Catching Up #3 - Reed Turns Four!

Well, I just can't believe it - Reed turned FOUR.  I know I say this every single year, but four?  I mean that's like a kid, no longer a toddler.  He really is just the cutest thing and we are so very blessed to have him in our lives.  He is so sweet and caring, cute and happy.  He is always giving everyone hugs and kisses, telling people that he loves them.  He is so good to his sister and loves his family.  He is a true joy in our life. 

As mentioned before, Grandma and Papa came to visit for his birthday.  Sunday was the big day, we got up and went to church.  Before we left, however, Grandma and Papa gave him the gift they got for him - a brand new peddle bike! 

He was excited about it but was a bit afraid of riding it.  We will have to spend a little time with him in a flat parking lot to help him get the hang of it.  It's quite a step up, but he'll do great once he gets the hang of it. 

Nora hanging out while Reed checks out his new bike.

We went to church and had a picnic after.  It was a nice warm sunny day, a nice time to spend outside.  Unfortunately, it got a little rainy and chilly in the afternoon.  We decided to move the birthday celebration inside for the evening.

When we got home from church, it was nap time and when he got up, he opened his presents from us.

Lala got him an easel to do art and some other goodies.

 He loves spiderman

 A new soccer ball

 

Reed asked for a Spiderman cake, so that was easy.  We only had 3 of his friends over for his party (last year was a tad overwhelming for him and we wanted to keep it small this year).  Sorry for anyone that didn't get to come, I just had to limit!  Anyway, we did an art party.  Reed also asked for a treasure hunt, so we put together a little scavenger hunt that ended in art party!

 Prepping for the party - added a few more spiderman's to the cake. 

 Nora helping to set up?

We started the party with the hunt.  They would get a clue and have to go to the place to get the next clue.  They were so cute working together to figure it out.  It took a few stops to get the hang of it, they were so excited about the last few stops once they figured it out.  Here they are getting clue number 2.

My clue was the last one, so I made them take a picture before they got the clue.  From L to R - Ava, Reed, Jane and Liam.  They are all within a few months in age.  They are so cute together!

 

 So off they went to the final clue which was the garage where we had a whole art studio set up. They each got a goodie bag of art supplies and went to town. 

Ava

Jane

Liam

Reed

Even the little kids did a little art - but not much.

 They lasted a good 20 minutes or so before they claimed that their art was done!  Then it was inside for hot dogs, brats, chips, fruit salad, coleslaw and capri-suns! 

 Nora was ready for some cake!

Next up, cake!  

 I love this picture!

 I have to tell a cute story about this picture.  Reed was getting a little bratty prior to his birthday so the night before I had a little talk with him about people saying Happy Birthday to him the next day.  He was starting to get really bratty when people were saying it to him and he would just shy behind my leg and look at the ground and ignore people.  So the night before his birthday I told him that people were going to say happy birthday to him all day the next day and that he needed to be happy about it and politely say "thank you" and look them in the eye.  We even practiced around the house.  So the next day, he was doing a great job with it.  I was so proud!  We get to this moment, singing the birthday song and when we sang the line "happy birthday dear Re-ed...", he interrupted us and said "thank you" as we sang the last line.  That is a true description of this kid!

 Well after the cake, it was play time and wind down.  Reed opened his gift from G-Pa later (forgot it in the basement earlier!) London likes to help.

 

 A couple days later, he got his gift from Gabby in the mail!

 

We really do love this kid.  I hope he felt loved and appreciated on his birthday.  He is pretty darn excited about being four, he mentions it often.  I now use this as an eating technique - well you're four, you have to have four more bites.  He has accepted this very well so far.

Some things that I love about this little boy:

• He has made up a few phrases that are really funny - "I magiced it" meaning he made it disappear or reappear.  "I win you up" meaning I will race you and will win.  "I wish I want" then fill in the blank.  
• He is really sweet to his sister most of the time.  He likes playing with her and loves to make her laugh.  He gives her kisses and hugs.  I love that almost most of all.
• He always tells us (and most people) how much he loves them.  He'll say "hey mom, guess what?  I love you" or "hey mom, did you know that I love you?".  
• He will also talk about his family a lot.  How there are 3 boys (including London) and two grirls (that's how he says it). How he loves his family.
• He is very adventurous.  See below photos, he was absolutely launching himself off the rocks in our yard.  He jumped off the high dive in Moab not once but four times.  He did the big waterslide (which is pitch black most of the run) at least 25 times.  He skis really fast.  But at the same time, he is cautious. 

Thank you to everyone that made Reed feel special and loved not only on his birthday but every single day.  I can't wait to see what the next year brings and what kind of person he grows up to be. 

Catching Up #2 - Grandma and Papa Fogg Visit

I'll address Reed's birthday specifically in the next post, but this one is dedicated to Grandma and Papa Fogg visiting.  They obviously came for Reed's birthday, be we also did a bunch of fun stuff with them while they were here.  It ended a bit rough, but we'll get to that.

G and P came in on Wednesday evening.  They stayed with the kids on Thursday while Fogg and I worked.  Friday, we went down to Thanksgiving Point south of Salt Lake.  I was hoping to hit up a baby animal birthday party event they had listed on their site, but apparently there was an error on their part and it was later in the day.  Thanksgiving Point has all kinds of activities, a little shopping area, a dino museum, a farm area, a garden area.  We went first to the farm area with about a bajillion kids on field trips - yuck.  The day was a tad blustery and started to rain later.  When we made it through the farm area, we had a quick lunch then went to the dino museum. The kids loved it all. 

Wild animal!

 Both kids enjoyed the pony ride

 Grandma and Papa took them on a hayride

 Reed found a dino at the museum!

 Water table fun!

They dug for bones at the end

 Friday night Penguins game, all decked out!  Reed is holding his Pittsburgh Penguin for this pick too!

After the museum, we visited Cabela's for a little fudge then back home.  Fogg and I went on our Anniversary date that evening while G and P watched the kids. Saturday was also cold and rainy so we decided to head to the Treehouse Children's Museum in Ogden.  We forgot there was the Ogden Marathon that day (those runners are tough, it was cold and wet!).  But we had fun at the museum then to Costco for lunch and then ran some errands for Reed's party on Sunday. 

President Dick Fogg and baby Nora holding down the Oval Office at the Treehouse.

 

 Serious artists!

 

 See next post for birthday events on Sunday!

Monday we took the day to run some errands, Reed's 4 year well check, a doc appointment for me, groceries, hanging out. Reed's well check went great, he wasn't too excited to begin with but he warmed up to it by the time the doctor came in.  He weighs around 35 pounds, is 42 inches tall, meeting or exceeding all milestones.  And not even any shots! 

Fun with G and P

Good thing everyone loves strawberries, Papa gave them lots to eat!

That evening, Fogg's parents took us out to dinner.  We had a great yummy meal and then went to Farr's ice cream for a little treat.  By the time we got home, Papa wasn't feeling too good, thought he had eaten too much.  He had been fighting what he thought was a cold for the past few days too.  Well, they were supposed to leave on Tuesday morning early.  I got up early to drive them to the airport and learned that he had been up all night very very sick.  They ended up taking him to the hospital for some rehydrating and found that he had a pretty serious infection.  Needless to say, they didn't make their flight that day, or the one the next day!  He ended up spending Tuesday and Wednesday night in the hospital!  I had to fly to Denver on Wednesday for work, so I was pretty much absent that whole day.  He got released on Thursday and they ended up leaving on Friday morning.  Probably not a welcome adjustment for them, we didn't mind having them around a tad longer!  I got them off to the airport on Friday morning then we headed to Moab for the long weekend.  Papa is feeling better and recovering from that scary event. 

Thanks for visiting Grandma and Papa, we love when you come to see us!

 

Catching Up #1 - 9 Year Anniversary

Hi Everyone,

So sorry I've been absent the past 2 weeks or so, I've been b.u.s.y.  So I'm going to write several posts to be all chronological and all.  So this is catching up, part 1.  

9 years!  Fogg and I have been married for 9 years on May 15.  Sometimes it feels like 9 months, sometimes 19 years.  I love that we still love each other, respect each other.  He really is my very best friend in the whole world and I'm so so so very lucky that he chose to marry me.  

Fogg's parents came into town that day, so we celebrated with dinner on Friday (2 days later).  We went out to eat at Sonora Grill (I think that might be where we have gone the last few years). This year was the willow, leather or pottery anniversary.  Every year, we exchange some version of the traditional wedding gifts.  This year, I got a wallet, he got a belt (real creative right?) For past gifts, click here.  Last year for 8, I got him a mug, I don't remember what he got me.

In honor of our 9th anniversary, I give you 9 things about us.

1. When we were dating, people often thought we were brother and sister due to how similar we looked and how we acted around each other (very playful and comfortable).  Fogg would freak people out by kissing me after confirming that we were indeed siblings.

2. We make darn cute kids.  It's so interesting to see our personalities come out in each of them, some shared, some not.  Aren't we just the model of an American family - Dad, Mom, Boy, Girl.  I also love that those kids love each other a lot.

3. We are in our 3 home, 2nd house (first was a rented apartment).  I love building a home together, making a place that our kids feel safe and cozy.

4. It took Fogg a good 3 years to realize that we were supposed to be together.  I knew right away, but I waited for him to finally come around.  Good thing, I still really like the guy.

5. Our first "date" was a mountain bike ride behind Weber State.  I had met him the day before, this cute military guy.  Told him I had a new mountain bike.  He was surprised to find out that I totally sucked and it was literally my second mountain bike ride of my life.  I completely bonked, flipped over my handle bars at least once, had to stop on multiple occasions to catch my breath (I had been in Utah for less than a week from Chicago, wasn't used to the altitude).  Poor guy got dupped by me.  I improved my impression on him when we went skiing for the first time though.  My aunt and uncle (who lived here at the time) were very worried about me going out with this mysterious Air Force dude, luckily they learned to love him lots.

6. We still laugh a lot. I love that about us, still his funny jokes and funny songs, love them!  We also still love to do activities together, skiing, dirt biking, vacations.

7. The first time I saw him, the back of his head to be exact, I knew that I was going to either marry him or be best friends (luckily, both are true).  We met at church, though we were both not religious, through a mutual friend.  I believe that God has a true sense of humor, to bring two non-believers to meet at church, become believers, date, get married, have kids and live happily ever after. 

8. He bought me a car once and surprised me with it.  I was on a biz trip and he got it while I was gone, picked me up at the airport in it.  I was less than enthusiastic (I was very tired from my trip).  I think I ruined surprises forever after that.  Though I will NEVER forget the look on his face when he pulled up in it, he was so excited.

9. One of my favorite memories of us together is at my graduation from college.  We were dating, but not engaged yet.  He came over to me during the reception time and wrapped his arm around my waist and whispered how proud he was of me.  I will never forget how that made me feel, it was so sweet, tender and important to me.  I always wanted to make him proud after that.

Well, there you go.  Happy Anniversary to the very love of my life.  Next year is the big 10, the traditional gift is diamonds - remember that babe. ;)

Mom's Day

This past week, Fogg was in Texas for work so I was flying solo.  There is nothing like being a temporary single parent to help you appreciate the help your spouse brings to the table!  But I survived, and so did the kids. 

On Thursday, Nana took the kids grocery shopping with her and got Reed his early birthday present - a new Spiderman!  He picked this one out himself.  Needless to say, he held on to his "best friend" every moment after.  On the way to school on Friday, he was upset about not being able to bring him with, so I suggested that he put spiderman in his seat to sleep during the day.  This is how Spidy was left in my backseat:

Saturday night, I went to a friend's wedding.  It was beautiful, location was gorgeous!  Here I am with two of my friends, Kaytee and Sarah.  We had a blast!  Sarah was my date cause Fogg was doing a dirt bike race.

Mother's day this year was so nice.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous.  I got a new necklace, which I completely love.  We went to breakfast with Nana and Papa and my mom.  Here's the girl's:

Too bad I'm squinting so bad!  But the kids are so cute - right?

 My mom and my kids who make me a mom.  Love it!

 Nora sat down in the this grassy area with dandelions.  It was so cute!

 Papa walked over to help Nora.

 Then Pastor Terry found Nora and Ethan and brought them back.

It was a beautiful day after church.  I got to do a little project that's been on my list forever, started some laundry.  It was nice to be home and have Fogg there.  We went to Mongolian BBQ and Target in the evening.  It was a nice, simple and relaxing day!

NYC

This past weekend I got to go to New York City to visit my bestie friend, April.  It was such a nice getaway for me, have a little me time.  Of course I missed the hubby and kiddo's but it was nice to not be working and to just have quality time with Apes. 

I got in late Friday night and stayed up late hanging with her friends, eating food and singing karaoke.  On Saturday, we headed down to the 9/11 memorial.  There is quite a process to doing this, first, reserve tickets online, go to a storefront to pick them up (line #1), walk a few blocks to the memorial, wait in line for security (line #2), wait and walk in a line to the actual memorial (line #3).  I think we showed our ticket 3 or 4 times and walked around 3 city blocks to actually walk in.  And it was packed.  What a beautiful day it was, so we didn't mind too much.  The memorial is partly finished, still working on surrounding buildings and a museum.  There is still a feel of construction around there.  The pools are beautiful and enormous.  It was an emotional visit, just thinking of all the people who perished that day, remembering where we all were that day and the following days.  So so many names on the plaques, it's hard to read them.

The new World Trade Center building, very imposing as we walked out of the subway and into the streets.

 One of the pools.

 This man was walking around the area reciting a poem (that he obviously made up himself) about the memorial, things that happened that day, remembering the area.  Every line ended with "if you don't know, ask somebody".  We saw him several times.  Here is the 3rd time we saw him, he started polishing this wall memorial across the street from the official one.

After visiting the memorial, April took me to Stone street where they put these tables out in front of each restaurant during the summer and you eat outside.  We had mexican.

After that, we went shopping and a yummy dinner at the Beecher Cheese Cellar.  Yummo mac'n'cheese and wine!

The next day we walked over to Central Park after yummy brunch at Beyoglu.  It's pretty close to April's apartment and it was another beautiful day.  Central Park is definitely a site to see, so many people there (it was a sunny warm Sunday) and a lot of performers and interesting people.

A group of 8 or so guys doing breakdancing and jumps and stuff.

 A couple under a bridge singing opera, he played the flute and sang, she just sang.  Pretty beautiful music!

 Not sure about this individual, dressed up and wandering around like a medieval magician.

 Another couple, one playing the harp, one playing an instrument that I don't know the name of.  I could have stood there a long time, it was gorgeous music.  But who totes a harp to Central Park?

 The pond, there are mechanical sailboats that you can rent out. 

 The ONLY picture that I took of the both of us.

 Classic Central Park picture.

 More shopping then off to Tapas for dinner.  The next day it unfortunately started raining and was a bit more chilly and windy.  We  had a NY bagel and then shopped a little near time square before we went to one of the yummiest meals of my trip (of my life?) at ABC Kitchen.  It's all organic and local.  So yum.  The guy behind April facing the camera is our waiter, Marco.  He was awesome and so nice.  Gave us a free dessert! 

After lunch and shopping at the store next door, we went to Bloomingdale's.  Love how classic this sign is!

Back to April's place for a stay home evening of wine, pizza and a movie. 

I sure did love spending the weekend with my bestie.  I miss her so!  But at last it was time to head home to my family (they did just fine without me).  Nora was so darn cute when I picked her up from daycare on Tuesday.  She just had the cutest, happiest smile on her face as she ran toward me joyfully saying "mama!".  Those moment's simply melt, melt your heart.

Well, we get one down weekend, then it's on to lots more things.  In the coming weeks Fogg is traveling for work, a wedding, mother's day, our anniversary, Fogg's parents visit, Reed's birthday, Memorial day.  Busy month and it's only just begun!

Cheers~
Meg