CRAZY CHRISTMAS VACATION!!!

We had a wonderful yet crazy, hectic, wild trip to spend Christmas with my family in Woodinville, Washington. We were going to leave for the airport on Wednesday in plenty of time but Memphis pulled a heavy glass cereal bowl off the arm of the couch and it fell and hit him hard in the forehead and he got a huge goose-egg bump and bruise. I started getting worried because he would not stop crying so I called the pediatrician and they just said to give him some tylenol and put ice on it. I felt so bad but he ended up being ok. We then hurried to the bank and gas station and then remembered we forgot some stuff and a binky for Memphis (which he never actually used cause he doesn't like binky's anymore)

so we got to the airport at 5 and our flight was scheduled to leave at 5:55. There was a really long line to check-in so I worried we wouldn't

make it to the gate in time but luckily the line went fast. While waiting

in line I remembered I forgot Memphis's birth certificate to prove he was under 2 years old so he could fly for free. I hassled with them and they believed me that he looked under 2 so they let

him go. We hurried over to security and luckily there was no line. As we were going through Danny kept beeping and he had to keep removing stuff. Then they told us they needed to look

through his bag because of something suspicious. They

started to pull everything out and

really search so I grabbed Memphis and the rest of our stuff to hurry to our gate because we were at the far end and it was almost time to leave. While I was walking to the gate,

dropping everything (except Memphis), strangers trying to help me, Danny text me and told

me they found a .22 bullet in his bag and he had to go to jail overnight. Ha ha Danny not funny.

They just had him sign a bunch of paperwork, they

confiscated the bullet, and we got to the gate as they were boarding. It was not a full flight so Memphis got his own seat and was really good :) We got to my parent's house and then I realized that we forgot a bag at home with all our toiletry stuff so my mom went and found a

store open at 10:30 at night so we could have toothbrushes and baby tylenol.

Christmas Eve we spent at my cousin's house with all my relatives. We had a great dinner, opened presents, and had fun visiting. We dressed up Memphis in his new Santa outfit his aunt Alicia bought him. He didn't like wearing the hat that is why he looks sad.

Christmas Day we all slept in and then opened presents. Memphis is still too young to understand presents and opening the wrapping paper but he had fun playing with his new toys. Memphis got really good at going up stairs but not necessarily going down them. He al

so had fun playing peek-a-boo in the curtains with his grandpa Thorpe.

Saturday we all just relaxed which was nice. Then we went to a movie. Since we didn't know anyone that lived near my parents and all my relatives lived too far away we took Memphis to my parent's bishop's house while we went to the movie. His wife and 5 daughters loved him and I am sure he had fun with all the attention:) After the movie about 10:30pm I was really hyper (don't know why) and my brother Chris and Danny kept making me laugh and while I was trying to run to the bathroom I mis-stepped the edge of the sidewalk in front of the house and rolled my ankle really bad. I was in a lot of pain and could not walk so I went to bed with ice. I just kept wondering how I was going to get through the airport not being able to walk. Well, I woke up and could hobble around ok even though I was slow.

Sunday there were no lines at the airport, they did not even ask to look at Memphis's birth certificate and Memphis got his own seat again and slept the whole way back to Utah. The day was going better than when we left or so I thought. When we got to the parking lot at the airport a tire on my SUV was flat! So, we had to change the flat tire at 8pm in 10 degree weather when all we wanted to do was be on our way home.

The fun does not stop there. When we got home we noticed that our bedroom was colder than the rest of the house didn't think anything of it though and just bundled up in blankets. The next night the room was too cold so we looked around and found out that the window had many cracks in it. So we slept in the living room cause it was too late to go upstairs to tell our landlord about it. I slept on the couch and my husband slept on the floor. The next day I went up to tell our landlords and found out that they were actually out of town and wouldn't be back till the next day if they could make it in the bad weather. So we are sleeping in the living room again.

Normally I think I would just stress and cry and not handle any of this very well but I was able to just laugh and have fun and relax! It made it all bearable and makes for a great story. Hope everyone had a great Christmas!!!

WALKING AND DANCING!

Memphis started taking his first steps at 9 months old. By Thanksgiving (9 1/2 months) he was walking on his own pretty well. As soon as he turned 10 months old he decided he didn't like crawling anymore and now walks everywhere. He can stand up from sitting all by himself and can actually walk faster than he crawls (I think that is why he stopped crawling). Here are a few videos to enjoy of our growing boy!!! I don't know why but Memphis loves shaking his head no He does it all the time so watch for it in the videos.

This video is from Thanksgiving down in Blanding with Danny's family. Teddy (Danny's brother) was having his missionary farewell. He invited friends over (all girls:D) and Memphis was just showing everyone his new walking skills. The next video is Memphis dancing. He loves to dance and does it whenever any music is playing. He just wanted to show off for the ladies and Grandpa Royer came in to watch too:)

BABY'S 1st THANKSGIVING!

We drove 5 hours south to Blanding and stayed at Danny's parent's house for Thanksgiving.  It was so fun to see everyone and Memphis loved playing with all his aunt's and uncle's and of course grandma and grandpa Royer!  Also at 9 1/2 months he started walking!!!  Still comes as a shock to me when I look over and he is walking instead of crawling.

Here is what Memphis thinks of long car rides!  Actually he did so well on the way there and back.  Just slept and ate and watched movies.

Memphis ready and waiting for his first Thanksgiving feast!

CLEVER BOY!

So Memphis has discovered a new way to get into things that are higher than his reach! He pulls down the DVDs and as they start stacking up he climbs on top of the pile and then starts working on pulling down the DVDs on the higher shelves. I have OCD have to have my DVDs in alphabetical order so ya I screamed when I saw what he had done. Now the DVDs are blocked so he can't get to them. So of course he moved on over to the book shelves and has done the same thing. Pulling down the books making a pile and climbing up the pile of books to get to the higher shelves. SMART BOY!

Memphis with Daddy and his guitar.

So on Sunday Danny was out of town so I was by myself with Memphis at church.  Since I had to play in Primary the Primary presidency tried watching Memphis for me.  He just does not sit still wants to always be by me and loves to play some of the piano keys.  So, they took Memphis into Nursery and they let him stay the whole time.  They said he did so well playing with the others.  They told me I could take him to nursery starting in Jan even though he will not be 18 months for another 6 months.  I sure am lucky!  It will be nice to play the piano and not have him to watch over.

All ready for church but first he has to practice playing a few notes!

We got approved for a home loan so we have been looking with our new real estate agent at short sale homes.  We have looked at about 8 houses in nearby cities.  They are going for a great price right now and then we can get the new homeowner tax credit.  We are also interested in Danny's cousin's home in Lehi but we will see if that works out.

ARRR We be Pirates!

I am finally posting our Halloween pictures.  Memphis and I dressed up as pirates.  It was a lot of fun.  I don't think Memphis really knew what was going on but it sure looked like he had fun.

World's cutest pirate:)

The hat didn't ever last very long.  I think it was just a little too tight as you can see the lines on his forehead.

Memphis and Mommy at our ward's trunk-or-treat.  Memphis loved chewing on his sword.

At my elementary school Halloween Parade with all the specialty teachers.  We all decided to dress up like pirates this year.  From left to right: Art teacher, Music teacher, Computer teacher, PE teacher, and Memphis.

I am helping direct our elementary school musical and Memphis goes with me to practices.  We got a walker as a gift for Memphis and it just doesn't roll very well in our carpeted basement apartment so I took it to school for Memphis to walk around the big gym.  HE LOVES IT.  He walks (more like runs) around for the whole hour of practice.

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A FUN HALLOWEEN!

LATEST WELL-BABY CHECK-UP:  So at 9 months our pediatrician gave us the go ahead to wean him off baby things.  We can start giving him dairy and whole milk so we don't have to pay for expensive formula.  That means I can start putting away the bottles and getting out the sippy cups.  He has two bottom teeth and one top one is working its way out so he is eating off our plates now.  We can move him to his new front facing car seat.  He gets around really well crawling, walking holding on to things, and walking by just holding on to one of our hands.  The pediatrician thinks that he will be walking by Thanksgiving.  I kind of don't want that to be true because I am not mentally ready for a more mobile baby but we will see:)  At his 8 month checkup he weighed 22 pounds and at this checkup he weighed 20 pounds because he is more active.  I also officially put away his 9 month size clothes and he is wearing 12 month size clothes.  My baby is growing up!

New Discoveries!

I love watching kids learn and discover new things.  The little things that fascinate them I take for granted so it is just fun for me to remember the little things.  I am teaching my 1st and 2nd graders how to hula hoop and jump rope.  They get so excited when they can finally do them.  I can't hula hoop so they have fun laughing at me.  The 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders are having contests with me to see who can beat me at jump roping the longest.  It is going to whip me into shape.  They are so good.  And we are finding new ways to jump rope.

Memphis discovered something new during his bath about a week ago.  We don't have a bath tub in our basement apartment so I just have a little inclined tub for him that fits in our shower.  I had him lay down so I could soap up his little piggies and I had filled the tub up more this time and his ears were under the water.  He said ahh and then just started laughing.  Then he would say it again and laugh.  He would do this over and over.  He has discovered that his voice sounds different and feels different when he is under water.  I loved watching that and it was fun to laugh with him.

It also SNOWED on Tuesday for the first time this winter season.  It snowed so bad up in Highland were I teach school that we had to have an inside day.  We got about an inch, enough to cover our field and so after school I brought Memphis up because last time it snowed last winter he was just a newborn. I let him play in it and test it out.  He didn't really like it because then he was cold and wet.  Forgot my camera but it will snow again so maybe next time.

I have not blogged in awhile so just an update that we are all doing well.  Last week Memphis had a fever for four days so Danny and I took turns staying home from work.  I stayed home the most and all Memphis wanted to do was cuddle because he didn't feel well enough to do anything else.  I CHERISHED EVERY SECOND of those cuddling days because now that he crawls and walks around with things he just doesn't want to cuddle anymore as much.  Jump roping all week made my knee go out and I pulled all the extender muscles in my right wrist about a month ago so I have a brace on my knee and wrist for the next couple of weeks.  Danny had his first attack with kidney stones in August and battled pain for about 3 weeks but now the biggest stone is stuck and we are just waiting and waiting.  Don't really want to pay for surgery because his emergency room bills are coming in and they are expensive.  We are excited for all the holidays coming up and spending time with family and friends.

MEMPHIS IS 9 MONTHS OLD TODAY!!!  Still can't believe it.  My elementary school also had our Halloween Parade today and Danny and Memphis were able to come and join me:)  Me and Memphis dressed up like pirates along with the rest of my speciality team of teachers at my school.  I took lots of pictures so I will post them soon.  Memphis also has his 9-month well-baby check-up today after school so I will let you know how big he is!!!  HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE:)

Camera time!

First tooth

Now there's a smile:)

Standing tall with mommy

Teething Bites!

Teething has begun.  Memphis got his first tooth on Sept 21 which went ok but now the other bottom tooth is coming in and he is just not a happy baby anymore.  When my wisdom teeth were coming in it hurt so much so I understand.  He is not sleeping through the night anymore and not having a good time at day care.  But I know it doesn't last forever so better times to come.  I also took him in to the pediatrician and he is now a big 22 pounder!  Growing never slows down.  He is crawling faster and trying to stand on his own once he gets himself up.  Still can't believe it.

Baby Proofing!

This actually happened September 21, 2009.  Just finally got the pictures uploaded.  AHHH the fun begins!

Since Memphis started crawling I went around the house on my hands and knees trying to baby proof the house.

Here he is crawling.

Well, I watched him crawl over to the couch and grab on to the side. I didn't think he could get himself up to standing yet.

I was wrong.  He also just started walking along holding onto the couch.  Now I have to go around the house on my knees and baby proof.  Good Job Memphis!

Our California Weekend!

This last weekend we flew to California and spent 4 days in the Bay Area.  I grew up in Antioch so I wanted my husband to see where I grew up and of course I wanted to show off my new baby to everyone. My sisters still live near there so we stayed with them.  It was fun to have Memphis hang out with his aunts and my parents and brother came from Washington so Memphis got to spend time with his uncle and grandma and grandpa too.  It was my dad's 50th birthday on Saturday so we had a big party in Antioch with all our friends.  It was so fun to see everyone and of course my dad got lots of gag gifts.   I miss Antioch and everyone there but I am glad to be back.

Memphis loves riding on his daddy's shoulders.  This was at the airport.  The flight to Californis was nice because it wasn't full so they let us put Memphis in his car seat in the seat next to us and he slept the whole way.  The flight back to Utah was full so he had to sit on my lap and he didn't get very much sleep the whole weekend with so much going on so he was too exhausted to sleep and he just cried.

Memphis and his Auntie Alicia (aka Uncle Sheesha:)

Memphis and his Auntie Annalyn (aka Auntie Bob:)

(Alicia's boyfriend Fausto in the back)

Memphis and his uncle Chris

Memphis and his Grandpa Thorpe blowing out his 50 candles!

Well I wanted Danny to at least go see San Francisco but no one in my family wanted to take him because we have gone so many times.  My sister's boyfriend Fausto and Danny both love fishing so they went to the San Francisco Bay to fish for leopard shark and bat rays.  It was really foggy and cold and they only ended up catching a crab off the shore.

We went to Dave and Buster's in San Jose at the Great Mall with my family (if you don't know what that is I have heard it called an adult version of Chuck E. Cheese's)  and played arcade games.  We won over 5,000 tickets so we all got a prize.  It was a fun weekend!!!

Welcome to my new blog!!!

I have so many family and friends that have blogs and so many that have wanted me to start one that I finally have---YAY!!!   I have really enjoyed watching everyone's life enfold and families grow.  Since I just started this new blog I thought I would include a background of my new family from the time me and my husband met till about now with our new son.  There have been challenges and many many good times.  Life has its ups and downs but our little family continues to grow and we are excited for the adventures ahead.  The one thing that keeps us going is making sure we laugh together everyday.  I hope you enjoy the pictures and hope life continues to go well for all.

Me and Danny met in December of 2007.  We met at our single's ward FHE that we both didn't really want to go to but are sure glad we did now:)

We got engaged on Valentine's Day 2008 (yes I know that was fast) and we got married on June 21, 2008.  We honeymooned at his family's cabin and had fun 4-wheeling and fishing.  After our first summer together I started teaching elementary PE again (I love my job!) and Danny is a mechanic.

We found out we were expecting a boy and he was born on January 30, 2009.  I had the easiest labor (no pain, induced, and short).  He was born at 12:19 am and weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and was 19 in long.

We named him Memphis Kage Royer (from the movie Gone in 60 Seconds).  He has red hair and big brown eyes.  SO HANDSOME!  Looks like his dad.

We love to go camping.  Here we are camping by Price.  This was during Easter weekend.

Danny loves 4-wheeling and this is his new 4-wheeler and Memphis' first ride.  We went for a four-hour family ride while we were camping and he slept the whole way!

I just love these next two pictures.  He was about 3 months old.  He has been the best baby.  He has been sleeping 9-11 hours at night since he was 2 months old.  He started on solids when he was 4 months old and is such a happy baby.  We really lucked out.  And he is growing too fast. 

First real smile for the camera with a little wink!

This is the family picture we had taken when we blessed Memphis on May 24.  This is Danny's family.  He has 3 brothers (one brother is on a mission) and 4 sisters.  And Memphis has a cousin who turned 1 in June.  It is so fun to get together.  One big happy family!

My family also came to Memphis' blessing but we did not get a picture of my whole family.  This picture is of my brother and my twin sisters.  Danny's littlest sister is also pictured.  You can't see it but my brother is actually 6 feet 8 in tall!

My family has a time-share condo at Bear Lake and we went there this summer.  Memphis loves swimming!!!  We put him in his swim tube float and he kicked himself all over the swimming pool.  He especially loves splashing (even during his baths).

Memphis and his daddy at Bear Lake.  Yes is was cold but the boys didn't mind.

So happy!  Big smile!

This is my favorite picture of Memphis so far.  He just sat up and posed for me and I caught his adorable smile.  He started sitting up by himself at about 5 1/2 months.

Oh no!  Time to baby proof the house.  He has started crawling at 7 months!

Memphis just wanted to say hi!

Memphis and Mommy!  Hope you enjoyed our little history of the beginnings of our little family.  More to come!