Well, well, well, it has come to my attention that it has been a while since I blogged. Honestly, I was kinda consumed by Flickr and Instagram and really, I only have so much room for social media type stuff in my life. But, ultimately my heart belongs to the blogging world. I love reading blogs.
It has been over a year since I last blogged and man has it been a busy one. Let’s say we have a review of the last year and few months via pictures? Some I will explain, some I will just let you enjoy.
When I last wrote Bri had just been born, shortly after Jade and Haley got to come up to Bear Lake with us and it was a great time. We literally spent hours on this paddle board. We are so easily entertained.
We sure enjoy going up there, its such a good get-away.
This happened, although I am not allowed to tell you what vehicle we were in…..
Seriously, these two.
So we were planning an Oregon coast trip. It was so fantastic and were much looking forward to it. To prepare we set up Riley’s new tent in the living room and spent the night in it to see how Appa would do. He loved it. The best part is, it was on like a Tuesday night so all day the next day Appa hung out it in. It was pretty adorable.
Unfortunately, we never got to go on that Oregon coast trip because this happened… Yup. We had no idea what was coming. That’s all I really have to say. I’m pretty sure most of you know the story, so I’m not going to the trouble of typing it out. If you don’t and it’s killing you, go ahead and ask and we will gladly tell you. So you know time table stuff this happened August 13th.
“Is it busted?!”
Yes, yes it is.
A shattered heel for Riley. The best part of the whole story? Well.. the real best part is that I laughed and laughed and laughed all the way to the instacare. But the second best part? The day before this happened, we found out this was happeningWe were having a baby! I was really nervous about busted foot Riley, pregnant Sydnie and Appa that needs walked twice a day and how everything was going to work out. Thankfully, it worked out wonderfully. As much as a bummer as it is that Riley busted his foot, especially because he still feels it everyday, it really was kind of a blessing. I HAD to get up and walk Appa. I did not have a choice. I will admit there were days I cried when Appa woke me up because I was so tired. But then I learned my lesson, one day he slept in until about 8 and I also slept in (because I was always exhausted) that was the only day I ever felt sick. I really think getting up and moving and out in the fresh air helped me not feel sick. It didn’t make it any easier, that was a rough few months of crippled and exhaustion but it was best for me to get outside. I really really wanted to wait to tell everyone I was pregnant until we found out the gender. Riley talked me into not waiting because we needed help. Honestly, I regret it. We didn’t get any help from anyone. I still wish so much that we would have waited.
I actually wrote a blog post about being pregnant but never posted it. So many frustrating things. But I am only going to share one. Many newly married LDS couples will tell you they feel pressured to have babies right away. I can honestly say (man, I am being so honest in this post) that I NEVER felt this way. Maybe it is because I am incredibly stubborn, maybe it’s because our family’s don’t get all up in our business? I don’t know, but I do know that it wasn’t until after I was pregnant that I felt pressured. Turns out, people though we like….couldn’t have kids or something. I could not believe some of the comments I received about it. Nope, sorry guys thats not the case. We were having fun and living life just the two of us and getting to a point where we felt like we could take care of a baby the best we possibly could. I know everyone is different, but for us this was right, and I will always love that time we had together. Ok, lies I will vent about one more pregnancy thing, people ALWAYS told me how easy my pregnancy was. Do not ever say that to someone. It wasn’t. It was so hard. Just because I didn’t constantly complain does not mean it was easy. Ok, I’m done with the whole pregnancy thing now. For real this time.
So shortly before the whole foot incident Riley designed his cousins wedding invitation. They were AWESOME. Of course, they were going to be letter-pressed. Unfortunately, before they could be printed Riley broke his foot. So I got to print them! Thankfully, Mr. Webster let us use his press. There is no way on this earth I could have printed those on ours. Well, lies, I could have it just would have taken me 6 years. I actually quite enjoyed myself. Throughout the year I took pictures of Haley for her senior pictures.
We learned so much about feet this year. Cast off September 19th.
We got to dress up for Riley’s cousins wedding, it was 20’s themed. I made my dress and Riley’s vest. Boys clothes are hard! Riley cheated for the night and wore a real shoe instead of his boot. We hid the crutches for the picture, ha!
My outfit also doubled as my Halloween costume!
We spent many hours at physical therapy for this thing.
Baby steps! One crutch, October 29th.
I spent a lot of quality time with this guy this year.
This day was so huge. I can’t even tell you. No crutches (unless it hurt, which it did a lot) November 5thAnd on that same day we found out…..
and she was looking great and healthy
Slowly, we got got back into the groove of Riley being able to walk. This guy turned 2!
We went to Zoolights with friends!
We had a great Christmas, I made Appa a bed and he got a GIANT candy cane shaped rawhide.
I got a leather working stuff, a spinning wheel and a weaving loom.
Riley got boots, some tools and a safety razorFor our anniversary we went to St. George. It was such a good snow year and we were missing out on all the fun and it was lame. I told Riley all I wanted was to be outside and he did not disappoint. We ran away and did a little, and I mean little, hike. I was worn out and Riley’s foot was aching. So different for us, but we enjoyed it. Appa came, of course and our hotel room had 2 queen beds so we let him sleep on one. We were nervous he would try to at home, but he didn’t. We also hung out at my grandparents house a bit.
I love this picture, Appa looks HUGE!
Once we told him to get up here he didn’t move.Riley quickly put his Christmas gifts to work and made us this awesome family crest! Well, he designed the family crest while ago, then used the tools to cut it out. There is meaning behind it and how it represents us. Most people think we are weird but I don’t care, I love it!
I also produced some things with my Christmas presents, a belt and a pillow for the baby’s room
My sisters threw a wonderful baby shower for me, as well as Riley’s family and the ladies from the temple. They were all so nice! However, I don’t want to put pictures up because I don’t want to remember how chubby I got but I can’t let it go unsaid!
Riley made the baby girl a beautiful crib. I am super impressed by his skills.
I went to a class and learned to make amazing croissants then I taught Riley how as we made some for Easter. You get to beat the butter with a rolling pin! So fun.
Then on April 21st, 8 days past her due date, Anya made her appearance!! I had to be induced but honestly, thats the way to go. It was kinda the best. She had many visitors in the hospital but I was too drugged to take pictures. Yay for drugs! …but seriously.
Please enjoy oodles of pictures. It was insanely hard to narrow it down.
My heart!
1 week old. Every Sunday (or Monday because sometimes I forget) I take a picture of her in this chair. It’s wild to see how much she is changing.
Papa Doug straight from Australia, he even brought Anya a onesie!
She looked so tiny in her crib!
We also celebrated having Appa for two whole years!
Anya’s first time at the lakeAfter two years of looking, we bought a new car! A Subaru Forester, we love it! We sold the Vibe so now we have two silver Subaru’s, which is pretty funny to us.
Anya and her friend Robin
Everyone asks how Appa handled the baby. He is a champ and a half. He loves her and she loves him. She will just watch him so intensely and he comes running when she is sad.
Helping me work
Girl loves bath time
Riley’s dad calls her The Judge because she always has a grumpy face
Haley’s graduation day! Good job!Riley was able to baptize and confirm Naomi, it was a very special day and he did a wonderful job. We are so proud of Naomi’s decision to be baptized!
Jade got her mission call to Atlanta, Georgia! She leaves September 25th. It’s coming too soon. I’m not ready. It’s so hard to imagine that Anya will be almost 2 years old when she gets back! But we are proud of her good decision too! She will be a fantastic missionary, I just know it.
The fist picture of her smiling!
We got to take Anya and Appa to their first Scottish festival! They were both very well behaved and enjoy The Wicked Tinkers as much and we do!
Oh, CJ. I highly recommend everyone go, at least to the concert.
One day I got her out of the bath and her hair was curly, I love it!
Ready for church
This was very monumental, Appa got to come to the lake! He loved it and so did we!
Haley brought this adorable shirt back from Disneyland. 11 Weeks
Mom made this awesome hat!
12 weeks
13 weeks
14 weeks
This girl loves to sit. She has always hated laying down if she is awake.
We still love Appa!
Cutest thing that ever happened.
I love this one! 16 weeks
I took Anya to the pool a few times and surprisingly, she enjoyed it. Well, she didn’t hate it…. She also got to go to the parade of homes this year, both SL county and Utah county!
Another trip to the lake. Jade and Haley got to come again! And so did Appa! You don’t understand how huge this is. Riley slept in a tent with him both times he got to come, haha. But it’s totally worth it. This trip was especially needed, it’s been a rough summer.
And seriously, this suit!? I die.
Again, we enjoyed the paddle board, we boated and Haley tubbed.
Im sorry Jade, but this is the only picture I took of you. Something about having a baby and a dog to take care of really limits your picture taking.
Appa loved chasing the waves and sleeping on the beach
Her hair kills me, I so hope it stays this way
17 weeks and already not impressed by me
Passed out in church
We got to give her rice cereal! She wasn’t a huge fan at first but she is getting the hang of it.
We also got to take her to her first RSL game. She was amazingly good, I was kinda shocked.
Some other things we have been up to, I have been having fun with my little Etsy shop and making a little shop for Corvid. Both are pretty empty at the moment but you can check them out if you so desire, there are links at the top of the page. I have also been doing my part time from home job doing data entry for a fun kids toy store that sells on Amazon. Most recently, Riley has started doing freelance work full time! It’s terrifying and exciting all at the same time. It’s good though, it is fun to see him excited about design again and FINALLY working on some personal projects we have been talking about for literally years! Freelance has always been the end goal but at this point we aren’t sure how long this stint will last considering Riley is still a pretty young designer, he might go back for some more “experience”. I love having him at home, sometimes he comes to the pool with us, sometimes we walk to 7-11 for slurpees. We were always so frustrated he had to work 40 hours (or more) just for our basic needs. Seriously, who came up with that idea! There is no time for anything else. We have dreams of doing some serious traveling, and if he works from home that could be so much easier. Anyway for now, we are making it work and he is sorta keeping his eye out for any interesting opportunities. Who knows what the future will hold for us!
If you made it to the end of this, I am shocked! Good job! Now go blog.