New Vehicles, New Beds, Goodbye Baby

This has been a long week. Ryder came down with the flu on Monday and it lingered until Thursday. We are lucky so far he is the only one that has had it. Funny thing he had his flu shot 3 weeks ago at his 15 month checkup.

Yesterday everyone was feeling better so it was picture time with the new vehicle or the Monster Truck. I believe we have future car models after watching these two pose.





Ryder can almost walk underneath the front of it without bumping his head. The tires are taller than he is.

When Ryder was home sick he figured out he could get out of his crib. I caught him trying to climb over and quickly stopped him. The next morning he and Reganne greeted me in the hallway. I asked Reganne how he got out of bed and she said she did it. He wanted to get up. Friday night Ryder decided he was hungry at midnight. Oh the joys of feeling better. When we didn't respond fast enought to his request we heard a loud thump. We went running and found him sitting on the floor beside his crib. The rest of the night was spent on the floor.

Saturday Dave took apart the crib and made the toddler bed. Ryder thought it was pretty cool. Until bed time. Then he refused to anywhere near it. It was a long night. But I kept saying: "Better safe than hurt."

Watching him play in his bed and walk around the house today. It became clear that he is no longer a little baby, but an active toddler. He is 16 months today. My babies are all growing up.

The Dancers & Dare Devil

I can tell that it sure is January. There aren't many things going on. It should be nice an peaceful. This week was one of those quiet peaceful weeks. Not much was going on besides getting back into our routines after Christmas.

We were have a quiet night at home watching tv. Dave turned on CMT and the girls began to dance. They both love music it was such fun to watch them dance and sing along.

Ryder was not to be outdone or miss the fun. He decided to show us how to balance. I missed the picture but he was standing on this firetruck bouncing up and down. Next thing we knew he was standing up with no hands. He of course was laughing. He started to lose his balance and quickly sat down. This was his face afterwards. I am not sure I am ready for the dare devil stage.

Dave decide now is a good time for him to have his midlife crisis. If he is going to have one then he wanted to do it right. So this week after shopping online he found his dream vehicle for sale. Without any support or help from me. He bought a white 2004 H2. We flew to Salt Lake yesterday to go and check it out and make sure it was in as good as shape as the dealer claimed. Also, to make sure I could drive it. The dealership picked up as at the airport in a white stretch limo. The girls eyes were so big and they quickly asked Dave if this was their new car. They loved climbing in for the ride. They noticed right away all the interior lights changed colors. When we ride was over they weren't sure if they wanted to change cars or not.

The test ride was great. Both girls were so excited to be sitting up so high and seeing out. Ryder promptly fell asleep. Reganne told her Dave that she couldn't wait to tell her class that she rode in a Monster Truck. Rylee wanted to tell her class that she rode in a limo.

We were soon on our way home with the new vehicle. They really loved riding in it. Until about 1/2 home and Ryder began to scream. He was tired of being in his car seat. We pulled into Beaver for a quick dinner. Again, they were good until 10 miles out of Cedar City and he began to scream again. Needless to say Ryder screamed the rest of the way home.

No more road trips for this family. Dave will have to be content to drive it around town.

No More Gates

Ryder has finally succeeded in going up and down the stairs. After much practicing at Grandma's over the weekend he was ready to try here at home. Yesterday we left the gate open as we were taking the Christmas decorations downstairs he followed us. Before we knew it he was sliding down on his belly like a pro. Dave removed the gate shortly afterwards to keep the fighting down and before the girls figured out they could lock him upstairs. He was so happy to follow them around and play with them or rather tease them.

He had his 15 month checkup this week as well. He weighs in at 17 pounds 13 ounces and is 29 inches long. He is on the charts with his height, but not his weight. He never slows down and it is too much bother to eat. The doctor says he is healthy and that is all that matters.

Happy New Year

The final week of the year. Where did the year go too? We had one last party with family in Springville. The kids were so excited to see Grandma & Grandpa (the snow) they could hardly wait. We forgot about ski season being in full swing at the airport. When we arrived the airport was packed and the car rentals area was even worse. After waiting for 1/2 hour to get a car. We started looking around and found another one. We were off in the snow and ice. Grandma's house had a lot of snow. Reganne kept asking to swing, but they were buried she quickly changed her mind. So everyone played inside until time for the party.

It was such fun to get together with everyone and visit. The kids loved that there were more presents to open and food to eat.

Rylee was really excited she was able to stay for the week with Grandma and Grandpa. They spoiled her rotten and she loved it. Grandma and her flew home on Friday. Rylee wasn't wearing her coat. When I asked her why not she said she was used to the cold and it felt so warm here. It was about 56 degrees and it did feel nice.

Now it is time to get back into our normal, take down Christmas, and start the spring cleaning. The house looks really bare without all the Christmas decorations. I quess we will have to wait until next year or should I say next month as fast as it goes.

Gas prices are on the rise here now $1.49 and I believe $1.329 was the lowest we will ever see it again.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Merry Christmas - Week 4 / The Best Time of The Year

We hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas. We had a wonderful Christmas filled with a lot of activities and fun stuff. Sunday started us off with the Christmas program at church. Rylee and I joined the ward choir for the Christmas Program. Rylee worked really hard to learn the words of each song and followed right along with the music. They also wore their new Christmas dresses and shoes. They twirled everywhere we went and sent the sparkles flying. Dave & I were covered before church was over.

Christmas break is now in full swing. We had last minute shopping and baking to finish. Finally, Christmas Eve was here and we spent the day at home playing games, reading stories, watching movies. We decided to visit the St George Temple Visitors Center and see the lights to make the night complete. Just before we were to leave it started to snow. This is the first time since we moved here 14 years ago that we have had snow for Christmas.

Ryder loves Frosty. Each night he has to go and check on him and say hi.

Here the kids are enjoying the displays at the visitors center. It was still snowing and really cold outside so we spent most of our time watching the different movies and visiting with the missionaries.

The movie of the night was "A Christmas Story". The kids loved to see Ralph & his brother.

Christmas morning came and not so bright and early. The kids didn't wake up until 7:30 which really suprised me since Reganne couldn't fall asleep. She kept talking and asking guestions.

The perfect ending to the Christmas Hustle and Bustle. Too many presents, candy, games, movies. They finally crashed on our way to Mesquite for lunch. Here are my three Christmas Angels. To bad it only lasted for 1/2 hour and they were on the run again.

Best Present:

Rylee - Digital Camera

Reganne - Leap Frog Books

Ryder - Kit Kat Candy Bars & Yo Yo's

Merry Christmas - Week 3 / Snow & Friends

This is not what I had planned this week. Surprise!! we have snow. We received over 5 inches of snow in sunny St George. Yes, all of the schools were closed on Thursday. The school district doesn't have snow removal equipment or buses with snow tires. So they decided to be on the safe side and close up for the day. This was the first closure in ten years. Rylee was so excited to stay home and play in the snow. She also had lost a tooth and the tooth fairy came. She couldn't decide which to be excited about snow or money. The snow won out.

Dave took them outside to build a snowman and it is still out in front of our house today.

Rylee, Snow Girl, Reganne

Warming up by the fireplace

Santa & his helecopter

Saturday Santa was coming to the Boulevard by helecopter. The kids are all fascinated by any type of aircraft. So we had to go and see this. They loved it and again we waited in line to see Santa. Lucky for us we were only the 4th ones in line so it went very quickly. Each child sat on his lap, had their picture taken, and told him what they wanted. Ryder even walked right up to him until he saw the toys and changed his mind. Everyone around us was surprised he didn't cry. He sat very still and didn't move until they gave him his toy.


Our last stop of the day was out at Tuacahn to see the lights and ride the train with the Wheelers. It was so cold we had the kids bundled up in layers. Poor Ryder looked like the little boy from "A Christmas Story" he could barely move. The kids loved all of the decorations and the fire pit. Reganne discovered the bathrooms had hand warmers. So she had to go every 15 minutes and I would have to strip her down to go to the bathroom. She then would stand under the dryers and let them blow on her hands.

Jaycee, Ryder, Rylee, Dakota, Reganne

Ryder this week has been following me around with whatever I am doing. Dave left his shoes in the laundry room to dry. When I turned around Ryder was trying to put these on. He couldn't quite get both feet into them at the same time. He managed the one foot and started to giggle thinking he was so funny. I really love this age and their constant delight when they discover something new.

Gas update we paid $1.32 for gas yesterday at Costco. How much lower can it go???

2008 Waters Family Christmas Letters

What a busy year this has been and how quickly it has gone by. We have had a good year where everyone has been healthy.

Ryder: He is now 15 months and weights 17 pounds 13 ounces and is 29 inches long. He is walking and trying to run. He is a very happy baby and can usually be found by his giggle. He loves to play with his sisters and chase after them. He also loves to be outside and wants to wear his coat or jacket all of the time in hopes that someone will take him out.

Reganne: She is four years old and wants so bad to be 6 the same as Rylee. Reganne loves playing with her friends at day care, Rylee, and Ryder. She also loves to play outside and swing. She played soccer this year and her team was undefeated. She however decided that soccer really isn't for her. She loves being a Sunbeam and excited to move up to the CTRs. She loves to dance and twirl whenever she gets the chance.

Rylee: She is 6 1/2 years old and is an awesome big sister. She loves playing with both Reganne & Ryder. She is in the first grade and is learning to read. She is becoming a good reader but still loves to have Mom read to her instead. She is still taking Karate and now has her Orange Belt. She will be testing again real soon for her Blue Belt. She is very excited to be in the oldest class in Junior Primary. However, she is not excited to change classes. She really loves her teacher.

Dave is still working for Boulevard Home Furnishings as their Project Manager. It keeps him really busy along with his calling in Young Mens as the Teachers Advisor.

I am still working at SkyWest Airlines and very grateful for the flexibility they give me to be a mom. I also am now the Relief Society Chorister and the Ward Historian. These callings really don't require alot of attention and right now that is perfect for me.

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to a great new year.