Why does he want to count my teeth?

Caden made his first visit to the Dentist. It went better than it might have, had he not been going to his Uncle Jake. We just told him Jake wanted to count his teeth. He kept asking why, but he eventually trusted us. In the end, no cavities and 2 toys from the dentists toy box. I think he won't mind going next time.

A little nervous before going in. He sat so still for the x-rays. At least it was only 2 instead of the 18 his mom and dad got.
Uncle Jake being so careful and gentle. Caden really trusted him. As you can tell, he's quite comfortable in his seat watching Tom and Jerry in the overhead TV.
Not terribly exciting, but his eyes were funny to watch. He wanted to watch the cartoon, but he was a little leery of what Jake's assistant was up to.

When he was all done, the assistant set a chair up so he could finish his cartoon. It doesn't look too comfortable, but he didn't mind.
Showing his clean pearly whites! Yea - no cavities!!!

Why is he wearing my jammies?

Our kids have no hope when it comes to practical jokes. Caden's figured them out quick and likes to "prank" us all the time. The other night we got the kids ready for bed, but reversed their jammies. Caden figured it out and thought it was pretty funny, but Avery wasn't so sure. She wanted her jammies off Caden and she let all of us know it!Once we got the issue resolved, Avery was ready for prayers. Her little arms are short and small, but this is how she prays. It's so sweet and simple, until prayers are over and she shouts "Amen"!

Skiing at Black Canyon w/the Brown's

We went to Black Canyon with my sister and her family, the Brown's. It was up and back on night, but it's only about 45 minutes and it is beautiful there. We went a few weeks ago for my brother's birthday and Ryan wondered why I haven't shown him places like this over the last 4 years we've been here. Maybe we'll go more often now. Caden had fun with his cousins and Avery had fun in the tube with mom.

We had a picnic on the shore before heading out.Caden enjoyed his time with cousins more than getting in the water. We just had to keep them in the boat rather than off the front.
Avery had fun riding on the tube - she would do that all night if we let her
All of us were a little wet and tired at the end - ready to go

Matt's B-Day in McCall

We made it to McCall again for Matt's b-day. He's my brother, and he loves being together with family for his birthday. This year we went back to McCall and had such a fun time with him. He always brings us together, makes us laugh, and keeps us fully entertained.

This was in the yard when we got there. He spent several hours laying in the shade and letting us look at him.
Caden spent most of his time playing in the sand
Avery spent most of her time on the jet ski with Ryan - when she wasn't sleeping.
Ryan was trying to talk Caden into jumping off the dock again for the video camera. We tried every bribe we could think of, but it didn't happen. Once was enough for him.
Caden has fun pretending to drive - sometimes we have to slow him down!
Avery loves to tease and resist - her dad got her good this timeMatt's a good sport with the prank presents. He laughed about the can of corn (not so much a favorite of his) and the grey hair cover up for men. Caden and Gabe had a lot of fun as usual. They finally slowed down enough on Sunday to "just sit there" and watch a show.

Ward Campout

This weekend was the ward campout at Givens Hot Springs. We've never dared camp out with Avery, and the only camping Caden has done is in the backyard with Ryan. We decided to brave it and see how it went. Happily, we can say the kids did great. Avery loved running around with kids her size and Caden enjoyed his buddy Easton Fabrizio (which is why he isn't in any pictures - they ran around crazy the whole time). This was my kind of camping - a pool, outdoor bathrooms, grass...not a bad setup. Despite camp being right on the highway and hearing cars all night with a little airport right accross the street, the kids slept better than mom and dad. As soon as we got home, we put Avery down for a nap, a movie on for Caden and Ryan and I took naps.

Avery and Braxton Fabrizio

A tired little girl at the end of the trip

Just a test

I thought I'd test out one of these cool photo reels. What do you think? Should we go with it?

We Love You Grandpa Merrill

It's been a year since Ryan's dad passed away. We have really missed him and try to talk often to the kids about their Grandpa Merrill. He was such a wonderful man who was such an example to everyone. The arrangement below was made by Ryan's mom for the funeral. If you click on the picture and see it larger, you can learn so much about Merrill. I thought she was so creative. Notice the can of Pepsi, the chap stick, the old car, the Oreo in the car (which had the cream eaten and cookie put back by Caden), Vick's, Harrison Ford's The Fugitive, the Macey's pin , the duct tape, the old knife and the handkerchief. All of them have special meaning about Merrill and his life. Caden often says in his prayers that he knows he'll see grandpa when he dies. I'm so thankful for the gospel and it's eternal truths that we can be together forever.

Boys vs. Girls

There really is a difference between boys and girls. I am reminded of it every day as I watch Caden and Avery play. I notice the separation more and more as the kids get older and Avery gets more and more independent. As the pictures show, Caden gets bumps, bruises and picks at his scabs. Avery carries purses (which she didn't learn from me), tries on shoes, wears head bands (not me either) and talks on the phone (okay, I'll take credit for that one).

Avery being all girl. She looks like this most days, getting ready all by herself. Notice the purse, 2 headbands, and most importantly - the cell phone to the ear.Caden showing his bumps, bruises and scabs.
Caden going to bed as a super-hero.

Pioneer Primary Day Activity

Today was the ward Primary Pioneer Day Activity. The Eldredge's are always so nice to let any and everyone use their yard. I thought it was a big success as far as my kids were concerned. There were hay rides, stations to make toys, a horse was being shooed, fishing, watermelon spitting, and old fashion photos taken. We all had such a fun time.

Caden throwing wet sponges at a someones face in the hole.
Me and the kids on the hayride.Caden posing in pioneer duds.
Caden with his cousins, the Brown girls
Caden and Avery getting ready to spit watermelon seeds.
Avery eating the watermelon instead of spitting it...she was much happier, and stickier, doing this.

Earthquake Sunda(e)y's

We've started a new tradition in our family which I know will carry on for years to come. It's called Earthquake Sunda(e)y. When we went to San Francisco to visit Becca and Jake before Caden was born, they took us to Ghiardelli Square and introduced us to the Earthquake. It's a mound of 8 scoops of ice cream, 8 toppings, whipped cream cherries, sprinkles, nuts - everything you can imagine. It took all of us to eat it. Ice cream sundaes have never compared since then. Then when we went to Disney World in 2005, we found Ghiardelli again and introduced the earthquake to others in our family. I don't know why it took us 2 years to figure out we could do it on our own, but the important thing is we (Ryan) figured it out and we'll never go back. Caden and Avery both look forward to the Earthquakes on Sunday's and their dad does a great job making them.



The "real" earthquake at Ghiardelli in Disney World.

4th of July Family Reunion in McCall, ID

We just got back from our yearly 4th of July reunion in McCall with the Yorgason family. Thanks so much to Grandma and Grandpa for letting us all come to the cabin!!! It was as much fun as we expected. So much time is spent out on the beach, in the water, eating picnics and building in the sand. We stay up late watching movies, playing games, eating, and talking. The kids get along so well and Grandma and Grandpa Yorgason make sure everyone has a good time. We can't wait until next year!

Mom and Avery out on the boat.The "macho-men" getting ready to make a swim to the far buoy and back.

Caden and Gabe buried at the beach.
Ryan and the kids getting ready to go in the boat.
Avery enjoying smores at the fire while we watch fireworks.
Caden, Gabe and Nicole making sand castles.
The 3 little buddies - Caden, Gabe and Ali - fortunately staying out of trouble.

Swimming in Utah

We had so much fun in utah this weekend!!! Caden continues to go crazy in the pool. We swam at the Dyers, Ryan's sister, while we were there and she always has new toys to try out. Caden was particularly fond of the slide.

What a fun Memorial Day

So, I don't have pictures to go here, it seems my camera hasn't made it anywhere I've gone in the last - well - it's been too long. But we had a wonderful Memorial Day yesterday at my Mom and Dad's house. We figure there were about 60 there, and it was a fun day of BBQ, games and lots of swimming. Caden is such a fish. We have a pool in our Neighborhood that we go to everyday, and he has no fears of the water. So yesterday he took full advantage of the 90 degree water, the diving board, and the pool games. He amazed most who watched at his lack of fear. I guess he doesn't really know what to fear since he's always done so well. It was fun to watch him have pure and simple fun, spending the day in the water with his dad doing what he loves.

Avery, on the other hand, didn't dare. She went under last week at our pool and I think she's been a little nervous since. She's perfectly find watching from the side, eating homemade icecream or dipping her toes in, as long as she doesn't get two feet wet.

Not happy campers

Well,
Caden and Ryan were supposed to go to Father's and Sons this weekend. Caden was all ready and Ryan was excited to have this time with him. Things changed when we all got sick Thursday night. Caden' already had the flu, but Ryan and I got it a day or two after him, and now Avery has joined the club. We've felt bad that Caden couldn't go, and camping in the backyard at a later time just isn't the same. We decided to rent a couple of movies for him, buy a kids TV dinner (which he thinks is the greates thing and Ryan and I can't stand the thought of eating right now) and maybe take him to the pool later tonight.

Caden has been so sweet today. I feel bad he's had to fend for himself. He just watches TV, finds something ouf of the pantry when he's hungry, and he has been so good to take care of us. He keeps bringing popsicles to us because that is what made him feel good. He also runs to Avery's room when she cries, wondering if she's thrown up again and wants to help. he brought her a little bucket to throw up in just in case, all because that is how we "take care of him" when he's sick.

Caden's 4th Birthday

For Caden's 4th Birthday, we made it a special one for him. He's put up with a lot this year with a new sister that wasn't always easy. Basically, Ryan and I had something we wanted to do for him, so we justified our way into it. We got him a jump house for the whole day. Surprisingly, they weren't as expensive as I had anticipated, but certainly worth every penny of entertainment it brought. I think it was the best day of his little life. He had a friend party with 6 or 7 little boys from the ward, and then a family party at night. It was a fun day of friends, family and memories.

A few of the cousins that came

Caden (in orange) and his little buddies