4 months

Sydney is 4 months. I still can't believe it!!

She is such a joy to have in our home and we couldn't imagine our lives without her!

Her Stats at 4 months:

Length: 24.5 inches (58%)

weight: 12 lbs 1 oz (16 %)

She's changed so much and has become so much more active over the last 2 months.

Some things she loves to do right now are:

smile and laugh

jibber-jabber and "sing songs" as Jack likes to call it

Roll from her front to her back

scoot in circles while on her back

and play with her toes

Here are a few pictures of our baby girl at 4 months:

of course Jack has to show us that he knows where his toes are too!

We love you sweet pea

and we can't wait to see what you learn in the months to come.

Turkey Day!!

It's crazy to think about what a difference a year makes.

Last year at this time, Steve had just had his second (including the one he had back in high school) back surgery. He was one week into recovery and we were spending a quiet Thanksgiving dinner at home with just the 3 of us, followed by dessert and sparklers with our good friends the Malcarnes. We were so thankful for wonderful doctors and modern medicine to help relieve Steve of some serious pain and discomfort.

Little did we know what the next year would bring: another back surgery a few months later, graduating from Grad school, the stressful job hunt, moving across the country while 9 months pregnant to an unknown area, and welcoming a sweet baby girl. A lot has happened in the last year, and we are so thankful and feel very blessed for these eventful experiences that have only made us stronger and have brought us to where we are this year. We can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us.

Our Thanksgiving holiday this year didn't go as planned, but we still had a GREAT time with Family!

We were scheduled to meet up with Steve's family at his Grandparents ranch in Aurora, Utah but the weather had a different agenda. Because of the big "blizzard" that was forecasted for Utah, a couple of Steve's brothers had to cancel their trips. Which caused all of us to think twice about going. We decided it would just be safer for everyone if we just stayed where we were and hoped for a reunion another time very soon. Lucky for us, we have Steve's sister within an hour of us, so we were still able to spend the time with family. One of Steve's brothers was already in Utah so he convinced them to drive out here and spend the week with us. We all packed up and went down to his sister's house for some nonstop family fun. Although we didn't go far, it was nice to get away for a few days. And even better to only have a short trip home when it was all over.

Here are a few pictures of our Thanksgiving week:

The boys went for a walk one day. As you can see, it was really cold outside!

All I can think of when I look at this picture is the kid from The Christmas Story!!

enjoying his turkey dinner

Kennedy and Carrie

Steve and Sydney

Putting the topping on my coconut cream pie

John and Kenzie

our happy little baby

anytime I lay Syd down to take her picture, Jack must be included

3 of the 4 trythall boys born in 2008. We sure did miss Brad!!

All the kids together

The girls

Carrie, Kenzie, Kennedy and Sydney

Steve and Ben

Although we had to adjust our plans, and we missed the rest of our family, we had a great holiday spending time together.

And we hope you did too.

someone's 2!!!!

It's hard to believe that on November 3rd this little guy turned 2!!

His big day started out like this:

with breakfast in bed

and a little love from "baby sydney" as he calls her.

then came the presents:

He loves his new bike, and his Elefun game, but mostly the bike. He rode it around the house for the next couple days before we took it outside.

The rest of afternoon was spent riding his bike, eating his favorite lunch (mac-n-cheese), riding his bike, napping, talking to family and friends, and of course, more riding of his bike.

That night we had pizza, another one of his favorites, for dinner.

Then finished the night off with some cake and ice cream. It was a nice and relaxing day celebrating our sweet little boy.

Jack definitely keeps us on our toes (as he always has).

Here are some things about our VERY curious and active little boy as he turns 2:

• 36 1/4 inches (91%)
• 26 lbs 7 oz (30%)
• he's a jabber mouth. He talks ALL the time! And will pretty much copy anything you say, so watch out :)
• he loves to read. His favorite book right now is "the fire engine book", and "I Love You Stinky Face" from one of his best buds that he misses dearly! We've read them so many times that he can pretty much read them to you.
• he loves riding his bike.
• he loves playing any sports he can. If you ask him what a quarterback says he'll reply with "down, set, hut, hut". Steve taught him that of course.
• he loves shoes - putting them on and taking them off
• he loves singing. We'll be sitting in church and a hymn will start and he'll quickly grab a book and start "singing" and trying to lead the music.
• he loves watching blue's clues and Mickey Mouse clubhouse
• he loves going to nursery at church. I think he asks at least once a day if he can go to church and go to nursery. And after every prayer that is said in sacrament meeting, he'll jump up and say, "time for nursery!!"

It really is hard to believe it's been 2 years since Jack came into our little family. He has brought so much laughter, excitement, love and much, much more into our home. And we feel so blessed to have him as our son.

We love you more!!

(this post is WAY overdue!!)

our sweet baby girl!

Sydney is such a happy and content baby. She rarely ever cries - usually just when she's hungry. She's even gotten used to her brother's crazy antics.

This is the face you get when you simply look at her.

How can you not help but smile back at a sweet face like that?!

fall is here!!

A couple days ago I looked out the window and saw our neighbors raking our leaves. I thought, oh that's so nice of them. A few minutes later the doorbell rang and they asked it jack wanted to come play in the leaves. I immediately flashed back to the fun times I had as a child playing in the leaves, so I quickly answered, "YES".

He was a little hesitant at first, but he quickly warmed up.

trick-or-treat

Ever since my mom gave Jack a book about Firemen and a fire truck, he has been obsessed.

So obsessed, that he wanted to be a fireman for Halloween. He ran around in his boots and hat for weeks before. He loved it!! And we thought he looked pretty cute!

Oh and don't forget about our little ladybug!!

Ready for our ward's trunk or treat

Sydney, mid bubble blowing

Mommy and her sweet ladybug

Mommy with the adorable fireman

Daddy and his little bug

We had a great time at the trunk or treat!

And Jack's favorite part was the vintage fire truck a guy in our ward brought over to pass out candy from.