November 2007

Well, we really are trying not to make this a montly event...we'll get better at this.
It has been a busy month. My sister Megan came home from her mission (really last month, but she travelled around Europe with Dad and Janae). Welcome Home, Megan. We finally got to go see her at Thanksgiving, very fun. They also went to visit Erik & Tiffani's family in Germany. Their new little one broke the gender tie that Andrew worked so hard to create... Now my parents have 20 granddaughters and 19 grandsons. (Poor Audrey, not only did she break the tie, 3 weeks later, she went on to break her leg. Hope all recover quickly!)
Jason, Rick's brother, came out for a quick, but busy visit. Rick, Jason, and Lexie went to Nuggets vs. Knicks game on the 17th. They also went with some CO cousins. It was "Family Night" at the Pepsi Center, but unbeknownest to them it was also '70s night. And wouldn't you know it, but the only people that stood the entire game happened to be sitting right in front of them, wearing gigantic afro wigs (not the easiest things to see over). Oh well, it was a fun game anyway. It's always fun when the home team wins.
Two days later, Rick and Jason went to Monday Night Football and got to see another win for the home team. Before the game, they stopped in at the Jack n' Grill for a "small" bite to eat. It's a good thing we didn't try the 7 lb. burrito, because those burgers were bigger than some countries.

Too bad Rick doesn't like professional sports...he hasn't been to many games lately.
The rest of that week was full of cleaning, packing, and more cleaning before we headed off to Utah for Thanksgiving. Heather hosted it this year for my side of the family but unfortunately, only 45 could make it. Maybe next year... No, it really was so much fun to have so many of us together. Lexie and Joseph loved playing with all of their cousins. They especially loved playing "Builder" with Grant. They still ask when they can go play with him again. Andrew sure loved all of the attention, too. It was a lot of fun catching up with everyone, playing games, and just being amazed at how beautiful, talented, and awesome all of our nieces and nephews are. We sure have a great family.
Friday night we all headed down to Lindon for a rare Smith Family gathering. What a great time having-don't even know how many cousins/aunts/uncles together! So much fun!
Then, to top it all off...we had another family gathering with Rick's family up in Boise. Rick's brother, Scott, blessed his baby and it was fun to be able to make it to that event and see lots of family there as well.
On the way back to Colorado, we stopped in Utah again and got to see Rick's Grandma & Grandpa Reeder. The kiddos sure got a kick out of seeing "Daddy's Grandma & Grandpa." We think they sure got a kick out of the kids, too. Luckily, we also got to visit with Rick's Uncle David & Aunt Andrea.
We had quick stops with the Armknecht's, Rytting's, Hogge's, and Jensen's. It was a quick trip, but very packed with lots of good family time. Thanks everyone for your hospitality and letting us win some games!
Rick got a new calling before we left. He is the 11 yr old Scout Master (moved up from assistant). Sadly, I got a new one, too. I had just gotten used to teaching Gospel Doctrine, feeling like it was the "perfect Mom calling"...and then- I got yoinked into Primary. I'm the new 2nd Counselor. It's fun, but also a lot more work (we don't exactly have a small primary). I'm slowly getting the hang of things and a few names here and there.
Now that we are looking at our November calendar, Rick noticed he'd forgotten Stephanie's birthday. Sorry, Steph. Happy belated birthday!
And for your viewing pleasure, here are a few random pictures of the kids.

Joseph & Lexie playing balerina-Rick hates it when they (Joseph) play this...

Just being plain cute.

Lexie riding her trusty steed, Cactus.

Joseph riding his trusty steed, Cutie.

I wonder who will win this horse race?

And the answer is...

Thanks to all those who participated in our fun game. Sorry it's taken so long to post the answers. We hope you enjoyed it though!

Answers:
A: Andrew
B: Lexie
C: Joseph
D: That big weird guy.

Congratulations to the 8 of you who got it right (Brett, Matthew, Lori, Heather, Nathan, Grant, Kristy, and Jess)! Good work!

Cruise with Andrew

Rick's parents took us on a cruise through the Caribbean (13th-19th). We went to many places like Haiti (we've been there before) & Puerto Rico & other places in the Eastern Caribbean. Last time we went to the Western Caribbean. It was an enjoyable time. Rick did great on the rock climbing wall competition (won) and we had a fun time with his family. We also had fun on the wave rider. Andrew was a trooper & a happy little boy! We're happy to be home. Here are some pictures from our trip.

Heading out of Miami.

Each night we took a picture of Andrew & the towel animal.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Rock Climbing Speed Competition.

Labedee, Haiti

Such a happy boy & a fun trip.

Who's Who?

Below are pictures of Alexis, Joseph, and Andrew. Try to match the right picture with the right person. Hint: Not all pictures will be used. Post your guesses in the comments.

Good Luck!

A:
B:C: D:

October 2007 Pumpkin Patch

On the 27th we went to the Pumpkin Patch. The kids had a blast. We felt pretty bad after we sent them on the barrel train by themselves. When we first saw it, we thought it looked like a cute little ride, nice and slow. So, since there was only one barrel available, we put them in together and said bye. Then we saw one of our friends and he asked where the kids were. We told him we sent them on the barrel train...he was shocked and said it goes kinda fast and can jerk them around a bit-but not to worry as long as the 4 yr old was holding the 2 yr old... They did not like that first train ride, after that it was "lots of fun." Lexie's favorite part was riding the pony. Joseph and Andrew's was the barrel train. We saw a real train going by and Joseph really wanted to go on that one, too. Rick's favorite part was feeding the ducks. My favorite part was everything. We are definitely doing this again next year.

October 2007

We went to Golden to visit my friend Jess and her kids. We played at what Lexie named "Too Much Fun Park."

Here's Lexie & her happy music ears!

On the 13th we left Lexie and Joseph in Kansas with Grandma and Grandpa Rytting while Rick and I went on a cruise with his family. This was Andrew's first plane ride and he was a trooper-even though our plane was struck by lightning. More pictures of the cruise to follow.

Much to our surprise, we got home from the cruise with this on the ground. What a rude awakening! Lexie and Joseph couldn't wait to get out and make snow angels and have a snowball fight.

Lexie's Joy School had a Halloween Party.

She didn't want to pose for one more picture with Joseph, she was ready for the yummy treats she and her friends made. We all had a lot of fun and Daddy surprised her by coming too.

Our sweet Andrew giving Daddy cute smiles.

Rick's friend Aaron came out to go to Monday Night Football (Broncos/Packers game). Even though the Broncos lost, they still had a blast. Lexie and Joseph sure loved having Aaron here. Here are a couple of pictures of Joseph and Aaron playing.We had an awesome Halloween. We had a fun Trunk or Treat at the Church. We carved pumpkins with the kids. They really enjoyed it and Lexie gave us good directions to follow to make sure we did them right. Rick took the kids Trick or Treating while Andrew helped hand out candy with Mom.

One of the first houses that the kids went to had a motion activated skeleton that lit up and cackled just as Lexie stepped on the doormat - it absolutely terrified Lexie and Joseph who went running and screaming back to dad. Even though they didn't make it close enough to knock, someone heard the screaming and brought candy to them. The rest of the night, Lexie was careful not to step on any more doormats because she thought it would cause another skeleton to attack.

Joseph was more excited about petting puppies than he was about getting candy. Every time he saw a dog he would say "I love puppies!" and try to pet them. One lady was holding her dog and had to pull back when Joseph tried to pet it. She explained to him that she didn't want her puppy to snap at him, so I told Joseph to make sure to ask before petting puppies. After that, every house we went to he would ask if he could pet their puppy. Some people were pretty confused, but others patiently explained that they didn't have a puppy. Poor Joseph. At least he came home with a nice stash of candy.