Holiday Catch-Up

We spent Christmas in New Mexico at Cory's parents this year. Santa still managed to find us at the ranch, and the girls were not disappointed on Christmas morning.

style="text-align: center;">I made the girls sit together for a picture before they could open any presents...both of them had a hard time sitting still and this is the best picture I could get. After four or five attempts you just give up on getting the perfect picture, you know?

We told Bailey to close her eyes so that her dad could wheel out the new bike she got for Christmas. She did a great job keeping them closed until we told her she could open them. Every time she would open a present she would say, "I am so happy!".

The girls had a lot of fun hanging out with cousins and playing outside while we were there. Being at the ranch gives the kids the chance to jump on the tramp, ride motorcycles or 4-wheelers with Dad, see the new baby lambs, watch Dad, Grandpa, and uncles brand and give shots to the cows, and ride horses. Really, what more could a kid ask for?

Bailey loving the trampoline.

Riley doing a little target shooting.

Riley and three of her cousins (Clayton, David, and Lucas).

Riding horses after the guys got back from rounding up cows.

Dad and Grandpa doing what they do to the cows...the kids love to go up to the barn and watch!

The day after Christmas Riley FINALLY had a girl cousin come to play. She and Kelsey had a great time!

This is what happens to Bailey's hair when she was on the trampoline. Cute, huh?

The 4-wheeler was a huge hit with both girls.

We had to go out at least once a day to see and hold the baby lambs. Cory would catch the babies and the girls would take turns holding them.

Riley's 1st Piano Recital

Riley had her first piano recital on Saturday afternoon. Her teacher asked that they play one song from their piano books, and also a Christmas song. Ry was kind of nervous before her turn but she pulled through like a champ and played her songs perfectly! Way to go, Ry! We are proud of you!

Riley and her piano teacher, Kim.

Playing her Christmas song, Jolly Old St. Nick

It's a....

BOY!

We had our ultrasound last week and found out the girls are getting a brother! I am happy. Cory is giddy. Riley is excited. Bailey is okay with it now that she has had a few days to get used to the idea. I guess we will all have to figure out what to do with a boy now that we have one coming!

Winter weather fun!

We have had a ton of snow over the last week and a half or so...we woke up to 8 inches one morning, had some of it melt away, and then have had another six inches or so over the last couple of days. It has been kind of nice that Riley has been off-track from school (we are on a year-round schedule here). We have been able to take advantage of the sledding hill while most other kids have been in class! Bailey had her first experience with sledding this past week, and she loves it! On Thanksgiving day we really took advantage of the snowy weather...after dinner we hit the sledding hill with my side of the family. The kids (and the adults!) had a blast!

Uncle Dave getting ready to launch a sled full of kids

Riley and Collin having a great time!

Bailey going solo...can you tell she is screaming her guts out?

Papa and Bailey getting in on the fun!

Kaden and Brody - looks like fun, huh?

Riley getting ready for fun!

Cory getting ready to send Bosten and Bailey down the hill.

Family Pictures

Last Saturday we had our family pictures taken. I have to admit that the Bluth family mentality regarding picture taking has started to rub off on me, and I was even feeling a little bit grumpy about having to go get them done. It worked out great, however. Nina, our friend who took them for us, was quick (and the girls loved her!), and everyone managed to cooperate. Thanks, Nina! Here are a few of our favorites:

BYU Home Opener

Last Friday we went to the BYU basketball home opener. We took the girls with us, which was great fun for Riley...and not so much fun for Bailey. Riley had a great time with all of her cousins, but Bailey spent the entire game (and I literally mean the ENTIRE game with her fingers in her ears, which is what she does when she is a little bit scared). The band was kind of loud for Bayz, as was the student section, but the kicker was the cougar roar they play over the loudspeakers before the game. She nearly had a breakdown! Kind of funny, but kind of sad at the same time. Needless to say she won't be going to any more games with us this year!

Halloween Activities

Halloween is over! Yeah! We had a really busy week with all of the Halloween festivities we took part in...there was the church party, our family pumpkin carving, Riley had a party here with 13 of her friends, she had a costume parade and party at school, we had the preschool Halloween party, Cory had trick-or-treating for the kids at work, and Riley had a party with her primary class. This was all before the actual trick-or-treating that took place on Saturday night! (That's right - this is Utah. Halloween was celebrated on the 30th here. The neighborhood was hopping with trick-or-treaters on Sat. night, but not a soul was out on Sunday. Kind of nice...but kind of weird). The kids had a great week...we had the cutest little Pocahontas and the cutest Super Girl! It was fun, but I am okay with life being a little less hectic this week!