I’ll Miss You Provo!

Since we are leaving Provo for good in less than two weeks, I’ve been thinking about some of the things that I’m really going to miss here. It’s kind of funny because a few years ago I was dying to move out of Provo, and now I’m sad to leave. After living here for five years, it really has become home. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited for the change. However, there are some things I will definitely miss, like:

• All our friends and family that live in the area. We never lack for fun people to hang out with, babysitters, and activities.
• The snow. I know it’s weird that I’m from AZ and will miss it, but I really, really will. I do not like the heat. I love snow.
• Rarely (and I mean RARELY) having to breathe in secondhand smoke
• Good Things Utah, which is a news/talk show I really like to watch in the mornings
• All of the places that are special to mine and Ryan’s courtship: Vivian Park, Provo Library, BYU Campus, Glenwood, etc.
• All the free, family-friendly events in the area
• Having the mountains so close. Every time I look up at them, I’m reminded of the beauty of nature and how much God loves us to create such a world.

I know there are many more things I will miss, but I know there will be things about Tucson I will come to love too!

Fourth of July Festivities

I really love celebrating the 4th of July in Provo because there really is so much to do and the activities really make me feel patriotic. This year we went to the Stadium of Fire (SOF) with my parents and sister again, and it really was the best SOF I have ever seen! It definitely helps that I love Carrie Underwood, but the rest of the show was really awesome too. I don’t know what it is, but I always tear up when we honor those who are serving in the military. I am so grateful for their sacrifice!


My Dad bought these glasses that were supposed to make the fireworks look really cool, and I think he had fun wearing them:


On Monday we saw the parade in the morning. It was Hyrum’s first parade! He  paid more attention to the children around him than the parade, but he did enjoy watching the marching bands. I love the Provo 4th parade!


Besides the SOF and the parade, we went to the Freedom Festival, saw the hot air balloons go off right outside our window, and shot off some of our own fireworks in the parking lot. All in all, a really awesome weekend!

Ryan’s 300th Birthday and More Cute Pics

Ryan had his 300 (month) birthday in June and we had another exciting party with three yummy cheesecakes. I made chocolate chip cookie dough and chocolate truffle cheesecakes again, but this year I also made caramel apple cheesecake. It was SO yummy! Here are some pictures from that event:

Hyrum wanted to open Daddy’s presents. Or at least play with the tissue paper.

We haven’t really done a ton besides that worth mentioning, but here are some more very cute pictures of Hyrum:

At Hyrum’s last CF appointment Ryan decided he wanted to try one of the masks on Hyrum.

We had a little get together of some of my old roommates when Carrie came to town. Here’s a picture of all the kids that were there (we’re only missing one of the old roommate’s children):

Here’s the update on Hyrum’s latest tricks:

Waving (he’ll wave at anything and everything- teddy bears, people on TV, himself in the mirror)

Walking around with his hands being held

Kicking a ball while walking around with his hands being held (we have video of this, and it may soon be on the blog)

Dancing to So You Think You Can Dance when it’s on

Shakes his head “no,” though I’m not sure he knows what he’s saying with it

Playing peek-a-boo on his own (he likes to use the nursing cover)

Eating foods a bit more solid, like a banana straight out of the peel

We’re working on cup/sippy cup skills, and it really is difficult!

The Little Imp

Hyrum is really at a fun age these days. It seems like he learns something new every few days! He causes a lot of mischief around the house, but I guess that's part of the fun. He is eight months old now, and when I look back at his newborn pictures, I can tell how big he's gotten! Here's some updates on Hyrum:

• He can pull himself to standing now, and does so on anything he can (including other babies!)
• He knows how to give kisses, and gives them frequently.
• After nearly two months of crawling pretty well on his belly, Hyrum has finally fully converted to crawling on his knees. He still looks kind of spastic though.

• He likes to pull things off of shelves and desks and anything he can get close to.
• He can catch a mini football or soccer ball like four or five times in a row. We have a video of it we'll post later.
• He has two teeth! And I'm pretty sure more are coming soon.

• He makes lots of messes, and enjoys it. I'm having to get used to some clutter lying around while he's playing, but it's getting easier. And as soon as he's done, I rush to put it away :)

• Update on Ryan: he made this beautiful and yummy stuffed French toast for dinner the other night because I was feeling frustrated with a dinner that didn't work out. He's so sweet!

• Also, we had a game night with the Schuetzler side of the family the other night and it was way fun!

• Hyrum's favorite toy is this music table that the Schuetzlers got him for Christmas. He loves to stand and play with it. And I end up singing the songs it plays all day long.

• We've been training Hyrum to go to sleep on his own in his own crib and have had to resort to letting him cry it out. It was tough at first, but he does way better now, and it saves me the half hour I used to have to rock him before sleep every time. Anyways, when he was first learning, when we would go in to check on him, we would find him like this a lot: looking like a sad baby stuck in jail. So cute!

• Hyrum's favorite chew toy is his old beater. I'm not sure the real name for this thing, but it's what we use to do his chest percussion twice a day. It's made of rubber, which is why I think Hyrum likes it so much. Anyways, he uses it like a pacifier, and he looks so funny when it's in his mouth!

• Hyrum looks cute in faux-hawks!

Hyrum's Great-GREAT Grandparents

A couple of weeks ago, Hyrum met his great-great grandparents. It's kinda crazy, because I don't know how many people get to meet their great-great grandma! Grandma and Grandpa Beers came down to Utah and stayed at Aunt Shirley's in Eagle Mountain so we stopped by to visit them. Here's some pictures:

Hawaiian Bliss

For Ryan's graduation, my parents took us to Hawaii (specifically Oahu). It was awesome! My favorite thing was just sitting on the beach, feeling the sunshine and watching the waves come in and out. It was also fun to play in the water with Ryan. Hawaii is so beautiful, and I just really love the Polynesian culture.

Here's me with what seems to be the flower I most identify with Hawaii. And it's pink!

We went to Pearl Harbor and saw the Arizona Memorial. I had never really realized the impact of that day the Pearl Harbor was bombed until we visited there. I felt really patriotic though by the time we were done there. Here's a cool picture from inside the Memorial:

A picture from outside the Memorial:
Me making shooting noises while I pretended to shoot the old gun:

Ryan being a shooter-guy. I think they have one of these in a park in Provo. Anyone else seen it?
Ahoy Captain! I see something in the submarine scope!

We weren't able to go to the Hawaii temple since it was closed for renovations, but it was still really beautiful to see again. I had seen it before when my brother got married there like 9 years ago. By the way, Happy Anniversary James and Savili!

We also went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation. In this picture, the pineapples in the foreground are red. Crazy!

At the plantation they had a pond with fish in it that you could feed, and this is what would happen if you did happen to feed them. There were fish not in the water at all they wanted the food so badly!

"I've got a lovely bunch of pineapples, doodly-do..." (By the way, Ryan is actually holding Hyrum in this picture).
On the pineapple train.
We went through the pineapple maze which is, apparently, the biggest in the world according to Guiness World Records. We got lost:
Here's Hyrum on the beach with my mom. He didn't like the ocean very much (I think he was afraid of the waves), but he did like the sand!

We went snorkeling in Hanauma Bay and saw some pretty cool fish. I know I'm lame, but fish scare me, so when I saw a big, blue, two-foot long fish right next to me I freaked out. But that was the only mishap. Ryan also went scuba diving like five times that trip and saw all sorts of cool things like sea turtles, however, I don't have the pictures from that.

At Hanauma Bay there were chickens on the beach. Now that's the chicken life I would want! Here's proof:
Aren't they cute? Isn't the beach beautiful? Loved it! Thanks Mom and Dad! We love you and loved spending time with you.

Ryan's Graduation, The Schuetzlers' Visit, and Moving (All in One Week)

So much has happened since I last updated! The most crazy week ever happened, which included moving out, the Schuetzlers coming to town, Ryan's graduation from BYU, and our brother-in-law's baptism. Very busy.

Hyrum had some fun in our moving boxes:

The Schuetzlers helped us pack and move, for which we are so grateful. We never could have done it without you guys. Thanks SO much!

Aunt Maren and Uncle Dallen love Hyrum, and especially love holding him:

Dallen's baptism! Aren't these two very handsome young men?

Seriously, Hyrum will never fall asleep like this on either me or Ryan. I think Hyrum really warmed up to his Uncle Jim that weekend.
Ryan is finally graduated! He received both his Master's and Bachelor's Degree from BYU a few weeks ago and I am so proud of him. He graduated Cum Laude for his Bachelor's and with High Distinction for his Master's. He is so smart! And a hard worker.

We were so happy that Ryan's parents could come down for his graduation! Thanks guys!

Here is Ryan flying away with his Master's robe's wings.