Family night fun

Tonight for family night we went to the corn maze/pumpkin patch with Ryan's family (Kyle's brother) and some friends. We had a great time! We went last year too, and Kaden has been anxiously waiting to go again.

Daddy and Kaden getting ready to go down one of the hay slides.


Uncle Ryan and Kaden trying to figure out how to lasso.

Mom and Kaden getting ready to go through the corn snake.


All aboard the cow/pig train.

All of the kids getting ready to start the corn maze.

Our little monkey in the maze.

There were TONS of bugs (thankfully we used Off! before we left!) and it was a little expensive, but a really fun activity. We ended the night with chocolate milk and doughnuts, and you can't beat that for a good time!

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?!?

In case you missed the game tonight,

OREGON STATE STUNNED #1 USC!!!

WAY TO GO BEAVS!

It was a great game..and nerve wracking too. I wanted to throw up and pace in front of the TV and scream...oh wait, I did do that stuff...well, not the throw up part!

Even though we're not in Oregon anymore, we're still BEAVER BELIEVERS!

Can't wait for next weeks game vs. Utah...my dad and I are going and it will be GREAT.

Happy 80th birthday, Grandpa Fred!

Yesterday was my Grandpa's 80th birthday. It just so happened that they're in Utah right now, so we got to see them and have a party!

Here's my sister, Lindsey, with Kaden and his cousins decorating the cake

Grandpa Fred with all of the kids

Obviously, the kids thought Grandpa needed help blowing out ALL of those candles!

We love you Freddie, and we hope you had a great birthday!

What a great day!

Not only did BYU crush Wyoming 44-0

but the Oregon Ducks lost to Boise State 37-32!!

I hate to say it, but I love to see the Ducks lose (sorry Brian!).

The nursery

Our birth mom wanted to see some pictures of the nursery, so here they are:

Notice how I didn't show the floor on any of the pictures? Its a mess...piles everywhere! :)

We had a really nice visit tonight with our birth mom and her parents. They are all great, and we got to spend a couple of hours with them.

A new soccer mom

We were really feeling bummed that Kaden couldn't play soccer this season. He really wanted to and was talking about it all the time (especially after getting to go to Tanner's game a couple of weeks ago!). My sister asked if we'd want him to play down in Riverton with his cousin, Riley. We figured that since I'm down there all the time anyway, it wouldn't be a big deal for 7 games. Kaden was completely thrilled and has wanted to sleep with his soccer ball every night since we got it.

Well, tonight was the first big game. We got to the field and the kids got their uniforms:

Their coach asked all the kids what they wanted for their team name. The boys all said "Pirates" and the girls said "Butterflies". She compromised with everyone and they are now the "Dragonflies"!

It was hysterical to watch them. They were so, so cute and Kaden was in hog heaven. He kept looking over at the sideline and giving us 2 thumbs up.

We got home tonight and Kaden didn't want to take off his uniform! Mimi needs to make some adjustments to it (its so big!), so we talked him into letting her fix it. I'm so glad that he gets to play, and that he's so excited about it. I can't believe how big he looks in the pictures and on the field.

Our long weekend to Colorado

We just got home tonight from a few days in Colorado. Kyle had a few days off, so decided to go down and visit his parents. We were so glad to be able to go since its been a REALLY long time since the last time! In fact, this was Kaden's first trip. (Usually we just met in Utah to see them!) Here's a few pictures:

feeding the ducks with Grandma

playing with Grandpa

It was nice to get away together for a few days.

Girls Night Out

Hey, its time for another Cafe Rio night! Its this Tuesday, 6:30pm at the Layton location. We're going to try and figure out how we can sit together better this time. Also, we want to talk about ideas for upcoming girls' nights, so please come with any ideas that you may have. Hope to see you there! Drop Carrie or I a comment if you're planning to come.

Go Big Blue! (and other stuff)

Way to go Cougars! They embarrassed UCLA yesterday 59-0. I didn't get to watch any of it since we were in the car on the way to Colorado, but we listened on the radio. That's 3-0.

Lots of you have asked...no names yet. Its hard to agree on a boy's name for us. So, we'll take any suggestions. We get to meet our birthmom on Thursday. We're really excited, and will keep you posted.

Starting to get ready

Well, if you know me very well you know that I'm totally organized and a planner....so Christmas preparations are in full swing at the moment! I've got lots done actually, and lots more in the works (as in made and/or shopped for and wrapped). Yesterday Kaden and I went through all the baby clothes, got the car seat out, etc.doesn't he look like he's a big help?

If you ask Kaden what he wants to name the baby, he'll for sure say "George". In fact, he gets down right grumpy if you say any other names. Its funny, but not even an option.

won't he be a great big brother?

HAPPY, HAPPY news!!!

Today we went to LDSFS to meet our new caseworker. We updated her on what's new with us, and then she said she had to grab something and she'd be right back. Well, when she came back she had balloons, a teddy bear, and a letter from a sweet birthmother who has chosen us to adopt her baby!!!ITS A BOY!!!

He's due on or around November 13th. We are completely shocked and thrilled! So much for my post yesterday! We are completely excited to meet our birth mom next week and get to know her.

Thank you SO MUCH for all of your thoughts and prayers and comments as we've been on this crazy rollercoaster ride. Please keep our birthmom (and us!) in your prayers and we'll keep you posted.

They're coming, they're coming!

The trucks are packed, the house is empty, and my parents are officially on their way to Utah!

We are so excited for them to get here! We saw them everyday in Oregon, so it was a MAJOR adjustment for us to be in Utah and have them in Oregon. We love you Mimi and Papa and can't wait to help you unpack the trucks!

Just minding my own business

I've been sitting here at the computer catching up on blog reading, when I came across this saying from a vinyl lettering website: "One of my greatest blessings call me Mom." It made me cry. Gosh, I hate crying at the computer! Thankfully it doesn't happen that often...well the "at the computer" part! :)

I am so thankful to be a mom! I am thankful for my sweet little boy who tells me "I love you, Mom" several times a day.

Probably our first picture together at the hospital

Riding the minature trains at Shady Dell (Oregon)

Visiting temple square last fall

Meeting Pluto at Disneyland

Playing at the Oregon Coast in June

I have been feeling REALLY, REALLY frustrated lately about the whole waiting for another adoption to happen thing. We've been trying to adopt another little baby for two and a half years, and sometimes the roller coaster ride is almost too much. I know it will be so worth it when it happens (and it will be the right little baby for our family), BUT the emotional toll and lack of control makes me CRAZY...crazier than I already am! Guess that makes me feel even more grateful for my little monkey. He makes me laugh everyday and I'm SO LUCKY to be his mom.

Sorry for the rant, that's just what I've been thinking and feeling lately...the vinyl words just was the last straw! :) Oh, and I'm SO, SO THANKFUL to Kaden's birth mom. She's amazing and I think about her often hoping she knows what a difference she's made in our lives.

Sheesh, that was a close one!

Way to go Cougars! They squeaked by Washington today 28-27 and are 2-0 on the season. We won't talk about the Beaver game or score....it could be a VERY long, rebuilding season.

WHERE does he come up with this stuff?!

So, one day this week I heard our refrigerator open. I wasn't too concerned since Kaden gets in there all the time to get a drink of water or chocolate milk. But I then heard little footprints running to come find me...

"Mom, the lid is stuck!"

I, of course, have no idea what lid he's referring to and ask him to show me. He leads me to the fridge and shows me the mustard bottle. I asked him what he needed it for and he opens his mouth as wide as he can and points inside. Guess he was looking for a swig of mustard, but couldn't get to it. Darn that twisty top! Seriously, what made him even THINK of doing this?! Never a dull moment around here.