We May Have a Problem

It seems that Hoyt does not want to do anything these days without his blanket! Lately I have been trying to leave it in his crib, but after his nap on Friday he had to have it. When I put him in his highchair for lunch he insisted on having the blanket in his seat with him.

And...when we had to leave to run a few errands he was not a "happy camper" until his blanket was beside him in the car seat. My mom says that I used to drag a blanket along with me at Hoyt's age - and I think I turned out OK - so I guess I won't worry!!

All Boy!

What is is about boys, baseball caps, cars and trucks? The other morning I found Hoyt sitting on his car with Ryon's old baseball cap backwards on his head. (He loves to try it on, eat it, throw it around, etc.) I had to take a few pictures.

Another "all boy" moment happened the other day when I walked into the family room and saw Hoyt playing with one of his new trucks. He was driving it around on the carpet making a "vroom...vroom" sound. I think I made that sound once when he first got his trucks and we were playing with them. I don't know if he remembers me making that sound, or if he inherently knows the sound a truck makes. It has to be a boy thing!!

Labor Day Roping

What is Labor Day without a little cowboy fun? Ryon, Grandpa Murray, Matt, Dallin and Mason roped for a few hours on Monday morning and everyone had fun watching. The weather was perfect and the guys didn't disappoint - lots of steers were roped and everyone got to ride on the horses. According to the guys this was just a little bit of heaven!!

Birthday Boy!

Hoyt turned "1" on Sunday, and he loved every minute of it! He especially loved his birthday cupcake - it shouldn't be a surprise that he ate the entire thing. We celebrated with my family in California a week ago, and then on Sunday with Grandma and Grandpa Murray and the Biglers. (Personally...I think a week-long birthday is the way to go!)

Family Fun

This past weekend we took a quick trip to California. My sister Noelle and her husband Kyle were visiting from Idaho, so the whole family got together for a "big" family picture. (I think there were about 30 of us!) We also threw Noelle a baby shower - so it was definitely a quick couple of days!

We Are Walking!

While he is still pretty wobbly, Hoyt is now walking all over the house. He started taking a few steps about a week ago, and now only wants to walk! He will crawl to something, stand up, and then try to walk to his destination. I'm sure he will be running in no time - he just can't get to where he is going fast enough!!

Flower Power

Petunias...petunias...petunias

In the backyard - I call the tall plants my "wheat"

I love planting flowers. Every spring I look forward to warm weather, buying flowers and getting out in the yard and planting. There is something about being outside and getting my hands dirty (I can't wear gloves, I have to get my hands in the soil) that is relaxing.

I also love to mow and edge the lawns - there would be days driving to work where I would see the men out mowing all the city lawns and I wanted to join them. Ryon says it would take me all day to do one lawn - I tend to be a perfectionist - and I would get fired. Oh well...a girl can dream!

So Happy Together

Ryon and I at the Oakland Temple

On our honeymoon in Hawaii

Four years ago today Ryon and I were married in the Oakland Temple. How time flies! When I woke Ryon up this morning (I had been up since 6:00 with Hoyt) he looked at me and said, "four years of wedded bliss"! I do believe he was being a bit facetious, but it really has been four great years.

Soon after we were married we heard a sacrament meeting talk from a member of our stake presidency, in which he told the congregation to make a list of the things we loved about our spouses. A few days later I received an email at work from Ryon entitled "Sacrament Meeting Assignment." Here are a few of the things that he listed:

I love you because:

1. You are beautiful both inside and out

2. You are dang funny

3. You are dang smart too

4. You go coyote hunting with me

5. You already know what to get me for my birthday

6. You look great in Camo

I was amazed that he had remembered the "assignment," because I hadn't! So, I responded to his email with a list of my own. Here are some of the things I listed:

I love you because:

1. You honor your priesthood

2. You can always make me laugh

3. You save money like no man I know (I am typing this with gritted teeth!)

4. You are a hard worker

5. You can fix almost anything!

6. You are handsome and easy to wake up to in the morning

I printed out the emails and have them saved. I run across them every so often and smile when I read them. Happy Anniversary Sweets!

Hoyt's Favorite Room

Hoyt reading a few books

Playing on the rocking horse - what fun!

Hoyt now loves to play in his room. I walked in the other day to find him "reading" a few books. I was surprised that every book was not on the floor, which is usually the case, and that he was intently looking at each page and all the pictures. He loves when I read to him and he gets to turn each page of the book for me.

Another fun activity in the room is the rocking horse. Ryon gave me a hard time when I bought the horse before Hoyt was born, because he thought I spent too much money on it. However, he now believes it was a great purchase. Hoyt loves to sit and rock and listen to the horse whinny. He smiles every time he's on it. When I ask him where his horse is, he crawls right over to it and tries to get on. I might be biased, but I think he's pretty darn smart. It must be all the reading!!

Eleven Months...

Eleven months and he already wants to drive!

Hoyt and dad with Annie

Hoyt loved sitting on Annie

Hoyt and mom hanging out by the trailer!

Lately I find myself wondering where eleven months have gone, and wishing that Hoyt would stay "little" for just a bit longer! He is definitely losing his babiness and turning into a bonified little boy. He loves to walk along everything (couches, walls, beds, bathtubs, etc.), pull cans and pots and anything else out of the cabinets, babble and carry on full conversations with everyone, and play with other children. I like to say that we need a "rent-a-sibling" program - he gets so bored with only two adults in the house!

We have had a great summer thus far, with lots of fun in the sun and playing outside. We went to watch Ryon rope the other night and took a few pictures with Annie. Hoyt now loves to pet the horses and even loved sitting in the saddle! Ryon thinks he can be riding on his own by age three - as a mother I think I have issues with that - so we will have to wait and see. (I suppose it could be a possibility if an extremely docile, gentle pony is somewhere in our future!)