Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Pictures


I added pictures to our photobucket account. Click here or on the sidebar picture of Ryker to see them.

Changes

Hey everyone,
So there are a lot of new, small changes around our house.
Ryker is getting very big. He puts everything in sight into his mouth. He has also started cereal, as of last night. He just let it all drip out of his mouth. We'll try again though...so fun!
Priceless picture

He is also off of his prevacid for his acid reflux for now. We're just testing to see if he will be okay without it. So far so good. He went to the doctor for his 4 month check up yesterday and is growing great. He got shots, but they went better than last time. He got antibiotics for his chronic chest congestion and cream for his itchy head so he doesn't look like I threw him in the rose bushes anymore! The doctor warned me that Ryker will probably be crawling before 6 months. OH GREAT! All I need is an even messier house, but I am looking forward to him being less frustrated. He just wants to move and be independent. Dustin and I are still looking into houses. Scary Scary Scary but so exciting! We are going to go look at the house I posted about earlier this weekend. Could be wishful thinking and we are still very much undecided but it doesn't hurt to look (although I do tend to fall in love with things that I can't have...)
That's all for now, hope everyone is doing well and enjoying this somewhat warm weather!
Ashley, Dustin and Ryker

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Crock-Pot Peach Cobbler

Hey everyone,
I absolutely love my crockpot and have a whole recipe book for it. Anyways, I have modified one of the recipes in there for peach cobbler, so I just thought I would share. I love making this for Dustin and serving it with ice cream...


Peach Cobbler
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup Bisquick
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp melted butter
2 cups mashed peaches with a little juice
3/4 tsp cinnamon
Enough milk to make a thick batter (about 1/2 cup)

Combine everything together and pour into greased slow cooker (I use the little one). Cover and cook on low about 3 hours.

I love this recipe and usually just eyeball it now, so the measurements may not be exact.

Just thought I would share because I always love easy recipes that require almost no effort.
ENJOY!
Ashley

Monday, February 23, 2009

Signing Time

Hey everyone,
While working at the Up to 3 program, I learned some basic sign language. I have been excited to start signing with Ryker as studies have shown that signing can accelerate learning to speak and can improve vocabulary. I would also like him to be somewhat bilingual, because I sure wish I was!
So the other day I started signing to him while I talk. Just simple words like mommy, daddy, eat, milk, play, fun and we made a sign for Ryker- "R" sign while shaking your hand- because he is always moving. I just thought I would see what would happen and he listens and watches so intently when I sign.
We're going to continue signing and encouraging speech too. I'll keep you updated!
Ashley, Dustin and Ryker

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Home Sweet Home?

Hey everyone,
So we are quickly outgrowing out two bedroom house we rent from my family. It has been so fun living next door to Grandpa and living in beautiful Benson but we are all feeling a little cramped. We have been looking at property and houses around and have decided that we want to move just North of the border into Idaho. It's a lot cheaper and so pretty! So anyways, we probably won't be buying in the next little while but eventually that is our plan. Just had to show you all the pretty house we found on 3 acres (we want horses, a shop and room to grow).
It is in Mink Creek, just north of Preston in beautiful Strawberry Canyon. Everytime we go through there I tell Dustin it is where I want to live. Now I am a little hesitant because it is an hour away from everything and everyone we know... We'll just have to see.
It is so us, all wood throughout and just cozy and cute. The landscaping needs some help and we'll add a shop and garage and horse pasture and garden.
Anyways, just had to tell you what was going on with us because I am super excited to maybe begin this new chapter.
Lots of love,
Ashley, Dustin and CRAZY Ryker

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Aggie Game

Hey everyone,
We went to the Aggie game last night with Ryker. It was really cold and loud once we got in there but we really enjoyed ourselves. Ryker really didn't know what to think. Everytime the crowd would yell, he would start kicking his legs. I don't think that he knew what to think but enjoyed the new sights.
My camera battery was dead so I couldn't take pictures but he sure looked cute in his navy blue and white hat! He is doing better with his ear infection but he still has a lot of congestion.
That's all that is going on with us right now. Hope everyone is doing well!
Ashley, Dustin and Ryker

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Provident Living

Hey everyone,
It has been so long since I have been able to get postings up! We have quite a bit going on right now- mostly school and sickness. Ryker has had an ear infection and mild cold for 2 weeks and has been on antibiotics. I have had a cold and Dustin is just getting one. I am sick of the cold and sick of being sick!!! "Spring will be here soon!"
I have many goals for this year, one of which is to "get my house in order". I am attempting to continue building food storage. Right now I am also working on 72 hour kits. The sister in my ward who is in charge of preparedness is fabulous and has given us many resources through the USU extension to make this huge task easier. I am going week by week and month by month adding things as I go along.
I am really excited about this as you never know what is coming tomorrow.
That's all for now,
Ashley, Dustin and Ryker

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Our Little Screamer

Hey everyone, We have had a busy few weeks! I finally have pictures back from the blessing but now my scanner is having issues...I'll post them soon because he is so dang cute in his little tux! Ryker now knows that he has lungs and boy is he using them! He squeals and screeches all day long. At first I thought he was upset but nope, just happy and exploring his many talents. He is also grabbing everything with both hands and it all goes directly to his mouth. He can make his toys sing by pulling them and really enjoys that. He is quite the little flirt too, becoming so much fun. On the not so fun side of things, he has an ear infection. It's going on about a week and we took him to the doctor. It seems to bug him but I really don't want to give him antibiotics if I don't have to so we are sticking with the tylenol. He has been a momma's boy though (that's okay, I enjoy knowing I'm his favorite :) His sleep just keeps improving. He is sleeping longer and sounder. Must just come with age. I am feeling rested and actually slept in on Saturday! YAY!!! Dustin hurt his foot playing basketball. We are thinking it is broken because it's just getting worse. Of course he won't go to the doctor...men... I am trying to keep up with school and I think I am succeeding. I cannot wait for summer for about a million reasons, but the top of my list is that I won't have to go to school so I can spend my time with Ryker and being a mom and wife. My daily mantra is "May will be here soon enough!" That's all for now, Ryker is screeching and kicking at the desk...too fun! Ashley, Dustin and Ryker

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Blessed

Hi everyone,
Ryker was blessed this Sunday. We had so many grandparents and other family members. It was great that they all came to support him and that they love him so much. He looked so handsome but I was so busy that I didn't get a picture- everyone else did so when I get one, I will post it. He wore a little white tuxedo, shoes for the first time and was bundled in a shawl that great grandma Baer made him.
Grandpa Baer gave a beautiful blessing. I am so glad that I have a priesthood holder that is so close to me. Thanks to all who participated and supported us.
I bore my testimony, which is really big for me because I usually bawl the whole time. I did good though! I wanted repeat my testimony here to tell my family again how much I love them. I love my husband and son and am so happy to have my two guys. I also believe that Ryker came into our lives when he did to help us heal. With all the loss that we suffered in the past year, we needed a new spirit. The plan of salvation is so sacred to me. I feel joy knowing I will see all my loved ones again. I feel comfort in knowing that my Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us and that he knows what we need better than we do. Prayer and the scriptures are powerful and there is so much comfort in following the teachings of the Gospel.
Love, Ashley, Dustin and Ryker