A Boy and a Dog

Sage is such a good dog, at times! She is so gentle with Rylan, not so much with the other boys though. When we brought Rylan home from the hospital there was no way I would let Sage even near him. I have relaxed quite a bit about that and see that she lets Rylan do what he wants, she doesn't even lick him. (I taught her not to, it grosses me out) Rylan loves Sage and giggles when she is close.

See, he can pull her fur and she just lays there.

The Last Airbender

Trevan loves watching Avatar, the last airbender. He has been watching this Nickelodeon show for a few years now but this year with the movie coming out he has really gotten into pretending that he is an airbender. He has begged for months to have his head shaved and a blue arrow painted on, but of course no way was that ever going to happen! So, here is his solution to that problem. I find it pretty ingenious! Yes I did help him tape it up and he is so proud of his skull cap.

Striking a pose like a true airbender would do.

Front view.
Top and back view.

Merry Christmas

Our Christmas this year is one spent without dad. He is doing his military thing in a far away land. We miss him lots and lots. Here are some pictures of Christmas Eve, and Christmas morning. Enjoy (dad)

I love this picture because even Rylan is sticking his tongue out!

Doesn't look like Rylan or Mason enjoyed this pose so much.

Coming down the stairs Christmas morning.

Walking the hallway, can't hardly stand the anticipation.

Trevan showing off his sled, Mason got one just like it, only it is blue.

Kennedy and Mason checking out their stuff.

Rylan trying to get to the tag on his pillow pet. (He has a thing for tags these days.)

He is trying so hard to just get to that paper.

Trevan loves all things Bakugan, he was so excited opening his gifts and finding Draginoid, this however is not that gift. I was laughing to hard to take a picture of that one, he was screaming and jumping up and down.

Trevan and Kennedy's stuff just messy piles of it. This is how they organize.

Mason on the other hand is all nice and neat. Well, except for the clothes he got that were thrown behind him during opening.

Rylan watching his new toy light up.

We had a wonderful morning and now the kids are all trying out their toys and video games and movies. Poor Sage (dog) doesn't quite know what to sniff next, all this new stuff has kept her busy.

We sure miss our loved ones who are far away from us and are thankful for good friends who are close. We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Love to you all.

5 months

Rylan is 5 months old.

He is growing more hair and it is very light. I mow hawk it so it can been seen.

He drools constantly

Still spits up, mostly in the evenings

Loves his binkie

SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!!

Loves when Kennedy plays with him

Cries when I leave the room

Constantly looking for me

(if I am not the one holding him)

Scoots forward and turns in circles

Enjoys splashing in the bath

Happy happy baby!

Love you Rylan

Time Flys!

I have once again let the blog slip lately. Time sure cruises by when you are busy. Here is an update of our last two months.

Rylan hit 4 months on October 18th. We found a style of binkie (understandable?) that he loves. He totally mastered the art of rolling over. (He started doing it at 3 months, but he didn't care for it to much then, always freaked him out for some reason.)
Kennedy realized there was truth in what we had been telling her. No matter what was near Rylan's mouth, he was going to find a way to get it in there! She didn't like the fact that he was trying to suck on her baby doll.

On October 18th we headed out of Great Falls going to Tucson Arizona. George's mom Suzanne had been quite sick and at that time not given much more time to live. We knew we needed to get down there as soon as possible. We felt the kids needed to see her again and she had never been able to see Rylan, and with George getting ready to take his extended vacation (can't say what it really is) we planned a quick trip/long drive down.

Kennedy and Rylan at the Hospice waiting to go see grandma.

Trevan and the picture he drew while waiting to see grandma at the Hospice.

Mason keeping busy playing his DS at the Hospice.

Grandma had been back and forth from the Hospital to Hospice care so much that when we got to Tucson she had Mersa. If you don't know what that is look it up! jk, I didn't know what it was so I googled it. Anyways, you have to be real careful around Mersa, we all had to wear masks and couldn't get very close to her. The kids also gloved up, but that was more because they wanted to wear rubber gloves than a need for them. The kids all went in her room when we got there and then I took them out to a living room type area and played the board game Sorry with them. George was able to spend time with his mom and his dad then. Rylan was of course asleep. Before we left that day we went back in and she was able to really get a good look at Rylan, he was all smiles and that made her day. I heard from alot of people how happy that made her just to have him smile at her. Later that night George went back to be with her and just sit and watch TV with her. We were only able to be in Tucson for 2 days, but it was so worth it. We got back to Montana on the 24th, and on the 29th of October Suzanne passed away. (yes I am crying as I am writing this post) We know she is in a better place and not in pain anymore. We are so grateful for the Gospel and the knowledge we have of Eternal Families. Suzanne told the kids that she will be watching over them from Heaven and that every night as they are saying their prayers she will be hugging them tight. Her memorial service was held on Nov. 6th. George and his sister Casandra spoke. Cas was to go first so George was trying to lighten her up a bit, during the opening song she was crying, he told her to joke around a bit. Cas did great with her talk, she gave a great back ground of Suzanne, and I think she kept herself quite composed. George on the other hand, when he got up to talk it all hit him and he struggled. He spoke of some of his fondest memories growing up and of how he always felt supported in all he did. All of the grandkids with exception to Rylan, sang "I am a Child of God" It was a nice service and afterward the ward members had a lunch for the family.

In between our trips to Arizona, we did celebrate Halloween.

The kids and their costumes, Mason-soldier, Trevan-TMNT, Kennedy-Pixie fairy, Rylan-little devil. Our ward had a party and trunk-or-treat on the 30th. The kids had a great time and got plenty of candy.

Rylan on his first Halloween. The cutest little devil!

Football

BYU football that is! While in Utah we had the chance to go watch the Cougars play at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Four of us went with my dad and brother Mike and his daughter Starlee. It was so much fun to be back there.

George and Rylan. It was so hot that day we had to strip Rylan of his pants and socks for him to be comfortable. He was so good, all the loud cheering didn't phase him one bit. I think he enjoyed it. He really does love to watch the TV when we have football on. George teased about wearing his Arizona shirt underneath the BYU one but decided not to, he would have passed out from the heat!

Trevan and cousin Starlee. They sat and compared hats for a while, really, how much can you expect out of two 6 year olds! (Starlee took a nap during the first quarter) During the second quarter Trevan asked if the game was over! He was ready to go, he said he didn't know the game was going to take so long.
The two that got left behind. Mason and Kennedy stayed with Grandma and had a pizza party. And as far as not getting to go to the game, neither one of them wanted to go! They will get their turn some day.

I can sit!

With a little help and support from the Bumbo chair Rylan can see the world sitting up! He loves being to watch everyone this way.

And this is what happens when he gets tired of holding up his head.
We bought him this chair while in Utah for Brittan's wedding. I looked for one here in Great Falls and could only find purple and pink ones, so not happening for my boy! I love this chair and wish I had one for the other kids when they were babies.

3 months

Rylan is 3 months old today! He is growing way to fast for me. I want him to stay little for as long a possible.
He sure is gaining some weight since being put on reflux medicine. He now weighs 12 pounds. He is starting to giggle and is always ready to show off his big smile.

We sure love this little guy and are happy to have him in our family.

Kennedy's New Pre-School

This year Kennedy gets to go to a new preschool. The one she went to last year was at the day care center here on base and they closed the program down this year to remodel the building. We heard of this school from a couple of friends who were sending their kids there and it sounded like a really good program. We could not be happier with it. Kennedy is loving it and they are actually doing school work!

Kennedy with her little friend Natalie. These girls are truly best friends. They have been going to school together from the start so we for sure wanted to keep them together. I told her mom about this school and we enrolled the girls there together.

The girls inside the classroom.
Kennedy loved her first day and couldn't wait to go back. She is going 3 days a week for 2 1/2 hours a time. Her teacher is Ms. Jodee and she loves her.

UGHHHHHH

Our weather forecast said rain and somewhat cold. Not once did I see a forecast for snow, so you can imagine my feelings when I looked outside and saw it snowing!!! So not a good surprise for September 17th! What the heck happened to Summer, let alone Fall????? I am not ready for this yet, please let this be just an early storm and please, please, please warm back up for 2 more months. I can always dream.

First Day of School

The boys started back to school on August 25, 2010. They both were so excited, they were up and ready before 6 am! I know, way early, but I knew it wouldn't happen again until the last day of school!

Loy Elementary is where they are getting educated.

Mason's locker.
Mason paying attention and ready to answer questions.

Mason in class listening to some teacher instruction. His teacher is Mrs. Proud. She is a first year teacher and very excited to teach fourth grade.

Trevan's locker. He volunteered to share with another boy in his class.

Trevan being distracted by his mom, don't know who she is, or why she is being a bad example!

This looks much better. Trevan checking out his daily planner. His teacher is Miss. Ameline. This is her second year teaching first grade.

Rylan's Blessing Day

Rylan was blessed on August 15, 2010. We decided to bless him while in Utah, and we did it in my parents back yard. It was so great to have everyone there to participate in this day with us. George's dad, George, his sister Cass, her husband Bill and kids were able to come up from Tucson, and his cousin Rachel and her family from Logan were also able to come. It was nice to have members of the Burns family there to take part in the blessing. My three brothers, a brother in lay, and a niece's fiance were there from the Jacklin family, and we also had friends from the Fojtek family there. My parent's Bishop was there too, he is married to one of my long time childhood friend Julie Langeveld Bird. So fun to have so many loved ones.

Lets see if I can name them all! Going from left to right. Jake, Wade, Ernest, Rylan, George, Bill, Bishop Jared Bird, George, next row back, Mike, Daryl, Keith, Jeff, Jim, Trent.

Breanna holding Rylan. She is such an adorable girl. Breanna loved just holding him for as long as she could. I am sure Rylan enjoyed it too!


Just a close up picture of cute Rylan, and some men around him!