Congrats to Ryan!

This waaay late getting posted but I wanted to congratulate my husband, Ryan, on his accomplishment in getting his master's degree this summer! Hooray!

He finished up classes a few weeks ago and got his diploma in the mail this past week. Ryan now has his master's degree in Education - Curriculum & Instruction! I told him he is as smart as me now! Just kidding. We know that this extra effort in extending his education will help out with many future possibilities in the education field.

I am very, very pleased with all that his has done. It was hard work but definitely worth it! MANY thanks to all those who supported him in his endeavor.

:-)

Trying Out New Things

A few weeks back when Bethany was still a little wobbly with her sitting up skills, I had a brilliant idea to get the wicker basket from her changing table to let her play in. It was an instant hit and all her toys were right in her reach. Perfect! Although most of the time she would just throw all her toys out of the basket until it was empty. Silly girl! Since then she has mastered sitting up with no problems. She will sit with out falling over for up to an hour now ~ playing on her blanket with all the fun toys.



I don't really know that popsicles are on the approved baby food list, but it is summer and averages around 110 degrees most days here so we figured why not?! This picture captures Bethany's first taste of popsicle. She LOVES cold things . . . I mean she will get all excited when I give her a sippy cup of cold water. We figured this couldn't hurt. She had red cherry slobber all over her face to add to the moment. So fun!

I think this picture says it all . . . YUM-O! Our baby is easy to please and is so happy!

I LOVE this kid!

Other news . . .

Bethany got her first tooth and has started babbling . . . her babble consists only of "da da, da, da" . . . this makes Ryan extremely happy as you may guess.

We hope that she will roll with the punches these next few weeks. There are A LOT of changes coming our way! Yay! We are moving to Texas in just three little weeks and have a trip to Idaho and Utah to get in before we move. Keep your fingers crossed that all goes smoothly.

:-)

America The Beautiful

Our July 4th Holiday Weekend Adventures

Yesterday was of course Bethany's first July 4th! We had an early pancake breakfast with our ward to start out the celebrations. Yum-O! The rest of the day was spent just relaxing and hanging out. We went to lunch and browsed some furniture stores. We didn't have to go far for a fireworks display . . . they were all over our neighborhood . . . we just watched from our backyard. Very convenient and a nice day overall!


Ryan and I had talked about "getting out of town" and finally decided on a day trip up to Mt. Charleston and Lee Canyon today. It is only about an hour drive from our place up into the nearby mountains of NV. The best part is that is looks NOTHING like the desert! Hooray for a change of scenery.

We decided to take a hike on some trails and push Bethany in her jogging stroller. It worked for a ways, then the trail got steeper and a little more difficult. We were just happy with the beautiful views we enjoyed the entire day. So much different from the busy buzz of Las Vegas. I am so grateful to live in this beautiful country!! We need to get outside more often and this was a very great idea.

At this point the camera batteries died and we were only about half way through our day! SAD! We took a break from hiking for a picnic lunch. We found a beautiful meadow along the road with tall pine trees for a little shade. It was the perfect lunch. As I was getting our sandwiches ready I took out the mustard I had packed and when I opened it, it exploded all over my legs, socks and shoes. Oh the fun . . . I guess the change in elevation caused pressure to build up in the mustard bottle. Who knew!?!? So I went around for the rest of the day smelling of yellow mustard. Mmmm! I can't complain to much on the elevation change because it made for a wonderful weather day . . . mid 80's, cool mountain breeze . . . it was PERFECT! Back in LV today it was around 110 degrees! We are so glad to have spent the day at Mt. Charleston.

After lunch we headed back out on the trails for another hike . . . this time we put Miss Bethany in her baby backpack. Ryan packed her on his back and she was so tuckered out already from the fun day that she fell asleep riding on her daddy's back. So sweet! I really wished I had an extra set of batteries for my camera to capture the moment! Live and learn. We still had a ton of fun. It is all about making memories and we have succeeded with that today.

Happy days all around!

As The Ward Turns

For anyone who is a member of our church you'll understand this next little story . . . and you'll understand even if you aren't!

Yesterday at church durning Sunday school we were having a lesson on Alma & Amulek, etc. We have a GREAT Sunday school teacher that always does a fantastic job on her lessons (she is a teacher by profession - college level!) Anways . . . we have this one sister from our ward that we like to call "deep doctrine lady". She sometimes over powers the lessons with her thought and inputs. So, we were discussing Alma & Amulek and this special sister raises her hand and comments something like this . . . (speaking of Alma & Amulek) . . . "They are a couple of BAD A!#*^ " (insert the other word for donkeys here) . . . Oh my goodness . . . did she actually call them that in Sunday school!!! Yes, she did. Then later on in the lesson the same deep doctrine sister brought up a very controversial subject that had NOTHING to do with the lesson. Sometime Sundays are hard. Yesterday was no exception. Kuddos to the teacher for keeping the lesson grounded and on topic!

Sigh! This comes from the same ward where for the better part of a year we had to look up on the stand each Sunday to see one of the young men who sported a tall, spiked, bright green mohawk. Seriously. Don't even get me stared on how ridiculous I think mohawks are. They weren't cool in the 80's and they aren't cool now - especially at church. And now there is the whole baby mohawk hair trend going on . . . what is the world coming to?

Our Sweet Girl

Miss Bethany is 7 months old!

Sitting pretty on mommy and daddy's bed

Baby Red Sox fan . . . just like her daddy. They like to hang out and watch the games together.

Bethany is 7 months old today! I can't believe how fast time goes. She keeps us on our toes and entertained. We feel extremely blessed to have this sweet, beautiful spirit in our home and in our lives forever!


Here are some random stats and facts about Miss B:

• Has learned to sit up (Finally!) but still needs a little bit of help sometimes



• Is very LOUD and loves to explore her voice with screaming, raspberries, and any other noises she can get her mouth, lips and tongue to make



• Can now roll over both ways and is always on the move wiggling all around all the time



• Grabs for EVERYTHING - especially our phones, remote controls and things she can't have



• Takes pretty good naps and sleeps 11 - 12 hours at night! It's HEAVEN!



• Smiles and laughs and is THE HAPPIEST of babies



• Can hold her own bottle but prefers someone else do it for her . . . when she does it the result is usually milk in the eye or all over her face



• Loves her feet and toes



• Has blue eyes and we think that's the permanent color


• Loves to eat and I have to wear an apron to feed her because she also loves to spit her food everywhere


• Still has no teeth and very little hair but we have hope
  

We just can't get enough of our girl! There is never a dull moment and we wouldn't have it any other way!

House Update

Some people have been asking for a house update . . . so here it goes. I was waiting until there was something great to show and now the builders have made significant progress in just the past few weeks. We are thinking it will be completely finished and ready to go right about a month from now - towards the end of July. Our move out of Vegas timeline is scheduled for August 2 - 3. We are SO EXCITED to finally get to McKinney, settle in and start anew.

Our new kitchen . . .

A view from the front enty way of the living room and kitchen . . .

View from upstairs in the gameroom . . .

LOVE the island in the kitchen . . . maybe now I will actually get excited to cook dinner!

This house is definately the one we plan to be in for the next 15 to 20 years . . . we just have to work on filling it up with more children in the future!

Look Mom . . . I Can Do Tricks!

Bethany is rounding the corner to 7 months old soon and she is on the move. Most recently she has started sitting up - with lots of help and support. She will sit up and play with her toys for a long while if I am right there sitting next to her. The minute I move over a little to see if she will do it by herself it's over. Sitting up is something I make her practice everyday. We have floor toy time in the afternoons and I can see the progress she is making everyday. She will be upright in no time . . . hopefully in the next week or so.




In addition to learning her sitting up trick, Bethany has also learned some other "tricks" that aren't so practical. This morning I went to get Miss B out of her crib and found her turned sideways with both her legs stuck through the bed railing. She was sleeping that way! Funny girl. She has done it before where she gets her leg through the slats but usually it is only one leg - today it was two. Poor baby hasn't figured out how to get unstuck. She is constantly wiggling and moving in her bed even when she is asleep. Often we will hear her in her bed at night or during the day kicking her legs up in the air and slamming them onto her crib mattress. It makes a very loud thunking noise. Again this afternoon I went in to get her from her nap and she was completely turned around in the opposite direction. At first I wondered if I had placed her facing that way and then I remember I didn't. She had done a complete 180 and was a happy camper.



I know this is only the beginning!

Here's To Great Daddies!

Happy Father's Day

I have been very blessed my whole life to have a wonderful father, grandfather (Papa), a great husband and fun-loving father-in-law! I wish them all the best of the best on this day that we all remember the men who have a special place in our hearts. I am definitely a "daddy's girl" to be sure. I LOVE all the men in my life and am so thankful for their hard work, generous hearts and big smiles. It is a special time today as Ryan celebrates his first Father's Day of many to come!

Bethany and her daddy hanging out on the couch.

Bethany with her Grand Pappy Joe in his easy chair at the Williamson farm.

Bethany with Grandpa Leavitt . . . he can make her laugh and smile like no other!

Bethany and Ryan when she was just two weeks old!

Me and my grandparents . . . my Mama Judy and Papa. I just completed a memorial tribute to my Papa in honor of his wonderful life. We miss him so much!

Me with my dad (I get away with calling him Pappy) . . . no one can describe the ultimate LOVE I have for this man . . . he is my HERO and one of the best friends a gal could ever have. Love you Dad!

Just for my dad I thought I would add some things that are special about him. Namely all his funny sayings . . .

Pappy Joe -isms:

Favorite Terms –

· Pole Cat = skunk
· Baby Pole Cat = little stinker
· Barnyard Buzzard = Chicken
· Puff, Super Puff and Puffy = All levels of Good
· Wal-Rus-Mart = Wal-mart
· Flopping a Lip = Kissing ( Did it curl your toes?)
· The flipper = remote control
· Wet behind the ears = lack of experience or immature
· BS, MS and PhD = , more the same and piled higher and deeper
· The Black Reptile = his black leather belt
· Vacation Chariot = specifically our brown wood-panel wagon that went cross country
· BFC = Butt Freezing Cold
· Getting a “Find” = ( like when he goes to the flea market)
· Having a “Blowout” = A really huge, big party or gathering

Dad’s favorite joke = Eskimo Babies

Dad’s grading system - A’s, B’s and F’s

Theories = Squirrel Gene Theory – Every family has a few squirrel genes !!!

Favorite Sayings –

· Darn Pup
· Cat fur to make kitten britches . . .Do you want the first pair?
· Runs like a spotted ape
· What did the monkey say when it got it’s tail cut off ? . . . . It won’t be long now.
· Mom mothered Angela and then re-mothered the rest of us.
· Hanging us by our toenails (a threat made when we were bad)
· I must have been listening with my deaf ear.
· I want 300 more just like you.
· Come here so I can pet you.
· Love makes the world go ‘round, but money greases the wheels.
· Going to see his psychiatrist (In Florida)
· When my barge come in . . . .
· Fat, dumb and happy

And then more . . .

• "Williamson Farm Home, Joe the field hand speaking"
• Also, "Angie the milk maid"
• Pray over the food so we don't get tomain poison
• Party barge = flat topped pontoon boats
• BTR = bath tub room
• embarking on marital (or matrimonial) bliss = getting married
• Paul Bunyan breakfast = large breakfast
• "flop a lip" also means to taste or eat something, "Best thing you ever flopped a lip over."
• calls sons-in-law "grooms", "Angie, how is your groom doing?" also calls them “fun-in-laws"
• His new creation: "fluff nutter sandwich" (peanut butter, honey and marshmallow spread)
• Leslie is "the fox"
• taking a nap = resting his eyes
• an SUV is an "Urban Assault Vehicle"
• grand urchins = grandkids
• fish camp = cabin @ Toledo Bend
• tells us to drive carefully because all our assets are in the car with us.

There are WAY more . . . I just wanted to give you a sampling. Love you Dad!

To all the GREAT Daddies we love . . . HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Hooray!

Go Celtics! What a great game . . . That is all I have to say about that!

More Of The Same

I finally got the disk with all the pictures from Bethany's photo shoot last month so I added a few more. I can't believe how much she is growing and changing everyday. It is so much fun being her mommy!

Why Oh Why?

So last night we realized that Ryan needs to make a quick trip to TX soon to take care of job stuff, house stuff, etc. In our attempt to check flights out online we found them to be VERY expensive. No surprises there. The thing that was a shocker is that in just twelve hours (this morning) when I went to book the flight the price had already gone up $50. Then when I finally figured out the best prices for departure and arrivals, etc and went to pay it said there would be NO Eticket available and we would have to even PAY MORE to get it mailed to us. Sigh! Since when did they stop giving out Etickets? I mean come on . . . I purchased it online . . . all they have to do is email the silly thing to me. So all in all we had to pay an outrageous amount for a flight and Ryan has to stay one day longer just to save us some money. Just one more of life's little inconveniences. We'll live, I just don't know if our bank account will.

A Good Laugh

Yesterday we went over to members of our wards home for a quick visit. We brought Bethany with us and she was VERY entertained with the almost two year old toddler that lives there. Her new little friend got her laughing and giggling so hard ~ it was the funniest thing. Ryan and I have never heard Bethany get her tickle box turned over so big. She was cracking up at everything this little girl did or said to her. We were laughing at her laughing. It really was the cutest thing.

As her parent I can't even get her to laugh that much. We can squeeze a small chuckle or little laugh out of Bethany once and a while but it takes a lot of work. This little toddler got her belly laughing! Leave it to kids to understand one another better. I wish I had it all on video . . . it would have made it into a contest or something . . . it was THAT funny!

We sure do love our silly, giggly, laughing girl ~ She is our sunshine!

Fun Of The Week

Bethany is just sitting back and relaxing in her colorful hat!



Bethany has finally "found her feet" . . . a little late if you ask me but she can frequently be seen with her legs straight up in the air for very long periods of time. Funny girl!

Bethany's Grandma Gloria got her a table and chairs set this week. Although it will be some time before she can use them, it was a deal that couldn't be passed up and they are darling! We will get back to you on that when Bethany can actually sit at a table unassisted. We have a while! Thanks Grandma G.

Old News I Forgot to Tell

So apparently I forgot to tell those interested in our welfare and Ryan's job hunt that he DID get gainful employment in Frisco ISD as Art teacher at Smith ES. We were going to be a little worried if we were moving there with no job for him, but alas all things have worked out and he finally got his TX teaching certification this week as well. It is all a go!

The most fun part of the new job is that Ryan will get to teach our three Dyer nieces art for the next few elementary years they have left. Smith ES is my sister Angie's neighborhood school. We actually have her to thank for the job thing as well . . . she passed Ryan's resume along to the principal and the rest is history. Angie dearest now has our beautiful home and Ryan's fantastic job checked on her list of GREAT favors! Thanks! We are really happy for how things are working out and can't wait to get to McKinney, TX come the first week of August! Yea! We are blessed to be sure!

Say Cheese!

Many, many thanks to Wendie for taking these amazing pictures of our baby girl. Bethany was such a great sport throughout the whole photo shoot. We are looking forward to some more pictures taken really soon. They turned out wonderfully and I can't wait to get some printed up and put up in our home. Aaahhhh! Isn't she beautiful!?!?!?!?