Thanksgiving...

We are hard pressed to find a decent family picture with our whole family acting normal and smiling in it. We were hopeful to get a cute Thanksgiving family picture but to no avail the boys were too silly to look at the camera at the same time and smile.  

 Cousin: Lily(5, almost 6) Jackson (3), and Bradley (1)

It was a fun and memorable time eating delicious food with the Riggs side of the family. After a huge dinner we looked through black Friday ads, attempted to get a family picture, played and made these little balloon turkeys. I was surprised at how well they followed directions. I think they turned out pretty cute!

Leaves are falling all around...

Our leaves fell a little at a time this year. So we got out to rake at least 3 times this fall. We have so many trees so we were glad that they all fell off the trees before heavy snowfall.

Our boys loved to "help." It takes me back to when I was little and asked to "help" rake the leaves at our house.

 

 Such kissable cheeks!

A fall day isn't complete without rough housing in the leaves with Daddy. What a fun day!

A fire engine and a policeman...

Jackson wanted to be a fire engine this year. So I decided to make him one to wear while dressed as a fireman, he felt okay with the compromise and was very happy to parade his costume around this year.

Bradley, however, was not excited to wear anything for Halloween this year and would just as soon go as a cute little baby instead. But being the mean mom that I am, I made him into a very cute policeman instead. He was a very good sport and actually worn his outfit better than Jackson.

Taking the costumes for a test drive.

Happy, happy birthday, Jackson, dear!

One of Jackson's favorite songs is the primary song, "You've had a birthday." He has been looking forward to his birthday all year! This year we decided to have a real birthday party with his cousins (minus Boston...we missed you!).

My birthday boys! So cute I could eat them up!

Jackson changed his mind 3 times as to what kind of Birthday cake he wanted his year. He wanted a tractor cake, a fire engine cake and a bike cake. So I decided to put them all together on one big cake! He loved it! 

The finished product!

We played pin-the-dog-on-the-firetruck. They all just loved it and caught on so quick. Bradley even took a turn putting the dog right on the firetruck.

Then they played "firehose." Which was essentially hitting the fire hat with "water rockets." Jackson was over the moon happy and such a joy to be around.

 This is him with his new birthday bike and helmet. He is so loving and cheerful. We just couldn't live without our little ray of sunshine!

Cars 2

John called me from work one day and said that the "Cars" cars were right outside his buidling. Jackson loves the show and I knew he would possible dies of absolute happiness if he could see the "Cars" character in real life. He was beyond excited and in awe that they were actually there. He was even more excited when they let you win free stuff...like a Cars 2 beach towel, gasp! 

Jacks and Mater...best friends! So cute!

Bradley, Jackson and McQueen. Brad wasn't as thrilled as Jackson.

Truth be told Jackson was a little disappointed that Mack wasn't there and was slightly annoyed that this "Mack" didn't have eyes. It's hard being 3!

All was made up when they let you play on this huge blow up spy training center,







...a really cool slide!

From Orphan-like....to just plain Handsome!

I tease my kids and say they look like orphans when they don't have their hair cut or combed. But really who would not take this cute little face for their own hair cut or not! Bradley was a very good boy for his first hair cut and didn't even wiggle free or cry too much. I was very impressed.

Before

I do cut all my boys hair! Crazy, but true.

HANDSOME!

What a looker. Boy he cleans up nice!



Daddy and Bradley at Gardener Village, what a hansome pair!

One year old and wiser too!

Happy Birthday to my sweet 1 year old!

Bradley is so quick and busy that it's hard to get a picture of him holding still. We really lucked out to have this sweet little person in our family.

 

Bradley loved his cake. I made a bug because we call him our "little bug" or "Bradley bug." It's fitting because he is always zipping around exploring everything! 

Before 

 After.

I had to cut him off, I was worried that he would get himself sick and actually eat the hold cake! I was impressed and he did not hesitate at diving in and helping himself. What a cutie!

Bradley's little birthday haul. Grandmas and Grandpas came as well as Aunt Mari and Lily, Aunt Lauren and Uncle Dave, Wes and Mas, and Nana.

Boy you are loved little bug!

Children's Museum

What a fun day! I got a great deal on a family pass for the Children's Museum. I was worried that it might be a little bit too grown up for Jackson and Bradley but I was wrong, they loved it. John had the week off for vacation so we mixed it up with a staycation and a camping trip. It was so fun to have him with us.

Jackson and Bradley were both equally interested in the water exhibit. Thank heavens for the water vest that Jackson wore, if only Bradley would fit in one.

 Jackson loved "riding the pony" he said he was a cowboy.

Bradley has turned into a little clown, he makes cute little faces and is a tornado in any room. He makes the cutest little bull I've ever seen.

And what little boy can resist a turn in a helicopter, John was especially excited to see the kids taking a "ride" in it. Brad thought he should be able to crawl around and check it out properly, but I had other ideas for him.

Fishing

John's co-worker, Brent, invited us to go fishing with their family at Millhollow Lake. It was a fun day filled with firsts for both of our boys. Jackson actually reeled in a couple fish and Bradley even got a chance to hold a fishing pole. As for me, well I kept with my record of 0 fish caught. (For some reason I catch absolutely no fish no matter what tricks we use, go figure!)

Brent and Holly's little family.

 The crew putting worms on their fishing poles.

Bradley and John, he was a trooper to stay in our arms almost the whole time.

This little boy is meant to fish, look at that cute little grin.

Jackson loved every moment of fishing, especially looking in the cooler and seeing what we caught. He even ate some of it for lunch back at the cabin. What a fun day!

What could be better...

...than running in a field.

On our way to Grandma Riggs' house in Kanab, we stopped at Uncle Alan's house to look at the elk next door. It was a much needed break and what a better place to strech your legs than one that has elk to watch us too!

The Road-trekkers...minus John

Jackson was in love with his cats, he chased them all over and eventually they gave up and let him love them.

 A rare moment in Riggs' family history...a picture of me, and of course the cutest little baby around!

It was so windy, all the better for my movie star-esque close up.

Care free and loving it, Lily (5) and Jackson (2)

You have to get outside while it's not raining these day. Mom came down to help me tame the jungle that was once our yard. I am forever greatful for her help, but it also got us started on the possibilities of drastically changing our front yard. Before and after pics to follow soon, especially if the weather holds up.

Fleece jackets in the Spring...it's a cold, sad thing.

A Shoe Fetish...

DONE!!!

Jackson is DONE potty training, no more pull-ups or diapers! We are so proud!

 This is Bradley's little perch all those times while Mommy helps Jackson on the potty. Isn't he cute!