Fifth Anniversary

Five years ago today, I was getting married to my best friend. It was a beautiful, hot, Augut day. The sealing ceremony done by my Grandpa Nelson was so special. We've had so many good times, hard times, and times of growth during these past five years, but I couldn't imagine anyone I'd rather experience it all with! Kevin has given me one sweet son and another baby on the way. I love my little family and am so grateful for the incredible man I get to share eternity with!

Ryder's New Big Boy Bed

Since we have another little one on the way, we decided to move Ryder out of his crib and into a big boy bed. I was expecting it to be very difficult and that he wouldn't stay in this bed after we got him down at night. We went and picked one out at Kid to Kid for about 30 dollars (can't beat that!) It's a Mater bed (from the movie Cars). Ryder was VERY excited! That night at bedtime he completely surprised us and did awesome! It's been about 5 days so far and he hasn't tried to get out of the bed once at night or for his naps! There has been a few times when he's pointed at his crib (we haven't taken it out of his room yet) and said, "sleep in that bed), but we just tell him he gets to sleep in his big boy bed now. We do our normal bedtime routine, and then lay him down and he goes right to sleep! I'm so relieved! Now it will be much easier to use the crib when the new baby comes.

Baby #2 Is On It's Way!

     If you haven't heard our good news yet, I'm more than happy to share that Kevin and I are expecting baby #2! This little one is due February 28, 2013 (although I'm going to just assume it won't be until March.) I am 11 weeks along today. That means the baby is now about 2 inches long from head to rump and by the end of the week will be about 2.5 inches.
     This pregnancy has been different than Ryder's in that I have felt a lot sicker, a lot earlier. Hopefully as I get into the second trimester I will start to feel better. I have also already started to show, which has been tricky since we weren't telling people until just yesterday. I have been wearing looser clothes to hide my teeny bump.
     I had my first appointment with my new doctor yesterday and it could not have gone better! I love our doctor! She is so enthusiastic and bubbly but really sincere. One thing I really wanted to talk about was the issues we had with Ryder having been so small and what we can do with this pregnancy to keep a better watch on that. It was like she could read my mind! The first thing she said after coming in and congratulating us was, "OK, we need you to have a bigger baby!" I was so relieved she was on the same page as us. She made sure to reassure us several times that this time around we would be keeping a very close watch on the growth of this baby, especially in the third trimester. I feel very good about this doctor :)
     Another really fun part of the appointment was that we got to have an ultrasound and see the baby. With Ryder we only got to have one ultrasound at the midway point, so I wasn't expecting one this early. It was incredible to watch our little one already so active and squirming around. It was so cute because the baby had it's legs stretched straight out just relaxing! The baby is actually measuring 2 days bigger than 11 weeks, so that's good, let's hope it stays that way!
     Ryder knows about the baby but I know he doesn't really understand what it all means. It should be very interesting when this little one is born and Ryder isn't the only one anymore. Ryder will be about 2 months away from turning 3. To be honest, it's terrifying to think about having two, when some days I feel like I can barely handle one! It will be an adjustment for all of us, but we are so beyond happy to become a family of four :)

 Our sweet baby

 This one was showing the heartbeat

 Another shot zoomed out a little

Since it can sometimes be hard to tell what you're looking at, I outlined and labeled this one to show what everything is. I love the legs sticking up! I'm sure I won't think it's so cute once the baby is bigger!

"I Am A Moth" By Ryan Darton

I wanted to write about some music I have been LOVING lately. I have a friend, Ryan Darton, who just came out with his first CD last month. It's called "I Am A Moth" and it's amazing! He moved to LA a few years ago to pursue his dream of sharing his music with the world and that dream is beginning to come true. He has an incredible, smooth voice and you can really hear his passion and how much he loves what he does. The music is beautiful and covers everything from catchy, fun, and upbeat to soulful, reflective and relaxing. There's something for everyone and it's guaranteed to please!

Here is a little sample of what Ryan is all about. 

You can check him out at: http://ryandarton.com

Plus, Ryan and his wife just had a beautiful little daughter and look how amazingly cute they are!

Nicole Priest Photography

Summer 2012

     We have had a great summer! It started out on a bit of a low note however with the passing of Kevin's grandpa Doug in the beginning of June. He had a stroke in April and never really recovered from it. I had personally only gotten to see him a couple times back in 2007, so I felt bad I never knew him better because it sounds like he was a great man. The funeral was held down in Beaver, UT and we spent the weekend down thre for it. It was a beautiful funeral and graveside service. Grandpa Doug certainly has a lot of family that love and miss him including his sweet wife, Ina, who is an incredible woman.

The Briggs family at Grandpa Doug's funeral (minus Casey)

     The next week, Kevin's brother Casey returned homr from his mission in Atlanta, Georgia. It was great to see him and for him to finally see Ryder, since he left when Ryder was only 2 weeks old. You can tell he was a great missionary, and he did a really good job in his homecoming talk in church.

Chad and Jeannine checking the arrivals

Anxious to see their son!

waiting...

Tyler and Tara

Ryder waiting for Casey

Briana and Jeannine

Here comes Elder Briggs!

The first hug belongs to mom

Hugging Chad

Aunt Carol, Casey's second mom

Grandma Barbra

Casey and Ryder

Casey, Chad, Kevin, and Ryder

Dave hugging Casey

Casey hugging Tyler

Tara and Casey

Briana and Casey

Grandpa Lynn

My turn for a hug

Casey hugging Grandma Gladys

Finally getting a hug from Grandpa Sam

Some women from the ward decorated the front yard for Casey's arrival. How sweet!

The same week Casey came home, My dad's side of the family all spent the weekend at Bear Lake for my Grandpa Nelson's 80th birthday. They rented a HUGE house for the weekend and it was incredible. It had slides connecting each level of the three story house. It had a giant area on the bottom level that had a basketball court, a putting green, a trampoline, and a playground for the kids. WOW! It was so nice to saty there and it had such beautiful views of the lake. I loved the gift that my Aunt's were able to put together for my Grandpa. TYhey had each person in the family write some memories or things they love about my Grandpa and then they compiled it all into a beautiful harbound book with pictures and everything. I don't have a copy of the book yet, but it is something I definitely need to get! (I didn't even get any pictures while we were there, so I took these from my Aunt's blog, thanks Kim!)

 The incredible View/House

 My amazing Grandpa Nelson

The great grandchildren and a couple grandchildren with Grandpa Nelson

     The fourth of July was really fuin this year. We went down to my parent's house to have another big water fight. It was awesome! Everyone, with the exception of Ryder, had so much fun soaking each other. We then had a big BBQ which was really good. That night, Kevin, Ryder, and I watched fireworks set off in Sandy. This was actually he first year we've kept Ryder up to watch the fireworks and he loved them! However, before the show was over, he was saying, "ready to go home!" so we left a little early.

   

The three cousins all decked out in the fourth of July outfits.

After the water fight, Ryder was playing with his cars very intensely! 

 Our little family

 Getting the food ready

 Waiting for the fireworks to start

 Relaxing on mommy

 Ryder was watching a bunch of other kids playing soccer while we waited for the fireworks to start

This summer we've also gone swimming, had picnics at the park, gone to the farmer's market a few times, had BBQs with friends, celebrated birthdays, had family get togethers, and a lot of other fun. I love Summer time but by the time fall comes, I am so ready for the cooler weather!

Ryder's 2nd Birthday

Ryder turned two this year! I can't believe have a two year old! He's definitely exhibited plenty of terrible two's behavior though, so maybe I should believe it! We had a race car party for him. It was fun. He has gotten to the point where he understands what opening presents is all about. He got a lot of fun things! His main gift from Kevin and I was a big truck. He was pretty excited about it. He had actually been sick all night long the night before, throwing up :( He continued to throw up right up until a couple hours before his party. He did great for his party and was able to have fun! However, he resumed throwing up after everyone started leaving. Poor bud! He is the craziest, funniest, sweeetest two year old I could ever ask for! I can't imagine my life without him :)

 Ryder's gifts

 Food

 waterbottles

 poor sick birthday boy

 opening presents

 trying out the new truck

 cupcakes

 my sad attempt at a race car cake... I was really in a hurry to finish it

 Uncle Brett pushing Ryder around

bubbles