The Big Easy.

Ryan's work took him to New Orleans last week.  Our original plan was for me to join him on Friday and we'd leave the kids behind.  But Kennedy has had a couple of bad baby -sitting experiences and I knew in order for me to have any fun at all, I'd have to take her.  Audrey would stay behind to be loved and spoiled by her grandparents.

 This is Kennedy before the flight.  She was actually so great.  I was nervous about flying by myself but she stole the hearts of all our fellow passengers.

 This is Jackson Square; named for Andrew Jackson.  This Cathedral was really beautiful. 

It was freezing!  The wind seemed to get inside your bones.  Shortly after this picture was taken we went to a nearby Walgreens and walked out with a big blanket and some gloves.

 Behind us is the great Mississippi River.  Ryan and I are not adventurous eaters usually, but we did try gumbo, jumbalaya, and beignets.  The thing about New Orleans food though, is things that you eat all the time are very different and so good there.  I had broccoli and cheese soup like I'd never tasted before.

 Here we are at the Aquarium.  Kennedy is thrilled.

I may not be a princess, but I thought I'd give it a try!

 

This is Kennedy after the flight.  She had a couple of rough spots on both the flights home, but I don't think we can expect perfection out of a 10-month old.  Luckily, this time I had Ryan there to help.  I don't know what I would have done without him.
We came home with an appreciation for another major U.S. city, an appreciation for good food and the good people so proud of it, but mostly for the quiet street where we live.  FYI: Our hotel was right on Bourbon Street.  The party starts at 4:00 in the afternoon and goes on long after we fell asleep each night! 

Audrey is 4! (and 5?)

Audrey's birthday was on a Wednesday so we, of course, had to celebrate it a Saturday before and the actual day, and the Saturday after.  By the time the third party rolled around she was telling people that she was turning five because she'd already had a party where she turned 4.  I guess that makes sense.

 She got a present from her Great Grandma Arda in the mail!

 This is feet and feet of coloring, cutting, stickers, Tinkerbell fun!

 Audrey and I love to watch the show CAKE BOSS on TLC.  If you've never seen it, you should catch an episode sometime.  It's incredible.  Anyway, they make it look so easy that I've often thought, "I wonder if I could make cool cakes."  This is a bold thought process considering the source.  But my mom sees some potential in me (she's made this mistake before) and she bought me a cake decorating kit for Christmas.  

This was my first try with fondant.

  Good thing she had another party for me to try again.  Actually, I liked the first one better.  Keep in mind, these were just trial and errors.  I think I need to take a class before I try again.  It was pretty fun though.

Happy Birthday baby girl!  The day Audrey was born I became a mom and for so many reasons it has turned into the best day of my life.

Christmas Catch-up

I can't be considered a "blogger" if I don't post a few pictures of Christmas right?  Too bad I'm a month late...

 This is Kennedy's present from Audrey.  You may not be able to see it, but it is covered in stickers.  It was easily identified without a tag.

 Audrey asked Santa for a Jessie doll (from Toy Story).  She was quick to answer everyone who asked, "What is Santa bringing you for Christmas?"

She's had a new best friend ever since.

I didn't take a lot of pictures but it was a wonderful Christmas.  Audrey was so excited about getting people presents.  She wanted to help pick things and wrap everything.  She thought it was hilarious the day she found a present for herself under the tree!

Thank you to our families who spoiled us and who shared the best of the season.

This is the season, beloved of the year

Thank you, Heavenly Father for the gift of life; the life of thy Son.

 Thank you for gifts and blessings I know I don't deserve.

 Thank you for making it all worthwhile.

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends!  We love you.

November 1, 2010

Don't Stop Believing!

Thank you San Francisco Giants for fulfilling my husband's life in a way that I never could.  Thank you for not giving up.  Thank you for playing with guts and leaving your hearts on the field at the end of each game.  

If you didn't hear, the Giants won the World Series.  They hadn't won a World Series in over 50 years.  Ryan has been a fan of the Giants for over 20 years.  He always tells me that he could read a box score before he learned how to read books.  I was converted in 2001.  We've been to see the Giants play in stadiums from California to Pennsylvania.  

I've seen Ryan's heart broken so many times I sometimes wondered if it was worth it.  Now we know...

 it was worth it! 

Halloween 2010

Halloween is getting more fun for us each year. (Ryan and I are not big Halloween fans.)

But it makes a difference as Audrey gets older and gets excited about it and understands it.
She decided she was a real cowgirl months ago so when it came time to decide on a costume, she was already decided.

We have a little game at our house where someone is in trouble and "super baby" comes to save the day! Kennedy loves to fly around and anything that makes her sister play with her makes her really happy.
This costume was perfect!

Spoiled again.

Ryan's BFF Cheryl Rose (Dave Rose (coach of the Cougar basketball team)'s wife) spoiled us again. She loves going to The Dermatology Center so much that it seems like she'd do just about anything for them. Last year we sat on the floor at a number of basketball games. This year Ryan got some nice season tickets to basketball games. Then we were invited to sit in a press box at the BYU vs. Wyoming football game!

This was the view from our seats. The best part? It was pouring rain outside.

Kennedy even got to take a nap. You can tell she needs one!

The family together after a much-needed win.