Finally, something new

It always amazes me how much time has gone by since the last time I updated the blog. Now looking back I realize just how really far behind I am. The last post before Hawaii was talking about our summer and I did that one in September.



Since so much has happened and I don't remember a lot of it I will just hit on a few of the big things going on in our lives:



-Our Christmas was spent at home this year. We were going to go to Christmas get togethers for both sides of the family on Christmas Eve but, being the great Mom that I am, I scheduled Ryker's 18 month check up on that day and a strep test they did on him came back positive. So much for our partying this year. Grammy & Poppy and Grandma & Grandpa Orton and Grandma Roothoff came out to visit. That made our day!!




-Jacob's Grandpa Mathews passed away in January. We were so grateful we had taken time to go up to Idaho and visit him just a few weeks before. It takes Ryker a few minutes to get settled in and then it's all go. He was having a great time running through the house and into Grandpa's arms. He was also spoiled by Grandpa. We had had a party the night before and there were delicious homemade sugar cookies left over. Ryker wanted one and knew we would all say no so he asked Grandpa who, of course, gave him one (or two, or maybe even three) for breakfast. Grandpa told us Ryker can do and eat whatever he wants and he won't tell him "no". The time we spend with family is always precious, but when something like this happens it makes that time together so much more memorable.

-We found out in February that Ryker is going to be a big brother!!! Our due date is Oct. 20th and we are so excited. When we found out I asked Ryker if he was going to be a big brother and he said "uh-huh" and started flailing his arms and turning around in a circle. I need to learn to have a camera ready when I ask questions like that.

-We are finishing some of our basement and Ryker has been a HUGE helper. He takes his plastic hammer and screw driver down and will hammer on the boards and help hold up the walls until they get set into place. Poppy gave him an old tape measure and he went around measuring whatever he could find and would yell out his findings. He watched as everyone was writing measurements on the boards so he found a pencil and started going around writing something on every board (and some drywall) he could find. What would we do without him.!?

-Ryker is growing up so fast. He started talking just a few months ago and it's been amazing to see how quick he's progressing. He's to the point where he is putting sentences together and will repeat any word you ask him to. He knows all of the main colors and can count to 12 and sometimes 16. He loves to read books and is always ready to watch Cars.

-Jacob is staying busy with Ryker and I, work, school, projects around the house, and being the 1st counselor in the Elders Quorum presidency. Even though it takes up a lot of his time, he loves serving in the Elders Quorum and especially with the wonderful men he gets to serve with.
He is so great to be so willing to work so hard so I can stay home with Ryker and raise him the way we want him raised. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband who I love so much!!


-I am just trying to keep up with Ryker as the due date gets closer and I get bigger. I didn't want to find out what we are having, but Jacob did so he found out and has told our families and I've been waiting for someone to slip. It looks like Trisha is the winner!! In talking about the baby last night she slipped and said "he" and then tried to cover it up. When I told Jacob about it he would neither confirm nor deny if she really had slipped. I'm not picky either way, as long as the baby is healthy I'm great.
I'm also the secretary in the Young Women's program and love it. We have the most amazing young women in our ward and I am so blessed to know them and be able to learn from them and feel of their incredible love for their Savior and the gospel.



-Since this is a pretty long post already I will stop here and hopefully get back on soon to add some pictures and more updates.

Hawaii....day 6

We have come to the end of our trip. :( It has been SOOOO great being with Andrew and Brandi!!

We had a busy day and just our luck it was very rainy. I had made reservations to go through the Laie, Hawaii temple open house this morning and didn't know where I was going, how I was going or how long it would take. With the sky being so overcast the trusty navigation system I've been using was not working. I had no idea what to do and couldn't get anywhere without it. Miraculously it started working and we were on our way.

The drive was beautiful even though I was white knuckling it due to the rain. There were times when the ocean was only a few feet from the edge of the road. It was amazing yet scary at the same time.

I thought I brought a polo shirt for Ryker, but found out this morning that I hadn't so I was going to stop at a store on my way to the temple, but didn't pass any. He looked a little funny wearing khaki pants over a romper with a truck and the saying "I make mud look good" on it. Oh well, I tried. ;)

The drive didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would so we were there over an hour early. I was in a rush because I still needed to buy souvenirs and spend time with Andrew and Brandi before leaving tonight. I explained my situation and asked if we could go with the next tour since it seemed a little empty anyway. They were more than happy to have us go through early.

There ended up being about 15 people in our tour and for the size of the temple it was almost too many. It is a very small yet very beautiful temple.

Unfortunately I was in such a hurry that I didn't even think to take pictures of the temple or Ryker and I in front of it.

We took the longer way to Honolulu by way of the North Shore because I hadn't been there yet. There were some AMAZING views. The next time I go to Hawaii I'm definitely going to spend some time up there!!

We tried going shopping, but couldn't find the plaza so I pulled onto base and called Andrew to find out where to go. He was trying to figure out where I was and when we finally connected the dots and landmarks we realized we were only about 2 blocks away from each other. We stopped and were able to visit with him during his lunch break.

Our next stop was the big mall that didn't have much of anything that I was looking for. It did have a waterfall that Ryker just loved. I tried getting a good picture of it, but this is all I could come up with...

Ryker really wanted to play in the water and was pretty upset when I made him leave the cool pool and waterfall.

We did a little more shopping at the international market. The last time I was in Hawaii I found so much good stuff there, but this time it was the same thing at every booth and not at all what I was looking for. I did get suckered into buying a bracelet for $2.

We finally made it back to the house in time for dinner and to sit and visit for a few hours before we headed out. Ryker was finally comfortable enough to show off some dance moves and just let loose.

It was so hard saying goodbye to Andrew and Brandi. They were so much fun and so wonderful to give me a break and let me kick back and relax.

The flight home was great because Ryker slept most of the way, but I kept waking up thinking he was falling off my lap or to make sure he was doing ok.

It's great to get away, but it's great coming home!

(Sorry for such a long post with hardly any pictures. I had to jot down what I remember so I don't forget it all)

Hawaii....day 5

Happy Halloween

Today was our day for sight seeing and boy was it beautiful!! We started out at a crater thing where we had to hike/walk a paved path to the top. The only thing that would have made it better, other than having Jacob there, was if Brandi and I had thought to bring shoes other than the sandals and flip flops we had on. Our feet were a little sore by the end, but it was worth it.

A view from the start of the hike

About half way there we stop for a little rest and a great photo

I could stare out over the ocean all day

We finally made it to the top and this is looking straight down. The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks was so soothing

Ryker didn't want to be facing away from the view. He did not want to leave and put up a bit of a fight. I can't say I blame him

Our next stop was a blow hole. Its a hole in a rock that jets out from the shore and when the waves come in and crash underneath it the water sprays up through it and goes pretty high. It wasn't very active while we were there because the wind was blowing the wrong way.

We drove around the island and up to the Pali Highway Overlook. This looks out over Andrew and Brandi's side of Oahu. If you look really close you might be able to see their house

Another view from the overlook

One of the tunnels you have to drive through to get from one side of the island to the other. It's a little scary, but really cool all at the same time

After our outing we decided to go home and carve some pumpkins seeing as it is Halloween and all. When we carved pumpkins with Will, Debbie and girls and Theron and Callie (which I just realized I haven't made a post for) Ryker would not go near the guts of the pumpkins. He would reach his hand in, but quickly pull it out before it touched anything yucky. He was completely different this time and we couldn't keep his hands out of the pumpkins. He's helping Andrew gut his....

and trying to help Brandi with her design

Showing off the final products

(sorry Andrew and Ryker, not very good pics of you guys)

I bet you can't guess which one is Ryker's

It was only around 5 and it was Ryker's bedtime since he never adjusted to Hawaii time. We got him all dressed and tried to find things to do to pass the time so we weren't going out too early.

What studs!!!

Ryker wouldn't keep his do-rag and sunglasses on, but loved being on the bike with Andrew

Brandi, Ryker, Andrew and Daisy all ready to go trick-or-treating

Our first stop is the neighbor's house

Ryker showing off his loot as he runs to the next house

Sharing with Brandi

Headed for the next house

They weren't ready for us so the disappointed duo move on

Only one other house had candy and was open for the night. We tried to keep Ryker up and happy so we could go back out in a little bit, but that didn't work. He was asleep soon after walking in the door.

We have had such a great time being with Andrew and Brandi in this amazingly beautiful place

Hawaii....day 4

Today was fun and relaxing. We were up EARLY again and started our day with a delicious breakfast with Andrew and Brandi.
Ryker loves Channel and would chase him around the house. Poor cat didn't know what to think having this midget running after him. Needless to say, he was not amused at all. While he hid under a chair Brandi brought out a toy so Ryker and Channel could play together. I'm not sure who had more fun, Ryker or Channel. He giggled and screamed as Channel batted at and played with the little ball.

Ryker loves dogs and would pet and hug Daisy.

After a short nap and some lunch we headed to Bellows beach. Ryker loves playing in the water and sand. Andrew brought his body board so we let Ryker take it for a spin.

He's not quite sure if he likes it or not

After the 2nd time around he was having a little more fun...

especially when Daisy would greet him with big kisses as he came in

I don't think Daisy liked it very much either

Taking a break from the water to warm up, play in the sand and feed Daisy. She didn't care much for the sand and neither did Ryker. I guess he thought that since it was fun to play in it would be yummy to eat. He picked up a handful and before I could stop him he stuck it right in his mouth. It took a few seconds for him to realize he didn't like it and started spitting it out. When he couldn't spit it all out he tried wiping it off his tongue with his hand and arm which were also covered in sand. I tried to help, but he just closed his mouth and swallowed it. YUM!!

It was a little cool, windy and overcast the whole time we were at the beach, but it was still beautiful.

He loved having his feet in the sand. The only thing that could have made this day any better would be to have his dad here to play with him.

Our little beach setup

Ryker was ready for a snack so I took him to the water to rinse him off a little. I had him standing in front of me and my back was to the ocean so I didn't see the little wave coming and it knocked him down. Before I could help him up another wave come in and knocked him over and he tumbled under the water for a few seconds before Andrew rescued him. He was a little startled and didn't want to go back in for a while, but was ok.

Ryker took a nice long nap after we got home so we stayed home, ate dinner, visited and tried watching a movie. I have yet to get 10 minutes into them without falling alseep.

Hawaii...day 3

Just a warning now, there are a LOT of pictures so I'll try to keep it brief.

We start early in the morning (around 4:30, thank you for letting us sleep in) with Ryker wearing a swimming diaper on his head. This is the kid that won't wear hats for more than 5 seconds. He ran around the hotel room for a few minutes and loved having it on his head.

See, he loves it

After Jacob left we went to the Waikiki Aquarium where Ryker loved watching the fish

They had this little bubble thing the kids could stand in and get an up close and personal look at the sharks and big fish. It was a fight getting him out of there when the other kids started lining up to take their turn

So cool

He liked watching the Frog Fish. It sure doesn't look like a frog to me

The view from the "backyard" area of the aquarium

Our next stop was the Honolulu Zoo. This tree was outside the entrance and I couldn't pass by without taking a picture. It's so cool and creepy looking all at the same time

Ryker didn't care about any of the animals, he just wanted to play with the birds

Another funky tree...and a cool leaf

Ryker chasing the birds around the picnic area

Still chasing..

Getting closer...

While Ryker is chasing the other birds, a peacock decides it wants a drink of Ryker's water hanging on the back of the stroller

This bird wasn't shy at all. It shared Ryker's corn dog with him. When Ryker saw it on our table he just turned away and tried petting the birds on the ground

When we finished at the zoo we were off to our next adventure.

Brandi's work invited their kids in to go trick-or-treating through the office. We took Ryker and had a lot of fun

(My friend Autum's mom, Laurie, made the awesome vest and chaps. He's the cutest biker I've ever seen.....his dad takes a really close second ;) )

We walked around outside looking at the motorcycles parked nearby (which I didn't get a picture of) and Ryker actually left the rag and sunglasses on his head. I was hopeful he would keep it on the whole time.

Ryker and Uncle Andrew all dressed up and ready to get some candy. The rag and sunglasses came off once he couldn't see any motorcycles.

Ryker leading the way

This little Power Ranger started picking on Ryker before things even got started

By the end Ryker was chasing the Power Ranger who was running from him asking if he wants to wrestle. Ryker kept chasing him and as Power Ranger ran around big brother, Spiderman, he told Ryker to wrestle him (pointing to his brother). Hahahahahaha

Ryker getting candy from Aunt Brandi

The whole group

When we get home Ryker helps Andrew clean out the dishwasher. What a big helper

Ryker giving Brandi kisses. Watch out Andrew, Ryker's making his move

It was a long but really fun day. We wish Dad could have stayed a while longer, but we loved the time we had with him.