Kathryn- 2 Month Pictures

I had Kathryn's 2 month pictures taken and they turned out so darn cute. I decided to get her picture taken in her blessing dress.

She is showing off her bling in these two pictures. Doug's uncle Kevin made her this beautiful ring for her blessing day and Allison gave her this cute little bracelet. I love how "girly" she looks.

We love this little girl so much. She is the sweetest little thing...we'll keep her. :)

Ryan's First Day of Kindergarten

*I know that I should have posted his a few months ago, but better late than never.*

Ryan started Kindergarten this year (September 1st). It was a big milestone for him and for Doug and I. I just couldn't believe that my little guy was big enough to start his school career. I promised myself that I would be strong, but I have to admit that there were a few tears shed on my part. I guess I just realized that his young little life at home with just me was over and he is growing up so fast.

Ryan all ready to go into his first day of kindergarten. Mrs. Wigley is his teacher this year (I know it is the perfect name for a kindergarten teacher).

Ryan, Tyler, and Mommy on his first day of school.

Giving Daddy a first day of school "high five".

Starting his first school assignment with Daddy. Notice his bear "Joe Bruin", they were asked to bring their favorite stuffed animal to school. Ryan wanted to show his support for UCLA...we know Daddy encourages that. We are so proud of Ryan and the incredible little boy he has become. We know that he will have such a great year at school.

Kathryn Liliana Reid

I went in to my doctors appointment of Tuesday (14th) and found out that I was now 5 cm dilated instead of 4, like I had been the previous week. I thought my doctor was going to send me home and let me continue to wait it out, but he helped things along and sent me over to fetal diagnostics to be monitored. While I was there I was constantly having contractions so they sent me over the the hospital. I got checked in and ended up with an awesome nurse. I just loved her!!! When she checked me for the first time I was 6 cm dilated (this was about 1:30pm) and she told me that she was not going to let my doctor break my water until I got an epidural. That was awesome because I knew I wanted one, but I wasn't expecting to get one so soon (got my epidural at about 3pm). I was progressing nicely and then my water broke. This actually stalled my labor for a little while...I remained at 7+ cm for a while. They decided to give me pitocin and that finally seemed to kick things into gear. She came in to check me at 6:30 and I was 9cm at that point. I only had to push for 5-10 minutes and she was born at 7:09pm. It was an amazing experience...probably my most comfortable delivery to date. We are so excited to have baby Kathryn here. It is always such a special experience when a new baby enters this world. I often wonder how people can experience this and doubt that there is a Father in Heaven.
Mommy and Baby Kathryn right after she was born.

Little Kathryn

First family picture

Daddy and Kathryn right after her first bath.

Ryan and Tyler holding their new baby sister.

Tyler is really cute with her. He is constantly telling us how "cute" she is and wants to rub her head and give lots of kisses. I hope he continues to think she is wonderful. :)Kathryn checking out her Daddy. She loves to sit and stare really intently at him...it is darling.

Taking Kathryn home. I got in the car when we were heading home from the hospital and started to laugh. Our whole back seat is covered with car seats. What have we gotten ourselves into. :)

She's here!!!!!

Kathryn Liliana Reid

Born: July 14th...7:09 PM

7 lbs 6 oz. 20 inches long

(More pictures and info. to come)

She is here and beautiful...we'll keep her! :)

Tyler's 3rd Birthday Party

We had a 3rd birthday/pool party for Tyler again this year. He loves swimming in the pool, so it always turns out to be the perfect party for him. We had a good turn out of family and friends.
Tyler swimming with friends in the spa.

Daddy and Mommy made Tyler a Monster truck birthday cake this year. He absolutely loved it!!! I baked the cake and made the frosting, and Doug did all the decorating. Tyler could not stop talking about it the whole day and couldn't wait to eat it that night at his party.

Blowing out his candles. After blowing out his candles, Daddy let Tyler drive the trucks around the track. It actually tasted as good as it looked. Another year and another successful birthday party. Happy 3rd Birthday, Tyler!

Our Tenth Anniversary

Doug and I just recently celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. I can't believe we have been married that long...where has the time gone? Since I am so close to my due date, we elected to stay close and do something a little more sentimental. I started our date night with a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my cute husband.
We got stuck in traffic on our way up to LA, so we opted to stop at the "Original Tommy Burger" for dinner. I know very romantic, but we were both starving. It did not disappoint. Here is a little shot of Doug enjoying his chili cheese burger.

Here was our destination for the night...Griffith Observatory.

Here is a little belly shot of me (8+ months). I rarely take pictures when I am pregnant so Doug had to talk me into this one.Doug took me on our first date to Griffith Observatory, and then he proposed to me here as well. It seemed only fitting that we come here on our 10th anniversary. It has been closed for a remodel for quite a long time and so this was the first time we have been here in 7 or 8 years.

A little night shot.

A little end of the night shot.

I am so grateful for Doug! He has been such an awesome husband and father. I love you, Babe! Here's to many more years together. :)

Aquarium for Tyler's 3rd Birthday

So, I have been a little behind on my blogging since having baby Kathryn. I will try to play catch up. For Tyler's 3rd birthday (June 27th) we decided to head up to the Aquarium of the Pacific. I found this fantastic deal on tickets and thought it would be a great way to celebrate his birthday.A little family shot...notice the belly that is about to pop.

Ryan and Tyler with the aquarium's bat ray, I don't know what his name is.

Checking out the sea life. I took many more pictures, but decided to post only a few. We had a wonderful day at the aquarium, the boys are at an age where they were both very into the whole thing. I still can't believe my little Tyler is 3 years old. He has been such a wonderful addition to our family. We love his little raspy voice and his enthusiasm for everything in life. Since getting his glasses this year he has become quite the "chick magnet". You wouldn't believe the way the teenage girls oohhh and aahhh over him. We love you so much, Tyler bug!

Awesome Baby Showers

Sorry these pictures are all different sizes...I had to mooch them off other people for this post. I was lucky enough to be given three different showers in the last month. They were all awesome and I really appreciate all of the time and work that went into each and every one of them. I just wish I would have been a better photographer to document them.
My first shower was with my ward. Leah Clinton and Emily Cowdell were nice enough to sponsor and host this shower(of course I have no pictures of them, bummer). It turned out so beautiful...I don't think these pictures do it justice. There was yummy food and great company!

Leah put together this huge candy bar for everyone to enjoy as a party favor. It was a hit to say the least.

My second shower was with my family in Fresno. I got together with my mom, sisters, sister-in-laws, grandmother, and niece to go out to a nice dinner.

The whole group.

My sister-in-law Jennifer, and little sister Kelly.

My mom and grandma.

Mom, my sister Kari, and little sister Kelly. We had a great evening eating and just getting to hang out without kids. I was showered with some very fun "girl" things for our new little baby girl.

My last shower was hosted by my friend Erika. I realized later that we were so busy talking and enjoying ourselves, that we never even pulled out a camera. We had a really nice lunch and talked about kids, since everyone present had at least one. I just wanted to thank Leah, Emily, Erika, and my family for everything. I felt so pampered and loved!!! :) We can't wait to meet this new little addition coming shortly to our family and decking her out in all her new "girl" attire. :)

Ryan's Preschool Graduation

I am a little late on this post, but I guess better late than never. Ryan finished his final year of preschool the beginning of June. He loved every minute of it and we are so glad he did it.
Ryan receiving his medal.

Singing his final song of the year with his class.

He is very excited to start Kindergarten in the fall, but his mama has mixed emotions. I can't believe he will be starting his school career in just a few short months.

Too Tired for Pants!!!

Ryan has given up naps recently, but every once in a while he will still feel the need to take one. The other day I was downstairs doing the dishes and I heard him get up to use the bathroom. I was waiting for him to come down the stairs assuming his nap was done, but all was quiet again upstairs. I decided to go check on him and half way up the stairs this is what I encountered. I guess he couldn't decide if he wanted to come downstairs or just go back to sleep and found a happy medium...minus his pants.

Mother's Day - The Mom Song

Kristen - "My kids are still a little young for a lot of these lines, but I have to admit there are a few I have found myself saying. This lady is very impressive! Enjoy!!!"

Our Little Superheros...

My parents gave me a sewing machine for Christmas and I have been trying to think of things I could make for my first project. Let me just say that it has been a good 15 years since I sat down to a sewing machine so I was a little worried. I heard that they were having a Relief Society activity this last week where you learned how to make hooded towels, and thought this would be a perfect opportunity to break the machine out of the box.
Doug and I came up with the idea of making the boys superhero towels. They love hooded towels and so I knew they would love anything with the first letter of their first name and a superhero emblem. I sewed the towel part and some of the edging parts you see around the hood and down the sides, but the actual emblems were all Doug. He designed them and did most of the sewing involved with them. Doug is extremely creative, this I already knew, but who knew he could sew. I think they turned out amazing. I almost don't want to let the boys use them. :)

The back of Tyler's towel. I love the thunderbolt! After Doug finished designing the large emblem, he decided they needed a small one on the front as well. He wanted one that the boys could see when they were wearing the towel.

A close up of Tyler's emblem.

Tyler bug modeling his towel.

The back of Ryan's towel. I feel like this picture does not do it justice...it turned out really good.

Ry showing off his towel. I had a really fun time "getting my feet wet". I am in no way a sewing expert, but it was fun to just do something creative.