A visit with Mel.

Two weekends ago we went down to Ft. Lauderdale to spend a couple of days with Mel. We had a great time! We spent Saturday afternoon at the beach. Lately Tyler has wanted nothing to do with the ocean, but Aunt Mel coaxed him into getting in and he ended up loving it! Saturday night Mel babysat while Matt and I went out to celebrate our anniversary. Mel made us reservations at a resturant called High Life Cafe which is owned by a former 'Top Chef' contestant. 'Top Chef' happens to be one of my favorite shows so I was really excited! The food was amazing and meeting Carlos was really cool! We had planned on going to the drive in as well, but we thought it was going to rain so we went to the regular theater instead. While we were gone the boys (well mostly Tyler) enjoyed pizza, popcorn and movies with their auntie! After a bath and a bottle Riley didn't feel the need to stay up and wait for us, but Tyler was having too much fun to sleep. Thanks again for a wonderful night off Mel! We hung out until late afternoon on Sunday before heading home.

I think he was trying to touch his relfection!

Riley's first time in the ocean!

This is why I will no longer wear a bikini next to Mel!

A quick picture before we went out.

Four wonderful years!

Matt and I were married 4 years ago today! Allow me to reminisce...

We met at institute in Miami. Matt was there working construction with his dad, and I was working as a trainer at the Miami Seaquarium. My roommate, Michelle, and I moved to Miami around the same time, so we were both new to the institute class. I noticed Matt right away and whispered to Michelle, "He's either 19 or has a girlfriend." Luckily I was wrong on both accounts! We didn't start dating right away, in fact we were just friends for about 3 months. This was mostly because Matt was masterfully skilled at pretending he didn't like me! I'll give you a couple of examples: 1. He was class president, so he conducted the beginning of each class. On more than one occasion there would be an open seat next to me, and Matt would usually sit on the other side of the room. 2. One day after class Matt asked if I was going to the YSA dance the next day. I was but I needed directions since neither Michelle or I were familiar with the area. When he asked me to wait while he got something to write on I thought for sure he was going to use it as an excuse to give me his number. Instead he hands me a piece of paper and says, "Here is Mavy's number, she can give you directions." Needless to say, I was convinced he only liked me as a friend so I never pursued him. I did like him though and I remember the night he brought a girl to class. I have to admit I was jealous when I thought he was dating someone, and I was pretty happy after class when he introduced me to his sister!

I never would have guessed that Matt was telling his friends back home about a new girl in his institute class that he really liked! Matt's big dilemma? He was writing to a missionary and didn't know how to tell me without ruining his chances at dating me. Coincidentally I was also writing to a missionary (we had never dated, but I had a HUGE crush on him). Matt was also trying to figure out how to spend some one on one time with me without the pretence of a date. My roommate took care of that problem when she asked him to help her get a couch from some other friends of ours. Michelle ended up getting sick the day they were suppose to get the couch, so I went with Matt instead. We talked until 2:00 am that night and would have talked longer but I had to be at work at 7:00! The majority of our conversation was about our missionaries! Matt told me all about his, and I vented about how mine was already home but hadn't called or emailed me. After Matt left that night I was certain we would never date. I mean I had just told him how much I liked another guy! I was torn, I still really liked my missionary but I was also developing quite a crush on Matt! The first time my missionary called I was at a pool party and spent most of the night flirting with Matt. My missionary was quickly forgotten the more time I spent with Matt. We offically started dating in early November and 3 months later on February 1 Matt proposed! After a four month engagement we were married in the Bountiful Temple. It was a perfect day!

It's been a great 4 years! Happy anniversary honey! I love you!

From our dating days!

Our first kiss was in a bowling alley!

One of the pictures from our wedding announcement.

Time for an update!

I missed posting after Riley's 9 month check up because it was right before we left for WV, so I'll update you on him now that he's 10 months! His stats at 9 months were: 17 lbs 12 oz, 28 inches long. He's still on the small side, but otherwise perfectly healthy. He now has 3 teeth, 2 on the bottom that you can see really well, and one on the top that just broke through on Monday. He likes to grind his teeth now that he has one on top, which I can't stand! It sounds so gross! Here are some other fun facts about Riley:

- He has discovered if he puts his mouth on my arm or leg and he blows it makes a fun sound. He'll do this for a good 5 minutes at a time!

- He likes to sit on the floor and spin in circles. I'm still trying to get video of this!

- He wants to stand all the time! He isn't walking around the furniture yet, but he will push things (like Tyler's small chairs) around the house like an old person with a walker.

- If he sees my water bottle or Tyler's sippy cup he gets so excited! He's pretty good at drinking out of them too!

- If I believed in reincarnation I would be convinced that Riley was formerly a member of KISS. The kid ALWAYS has his tongue sticking out as you can see in the following pictures!

Showing off his bottom teeth.

A few more pictures...

These are from my mom's camera and are the last of the pictures from our trip.

My mom found this turtle while weeding and Tyler loved it! He wouldn't hold it at first so he just pointed to it for the picture.

He finally decided it was ok to hold.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Riley!

Tyler's new buddy, Ashley.

A visit to West Virginia.

The day after I posted the flood pictures the boys and I left for West Virginia. (Quick update on the flood situation - it continued to rain the rest of that week, however instead of the constant 24/7 rain like it had been it would rain a little and then stop for a couple of hours. These breaks in the rain prevented the water from getting much higher than it was in the pictures.) We were gone for 10 days and the only thing we had planned was my friend Justin's wedding. Other than that we just spent lots of quality time with my family. Daniel even flew in from Alaska the last 2 days we were there. It was a great trip! Here are the pictures...

Riley couldn't figure out if he liked the grass or not.

Tyler helped Uncle Clif wash his truck.

Riley loved DD!

The wedding was in Vienna, WV which is where we once lived so we payed a visit to our old house. We moved out of this house when I was 8 and this is the first time I've been back!

A quick picture with 'Uncle' Spratt before the wedding.

Tyler and I at the reception.

We've been friends for over 10 years!

They had disposable cameras on each table and Tyler took pictures of everyone and everything! Hopefully some of the pictures turn out!

Granny and Tyler tearing up the dance floor!

Tyler caught the garter, or rather it landed on the floor and all the other single guys urged him to get it! Either way, he was quite pleased with himself!

Tyler helped grandpa cut the grass.

While they were working on this puzzle Clif jokingly told Tyler he wasn't very good at puzzles. In his most encouraging voice Tyler informed him, "You are Uncle Clif! I know you are!" With extra emphasis on the word know!

Riley met a new friend! This cutie is Julia, my friend Amanda's daughter.

Tyler took this picture!

Julia had to have open heart surgery when she was 2 months old, but now she's a healthy, normal 6 month old.

Amanda and I with our little ones.

Riley fell asleep after church and slept until we left for the airport, therefore missing family pictures!