Happy Birthday Kody

Dearest Kody Boy...

Today you turned three!  Crazy!  Three years ago you looked like this...

and now you're almost all grown-up (give or take a few years)! 

You have got to be the busiest boy I think the world has ever seen!  And when I say busy, I mean your brain never stops turning!  I can't tell you how many people have told us how awesome they think you are.  You literally keep people laughing with your actions and your facial expressions.

A recent funny...

I caught you half way down the sidewalk pulling the largest suitcase we own.  When I asked you what you were doing you told me "Amy's house".  Apparently you decided you were done living at our house and wanted to go live with Amy!  (Amy is a neighbor lady that you adore!) You had to get the suitcase from upstairs, drag it down the stairs, out the front door and down the front steps.  It just boggles my mind that my would be 3 year old can think up these things!

I believe that same week you decided to poop on our rocks outside too!

And now for a few things about you...

You love to swim!  You're getting pretty good and kicking underwater and swimming to the side with out any floatation devices.  Sometimes you're a bit too brave!!

You are obsessed with your hair.  You like to do it... ALL THE TIME!  It's hilarious!  You are capable of changing your clothes more times a day than a girl.  It tends to drive your mom a little crazy! 

You love, Love, LOVE horses.  I'm pretty sure you're going to single handedly break Sugar & Spice (Papa Mark's colts).  You would spend every waking minute with them if you could.  You don't play pretend a whole lot, but when you do, it has to do with horses and making sure they have grain, hay & water.

Your speech has improved a lot since working with Ms. Lori.  Although the time with Kids Who Count is over, we're very grateful for the time they spent with you.  You worked really hard and you'll be starting up with the school district in September.  I still try to work with you on sounds through out the day.

You love to help... especially when I'm cooking or dad's mowing the lawn!  Neither one the safest!!  I do love that you want to be where we are.

You love to give hugs... even to random strangers (a tad bit concerning at times)!  I can't tell you how much I love these, especially when you just give a hug for no reason.

You stick your tongue out when your nervous or embarrassed.

You're favorite word is "why" and your favorite saying "ah... dang it!"

You are a people watcher.  We can't take you any where with out you stopping to look at people.  We have to always keep a hand on you or half the time you'd be left in the dust!

You have a bit of the middle child syndrome and can through a tantrum like no one's business.  But the good part is they don't last long...and it usually involves you wanting to hug us!

You are addicted to candy.  You can smell it out from a mile away.  I have a feeling the dentist and you might not be too good of friends if you keep it up!!

You are such a good brother and you love to take care of your Ryker.

I could be here forever remembering all the fun, crazy, lovable things about you!  But what I do know is that you are my most favorite Kody in the whole world and I love you so much!  I'm so glad you are part of our family.

Happy Birthday!!

St. George

We spent a good portion of last week in St. George spending some time with his family.  We played in the splash pad, went swimming a couple of times, went four wheeling out to the ranch, and spent a day fishing at the cabin.  Lucas was able to catch his very first fish!  I wasn’t very good at taking pictures, but I’m glad I remembered to pull it out a couple times.  We had so much fun!

 

Shara and crew

The past week and half have been so fun with Shara and her kids here.  We spent a day down at Tawnya’s where the kids could play outside all day long.  They played in the slip ‘n slide and rode the horse.  A couple days later we went swimming at the Payson Pool.  Shara & my mom left to go back up to her house and took Kody with them so he and Abby could play.  We headed up that way on Sunday and spent the rest of the week playing.  Jed had to come back and then he and Landon picked up Aaron on their way back up Thursday.  The kids got to play in the irrigation water, ride the four wheeler, feed the horses, play dress up, and help papa Mark fix boots.  Shara and I made us each a purse which turned out mighty cute!  She and Tawn also made adorable dresses for their girls. 

 

We also had the Nicholas Family Reunion Friday & Saturday at Early Park.  My mom and dad were in charge this year.  I think everyone who came had a good time.  My picture taking is lacking, but at least there is a few!

It's always fun when Grandma comes...

This past weekend we were able to spend some time with my Grandma Clouse, along with Jeanie & Nyla. They flew up here to spend a few days with my mom and Melanie. They came over for a few minutes on Thursday afternoon before heading to a BBQ at their cousin's house in Provo. We also went to the BBQ, then afterwards headed up to my parents so Jed could help my dad for the weekend. Now that my dad's shop is done (and looks awsome) they were able to work on some other projects. The boys are always in heaven at Grams & Gramps with their freedom to run/explore. They love to help Papa Mark with the boots and especially ride the four-wheeler.

The "girls" made it back to my mom's Friday evening so it was fun to get to spend some more time with them. We were able to attend a bridal shower for Becca (Ty's fiance) on Saturday. My boys love their grandma great and think Jeanie & Nyla are awesome. Ryker never really warmed up, but that's to be expected! Any time I get to spend with my Grandma makes me happy! This month marks a year since my Grandpa passed away.

Stats

This morning was Ryker's appointment.  He was not happy about the doc checking his ears or the 3 shots he had to get.  Other than that, he was a gem!

Weight: 21.4 - 25th percentile
Height: 31 inches - 50th percentile
Head: can't remember - 90th percentile

Looks like we have one smart cookie on our hands!!

And check out who's riding front facing in his new birthday carseat...

He's lovin' life now!!

Birthday Boy

Dearest Ryker,

Happy Birthday! 

Today you turned one... ONE!  My word time flies.  You are starting to catch on to things... and remember!  You are almost walking.  For about a month now you've been taking a few steps, but for some reason haven't wanted to take a few more.  I'm sure it's hard to want to walk when you know you can crawl so much faster.  Speaking of crawling... you have a serious speed crawl.  You duck your head like a bull about to charge and take off like a speed demon.  It makes me laugh every time!  You love to pull the books off the shelf.   This makes mom and dad frustrated!  Maybe we should move them, but probably won't!  You've also found your favorite drawer in the kitchen... with all the measuring spoons, cups, rolling pin, etc.  You love to climb and currently your favorite thing to climb on is the laundry basket.  You love to sit on top and bounce up and down.  You also like to spend time inside the basket, especially if someone is taking you for a ride.  You can scream the most high pitch scream that I think I've ever heard and you do it quite frequently.  You're terrified of heights... must be related to your mother!  Currently you are our little vegetarian and will spit out meat if I try to feed it to you.  You have a favorite green blanket that you like to sleep with.  We find it pretty funny that you prefer it to be under you so you can pull it around your ears.  You have 3 teeth on the bottom and are cutting your two front top teeth right now.  You love to give "High Fives".  Your separation anxiety has been full blown for quite some time.  You prefer mom and dad to just about everyone.  It takes you a minute (or hours/days) to warm up to people you don't know.  You haven't really started "talking", but if we say "ahhh, no" you say "ahhh, ya".  You love to play peek-a-boo and have even started to hide your own eyes.  Sometimes you'll try to blow a kiss, but mostly you can't get your hand in the right spot.  It's pretty cute!  You love to follow your brothers, but prefer if they don't follow you!  We are so glad that you are part of our family.  You make each day fun and full of smiles and laughs.  We Love You!

The following pictures are from his birthday celebration.  They are in no particular order and I'm not going to try and arrange them so they are.  The day before his bday Grandma Valentine stopped by with his present.  He got a new chair & a ball and bat (which his older brothers find very fun)!  On his birthday we had Grandpa Mark & Grandma Carole, Tawn, Reese, Bronson & Jess all here.  We had BBQ'd hamburgers and then Ryk opened his presents.  He loved the hammer & blocks from G&G.  The other kids loved his new bubble blower.  After that we let him go to town on his own cupcake.  After convincing him that it was okay if his hands were dirty, he ended up eating the whole thing and loved it!