Men and Work

I've said it before but I'm going to say it again we live in the greatest ward ever! The day we moved in the Elder's Quorum President came over and was talking to Marc and he asked if there was anything that we needed. He looked over and saw Riley's wheelchair parked int he carport. He asked us how we get it in the house and we told him that we had a portable ramp that we can get out if we need to. He said to us "well, that won't do let me see what we can do about it" The next Sunday he came up to Marc and church and said that the Elder's Quorum was going to build Riley a ramp! There are a bunch of contractors in the ward and they are happy to pull the supplies together and get it done. We were speechless at the idea that they wanted to do this for him. They wanted to start it before the weather got bad so they started construction about a week before Halloween.  They did it mostly at night when everyone got off work.

After a few nights and a couple of Saturdays Riley was all set to wheel right up to the front door

Isn't it the most beautiful thing you've ever seen! They did a fantastic job! I am blown away by this act of service. Marc walked out and stood on it and cried. To the members of the Quail Ridge Ward, words can not express our gratitude for this wonderful gift. We are truly blessed to be amongst such great people. I know that our prayers were answered and that the Lord guided us to the home we were suppose to be in. Thank you a million times over!

Turkey Day

I honestly can't believe that it's closing in on the end of the year and it's the time of year to bake, cook and bake some more.  We had the great pleasure of hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our new house this year with the Ogden Family.  Even though life is tough and crazy I have so much to be thankful for, especially this last year.  I am thankful for amazingly smart and talented doctors, nurses, therapists that take such good care of Riley.  He's kind of had a rough year this year with his first intubated illness, two broken legs and top it off with surgery. I'm thankful for his strength and courage to endure so many of these challenges. I am thankful for our new house.  It's so nice to be able to move Riley around with out trudging up and down stairs.  Our new ward has gone above and beyond and have exercised enormous amounts of service for our family. I am thankful for my education and the ability to work and support my family. I am thankful for good friends, the kind that no matter how long it's been since we've seen each other we can just pick up and go on like it was only yesterday. I'm thankful for my family and all the love and support they give us. 
We had a wonderful dinner and delicious desserts. I'm sure the the highlight of everyone's evening was the fact that they could park in our driveway instead of 5 blocks away! Thank you to all that came.

Two peas in a pod!

Adam and Grandpa Spencer (he just turned 89!)

Mark and Aimee

Michele, Robert, Kyle, Marc and Riley

Kyle and Kelton...these two are nothing but trouble!

Riley was super excited to sit at the kid table

Kyle and Riley cruising around the yard

I had to add this picture because I told Marc that I could throw the football better than he could...I was right!

Happy Thanksgiving from our house to yours!

It's Game Time

A few weeks ago Marc scored some free Jazz tickets from the Fanz store across from the chocolate store where he works. He was given 6 tickets so my Mom and Greg tagged a long.  This was Riley's first game and thanks to him we were able to sit closer than what are seats really were.  It was a lot of fun and the best part of the whole thing was just to watch Riley's face. He loved it.

GO JAZZ!

Happy Halloween

Ok so this is just about a month over do but I get sidetracked and then never post.  We played Halloween a little more chill this year because Riley had a tendon release surgery done about a week before so he was really sore and not in the mood for a lot of stuff.  Every year my mom does a Halloween dinner so all the kids can come in their costumes and eat lots of treats and watch a Halloween movie. I didn't want to spend another $30 on a costume this year so I gathered up all my creative sewing ability (which is pretty much none) and came up with this Peter Pan costume. I think it turned out pretty cute, expect that my brothers thought he was Robin Hood! Oh well...

Lauren as Ariel and Riley as Peter Pan

Cupcake Decorating

Riley got to dress up at school and walk, well ride, in the costume parade. I think it looks like he enjoyed it.

That night we went Trick or Treating. It was such nice weather so he didn't have to hide his costume under a big coat which is the usual get up for Utah Halloween.  Riley LOVES trick or treating.  He has to hold his bucket by himself! One of his favorite candies are sour patch kids but he didn't get any so he had to settle for licking a War Head. SOUR!