Carving Pumpkins!

We carved pumpkins last night! It was so much fun to hang out as a family! We hadnt done a family activity in sooo long! It was nice to just be together!

Elliana didnt like to gut the pumpkin! She is such a girl when it comes to that! It cracks me up!

Ethan LOVED that part! He dug right in to get it done!

Craig spends so much time on his pumpkin to make sure its perfect!

I however concentrate really hard on not chopping my fingers off! Yikes! All in all it was a great night and a great family activity!

Ethans Halloween Parade!

Ethan had his Halloween Parade at school! What they do is the kids dress up and they walk through the school and then through the parents! It was so cute to watch him! He was Spiderman and they couldnt wear masks so I had to paint his face. That was a challenge. I think it turned out pretty well! I loved watching him with his friends and having such a good time!

When I picked him up he didnt want to leave the school because of all the fun he had while at school. He had a 3 day weekend and he didnt want to be away from his teacher that long. He had partied all day long and he wasnt done!

Pre-Halloween!

To make up for not being able to have fun with my kids I let them dress up in their costumes and have me take their pictures! It was so much fun! The kids are super excited for Halloween! Our house is all decorated and ready to go! The kids have had their costumes picked out for a LONG time! Ethan is going to be Spiderman and Elliana is going to be Tinkerbell! I am going to be Raggedy Ann and Craig is going to be the Grim Reaper. Halloween is Craigs favorite holiday so its a big one around here. We have a party every year and invite our family and friends to come over and visit with us and eat some chili! Craig loves this! I think he looks forward to it all year! The kids have started to get really into it as well which is fun to watch!

WOW!

I want to just say how lucky I am to have such wonderful family and friends! I have been very sick lately and so I have been going to doctors, having tests, and in and out of the ER. I have through this been offered everything from meals to a babysitter. We have been very well taken care of! Also my husband has cleaned house, bathed children, worked full time, school full time, cooked, and driven me to the ER at odd hours. I am so grateful for the love and support I have had through this whole ordeal. My kids have even helped me clean the house up! And tomorrow I get my gall bladder out to end this insanity! And it was a piece of cake to find people to watch my children and bring dinner for my family for 3 days! I am humbled by the Christ like love that has been handed to me. I have such a greater testimony of service and doing good for others. I am so grateful for their willingness to serve my family. I am so grateful for the family and friends that have offered their help to us. Sometimes I feel bad that there isn't enough that I need to go around. But its been an amazing experience! I am grateful for the church on this earth and for all that I receive from it! Thank you to all who have helped and will help me! I love you all!

Bees Game!

Craig took Ethan to a Bees game a while back. They had such a great time! They rode the train down town and saw it for free! Ethans T Ball team all got two free vouchers to go see one game. Ethan loved watching the players practice and seeing the size of Franklin Covey Field. He has gotten used to his small T Ball field! Craig enjoyed the time alone with Ethan as well as Ethan enjoying the one on one with Dad. I love how they are best friends and love each other so much!

Ethans First Day of School!

Ethan stated kindergarten Monday. His first day was kind of rough. He is really going to have to adjust to this environment. He skipped preschool so he has never been to school before. He loves his teacher and loves school! He got into all day kindergarten so he is gone all day long. He loves that he gets to eat lunch there and everything! I have enjoyed the time I get alone with Elliana but I miss Ethan by the time I go pick him up! I am so excited that he gets to make new friends and have a new adventure all his own! I know he will do well in school and that he will do great things!

He also has a few boys from church that are in his class. That makes it easier for him I think!

Him walking into class for the first time!

Good Bye to the Kings!

Last night we had to say good bye to a family that has become our family. It was hard. But I have come to realize that they are on to bigger adventures and the Lord needs them in Montana. I am happy that they will be closer to family. I have also come to realize that our family has its own adventures! Ethan is starting school and we are trying to have a baby. The Lord has great things in store for our family too. Although I do wish I could share them with the King family up close I will just have to call them instead. I am worried how Ethan will handle things once he realizes his Alana is gone but I am hoping that school will help him understand that there is life outside of just one friend. Although she is VERY special and some one you cant replace I am hoping he will realize that he can have other friends. The Kings are VERY special and we will miss them crazy! Love you guys!

Summer Time!

Now that summer is almost over I am excited for the fall. In a few months the leaves will change colors and the weather we get cooler. Ethan starts school on the 3oth! I am so excited for him! My little guy is growing up! I have started hanging out with an old friend Amelia. She is nannying for a family with kids the same age as mine. So we have decided to do a playgroup once or twice a week. I am excited for that! We have done a lot of swimming this summer! The kids have had a great summer! Ethan got a bike for his birthday! I am hoping to find a way he can ride it to school. He loves it! Dad loves helping him ride it! I am glad we had a good summer and I look forward to a great fall and winter!

Ethan Jeffrey Reiher

Ethan turns 5 tomorrow. Not only did I get a beautiful baby boy that day but I also became a mother. He is very special to me. He was stubburn from day one. He was jaundice when he was born and had to be under the lights for a few days. He loved being unswaddled. When we got him home and tried to swaddle him he didnt like it. He has always been a very active boy. He enjoys sports and being outside! His favorite things to do are play with his sister and his friend Alana. He loves super heroes! He is fun to watch and to play with. He has his dads imagination and its sky high! While pregnant with him he would never sit still. Same way today! He is always doing something. He loves his sister and plays with her a lot. He is so excited to start school! I cant wait for him to make some new friends! I hope that tomorrow is a special day for him and I hope he is happy with how it turns out! I love you Ethan and I am happy you are my boy!

Grandpa Matthews Funeral

Grandpa Matthews had a beautiful funeral. His daughters sang a song together and then his youngest (Aunt Pam) sang a solo. It was beautiful! I am sure he is proud of them. He loved music so I am sure he enjoyed the hymns that were song. It was good to see Craigs family. We saw most of his cousins and all 4 of his aunts! It was good to see them together! The family reunion is the first time I had ever seen them all together at the same time! So it was nice to see that. We got to go to the closing of the casket ceremony and that was nice. Craigs grandmother looked beautiful! She is doing good. She was a real trooper! I hope that I can be as put together as she was if I ever have to attend my husbands funeral. But you can sure tell how much they love eachother! All in all it was a good time. Sad but good! We love you Grandpa and will try to make you proud every day!

Grandpa Matthews

Today our beloved Grandpa Matthews passed away. He was a man of God. He taught Craig everything that he needed to know to use his priesthood. He was there guiding Craig through blessings of a safe delivery of our son Ethan. He also guided Craig through the blessing of Ethan. He baptized, confirmed, and gave Craig the priesthood. My home has been greatly blessed by this man and I love him dearly. Grandpa you will be missed, loved, and adored. Our house is blessed with the same priesthood you gave to my husband. I was there when Grandpa gave Craig the Melkezidik Priesthood. Because of that I was able to marry Craig in the Provo Temple. I owe the best days of my life to Grandpa.

4th of July Weekend!

We went to Colorado for the 4th of July! It was a lot of fun and it was good to relax! We had a family reunion for Craigs moms side of the family. It was good to see all of his cousins! I hadnt seen some of them for a while so it was nice to see everyone. We had a bbq on the 4th and did some fireworks in the back yard of Craigs parents house. The kids had a great time! They liked to see the pretty colors! Elli however did get car sick on the way to Colorado so we took our time coming home. But we made it back without getting sick! Ethan also had a fun time at his Grandparents for a week! They took him fishing! I am so glad we had such a great time!

7 years!

Craig and I just celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. I cant believe its been that long sense we were married. These past 7 years have been the most challenging and rewarding years of my entire life. I am so grateful I married such an amazing person. He is the light of my life and my reason for living. I am grateful he was worthy to take me to the Temple and we are a forever family. I am grateful for the example he is to our son. I love you Craig!

Kids grow up too fast!

I just cant believe how fast my kids are growing up! Its amazing to me how much they have learned from me. Ethan is staying a week in Colorado with his grandma! I have to admit I was VERY VERY nervous about it. But I decided to give it a chance. I am glad I did. He is having so much fun bonding with his grandparents! And I am grateful that they get to bond with him. I just cant believe he is old enough to be with out me for a while week! And Elliana has been enjoying the time with me and Craig. She is so smart! I cant believe how much she has learned in the last 6 months! She isnt a baby any more! She is potty training now and doing great! I am grateful for the little family I have!

Growing up!

Things around the Reiher house are starting to get very busy again! Ethan is getting ready for his first stay alone at Grandmas! Its exciting and nerve racking at the same time. He is getting so big! He went on his first Primary Activity without me! He is doing so many things alone. Its such a bitter sweet feeling. I love that he is getting older and more independent but at the same time I miss my baby. Elliana is potty trained!!! YAY!! We are very proud and excited for her! She is talking up a storm. Another bitter sweet situation! I am glad my kids are grown up strong and healthy! Craig started school so we are back on that roller coaster again but more prepared this time around I think for the sacrifices we will have to make as a family. And we are all more willing to do it. What a wonderful time in our home!
Elli tried to dress herself. She did a fantastic job. And then she put on the glasses and said that she was Grandma Reiher. Silly girl!

Ethan finished his very first Tee Ball season. He had a blast! Him and Craig had so much fun together! Craig loved helping out the team! He loved being a big part of it! I was happy he was able to spend some good time with Ethan. It was a good family activity and I am sure its the start of all the cold, rainy, hot, and perfect games that we will endure through our lives! We look forward to it!

The Library!

We went to the library on Tuesday. It was a lot of fun! The kids loved to look at all the books! I let them pick two to take home. Craig and I even got some books! Its fun to sit and read with the kids! They loved their first time going to the library! When Ethan turns 5 they will let him get his own library card! I am so excited for that day! It will be so much fun and make him feel so grown up! I am glad we could take the kids and have a great day of learning and playing. They did so good being quiet and listening! I loved how all the book cases in the children's section were mall enough for them to see all the books. That way I didnt have to lift them up! It also feels good to have some new material to read. I have already read 3 out of 4 of the books I got! Craig got some neat things to help him with his book. I am glad the kids love the library!

Spring time in Temple Square!

We went to Temple Square and took pictures of the kids! It was so much fun! I loved being out in the sun with my family! The kids loved to look at the beautiful flowers! We rode trax and that was fun for the kids! They really enjoyed the trip. We even took sandwiches and had a picnic! It was beautiful with the flowers all different colors and the green grass! We went during the day so it wasnt that busy either! We did have to cut it short though because Elliana spilled her water all down the front of her. We will go back and get a pic of them with the Temple later on. I just loved showing the kids the Temple! Ethan thought it was fun to actually see the Temple. They have been there before but it has been a while. He said "Mommy that is where Jesus works and that is where he lives too." I was excited to know that he knew how sacred the Temple is. He tells me he wants to get married there and that makes my heart swell. I hope I can continue to raise him to know of the importance of a Temple marriage.

Ethan Hitting

Ethan had a Tee Ball game today! I am so proud of him! He tried to hit a ball being pitched to him rather then being set on the Tee. He didnt end up hitting it but he didnt give up either! I am so proud of him and I am glad he wants to learn and grow with this sport. He is so good at it too! I am glad he has found something he loves so much!

Elliana and her ABCs

Elliana has learned how to say her ABCs! sooo cute! Here is a look at how she thinks it goes!

Tee Ball!

Ethan started Tee Ball! We are all very excited for him! He loves too which makes it more fun! He is very good at it too! I think baseball is embeded in the Reiher blood cause he looks so natural out there! Elliana also wants her turn up to bat! Craig is having a great time taking Ethan out and teaching him a few tricks before the games! Craig is however disappointed he will miss the Wednesday games and all the practices. But Craig is excited that Ethan is happy about playing! He teaches him how to get down and ready for the ball and also how to bat properly. I think we are at the start of some thing wonderful! Tonight is the first game! YAY!I am excited for the months and years ahead in this game! I may even learn how to actually play it! I am hoping that Craig can get hours switched around and maybe coach Ethan one of these days! Poor kid has to put up with me and I know nothing! Lets hope it works out okay!

A day in the sun!

Went the Kingspoint Park today! The kids had a great time! We went with some friends and had a great time! It was a bit windy outside so it made it kind of chilly but the sun was out which was GREAT! It was nice for me to get out and play with the kids! They enjoyed it so much! I am sure they were sick of being indoors! Ethan is so busy that he goes stir crazy inside all the time! I am greatfull that we have such great friends that will take us to the park! Elliana had a great time being able to run. I hate that we live in such a small apartment. The kids have no room to run! Getting them out to the park is always a great thing to do! We ate lunch there too! It was great to have a picnic in the sun! We have missed the warm weather so much! Ethan more then the rest I think. He is just so active! Elliana loves to play with Ethan out side as much as possible! It was just a great day!

The Park!

We went to the park today! It was a lot of fun! We ate a picnic lunch of sandwiches, apple sauce, juice, chips, and cookies! We went to a park we have never been to before. It was a blast! The kids had so much fun! It was a lot of fun to spend time as a family! The kids brought their
soccer balls we played a bit of soccer! Ethan love soccer! Its his favorite game! I am looking forward to signing him up again in the fall! Ellana has taken to soccer too! She asked me for a soccer ball last year around this time so we had the Easter Bunny bring her one! She has loved it ever sense! I am excited to sign her up when she is old enough. It will be a lot of fun to watch both kids play soccer. It was so nice to have Craig with us as well. It was nice to watch him get some of that time in with the kids! He sure misses them with his new job. He doesnt get to see them much. Elliana has had a hard time not getting her daddy time in. So this was good for her. And it was good for Ethan to have his best buddy to play with. And it was good for me to see Craig and spend some good time with him and the kids. I cant wait for the weather to get nice again so we can go out to the park more often. I think we will make rounds this summer and go to all the parks we can! Ethan starts school in the fall so I want this summer to be the best for him! I just hope we
have the time and money to give him the best summer ever!
The park was a great way to get out and enjoy the sunshine! It snowed last week and it was fun too but I am so glad the sun is out and its starting to warm up! I am hoping that was our last bit of snow! I am looking forward to warm weather and lots of fun at the park!

The Dentist

The kids went to the dentist yesterday! Ethan was excited to go back. He sat on the chair and asked for his favorite movie. He let them do an exam, cleaning, and floride treatment! He got entered in the No Cavities Club again and I am so proud of him! He has never had a cavity! Elliana sat on the chair and let them do an exam. She also got put in the No Cavities Club! She did so good! The only thing they said is that she needs to start stopping the thumb sucking. He was a little worried about how its effecting her teeth. But other then that she is great! They did so good! I am so proud of my kids! And I left there feeling like a great mom!

Let it Snow!

Ethan loves the snow! We didnt get much snow this year but when it did come Ethan was right in the middle of it! I am glad we got them warm winter coats this year! Elli didnt like the snow at all! But Ethan would make snow angels, snowmen, anything that can be done he did it! He even got into a snow ball fight with Daddy! That was fun to watch! We would have to drag him in kicking and screaming! He would have stayed out there and endured what ever frost bite it gave him! I love how he enjoys life to its fullest! He doesnt care if he gets sick or frost bite as long as he gets his time in the snow! I love this kid!

Elliana is 2!

Elliana turned 2 this last December 13th. She is growing up so fast. We didnt do much for it but it was pretty special. She had some of her favorite family and her closest friends come and celebrate her. It was a lot of fun! The only thing missing was Craigs family. We sure did miss them through the party. I had a great time making her cake! It was purple! And the frosting was green. She had a Tinkerbell birthday. I look at her and I cant believe that 2 years ago she was born. I know the second she was born that she is one specail little girl. She has such a swee spirit and a good sense of right and wrong. I am very sad she is getting big so fast! But I do look forward to all the fun times ahead of us! She is such a Daddys girl. From the moment she was born she had him wrapped around her tiny finger so tight! I dont think he minds it at all. And that relationship hasnt changed. If anything its gotten stronger. She has a way of comforting you when you are upset or sad. She lights up the room just by walking into it. Her best friend is her brother. She loves him more then anything (besides Daddy). She is always concerned if he is doing alright. Its pretty cute. She is a shinning star! She is our goofball too! She is hilarious! I could go on and on about her! She had a great birthday!

Its been a long time!

Sorry its been so long sense my last blog! I guess its catch up time! In November I got a new nephew who is cute as can be! I have found out that close to 15 of my friends are pregnant and due between March and August. I am so excited to be surrounded by such great things! Craig is on the job hunt but also has been working on his freelance business and doing very well with that. He loves to do the graphic design. Ethan had to skip preschool because there wasnt enough room and we were put on a waiting list for both headstart and the school district. He is looking forward to kindergarten in August! Its such a bitter sweet feeling. I am so excited for the friends he will make and the experiances he will have. But like every mom I worry about him. Elliana is 2 now and its just crazy! She is such a girl and I love it! She loves to go shopping with me! I have painted her toe nails too! She got her hair cut for the first time yesterday! Such a big girl! As for me I am enjoying the time I get to spend with my kids. I love watching them grow and learn right before my eyes. I dont miss anything! I am the girl who has everything!