Ridge quick quote

Ridge was supposed to be asleep in bed but came in holding a pen & piece of paper and said:

"Daddy, I want to color because my tummy...wants to color."

We burst out laughing b/c he usually will say something like my tummy is sick or my froat hurts. He committed to the tummy avenue with nowhere logical to take it. Oh Ridge you are a crack up!

In February 2011...

I helped throw Ridge's preschool Valentine party.

We consumed lots of chocolate.

We tried forming our own paddle ball team.

We held our annual family Valentine's Day dinner ate lots of yummy food by candle light, and talked about all the things we loved about each other. *Yes, those are left over Thanksgiving Turkey decorations behind my head...in February.

Our basement flooded. Luckily no furniture was harmed and we only had to replace the majority of the carpet pad. We don't own knee pads so Matt used 2 neck warmers. Tomato/Tomah-toe

We also had attended a Stake Adult Ball which was lots of fun, but deserves it's own post. I'll probably get around to that one in another 8 months, seeing as how it is already October.

First Day of School--Aug. 17th, 2011

It's that time of year again! Asher started 1st grade. He was quite hesitant to go back to school but after his first day in Mr. Briggs' class he confessed that "I kinda like it mom."

We can't believe Jay is a 3rd grader, he is growing up so fast.

Ridge will start an extended day Pre-K in a couple of weeks
leaving me alone for 15 hours a week! Yikes, I haven't been alone in 8 years. It makes me a little bit sad but also excited, I know he will love it.

Here is Ash with Mr. Briggs. Truly an answer to prayer to be in this class he is WONDERFUL!
On the 2nd day he dressed up like a cowboy and is rumored to sometimes stand on the tables to give directions. Asher is loving every bit of it.

Jay was excited to be in Mrs. Park's class again. She was his 1st grade teacher and then moved to 3rd, so he was quite confident going in. He has mentioned several times that "I'm really liking 3rd grade so far!" Hooray!

Ridge is holding a caterpillar found on the way into the school. Asher told Ridge to make sure he didn't "kill it with his love."

Ridge joined right in with the pledge of allegiance, and managed to be quite gentle with the caterpillar.

First week of school was a success!

Yellowstone July 2011

July for us meant we got to take a trip to Utah & Yellowstone to see our Jeppson family. A great time was had by all. There are lots of pictures to post but only a few shots are "edited" so more pics will have to be posted later. I think these are the only family shots we got the entire trip as kids were constantly off playing with cousins or fishing, or exploring. The falls were the biggest they've ever been and were beautiful.

This is at the drop off. The sheer force and noise left no doubt as to the strength and power of this waterfall. The boys had fun throwing rocks in. For me, the speed was unnerving.

Poor Ridge had a bike fall on his face right before we left for the falls, his poor lip is swollen but he's trying to smile.

Oh how I love this man! I also love to tease him about his "fanny pack". He likes to carry 3 different cameras on his person and to my chagrin, one is always tied around his waist. I was hiking up behind him as the big black camera bag was bouncing around and I just couldn't take it anymore. I said "give me that thing you fanny pack grandpa!" His laughing reply was "why? I don't care if I look cool or not!" He only let me take it for a small portion of the hike though. Always the gentleman. I guess that makes me the shallow-anti-fanny-pack-ite.

Ridge quick quote

Lately when R. tastes something he likes he enthusiastically exclaims:

"Mmmm dis (this) is YUM!"

June 11, 2011

Sariah and I were lucky enough to fly to L.A. for 24 hours to participate in the temple sealing of my Grandma Nevada Hand to Grandpa Ted Hand who passed away last year. We stopped at the distribution center beforehand and Grandma kept oohing and aahing over Sariah's shoes and wanted a picture of them. :)

My father Nick & Grandma


The L.A. Temple

*During the sealing of Grandma to Grandpa, the sealer read a letter from Grandpa that I was privy to type up and witness last year expressing "Dear Bishop/Stake President/Temple President, I desire to be sealed to my wife and family for time and eternity. If for whatever reason I am not able to speak the word "yes" let it be known to all parties that I do say "yes" with all of my heart." signed Ted Hand

I didn't know if my heart could contain the joy of the happy occasion.
They also sealed Grandpa Hand to his mom and dad. Josephine Baker Hand, and Theodore William Hand Sr. The hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers...*


The girls before heading in to our endowment session. Inside we met up with our lovely Hand cousins, Uncle Bob & Aunt Sandy. We were starving after our early flight out of Kansas City and the 2 hour time difference so we stopped at the temple cafeteria for some breakfast.

Here is our group after the sealing. Front Row: Sarah, Jamey, Jo Raye, Nevada, Sariah, Guin, Paige, Tommy.

Back Row: Jason, Teddy, Allison, Nick, Sandy, Bob, Max.

My mother Jo Raye Hand Jenkins, Nevada Rutledge Hand and Bob Hand, now sealed for time and all eternity as a family to Theodore William Hand Jr.

We missed having Brenna (who just had baby Holly) and Seth (who just got engaged to Miss Krista Romney) with us.

Heading to the airport early Sunday morning. Don't be jeal' of my high bun!

We took the shuttle to LAX, so mom and dad wouldn't have to back track through CRAZY traffic. I think Sari was worried about the adventure but we made it home just fine.

June 1st

Our baby Mr. Ridge turned 4!

I let him decorate his own cake...

Ridge brings so much love and laughter to our family. We are so happy to have him as part of out 3 Musketeers.


R. has been asking for a fishing rod for a long time now so he got his own for his birthday. The one pictured was actually just a stand in until Matt found "The One." Ridge loves it and has already caught lots of fish.