Pictures from last week

Over the past few weeks we got a little behind on the pictures in the blog so here are a few to help us catch up.

Ryan and Matthew with Grandma and Grandpa Tams. This was the day we did peaches.

Matthew, Makenna, and Dillion all playing with Grandma Tuft's cars.

Grandma Tuft with her 50th birthday, Halloween, tree. (Amy had the whole family come up with nice things about their mom and put them on the tree).
Matthew and Dillion have the same shirt! I guess sisters really do think and shop alike.
Amy made her mom fifty flower cupcakes to celebrate her fiftieth birthday.

Peaches, Cupcakes, and Halloween

Okay, I have been a major slacker on the blog. I have had this post sitting in the draft box for some time. I'll just get it out and put some pictures up a little later. Hopefully I'll do better in the future. :)

Last Monday (Labor Day), we went up to Perry to bottle peaches at Grandma and Grandpa Tams' house. Matthew and Ryan had a lot of fun playing with all of the cars and trucks that Grandma has. We came home with a lot of peaches and have more waiting for us when we go back. Before we left, Grandma Tams made us a great steak and potato dinner, which Matthew ate very well and followed up with some dessert. We headed for home and along they way Matthew asked for more to eat. He had a granola bar, goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, and anything else food related in the diaper bag. After asking "What else is there mom?" we had to stop at McDonald's to get him some chicken nuggets. He ate 5 of the 6 in the package. You'd think with all of that eating he would grow sometime, but it must just be fuel for all of his diabolical plots. :)

The rest of the week we spent running errands preparing for the weekend. I finished her primary program. (Hooray!) I also got some things for Brynn's baby shower and planned a surprise birthday party for my Mom. On Friday I was playing cars with Matthew. We were taking them out of the bucket and parking them in a rows. He got busy playing with one of his semi trucks so I finished taking all of the cars out and parked them, even with sound effects. I thought I was doing what he wanted, but when he saw the empty bucket he pulled out his best pout and said that he wanted to park the cars. I told him I was sorry and that I would put some back so he could play with them. As he was re-parking the cars, he informed me that I shouldn't park all of his cars and that next time he would ask Heavenly Father and Jesus to come and help him. They would tell me, "Mom, you can't park all of the cars." I guess I learned my lesson.

Matthew has been noticing all of the Halloween decorations that are showing up in the stores. He asked me the other day what Halloween meant. I was about to tell him when his little eyes opened wide and he said, "I get to use my pumpkin and get candy." It's amazing that he could remember that from last year. I guess anything is possible when candy is involved.

Speaking of candy, we are planning for Matthew and Ryan's birthdays coming up in October. When I ask Matthew what he wants for his birthday he responds everytime with, "A blue cake, blue cupcakes, and green ice cream." That's an easy request!

Ryan has started to master the art of walking. He is getting pretty fast and can easily close a gap in a few seconds. It's so funny to see such a short little guy walking around. He loves playing with Matthew's cars and has a special affinity for Elmo. Everytime he hears the Elmo's World song he just freezes and smiles. What a fun age! I am sad to think that my little guy will be one soon. Time sure flies.

Movin' right along

It has been a busy week for all of us. Ryan and I have been recovering from our colds - we are finally better! I have been working on planning our ward's next Primary activity and Primary program that is scheduled for October. This will be my first program so I am a little nervous, but will it really matter when such cute little kids are involved? I don't think so.

Ryan has been working on his walking skills all week long. He can now easily take 7-8 steps in succession before falling down. He is also getting much more brave. He loves to play with anything his older brother has, even if he has a large variety of toys of his own around. I think he just really likes playing with his brother (or pestering him - what are brothers for?) He likes to play with balls and climb the stairs. He can also look out the bay window when he stands on his tiptoes. Someday those little legs of his will grow!

Matthew is such a fun boy. Every day is an adventure with him. Let's start with Monday. I was talking on the phone with one of my friends (What's up Ali?) when I noticed that the boys had closed themselves in the bathroom. TROUBLE ALERT! I opened the door to find Matthew painting Ryan's hair with my mascara. Exhibit A:


On Tuesday we went to Kevin's work for a University breakfast. Afterward we took the boys to the BYU library to get some books. Matthew has been reading them nonstop. He has them memorized and tells me all about Curious George and the dump trunk, how David got in trouble, Dumpy and the apples, and Watch out Mr. Rabbit! He is very good at telling stories and his imagination has really blossomed. One day the couch was a boat and we had to watch out for sharks. Another day we were on the lookout for bears. He has elaborate conversations between his cars as he drives them to and from the grocery store, the library, the church, and the temple. Here are the boys playing cars.


He can also be very literal and holds us to our word. He has been going to timeout lately for not listening, usually during moments of "wrestling" with Ryan. Stop is supposed to mean stop, but Matthew thinks it's okay if he is playing with his brother or trying to protect his territory (ie cars) while Ryan is crying because of the extra attention he is receiving. When Matthew goes to timeout, he is not allowed to talk to anyone. One time I sent him to the corner and was explaining to him that he made a bad choice with his brother when he responded, "Mom, stop talking to me. I am in timeout." True. Very true. He has also memorized a response to our timeout talks. Mom: Matthew, why did you go to timeout? What did you do? Matthew: I made a bad choice. I need to make good choices to make Heavenly Father and Jesus happy. I will listen and obey. Mom: That's right. But why were you in timeout? He tried this on me a couple of times and thought that would suffice, but he quickly learned that he needed to own up to his actions more. I may need to be a little more creative from now on.

On Saturday Kevin was getting ready to take Matthew to Home Depot for the monthly project. I told Matthew he needed to hurry and get ready so he could go. I asked him if he was excited to build something. He said, "Mom, let me tell you a story. I am not going to build something. I am going to make it." Logistics. He made a little stool to use for the potty. (Don't even ask us how that is going. Let's just say it's been put on hold until after Christmas.)

Here is one of Matthew's stories word for word that he told Kevin one day while Kevin was working on the computer. Kevin quickly typed it up. Sometimes I can't quite follow his train of thought. Any ideas? "If you don't tell me what to do than I will cry and I won't play with you anymore. Someday when you make me sad I will say to Dad, Mom, just change the picture. I will get the book and the hammer and then I will hammer hammer the picture. Someday we will have to do that."

Our Heavenly Fathers Plan

Today I had the pleasure to say goodbye to a former Aaronic Priesthood leader and a man that I admire. About a year ago he was diagnosed with cancer. He will leave behind his lovely wife and his two wonderful children. His name is Don Bassett. Don was my teacher as I was growing up. Don took us to scout camp, spelunking, repelling, door bell ditching late at night, and taught me many lessons of the Gospel. Don was everything that a leader should be, I know because it was easy to tell that he loved me. Don loved all of us.

It was difficult to approach this conversation. What do I say? How do I share my feelings of gratitude and love? As we spoke we reflected on times past and talked of the future. He shared with me his excitement to be moving on the next great adventure. Don wasn't bitter that he had cancer. He shared with me how he was comforted by the spirit when he was told he had cancer. He talked about how the spirit helped him understand that he would not beat this cancer. He also spoke of the sure knowledge that this was part of our Heavenly Fathers plan. Don was filled with joy and light. Then we said goodbye and that we loved each other.

Don's life was his testimony. Even as he dealt with these difficult circumstances he was full of happiness and gratitude. He had faith in the plan and he had no regrets. I hope that I can remember these feeling and the example of my dear friend as I navigate the waters of life. I pray that I can always recognize our Heavenly Fathers hand in our lives. The good and the bad. It is all part of the plan. Last I hope that I can serve as Don did (hopefully, not in the scouts) and I hope that I can have the faith that he does. It was a privilege to be part of Don's life.

Ryan's first few steps

Ryan has finally done it. Well, at least three steps in a row. We are very excited that he is starting to walk. He won't walk to Amy or me but if there is a ball he will chase it down. I guess it started on Sunday and he keeps trying and the steps are growing each day. We love our little Ryan and hope he enjoys his new found mobility.