaven if I couldn't be there with my family. As I sat there I thought about what Elder Holland said. I am so grateful that my family can be forever, because it just won't be heaven if I can't be with them.

We've been working with Jaxon on his prayers, reminding him to think about the day and the things he's grateful for so he doesn't get stuck in the repetition mode. That night as he said his prayers he said:

"Thankful I could see the temple because it was so beautiful"

"Thankful I could ride on a bus because I've never been on a bus before"
"Thankful I could eat all the cookies because they were good and I like cookies."

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. Jaxon is such a great big brother! He tells me every once in awhile "Go do something mom and I'll babysit Ryker". He helped me by feeding Ryker his dinner a few weeks ago so I could finish making our dinner. One day Jaxon was watching Ryker in their room while I finished getting for the day. When Ryker started crying I asked Jaxon what was wrong. He told me that Ryker was in the closet. I told him to take him out. "But, mom the door is closed and that's why he's crying" When I asked him why he had closed the door on Ryker he explained they were playing hide and go seek!

We took Ryker in for a weight check a few weeks ago and he weighed in at 16 lbs 10 oz. Woo hoo! He's also started pulling himself up on everything and is starting to walk along the furniture. He can also stand independently for a few seconds. I can't believe that he is almost one!