Random

So, I decided to post these pictures, but there's no connection between the two situations. The first set are from Ledges National Park, just 20 mins. or so west of Ames in Boone, I think. Anyway, we had wanted to go for some time, and last month decided to go when the weather was nice. It was still pretty chilly and windy, hence the blanket wrapped around Ryder, but he didn't mind one bit. Paul and Ryder walked around and looked at the stream and the changing colors and all. Ryder's mouth was wide open most of the time, he loves the outdoors and anything new.

The second part of pictures was from Ryder's first taste of spaghetti. Too bad we didn't have video, but the pics pretty much speak for themselves. He LOVES any type of sauces, especially tomato! Hope you enjoy the pics!

Halloween 2009

Ryder's first Halloween started off a little bad. Our ward's Trunk or Treat was on the Wednesday before Halloween and he started running a high fever that afternoon, so we missed that. And the next day the fever was still around, and we were just praying he would get better quick since Paul's parents were in town late Thursday. And that didn't really go as planned either, since their plane was late leaving SLC, and they missed their flight out of Minneapolis. So they hitched a ride to Ames (by hitched I mean they met up with other passengers who missed the same flight and were going to Des Moines, and rode down with them). That turned out pretty good, but they got here very late Thursday night/Friday morning.
But, once Grandma and Grandpa were here, Ryder LOVED it! He got cool new toys from them that he loves, and he got to cuddle with them, which is rare for him. It was a hard weekend for him, trying to get better and all, but he did really well. We trick or treated down Main St., had his picture taken, ate yummy Great Plains pizza, watched Ice Age 3 (so cute!), watched Twilight, trick or treated around our neighborhood, and had Tracy's very yummy brisket! It was a good time. We can't wait to be in Utah again soon! Watch out, we're coming....

Vegas Baby!

So, a couple weeks after going to Chicago, we took off for Vegas because Paul had a course to attend for work, which was 2 days, and then we stayed an extra day, too. We met my parents there, and stayed at Harrah's, which was at an awesome location in the center of the strip, next to Venetian and across from Caesar's. We had a blast! We shopped (when I say we I mean Ryder and me, and my mom and dad, as Paul was in class, and he wouldn't have wanted to go anyway) at the outlet malls, walked around the strip, went to MGM and saw the sleeping lions, hit some awesome buffets (with Paul too) and had a great time! Also, Paul and I went to the temple and that was an amazing experience. There's something special about visiting a temple for the first time. And the pictures I took of it don't do it justice, but there they are anyway... We also went and saw a medievel dinner and show with cool acrobats and fighting and pyrotechnics and all. Ryder didn't go but I know he will love that when he's older.

Also, I didn't take pictures of our room and view since our camera's battery died and we didn't bring the charger, but it was way nice. The window was floor to ceiling view of the strip, and I love to have rooms with views. And we went to the Hoover Dam, which I've been to plenty of times, but was Paul's first time. He thought it was cool too. However, not cool enough to take a $30 tour of it.... Yeah, crazy!

All in all, it was a great trip! Ryder loved to see Grandma and Grandpa....and will seeing his other grandparents next week, what a lucky boy!