5k

I started a running program at the end of December. The first week of January it popped into my head to run a 5k. And so it became a new years resolution: Finish my first 5k run before I am 25. And last Saturday, I did it. I came in with the middle group of runners, and thus, I was proud of myself. Being proud of myself is something that does NOT occur often, so it felt good. It was harder than I thought, but with the loving support of my Mom, Jeff, the boys, and my grandma & grandpa, I pushed through. I know to some people, running a 5k isn't a big deal. But it totally was to me. I am prepared to do it again in the VERY near future.

Hip hip hurray! I started something and finished! (Although I am not finished running!!)

Birthday

 Mason had a 4th birthday party. It was a pirate party. It included everything from eye patches and pirate beads to a treasure hunt and sea-blue cupcakes. He had about 16 friends there, and had everyone had a BLAST! Here are a few shots:

"Aargh!"

This one was just funny to me. He has pizza all over his face and his hair was all messy from the fun of the party. He had a great time. 

Thank you to all who helped me, and all who came!

4

Four. That is how many years a have had my little 5lb 13oz baby. I can't believe he is 4. Even as I type this, it amazes me that I even have a child that old. But I do. My sweet little Mason will be 4 on Sunday (the 15th). He went from crying every 2 hours to eat from a bottle, to sneaking in the fridge and pantry every 2 hours for a snack. He is one awesome kid.

Mason as a newborn

From writing his own name, doing addition, and memorizing EVERY song he hears, to riding his bike, watching discovery channel shows, and drawing a million cars in a day, he is a super smart kid. We are amazed (continually) at how much this boy can do.

Masons first taste of baby food-little fatty

Mason is a very kind little guy. He is always helping with his little brother Ryker. Even if its pulling Ryker by any extremity and dragging him somewhere so they can play together. He likes to give everyone kisses. On any part of our bodies that is closest to his lips (I get elbow and hip kisses a lot). He tells everyone that he loves them. Even his preschool teachers. Lately, he has been inviting just about anyone (even strangers at the store) to his birthday party.

Mason as a two year old

 Mason loves being outside. Now that we live in Arizona, we have spent a lot more time outside (even as we speak, he is playing out in the sandbox AND its Jan 12th). He loves going to different parks and outdoor play groups, and just likes going on a walk. He pretends he is a pirate, or superhero, or ninja sometimes when he is outside. Its fantastic. 

Mason and Ryker, Fall 2010

 Mason and Ryker have become the best of friends (most of the time). They play really well together, and laugh at the same things. They like the same shows, the same toys, and the same foods (except lettuce, which Mason hates and Ryker loves). Ryker desperately wants to be like Mason in every way. I don't blame him. They will play quietly together for hours. I love this about my boys. I love that both will each have a best friend for life!

Mason this last December

We love this kid. So so much. The day I found out I was pregnant with him, I cried. I cried for a hour or so because I was scared. Then, I cried because I was happy. And my husband cried because he was happy. And excited. And its been all excitement and happiness since then!  He makes our lives so interesting and fun. I just don't know where we could be without him.

Happy 4th Birthday, Mason!

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

Pictures

 Thanks (again) to my very, very talented sis-in-law, we got some great pictures taken this last November. We are fantastically pleased how they turned out! Here are some of our favorites:

Thanks again, Melissa! We love you!

Merry Christmas To Everyone

{Design by Ric Nielsen, Graphic Design Ninja. Pictures by Melissa Thomson, Photography Rockstar}

Doughnuts

My Grandma Nielsen used to make us these when we would visit as children. These little babies are so good. I thought I would post this recipe if anyone was interested. They are super easy and yummy!!

Homemade Doughnuts
1 can Pillsbury biscuits (I use the flaky layers kind)
Vegetable or Canola Oil
Cinnamon
Sugar

Pour oil in large skillet. Just enough so the doughnuts will not be touching the bottom of the skillet (they will float when cooking). Turn on to medium heat.

Get about a cup or so of white sugar in a regular bowl. Sprinkle cinnamon to your liking. Remember a little cinnamon goes a long way when mixed in sugar.

  Open the can of biscuits.  Divide each biscuit dough in half. With your hands, knead the half of the biscuit dough and poke your thumb through the middle, making a hole. Stretch the dough a little so the hole is about 1 to 1/2 inches in diameter (you don't want it too small, or else there will be no hole in your doughnut!). Repeat with all the biscuit dough, but leave a small ball of dough to test your oil.

Put the little dough ball in the hot oil. If the ball seems to be frying, then your oil is ready for cooking. Do not make your oil too hot! Carefully put the doughnut dough in the skillet (I use tongs for this part). Let the dough cook for a little while, until the doughnuts start turning brown on that side. It is crucial to let the doughnuts cook on each side long enough for them to be done in the middle. With the tongs, turn the doughnuts over, and let that side cook all the way through. To test one, take it out of the skillet and with a knife, slice it open to see if the middle is done. That way you will know how long you want to cook the rest of them (you might want to fry one doughnut first to test it, before you put them all in at once.

Take the doughnuts out when done, and quickly dip them in the cinnamon and sugar mix, covering the whole thing. This needs to be done when the doughnut is fresh out of the oil, so the sugar will stick. Let cool and dry on a plate with paper towels.



My husband and kids love these! This is a quick yummy breakfast  for family, or even a delicious finger dessert! Enjoy:)

Halloween

 We had a great Halloween this year. Mason went as a fireman, and Ryker was a fireman's dog. They were such good boys after the whole week of partying. And, Grandma T. came down from Utah to visit for the weekend! Enjoy:

Ryker and Grandma T.

With the Cousins Leslie, Ashley, and baby Carter

Motherhood

Have you ever been in a situation where a mother is badmouthing her children, her role as a mother, or motherhood as a whole? I cannot tell you how many times (a lot with in a short couple of months) that I have heard this. And it upsets me. I chose today to do a pretty serious post on this, because it is something that I feel very strongly about.

I love being a Mom. I love love love it. I love being a wife and a mother more than anything in this world. I have heard countless times, Mothers who have said things like: "You're having a baby? Get ready for your prison sentence" or "You want how many kids? Oh my gosh I would kill myself" (yes I have heard that exact line) or "My kids are horrible". It breaks my heart for these young children that Mothers could possibly think this way about their own children or motherhood itself.

I knew countless moms-to-be out there that cannot conceive babies themselves, so they wait patiently for their children to come to them through someone else in this life. Of these kind of beautiful Mothers that I know, not one has said to me, or anywhere else (like facebook, blog, etc.) something negative about being a mom.  I strive to live like them in being positive about being a Mother, and a wife. They are wonderful examples to me.

Julie B. Beck:
I was recently at a park where I met a group of women with mother hearts. They were young, covenant-keeping women. They were bright and had obtained advanced degrees from respected universities. Now they were devoting their considerable gifts to planning dinner that evening and sharing housekeeping ideas. They were teaching two-year-olds to be kind to one another. They were soothing babies, kissing bruised knees, and wiping tears. I asked one of those mothers how it came about that she could transfer her talents so cheerfully into the role of motherhood. She replied, “I know who I am, and I know what I am supposed to do. The rest just follows.” That young mother will build faith and character in the next generation one family prayer at a time, one scripture study session, one book read aloud, one song, one family meal after another. She is involved in a great work. She knows that “children are an heritage of the Lord” and “happy is the [woman] that hath [a] quiver full of them” (Ps. 127:3, 5). She knows that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily mothering is far more lasting, far more powerful, far more influential than any earthly position or institution invented by man. She has the vision that, if worthy, she has the potential to be blessed as Rebekah of old to be “the mother of thousands of millions” (Gen. 24:60). -Julie B. Beck April 2004 conference, 'A Mother Heart'

Julie B. Beck always has something wonderful to write about being a Mother. I loved this quote because it just has an underlying message of happiness and love. I still remember when this address was given (I was 16) and I remember what impression this put on my heart.

I guess what I am trying to let you know that I love being a Mother. Even through the snotty noses, the vomit, temper tantrums, and sleepless nights, I love it with all my heart. I know I may not be the best at it, but I love it and try so hard to be a good Mother. I do not regret becoming a Mother, and I look forward to having a lot more of those sweet spirits enter my home. I do not regret the age, or circumstances in which I had my babies. I know it is my Heavenly Father's plan (and not everyone else's, or their business for that fact). I hope anyone that reads this can stand back and look at their lives and children (or children they will have!) and see how truly blessed they are to be a Mother. As I type this, I have my little Ryker cuddling up to my chest. What a wonderful thing it is to be a Mom!!

Preschool

 Mason started preschool today. He was super excited, and when he got there he ran all the way to the door and forgot I was behind him. He LOVED his first day, and we are all super excited for him to make new friends.
He (and myself) love his sweet teachers. I can't believe this is already happening. He was walking around the house later today singing the 'days of the week' song. I am so happy to add just a little more happiness and variety to his little life. He is such a sweet boy! Some people asked if I cried, but he ran in so fast (and its only 2 days of the week for a couple hours) I was more happy that he was happy! Ill keep the crying for the first day of kindergarten (not till 2013...whew!).

Look how happy he is, with his new little backpack

Ryker is 16 Months.

Sometimes he thinks he is 16 years old though. I know, I know, usually this kind of post should be saved until he is like 18 months, but I couldn't resist (and seeing as how he is 18 months around Thanksgiving, the post may never be put up at all).

Ok. All about Ryker at 16 months:

 Ryker is my silly, silly boy. When he was born, I was darn sure after the way that his brother is (stubborn, wild, and loud...hm...I wonder where he gets that...gotta be his Dad, ha ha) that I would get a little guy that is quiet, preserved, and gentle. NOPE. He had to match his brother and exceed him in any sort of way. He is an intense and sweet little guy, and we love him so bits and pieces. (And I love my sweet Mason just the same, too!)

Ryker loves to sing and shout, and make sure that everyone knows that he is around

Ryker (like his older brother) has an intense seriousness. When it is time to serious, its time to be serious. Even when its pretzel eating time.

This little guy is a porker. Don't get me wrong, he is still under the 50th percentile for weight and height, but he eats like there wont be any goldfish or bananas left in the world tomorrow.

I realize this picture looks like he is eating one of grandma and grandpa's fish. Its not. Its a chocolate doughnut hole.

 Ryker's Vocabulary:

Dad-dada

More-mo 

Outside-aou

Cracker- caca

Car-ca

Drink-ba ba

Cheese- teees

Apple- a-poe

Banana- nana

Thanks-teeee!!

Ryker drinks out of regular cups, stands on tables, gets his own kid meals at restaurants, takes showers, and insists on doing everything else his 3 year old brother can do.

Did I mention that he is ALWAYS happy? Just a crazy, happy baby. Baby. Yes, little bug. Please stay a baby for as long as you can:(

Love my little Ryker. Everyone loves him and his little baby blue eyes. And his fuzz head. And his little cheeks. 

Happy 16 Months, Little Bug