"Mom...I Read the Scriptures!"

Every night after dinner Hoyt asks if it is time for Family Home Evening. He strongly believes that we should have it every night instead of once a week. (I'm hoping this still applies when he's a teenager!!) He will say, "Time for Family Home Evening - I go get my scriptures."

We noticed about a month ago that he loved scriptures and would get ours everyday and pretend to read. I decided to give him my old seminary scriptures, so he now has his "own" set that he can carry around and take to church. He loves to read scriptures during Family Home Evening and will sit right next to us and repeat the words as we say them.

Last Monday night Ryon was out of town, so Hoyt and I had Family Home Evening by ourselves. Hoyt got his scriptures, sat down, and said, "Mom, we sing Popcorn Popping, read scriptures, and look at pictures of Jesus." What a sweet boy!!

"Barn Owdel"

The other night Hoyt and I were reading stories before bed. (He loves to read and will sit and listen for literally an hour!) As I finished reading one book Hoyt said, "Mom, read the owdel book."

I wasn't quite sure what book he wanted so I asked him to say it again. He said, "The owdel book mom!"

When I asked him a third time, he was a bit exasperated and said, "The BARN OWDEL book mom....hoot....hoot!" The hoot, hoot did the trick and I finally got it!

My sister Holly found the Barn Owl book at a second-hand store and gave it to Hoyt. Holly and I remember having this book when we were little and we loved it! Hoyt loves it too, and wants to read it at least three to four times daily. It's fairly long, but he doesn't care - he is fascinated by the baby owls, the feathers and talons, and they way the mommy and daddy owls catch mice.

He explained to me yesterday in the playroom that he was going to go and catch mice. He had put two gloves on and when I asked what they were for he said, "Mom...these are my talons...I go catch a mouse!"

Random Shots...

A few weeks ago, Hoyt inherited these carhartt overalls from a good friend. To say that he loves them is quite the understatement. He calls them his "horsey clothes", because every time he goes to feed the horses with Ryon he gets to wear them. He also loves the pockets and will walk around the house with his hands in his pockets until he has to take them off.

When Ryon came home from Idaho last week he brought Hoyt a pair of rubber boots....so now all he talks about is his "horsey clothes and boots"! It will be a miracle if I ever get him to wear anything else!

Hoyt watching TV the other day...can you sign a 2-year-old up for pop-warner?? I think Hoyt would love it!

I think he slept on his left side for his ENTIRE nap...nice hairdo!

Sacramento Zoo

While we were in Sacramento Noelle, Kyle and I decided to take the boys to the zoo. It was overcast and 50 degrees, but the animals seemed to love it. We got to see all the animals "up close and personal" and the boys had a great time!

Hoyt talked all week about seeing the giraffes, zebras, lions and tigers. He even had to call Ryon to tell him about his adventure at the zoo. I rented a "Safari Car" for Hoyt to ride in, which he stayed in for a total of 5 minutes, until he decided that he wanted to push instead of ride. I have bruises on the backs of both legs from being run into over...and over...again.

So, he got to see all sorts of fun animals AND push the safari car AND watch a movie on the way back to Grandma's. What a perfect day!!

Hanging Out at Grandma & Grandpa's

We had lots of fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house; Hoyt especially loved playing with his cousins. He also loves Uncle Caleb who read him books every night, Uncle Brandon who helped him play the BYU football video game, and Aunt Marissa who is always willing to give him guitar lessons on her guitar!

Another highlight was the kitty - who Caleb would catch daily so the boys could pet him.

Hoyt was in love!

Playing Grandma's piano.

Hoyt loved hanging out with Isaiah every morning - these two have become best buds. Hoyt didn't mind sharing toys with Isaiah, but he had a bit of a hard time with baby Landon. I cannot tell you how many times I heard, "No...baby Andon...don't touch my doggy, or No...baby Andon...don't touch my blankie, or even No...baby Andon...my mommy"! A little jealousy perhaps? I think he figured out that he is no longer every one's little baby!!

Girl shot...except for "baby Landon".

Hoyt is "in love" with Kaylee and Kaycee. One day we will have to break it to him that they are his cousins!!

Having lunch with Grandma...

and the rest of the gang...

even newest cousin baby Paiton!

A Week in California

Hoyt and I were able to spend last week in California. My sister Noelle and her family were visiting from Idaho, so we spent the week hanging out with family, going to the zoo, eating out and having lots of fun.

We started the week off with dinner out minus the children. I have to admit, it was nice to not have to chase Hoyt around the restaurant. Thanks to Marissa and Caleb who watched Landon and Hoyt while we were gone! We didn't have the whole family together, but it is pretty amazing when we get at least this many of us together for a night out.

Holly, Seth, Mom, Dad, me and Noelle.

Holly, Tarsis and I were really enjoying our Mexican food. I ate so many chips and salsa that I thought I wouldn't have room for my dinner....somehow I managed to eat most of my enchilada and taco!

The whole gang

Mom and Dad

New Year's Day

When we woke up New Year's Day morning, Ryon had the idea that we should take Hoyt sledding; but not just any type of sledding...tie the sled behind the horse and have the horse pull you...kind of sledding. I was skeptical (to say the least), but we went over to see the horse anyway with the sled and a rope in the back of the Yukon!

I really should have taken a picture of the minor fiasco that was... trying to sled behind the horse. I'll give it to Ryon, it was an interesting idea in theory, but we didn't have the right kind of sled and Hoyt really just wanted to ride. So, ride we did!

Hoyt loved riding Oreo in all the snow. He just kept wanting to go around and around the pasture!

I even got in on the fun.

The boys bundled up for some winter riding!

The highlight of the morning just might have been the ride home. Bundled up in the car, sippy cup, sucker, and a movie - it doesn't get much better than that!!

New Year's Eve 2009

New Year's Eve was spent at the Castiblanco's home; because when Brianna told us they were going to have nachos with Argent's famous pico de gallo, we just had to be there. Thankfully we were invited, or we would have had to invite ourselves!

The evening was so much fun. The food was fabulous, and we had a great time playing games, visiting, and laughing. For some reason when Ryon gets around Alberto and Argent there is always a lot of laughing!! We feel blessed to have such great friends!

Here's Hoyt ready for the evening to begin!

With two of his favorite people - Halim and Brianna. He walks around all the time asking to go to "Hahim's house...Hahim's house"!

The girls getting ready to play games...

And the whole gang...someone explain what Argent and Alberto are doing??