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

San Diego

In the beginning of May, we went on a weeklong trip to San Diego with my whole side of the family. My parents rented a beach house in Carlsbad and we all stayed there. It was our first plane ride with Ryder. I made sure to have plenty of snacks and activities for him. I wrapped a couple new toys so he could open them on the plane. He did great! It also helped to have borrowed my mom's Ipad. That kept him pretty entertained.
We had a lot of fun in San Diego! We were able to do ao many things because my parent's bought everyone Go San Diego passes which include admission to a lot of places. Some of the things we did while we were there... San Diego Zoo, San Diego Safari Park, Sea World, swimming at the beach, the Miniature Railroad Museum (Rydser LOVED), Automobile Museum, the Air and Space Museum, and the Children's Museum. Ryder did pretty well without having naps and pretty much no schedule the entire week. He definitely had his moments where he lost it, but that's to be expected! One morning, a bunch of us went to the San Diego temple really early. It has always been my favorite temple, and this was my first time getting to go. It is SO beautiful!
We also had family pictures taken while we were all down there together. They turned out great and I need to get copies so I can post them. I am so thankful to my parents for providing the oppurtunity to spend time together with the whole family down in San Diego. Kevin, Ryder, and I had such a fun time and made a lot of great memories!

 Payton and Ryder checking out the pool in the back

 the water was COLD

 Ryder's shorts were a little too big

 goldfish first thing in the morning :)

 Playing at the beach

 playing with Payton

 these two are so cute

 Not too thrilled about touching the dolphins

 the Shamu show!

 So tired

 the Shark encounter

 The ladies at the San Diego Temple

 Kevin and I

 Silly boy at the San Diego Zoo

 Ryder LOVED the model railroad museum

 the model railroad museum

relaxing at the San Diego Safari Park

 Hello Mr Giraffe

 the Children's Museum

 The Children's Museum