Chicago and Wisconsin

Wow, we had a great time in Chicago and Wisconsin. Cruz and I flew out with my mom and sister to Chicago on Wednesday night November 14th. Our flight left 2 hours later than it was supposed to, but Cruz did such a great job waiting and on the flight. The delay made for a late night though. On Thursday November 15th we spent the day on Michigan Avenue. It was so fun to shop, eat good food, and of course have Garrett Popcorn. On Friday November 16th my mom, Cruz, and I drove out to Northbrook to visit friends. We stayed in Northbrook on Friday and Saturday. It was great to see old friends and to be back in my old stomping grounds. I think I drove by my old house about 10 times in those 2 days (on purpose)! Ryan, my brother, was actually playing at a club in Chicago on Saturday night, but I was too tired to go. He usually plays from midnight until 2 a.m., ugh! On Sunday, we went to church. The building I went to church at when I was living there is currently being remodeled, so I went to my old ward in a building on Northwesterns Campus. It was fun to see old church friends. I definitely miss that ward. Monday November 19th, Kathy Frye drove down to Northbrook to pick up Cruz and myself. My mom and sister flew back, and Cruz and I went and spent the week with the Frye's. It is always amazing to me that Shawn and I got set up in Utah, but we actually grew up about an hour away from each other in the Midwest. Monday and Tuesday we hung out with Grandma and Grandpa Frye, Leigh, Shawn's sister, Brian, her husband, Nicholas (3.5 years), and Max (18 months). Cruz had so much fun playing with his cousins. They played together and we went on walks around the neighborhood and to visit the horses in the area. Grandma and Grandpa Frye gave the boys matching shirts and matching pj's for Christmas. Tuesday night we took the boys to get a professional picture taken in their matching shirts. It was so funny to watch the adults try to get three little boys to look at the camera at the same time, and hopefully smile. Shawn came into town Tuesday night. Thursday, November 22nd, was Cruz's first Thanksgiving. We had a very nice Thanksgiving with the Fryes and the Wilkens. On Friday, November 23rd, we had a get together with Kathy's side of the family. Leigh held the gathering at her house, and it was fun to see family and show off Cruz. Saturday November 24th, we had an early Christmas with Grandma Frye, Grandpa Frye, Leigh, Brian, Max, and Nicholas. We had a great time seeing friends and family!

The boys on a walk to visit the horses!


The boys in their pj's with the quilts Grandma Frye made for each one of them

Trying to get a picture of the boys, look at the choke hold on Cruz!

Cruz and Scout, Leigh and Brians dog. Cruz had no fear, he loved this dog!

Shawn and Nicholas playing

Cruz's first Thanksgiving meal

Family Photo on Thanksgiving

Family Picture-Shawn, Kelly, Cruz, Kathy Frye, Rick Frye, Brian Wilkens, Leigh Wilkens, Nicholas Wilkens, and Max Wilkens

Cruz in his Santa hat

Family "Early Christmas" photo

Early Thanksgiving

Shawn, Cruz, Charlie, and Jacque










Cruz, Kelly, and Charlie






Tonight we went over to Matt and Jacques house for an early Thanksgiving dinner. Unfortunately, we couldn't stay for the entire dinner, but we did go over and enjoy good appetizers and great company. Matt and Jacque have a 10 month old little girl named Charlie. Cruz was fascinated that this little girl could stand on her own and take a few steps. There was also another little boy there, Garrett, who is a year old. Garrett ended up sitting on Cruz and Cruz didn't even notice, it was so funny, Cruz was totally unfazed.

Food, Puppies, Skating, 2nd Tooth and Tricks

Cruz eating his prunes!

Shawn and Cruz at the World Cup Speed Skating Competition

Cruz INTENTLY watching the skaters

Marc Norman and Cruz

The Frye family had a fun filled weekend. The first picture is of Cruz eating prunes. He has been a little "backed up" and our doctor recommended feeding him any fruit that starts with the letter P. He said prunes were a great choice to solve this problem. The look on Cruz's face when I fed him prunes was priceless. The first picture is the aftermath!

Cruz was introduced to his first puppies. Jeff and Monica, our friends that live up in Pinebrook, just brought home 2 adorable puppies. Cruz just watched them intently. The puppies had a little toy that made a funny noise, but Cruz didn't like that too much. I wish I had a picture to show of the 2 puppies, but I forgot to pull out my camera.

Cruz also got his second bottom tooth this weekend. That explains the fussy behavior this weekend, but I must admit, even Cruz's fussiness isn't too bad.

The rest of the pictures are from the World Cup Skating Event that took place at the Utah Olympic Oval this weekend. Our friend Marc Norman was in charge of the event, and his girlfriend, Catherine Raney was skating in it. Cruz had fun watching the skaters, but I think he had more fun getting lots of love and attention from our friends that were in the stands with us.

And finally, Sunday night, Cruz picked up a new trick. He has learned to "cluck" with his tongue. I think he has gotten more used to moving his tongue around in his mouth to feel these new weird objects in his mouth called TEETH. After nursing him tonight, I think he accidently made the sound. Then I did it back to him. He finally figured out how to do it again, and then he kept practicing the whole night. Later, I held him on my lap and I would softly make the clucking sound in his ear and then he would take his turn, and then a big smile would come on his face. These are the moments I cherish!!

Check Up

This afternoon, Cruz had his 6 month check up. Stats- WEIGHT:18 pounds 13 ounces, 71%, HEIGHT: 27.5 inches, 81%, HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE: 44 cm, 55%. He got 4 shots in total, some immunizations shots and some flu shots. He cried pretty hard, but only for a few seconds. Shawn did a really good job of getting him calmed down. The pictures are a before and after. I can't believe our baby is 6 months old.

Kissin' Cousins

On Thursday, we spent the day playing with Wyatt Horning. Fran Horning, Shawn's cousin, recently had back surgery and is in the process of recuperating. We hung out with Wyatt, who is 16 months old. Cruz and Wyatt had fun playing at our house and the Horning's house. I don't have the kind of toys 16 month old boys like, yet! I loved it when Wyatt would come up and give me big hugs, he is a very cute toddler. Hopefully Cruz and Wyatt will be fast friends, once Cruz is old enough to hang with Wyatt. Cruz didn't quite do enough to interest Wyatt too much. After yesterday, I have a much greater appreciation for couples that have twins or children very close together. :)

Gymboree

Cruz and I had our first mom and son play class today at the Gymboree Learning Center. Cruz had soooooo much fun! Cruz met some new friends and he got to play on all sorts of soft pads and even on a parachute. I think he liked it best when the teacher blew bubbles and the babies had to try and catch them. Cruz was army crawling all over the places reaching for the bubbles. He totally wore himself out. The minute we got home he was out like a light!

Family Ties

Cruz and I went to lunch in Ogden today. We went with Grandma Raddon and we met Wendy, Matt, Dawson, Penny, and Bud Toliver at Roosters on 25th Street. Unfortunately, the service wasn't very good, but it was fun to get together with family. Dawson is only about 6 months older than Cruz, soon they will be able to play together.

I AM 6 MONTHS OLD TODAY!!!-by Cruz

The Army Crawler

This weekend while we were in Swan Valley, Cruz almost did a full crawl. He has perfected the army crawl and he has gotten better about using his legs in the army crawl. I think it was good because he had large carpeted areas to practice on. He is so close to a real crawl!

Swan Valley, Idaho

We went to Swan Valley, Idaho this weekend (Friday November 2nd through Sunday November 4th). Our friends Troy and Sherri came with us. On Saturday we biked from the town of Driggs up to Grand Targhee Ski Resort. It was a lot of fun, but a little chilly. When we started the ride it was about 49 degrees, but when we finished it felt about like 10 degrees. We were all a little cold. Cruz did great. We tried to keep him really bundled in his chariot, and Shawn was amazing to pull him all the way to the top. In total, it was a 24 mile ride. On Sunday, we went for a little hike up Rainey Creek. It is so pretty in Swan Valley. It was fun to have a little get away!