Neighborhood parade.

Seriously so HOT!

A few of our neighbors organized a parade for July 24th. Marty and Ryker decorated the wagon that morning. It turned out cute. When I put it in the back of our car some of the decorations fell off. I felt so bad for Marty because I know how hard she worked on it. We taped what we could back together and jumped in line for the parade. The route was less than a mile and was down hill. At the end of the parade one of our neighbors put on a bike safety fair and had UFA come over with one of their trucks to spray down the kids. We ate treats and got to know a few more of our neighbors. It was really fun. I hope they do it again next year.

Herriman parade and fireworks!

I took Ryker to the Herriman parade this year. He had so much fun hanging out with his cousins and Kinlee. He spent most of his time chasing after candy and stuffing his mouth. He was so excited when Kathy gave him a sticker badge. Parker had a sticker on his back so Ryker wanted his on his back too. I had to explain to him it goes on front. Good times!

Ryker and Kinlee waiting for candy.

Enjoying the fireworks!

Reese loved her first firework show.

We took the kids to the park a couple of hours before the fireworks started to let the kids play football and baseball. They had a blast playing ball. We have so much fun going to different parks to watch fireworks during summer. Taylorsville Dayzz and Riverton are my favorite places to go.

Just like daddy!

He loves to turn on the lights, just like dad!

Ryker asking us if he can go again.

So grateful!

My family had a raffle and yardsale to help us raise money for surrogacy. My mom put a lot of planning and thought into the raffle. My mom, dad, sisters, friends and other family members got awesome raffle prizes, there were over 150 prizes. It turned out great, I am so grateful for all the love and support Jamie and I got. It was wonderful to see people I haven't seen in a very long time. Thank you! I feel so blessed to have great family and friends!! My family is absolutely amazing! Jamie's family ( Morton's) aren't really close, so it makes me appreciate my family that much more.


Thanks to everyone who came out, donated and for the sweet wishes! Jamie and I are truly grateful. You all have helped out more then you know!


To my cousin Wendy who is giving us the most precious gift. Wendy you're the most amazing, caring, giving, selfless person I know! I'll never be able to thank you enough. You deserve all the happiness in the world!


For some of you who read my blog and may not know I was diagnosed with Takayasus Arteritis about seven years ago. It has been a rough seven years but I have learned so much from it and I wouldn't change a thing. My sister Mandy asked me the other day if I ever ask God why me and the answer is no. I never have and I never will. I think everything that happens to us happens for a reason. I know that God is there for me and helps me get through the darkest times of my life. I love my life and will never give up, I will fight till the end but it's all in the hands of the man up stairs.


I want to thank everyone for all the prayers, thoughts and love over the years. I know he's listening! I truly believe that my sister Misty and I were sent an angel to calm us down the night before my open heart surgery. He told us tomorrow would be a better day! So now when I am having a bad day I always tell myself that tomorrow will be a better day.

Feeding the ducks!

Ryker eating most of the bread and sharing a little!

Me and my little buddy!

Ryker was getting so excited because the ducks were getting really close. Ryker was trying to get the black duck to eat out of his hands. The duck would come close but would not take it from Ry's hand.

We pretty much never get a picture of Ryker were he is actually looking into the camara.



Ryker and I love to feed the ducks. We go to the pond in Herriman Cove. There are always a lot of ducks but usually they are always full. However, today they were starving, which was a good thing because we had a lot of bread.

Still not feeling so well.

We had to take Ryker back to the hospital to get fluids. He was so weak he didn't even put up a fight when the doctors put the IV in. He slept the entire time. It took three hours.

Ryker would not drink anything so Kim came up with a great idea to drink water out of a syringe. Ryker loved the idea.

Ryker had a lot of people come and visit him and bring him goodies. He loved all of the attention he was getting.

Poor buddy gets his tonsils out.

Ryker's not a happy camper, it's too early for him!

When they were taking Ryker back it broke my heart. He was yelling for me and crying. I started crying too, so the nurse grabbed me and gave me a hug. His surgery only took about an hour. When he woke up he started crying and started asking for his mom. When they brought him to us he stoped crying and fell back to sleep. He pretty much slept all day. He wasn't in much pain as long as we stayed on the pain meds. It got lots harder as the week went on.

Ryker Turns Three!

We took Ryker to eat at his favorite place, La Luna. Yup my kid loves smothered burritos which is lucky for Jamie since it's his favorite too!

Ryker is proudly showing off that he's three now and saying "not who anymore". So cute!

Ryker, absolutely will not look at the camera. He gets so mad!!

I decorate Ryker's room every year for his birthday and this was the first year he really got excited.

Ryker got most of his present at his birthday party but I saved a few for his birthday.

Ryker was such a happy boy with all those toys! He got spoiled.
Ryker's birthday felt like an endless day. We had to celebrate with some fireworks. One of Ryker's favorite things to watch and do. He was a little nervous to hold the sparkler himself.
I let Ryker do whatever he wanted on his birthday and of course he had to end the day with a bath. Ryker would live in the bath tub if I let him. I usually only let him take a few toys in the tub but since it was his birthday he got to bring as many toys as he wanted.
Ryker is definitely our little firework. We tell him that the fireworks are just for him and he gets the biggest smile on his cute little face! Ryker is a big sweetheart, he loves to give kiss and hugs. He has an unbelievable imagination, which is so much fun to watch. He remembers everything so if you tell him you are going to get him a blue Icee if he's good, he will hold you to it.

Some of Ryker's favorite things are balloons, dogs, books, the color blue, super hero's, preschool, his B (blanket), candy, Pepsi, mac & cheese, burritos, and milk.

Some of his favorite things to do are swim, play with his cousins, going to grandma's, watching movies, playing outside, coloring, eating, going to the park, feeding the ducks and playing with his best friend Maddon.

Some of the cutest things he says are "my hends" for friends, "damama" for grandma and Donald's for McDonald's those are my favorite.

Things that are not so much fun. When you tell Ryker NO he is quick to tell you "your mean" and will cry forever. He has a melt down when you tell him he can't go outside or to McDonald's. Other then that he's a pretty happy camper!

At Ryker's three year well check his weight: 33 lbs 75% and his height: 38 in 75%.

Ryker's three year old pictures!

Ryker is such a happy boy, he's always smiling. He is a big sweetheart. Loves to give kisses, hugs and is always quick to tell you he loves you, sorry and thank you. Ryker you are my world and I enjoy every minute I get to spend with you.

Hawaii!

For weeks we had been telling Ryker he was going bye bye on the plane. When we got to the airport he was so excited!

Ryker and mom stopping for a picture before we got on the plane.

Ryker was so excited when he finally got on the plane.

We asked Ryker if he was scared and this is what he did (scary face).

Ryker showing the world how excited he is.

Ryker and Mom before we took off.

All Marty could talk about was getting a shaved ice with cream. We had one a day, Ryker loved them too!

It only took Ryker a few minutes to get comfortable in the water. He might just be the next Phelps.

Ryker loved jumping off the edge into the pool. The pool cop told him and the rest of the boys to stop.... Ryker did not quite understand though!

Ryker taking time out of his swim time to say cheese!

Ryker finishing off one of many shaved ice's

Ryker giving his approval. We always had to make sure we added a little blue flavor for Ryker.

This is how the day usually ended up for Ryker. Between all the time in the sun, pool, and on the beach, Ryker was exhausted. We knew Ryker would have a ton of fun when we planned our trip, but I think he had more fun than we expected. He was super easy and never complained, especially when there was water involved.