Damn Camera

Not a big secret that Fall is my FaVoRItE time of year and going to see the leaves change is another thing I love and look forward to do each year. Love to take the kids pictures in front of them all with the beautiful backgrounds! This year forces were working against me! #1 the Weather! according to the weather man we had to hurry and go before all this cold weather came, so if we wanted to see the brilliance of the colors we had to go NOW pretty much. Okay not a problem... lets pack a picnic and go.But hurry because it is really windy! #2 Ryan working! So the night comes and Ry has to get some computer stuff done like yesterday and isn't able to go- LAME. So I skip the dinner hand the kids a banana and head up American Fork Canyon. Sososososososo amazing everything was bright and totally picture perfect, every where you looked was really breath taking! So I find the perfect spot for some pics and pull over, haul the kids out, pose all the whining kids and quickly get them to smile and #3-the damn camera (sorry about the cussing) is out of batteries! So mad! So we get back in the car, after of course slamming the door on my leg, and head out for a little drive up the Alpine Loop, which only got more beautiful and less windy the higher up the mountain we went! So, I was not disappointed at all at the gorgeous site, but my kids were not loving all the driving. So I finally lost it and headed home. My sweet Mason realized how disappointed I was and would tell me all the perfect places to stop to get out and look. By then Ella fell asleep and it was getting dark. So we went to Kneaders and got leaf sugar cookies (the highlight to the kids night) and went home. So hopefully this weekend for conference we can give it another shot and go up again with Ryan and a working camera. I just can't get enough of the beautiful mountains this time of year!

The Reid Fam-damily

We just had my family over for Sunday dinner tonight and I just had to sit down and write a little something about how much I enjoy them! I really have the best brothers and sis-in-laws out there, not to mention the greatest parents. It is jsut the best feeling to be BBQ-ing burgers, eating icecream, watching football, girls chatting, lots of laughing, and letting the kids all run around and play. So fun, relaxing, and memorable. I am so proud of all my brothers and their life decisions. Such great husbands and fathers (or soon to be fathers), uncles, and friends. Their wives are all perfect for them and make them better men. I am a lucky girl to be surrounded by a great family who I really love to be around! Thanks guys for loving me and my family! Love you all!

Relief Society Broadcast

I am embarrassed to say that I always forget about the RS broadcast that happens the week before conference. In fact, I don't think I have gone to a church to watch since my mission-YIKES! This year I was lucky enough to have been offered a ticket to go down to the conference center to see it. I was offered it on a day when I said a morning prayer and in that prayer had asked for something or someone to draw strength from. And the call came that very morning. Answers to prayers come sometimes in ways you would never think of, the trick is being willing to accept them and listen to what the answers actually are. I am grateful for this answer... I'm not sure what I expected when I was there... were the windows of Heaven going to open up and directly shine on me and give me specific answers to all my problems and concerns? (probably not) Was I to meet someone there who could help me? I really wasn't sure what was going to happen but I am so grateful I went. No the windows didn't open and no new people were brought into my life but, my testimony was strengthened about the RS and the importance of going as well as the organization. As well and the incredible lengths that women went through just to bring about this amazing organization. What a legacy they have passed on to us! Some of the other things that stood out in my mind were...Never suppress a generous thought. What in my day distracts me from doing good things? Get rid of all the unnecessaries. We need to mind the gap; The gaps being believing you are a daughter of God and knowing you are a daughter of God. There is nothing the separates us from the Love of God... it is always there. We need to accept His love and recognise His approval. The gap of believing in Jesus Christ and being a valiant servant of Jesus Christ. When we are valiant we will share the gospel and strengthen others. And finally Charity never faileth. Find joy in serving others even when your own needs are not met. Charity is the pure love of Christ. A legacy is passed from heart to heart and charity is a gift we need to pray for.
Even though I am sure those notes seem jumbled up they were all points that touched my heart. I was truly fed spiritually, something I really needed. My love for the prophet grew as I watched him leaving the congregation waving to all of us and giving air high fives. Such a cute loving man who truly loves the work and who loves us and knows the Lord. I am so grateful for answers to prayers and for those who surround us who lead and guide us in this wonderful work.

What I love about him....

Some of the things I love about my Mason are his passion for things and life, his competitiveness, his love for "the game", and his concern for others! All of these qualities were apparent and so vivid as he walked off the football field sobbing on Saturday, "I failed my team mom!" red faced and so upset, just sobbing. His team lost in OT on Saturday and he didn't get a TD all game and to make it worse they gave him the ball the last play of the game to "save the day" and he fell short of the goal line. My heart broke as he said this and I tried so hard to comfort him and let him know of all the great things he did do. But I have to admit that a little part of me was glad to see him so wrapped up in the game and that cared so much about what he was doing. I hope he never looses that fire and love of the game but at the same time learns how to not feel as though the weight of the world depends on him. I love my Mason!!!

"I square mommy"

What is it about kids that they just know when they are in big trouble or you are about at your breaking point and so they just say the cutest things that seem to erase everything that just happened? Ella is a pro at this, yesterday while driving her to school she is hitting her sister with a shoe string, un-buckling her seat belt and totally not listening to me. So I of course have to pull the car over to re-buckle her in and yell at her for not being obedient and take the toy away from her. With tear filled eyes she repeats over and over ,"Mom, I square I won't do it anymore, I square mom! I really square, can I have my toy back?" I have no idea where that came from but I just could not help smile and even laugh. It totally broke the tension and the angry moment. She saved her life with that comment! HAHAHA Another thing she often says to me, but always at random times right after she has just gotten in trouble is, "Mom ya mad at me?" in the sweetest voice possible as to imply that she is totally baffled as to why I could possibly be mad at her. She has left me no choice but to just relax and give up the anger towards her and try to explain why I am freaking out. Its so true... kids say the darnedest things.... and thank goodness for that!

Go PiOnEeRS!!

Football season is well underway and we are having a great time! I absolutely Love to watch Mason play! He is Intense, competitive, full of energy, talented and a great team player. He does what ever his coaches ask him to do and does it wonderfully! So far their record is 3-1 (the loss happened while wee were in Disneyland- bummer). He is playing great on defense with a ton of tackles each game and always carries the ball great and a great blocker, and can score the TD's!
Ryan is helping coach again this year which means 3-4 nights a week I am a football widow but seeing how much my boys like doing this together makes them being gone tolerable!
I love football season! Love being outside, going to the games and cheering on the Lehi Pioneers! I have always loved it from the time I was younger and watching my brothers play, to high-school ball, and yes even the NFL games (although by the end of Sunday night and the TV has been on for 2 straight days of either college of NFL ball I can stand taking a break from it for another week... LOL) I really hope this is something Mason does for a long time! He really has a special talent for it and really has a great time! As do I! Go #40!

BiRthdAy PaRtY Pictures!

Clarie had a really good time at her party! She seemed to know that this was really about her, she had a smile on all night, loves opening presents and liked all the extra attention she was getting! She was spoiled, as she should be, hated when I took her cake away, although she was much daintier than I thought she would be. i thought she would double fist it but instead she just picked at it with two little fingers! What a great night! Such a Joy and such a wonderful daughter and little baby to have in our home!

Claire turns 1!!!

I can't believe my baby is already one! This year really went by fast, I don't know for sure what happens but it seems like the more kids I have or the older they get the faster time goes! Looking back on her first year of life, so much seems like a blur. But I do know that she make us so happy and is such a huge part of this family. It has always amazed me how such little babies and kids seem to carry the biggest spirits with them. Her presence fills the entire house and I am often in awe that I am privileged to be her mother! She is FULL of energy...my busiest baby ( and that is saying a lot because Mason was a handful too ), curious about everything that we are doing and so smart! She picks up on it all and tries to mimic, or talk, or to go and get something...whatever it is that she can tell is a big deal.! Really intense, she knows what she wants and what she doesn't want... and she will let you know! Full of smiles and hugs and kisses to give. Loves to laugh! Loves being on hers moms hip whenever I am around but is doing a lot better with other people when I am not an option. Loves to tease and wrestle with her daddy, loves to follow Ella around and get into her "stuff", lights up when Mason is around and loves to giggle with him. Great eater, great sleeper, already been walking for a month or so, has 6 teeth and just a total JOY! Loves to be outside, loves soft cuddly blankets and stuffed animals, loves showers... she freaks out if one is going and she isn't in there ~LOL~, great in the car, loves t dance ad listen to music and loves to be on the go. I just love ya Claire Bear! Thanks for letting me be your mommy! You are just the sweetest!

Stroganoff

I have to admit my hubby can make a mean Beef Stroganoff! I don't even try this reciepe any more because he is so great at it. The boy is great at grilling, mixing Koolaid (a hidden talent of combining flavors), and can make an amazing stroganoff! I love the Sundays (like today) when he asks, "So, can I make dinner for ya?" 'cause I know what's coming! The kids also love it! Thanks Ry for a night off of cooking and a great meal! Love ya!

DiSnEYlAnD TriP!!!!!!!!

At the risk of sounding too cliche' I have to admit that Disneyland really is a magical place! I could spend so much time there, spend so much money there, ride all the rides a millions times, hug all the princesses, and eat way too many calories all over again! We had a great trip to California full of lots of fun and making great memories! In fact, I am still having a hard time adjusting back into reality...I just wanna go back and play! I am having a hard time picking favorites because I loved every bit of it. We left Claire at home with family and friends so I did miss her a bunch but she really would have hated this trip; she is not a stroller kid and would have been miserable. Okay lets get to the highlights...Get ready for some pictures and a mega blog here!
First day-The plane ride was great, the kids were perfect... except Mason got sick right after the plane ride and through up out the window while on the freeway (poor kid). That night we went to the Angels game! Ryan and I have a little fantasy of every year going on a baseball trip and seeing different stadiums and teams play and this was our first stop! It was really fun! A gorgeous stadium and a great game up until we lost (to the A's). But tons of fun! Hopefully this is the start to a fun tradition!








Second Day-HuNtinGtoN BEaCh! I lOved tHe BeAch way more than I expected! My kids played and played...no fighting, whining, or complaining, they just dug sandcastles, chased waves (Mason named the different kinds of waves and pretended that they were different football plays... I think the names were Tony and bad boy... LOL), looked for sea shells, jumped waves, boogie boarded, and layed out! Poor Ryan had his back go out so he probably didn't enjoy himself as much as he would have liked but he did everything he could. It was a beautiful beach, really crowded which made for some good people watching, and lots of fun!
PS..Mason also lots his 2nd tooth hat day!








Third and Fourth- DiSnEYlaNd- I don't even know what to say except we loved it! Mason rode all the rides with his favorite being Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain, and California Screamer. Ella fell in total love with the princesses! We were able to find them all and her face was priceless. She was totally star struck, she just sat on their laps and hugged on them and just looked at them in awe! It was my favorite to see her so happy and in love! I think her favorites were Snow White, Tinkerbell, Jasmine, and Cinderella. She also loved all the rides she could get on and was so sad when she wasn't big enough to go on some. The Fantasmic show was incredible and the fireworks were really fun to see, we also loved the Pixar parade in California Adventures. Just an amazing time! When can I go back??!!
















Fifth day-Was spent swimming and packing to come home...blah blah blah. we are so lucky to have gone and had a great time! Hopefully next time Claire will be there with us!