Happy Birthday Big Bro!

Monday the 24th was my big brother Davids birthday! (I went through as many pictures as I could find and sorry but this is what I came up with!) 

David is 3 years older than me and even though we were the closest in age growing up, we weren't always the closest. 

David was always so cool that I wanted to constantly be hanging around him (and all the other girls around!).  So I ended up the pestering little sister.  

David and I got really close when he came home from his mission and I love those precious times we had together! 

David met Rachel and married her in 1995 and now they have 5 beautiful children; Darby 9, Layne 7, Lauren & Mackenzie 4                                                             and Morgan 2!  

This is David and I on his wedding day!  I was so emotional that day.  I had mixed emotions because I was so happy for him, but sad because I felt like I was losing my brother.  Actually that day I gained a SISTER!  I love you Rachel!

We were always playing around having a good time!

This is us at our Grandparents house back in 1990!  Got to LOVE the vibrating belt!  

I hope you had a Wonderful Birthday David, I love you!

Green and Gold Ball

Saturday night Jason and I went to the church for its annual Green and Gold Ball.  He knows I love to dance and so he humored me and went along for the "ride"!  Thanks Babe for being so Awesome, Fun and Gorgeous!  I love you!  

Family Fort

Sunday after church the kids came home and wanted to build a fort....I of course said "NO" because I didn't feel like having everything out of sorts and knowing it would be easy to build but a huge pain to get the kids to clean up later!  Dad comes home soon after we did and was in a really good mood (probably because of the new calling which allowed him to BE home after church!) and of course says "YES"!  Needless to say they all had a blast collecting blankets and turning the couch on its side.  We let the kids all sleep in it that night and Parker drew pictures to label everyones room.  Good Times!

Till We Meet Again!

Tonight was very emotional for me as I had to say goodbye to someone who is very special to me.  My dear friend Loraine is the Grandmother to one of my closest friends Heather.  She has allowed me to adopt her as my own Grandmother this past year and we have always had a special connection from the time we met.  She has filled a big void for me as I have had both of my Grandmothers pass on. 

She had emergency surgery this past month and we all feel so grateful that the Lord saw her through it!  Her daughter in Seattle has chosen to move her closer to her and so Loraine leaves tomorrow for her new home.  I know Heather and her family will miss her dearly as will I and all the other people who's lives she has touched.  

We had a wonderful going away party for her at my home on Sunday and it was so amazing to see her friends of who have known her and loved her so many years!  I feel grateful to have known her even this short of a time and look forward to hopefully making a trip to see her in Seattle when she goes through the temple for her first time.  Loraine was baptized a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints just over a year ago.  She was just finishing her preparations to go to the temple right before her surgery.  She is an inspiration to me and I look forward to witnessing her make that next step.

This is a picture of Heather, Loraine and Cheryl.

                                                        Three generations of Beauty!

Parker Riley Jongeward Turns 6!!

Thursday Nov. 6th was Parkers 6th Birthday!  I took cake into his Kindergarten class at school and our family went out to eat at Red Robin for dinner!  

Saturday we had his Harry Potter birthday party at 

our house and had lots of fun playing games and doing 

crafts with all his friends.  Saturday night we celebrated

with the Kelly family and ate his special Harry Potter 

Birthday Cake!  

I am so thankful for Parker and his sweet spirit that 

he brings to our family!  He is the entertainer in our

family and loves to put on a show when ever he can.  He loves to sing, dance, play music and DRAW... DRAW... DRAW!  He was picked out of his class to paint a picture

for a power point presentation that will be shown at the schools Veteran Day Assembly.  

We LOVE YOU Parker!

Riley Family Reunion 2008

 

In August of 2008 we had a short but sweet reunion in Utah to honor my Grandpa Rileys 90th Birthday! What a FUN time it was and how Grateful I am to have my Grandpa around still!

Country Living!

Take a look at this family of deer in our backyard!  We see this all the time!  It has been so much fun living in the country as we get to see wildlife on almost a daily basis!

Halloween!

The kids school doesn't allow the kids to dress up for Halloween, so instead they had "Hairifying" day! (or crazy hair day!) Brock picked out this Afro wig, Zack was a punk rocker and Parker just wanted black hair like Harry Potter.

That night we went to the church for the Trunk-or-Treat and had alot of fun! Ryder went in costume as himself "terrible two"!

Last week I let the boys all invite friends over for a Halloween Party. We had lots of fun decorating cookies, playing games and carving pumpkins!