Ryan

Today during the last hour of church we had a meeting that the Bishopric wanted as many people to attend as possible, so to that end they shifted things around in Primary and Nursery so the teachers could attend.  One thing that they did was to have the older children (Ryan's age and up) help with the younger children.  Last week Ryan came home from church and told me what was going to happen and said he didn't want to go today because he was worried about helping with the younger kids.
As it turned out, he was responsible for one little boy - our 4 yr old neighbor.  He said he was very difficult and his friend was assigned the girl who was an "angel".  He came home and said he was so tired and now he knew what it felt like to be a teacher.  He also said, "Now I really respect kids."
When Scott came home from church he reported that he had met with the Primary President who reported very positively about the children who helped and said that Ryan specifically did a really good job.
I think Ryan was quite pleased about the report.
It amazes me how he is growing up and getting to be so responsible.
Also during Sacrament Meeting this week and last week he sat quietly next to me (folding paper airplanes) and at one point during each meeting made a comment about what the speaker was saying.  I was delighted to know that he is hearing more than I think he hears - two weeks in a row!!

I'm so proud of my boy.  I am so grateful I am his mother.  I love him.

Ashley grins

Ashley has a new "Big Smile" that takes nearly her whole body to communicate.  We all think it's adorable and she trots it out at the store and in church to charm those around her as well.  She just smiles and smiles until the person she is smiling at sees her and then she is rewarded by their delight - seriously she is so funny.  Here is a pic of her demonstrating the "Big Smile" at Isabelle's request.

Jump on it - August 2010

From the first time they met, Ryan and Eric have been the best of friends.  We don't see them very often but Ryan is always excited when we do.  He asks about Eric when it has been a while and wishes they could be together more.  We went to the park earlier this week and as we were leaving Ryan and Eric pleaded with both Laura and I to meet up again at Jump on it.  How could we say no?

Ashley loved playing at Jump on it and even though she preferred having me on her leash, she was happy to be with Laura too.  Little Ryan was very cute with her, trying to get her to play on the inflatable slides with him:  "Come on, Ashley" he would say.  He was very sweet.

Izzy is always grand at making friends and Shawn is no exception.  They had a grand time playing together.  Izzy also liked playing with Ashley (as usual).  My girls really enjoy being together - most of the time. 

We had a great time together and look forward to doing it again.

Halloween

We had a grand Halloween this year.
The kids both wore their costumes to school and Ashley and I cheered for them in the parade.  That night we had the ward Trunk or Treat which we just hold in the parking lot behind the church.  We had a lot of people turn out so the kids were happy with their loot.  Ashley was a bit frustrated about why I wouldn't let her just sit down and eat each piece of candy as it came in, but honestly, she got plenty of candy - as her costume would attest with the chocolate drool all over.
The next night we hit two different Halloween parties - Uncle Jon's birthday and the Sigua's Halloween Carnival.  Ryan decided to change his costume from Percy Jackson to a rocker but sadly I neglected to get a picture of him with his black fauxhawk - it was pretty impressive though.  At each event Isabelle got less excited about her costume so she would leave off something - by the end, she was dressed in black with the pink sash (which for a time was her favorite outfit in real life). 

Anyway, we had a great time and I'm glad we're done for another year!

It's a Small World After All

Riding Small World together with the kids in October when Scott was in business meetings.  Ashley especially loved it but the big kids enjoyed looking for the Disney characters sprinkled throughout.

Ashley in the leaves

Ashley loved playing in the leaves several weeks ago.  The neighbors were all out...leaves were gathered...fun was had by all.

Bridal Veil Falls - Gen. Conf. Sunday

We went for a walk along the Provo Parkway Trail until we came to the falls.  The kids played in the water for a few minutes but it was cold, so we didn't stay long.  We were a little late to see most of the trees this year but it was still a beautiful drive on a fantastic fall day.