Fun with the cousins!

The Frye Family
The Cousins
The Cousins plus Wyatt (basically a cousin)
The Wilkens Family
The 3 boys in their matching shirts Grandma Frye gave them

The Wilkens Family spent the week with us in Utah and Idaho. Last weekend we went to Yellowstone and the rest of this week we played in Utah. We had a fun time going to the park, visiting the Discovery Museum (twice), going to the zoo, and just hanging out and playing. Nicholas, who is almost 4 was trying to teach Cruz how to share. Max, who is 2, liked to give Cruz hugs and kisses. Cruz had a great time with his cousins, aunt, and uncle. We will miss having them around to play with. It has been a hard week for me emotionally dealing with my fathers failing health, but the Wilkens were so understanding. We appreciate their visit and their kindness.

I HATE PRIONS!

My dad has been struggling with his health for the last 3 months. It started off with him feeling off balance. His balance continued to get worse and his mind started being affected. Doctors seemed stumped as to what was causing this. As of last night, the doctors are 99% certain that he has a Prions Disease or more specifically CJD. This is a rare disease....my dad had a greater likelihood of getting struck by lightning. We are sending tests to a clinic in San Francisco that specializes in this disease. We should be able to find out more information from them. I did start a web page to keep people posted on my dads condition. If you are interested, you can check it out. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/garyraddon For more information on CDJ check out: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/cjd/index.htm

Yellowstone and WALKING!!!

3 LITTLE boys on a BIG atv
The boyz
One of many big bison

Shawn's sister and her family came into town on Friday. We have had a great time with Leigh, Brian, Nicholas (almost 4), and Max (just turned 2). On Saturday we drove up to Swan Valley, Idaho. We stayed at my parents cabin Saturday night. Sunday we drove through Teton National Park and then into Yellowstone. We walked around Old Faithful first. Then we drove over to Lower Falls. Our weather wasn't wonderful but it wasn't horrible either.... a little on the chilly side, with intermittent rain. We stayed at Lake Lodge on Sunday night. On Monday we drove up to Mammoth Hot Springs. On the way to the springs, we saw a wolf. We also saw lots of Bison, Elk, 3 coyotes, and 2 moose. We drove out of the park through West Yellowstone and went to Bear World on the way back to Swan Valley. At Bear World, you can drive around and see Black and Grizzle Bears. Since we didn't actually see a bear in the park, we decided to do this. They had a small area where they had some bear cubs, those were the cutest to see. We hung out that evening back in Swan Valley. Monday evening Cruz took his first steps. He doesn't want to walk but we kind of tricked him. We put his bottle out in front of his face and he started walking toward it all by himself. He took 3 good steps. Today we hung out in the morning and then drove back to SLC. Cruz took more steps tonight. My post is kind of random, but it is late and I just wanted to document some things in our life!

Our boy LOVES to eat!

Cruz LOVES to eat. If you are eating something, he always wants some, even if he just ate a huge meal. Cruz also loves to eat things like big people eat them. He saw Shawn and I eating corn the other night and he had to eat it the same way. We had left over corn for lunch today and I had to capture him in his pure pleasure of eating, yummmmmm!!!

Cruz and his Cart

Cruz LOVES to walk around the house pushing this little cart. He is so good with it too. He can maneuver it around corners, if he runs into walls, he can get it going again, and he can even push it from the other end.

Catch up....

Cruz and his truck!

This week has flown by and I haven't had a chance to post too much. Lets see.....on Monday, we met up with an old friend of mine from Huntington Beach. Heather, my friend, has 3 little girls and Cruz was able to play with her 2.5 year old little Georgia. On Tuesday, my "Girls Night Out" girlfriends came over with their kids for lunch and to check out the new place.....it was fun and a little hectic. Between the 4 of us, we had 6 kids here all under the age of 3. Tuesday was also the day Shawn and I got engaged 3 years ago. I was thinking about attaching the picture from "the moment", but I looked so horrible, I will spear you all. Tuesday night I went to a baby shower for my friend Sarah. I am so happy for her. Her and her husband have been on an adoption list for a long time, they have been very patient people, and last week they were chosen to be the parents of a precious son named Joshua. They are the neatest couple and so deserving of this wonderful child. On Wednesday, we went to lunch with my sister and my parents. Today, since it is rainy and wet out, we decided to go to McDonalds playland. Cruz had SOOOO much fun. He just kept watching the other kids and trying to do what they were doing. There was this little slide there and our brave little boy decided to go down on his belly face first. He giggled the whole way down. Shawn's mom sent this picture to me today. It is of Shawn when he was little. I think it is so cute, so I had to post it. My cute blonde boys!
Little Shawn and his dad Rick
The newest members of Girls Night out, Samantha Kirkland and Stella Brown

BBQ

Carrie and Cruz and his crazy sunscreen hair!

This weekend we had beautiful weather. We tried to be outside most of the time. Cruz was so filled with dirt both Saturday and Sunday evening. On Sunday afternoon, we went over to our friends Tim and Carrie's for a farewell bbq. Carrie is going to Seattle for the summer. Cruz had sooooo much fun. There were 4 or 5 big dogs, chairs to climb on, hammocks to swing on, and friends to play with.
Cruz attempting to walk
Marc and Cruz

The "I'm so tired giggle" and much much more...

The beard of spit

We met my friend and her two daughters at a park today. We had really nice weather and the first very warm day. Cruz totally exhausted himself playing with Alex. On the way home I was doing everything I could to keep him awake, and luckily I was successful. When we got home we immediately went to his room to rock a little and then bed. I was rocking him and he just started to giggle. I know he was so tired....and I think it was the so tired giggles...it was so funny though!

After his afternoon nap we played some more outside with our trucks and cars. Lately Cruz thinks he is cool when he can build up a bunch of spit on his chin....so I tried to get a picture of the beard of spit before he grabbed the camera.

We played outside until dad came home from work.....we love to watch daddy pull up on his motorcycle. Cruz was so happy to see Shawn. Cruz gettin' into his car
Cruz low riding in his car (if you can see where is legs are!)
So happy to see daddy!

Fat Lip

Cruz and I went over to Grandma and Grandpa R's this morning. Cruz was playing in the downstairs bedroom around the treadmill and fell. His mouth landed on a plastic piece of the treadmill. He started screaming immediately. I walked over to comfort him when to my horror there was blood streaming out of his mouth. I tried not to panic.....I got several kleenex and the bleeding still wouldn't stop....I put an icicle on it and we eventually got his mouth to stop bleeding. I received more loves and hugs after the accident. I was sad it happened but happy for all the cuddles I got. He has a fat lip to show for his injury....I don't know if you can tell from the picture.

Snow on May 12th

We woke up to some snow in the hills close to our home yesterday morning. During the day though, we had these huge flakes falling in our yard. It didn't last more than 20 minutes and there was no accumulation, but still, snow on May 12th. One picture is out our backyard and then the other picture is out our front (which you can see our beautiful lilac tree).

Mothers Day

Coyote up at Alta

I had a very enjoyable Mothers Day. My boys were so good to me. Shawn and Cruz made a hand-print for me, to remember Cruz's 1 year old hands. Shawn wouldn't let me touch a diaper all day. This morning we went on a nice walk up at Alta (I have to brag, Alta is only 7 miles from our house). We love being that close to the mountains. We saw a Coyote on the way down. I was able to spend some time with my own mother as well. The past month has been challenging on my parents and family. My dad has been suffering from extreme balance issues. I am not really sure how to explain his ailments but he was in the hospital for 5 days up at the U of U to try and determine what the malfunction is in his body. We are at a lose, and unfortunately so are the doctors at this point. We are hoping and praying for an answer soon! I am glad though, my mom was able to be celebrated today. We also talked with Shawn's mom this evening. She had a very nice day as well in Wisconsin. These women are great examples to me as wives and mothers, always putting others first. I have great women to learn from to help me raise our family.
Cruz and Mommy on Mothers Day 2008

Funny Guy

This afternoon, Cruz was playing in the family room. He seemed to be into playing with his new block set, so I decided to run upstairs and put something away really quickly. I was only gone a few seconds. When I got downstairs, Cruz was sitting on the couch grabbing the remote controls that we keep on a small table behind the couch. I could not figure out how he got up on the couch, since he has never done that before. Then I went around to the side of the couch and saw his little tote that he puts his blocks in. He must of got up on that and then was able to get on the couch. I am constantly amazed by his thinking.
"Finally, up by the remotes!"

"Don't bug me mom!"
Cruz's little plan to get up on the couch!

Cinco De Frye-o

Our friend Marc Norman coined this term last year when I had Cruz on the 5th of May....it is pretty catchy, Cinco De Frye-o! Cruz is officially 1 year old today. We met Shawn for lunch at a park near his work. We all had fun playing on the swings and enjoying each others company. Tonight, we put together the tricycle bike we got Cruz. Cruz wanted to help daddy put the bike together. He was such a good helper. We also played with the tunnel he got and the new swing he got. Overall, we had an enjoyable day! What our little boy is doing:
-Cruz loves to push anything around a room. Lately he has been into pushing chairs all over the house or all over church.
-Cruz does not walk on his own yet, but he can walk holding our fingers and even just holding one hand.
-Cruz loves to play in his toy baskets.
-Cruz loves to eat....his favorite food I would have to say is bananas!
-Cruz likes to pull off his socks and shoes.
-Cruz has been into biting, which we are working on trying to break him of that.
-Cruz has 9 teeth.
-Cruz likes to get attention by copying coughing and sneezing when other people do it
-Cruz likes to make noise by running his finger over his lips.
-Cruz can say (we think) Hello!
-Cruz can say mammmmmma and dadddda, but not refering to either of us
-Cruz can wave his hand for hello and goodbye.
-Cruz is very curious and loves to be constantly moving

We love you Cruz Boy!!!

A World with a Different View

I hope Cruz had a good birthday today. I had to post these pictures. He loves to get into his toy baskets and play with his toys from the confines of his basket. Also, today we were able to switch the car seat to the forward facing direction, yippee! I think I have been craving this more than Cruz. He had the most inquisitive look on has face as we road through town.

Celebrate Good Times

We had a few people over tonight to have some cake (the famous doggy cake) and ice cream and to sing happy birthday to Cruz. Cruz wasn't really sure what to think of the cake. He liked picking it up and mashing it between his fingers. Cake was everywhere, all over him, his face, his hair, his clothes, the floor, etc. I had to tell myself that he only turns 1 once and to enjoy the mess. I enjoyed every minute of Cruz's celebration....I can't believe our little man is 1 year old (tomorrow, Cinco De Mayo). After playing around in his cake a while, we decided to open a few gifts. Cruz still wasn't really sure what to do with the wrapping paper, but Wyatt (his cousin who is 2) was eager to help. Wyatt and Cruz had a blast opening the gifts and playing with all the fun toys. Grandpa and Grandma R gave Cruz a big comfy chair and a cute outfit. Grandpa and Grandma F gave Cruz a backyard swing and a fun basketball game. Cruz is much loved by his friends and family and we appreciate all of the nice presents that were given to Cruz. Alex, who is only 3 months old, wanted to play with the bigger boys, but he just isn't ready yet...give him another year and he will be right in there with Cruz and Wyatt. It was a really nice evening here, finally, and so we all went outside and played with Doug and Terena's dogs. Cruz and Wyatt both really love dogs. Overall, the celebration was perfect, just like our main man. We are so blessed to have Cruz in our lives. He makes us laugh daily and he is teaching us to be better people. We are grateful for his good health and his vivacious personality. We love you Cruz. Happy Birthday!