In a couple of days Ethan has a new look, he makes the most adorable face. Through out the day he will just look over at you and give you the biggest grin... while doing so he is forever squinting one eye. I promise I am not holding a flash light up to the kid. I love it! This new look brightens my day and puts a BIG smile on my face.

Posted in: 2011, ethan on Monday, October 17, 2011 at 1 comments  

Today was chilly outside and was a lazy day. I have not been in the mood to cook at all this week and I noticed my bananas were looking quite sad and forgotten. While Ethan was taking his afternoon nap Colby and I decided to make banana bread.
Okay, so on occasion I may loose my patience every once in a while, hmmm imagine that. I was trying to think of jobs for Colby to do while helping me make the bread. He wanted to help sooo badly. His first was to unwrap the butter, he did a great job, next he helped stir all of the dry ingredients, also fantastic. His final job as my sous-chef, to help put all of the dry ingredients into the mixer. I told him he needed to be super careful so the ingredients could make it into the mixer. As he was scooping the ingredients out he happened to scoop a lot onto me. I let out a kind of loud arrrrr, in frustration. Normally I would have been way more frustrated and would than say he was done helping. I surprised myself and kept my cool. I sometimes shock myself :)   I was just starting to look down at my clothes to see how much spilled out and if I should adjust the recipe. Anyways, I look over and you could tell Colby felt horrible, he was slowly putting his spoon down and looked at me and said "I am all done now?" as he was climbing down his stool. I quickly smiled and explained the bread would be just fine and so would mommy. Colby loves banana bread and kept sneaking away with Ethan's. Cooking with kids is messy but I love it, I have the best job ever.

Posted in: 2011, colby, riss on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 3 comments  

Okay, so I have kind of been horrible about being social since we moved back, it seemed easier in California. I have been a hermit. Being in Payson, where we live in an established ward, there is not a lot- of stay at home moms or  park day. I miss park days. :(  Anyways,  I signed up for a ton of upcoming MBASA things. ( MBA- spouses association) In the mean time I have been in super craft mode and starting to be more social.
Darrin's really good friend from high school lives here and they have 4 boys. Yesterday we went on a walk to Bridal Veil falls with their 2 youngest. I haven't been to the falls in so long, it's a super short walk so definetly kid friendly and it is gorgeous. The fall colors are peaking through- I want to go again soon. Aubrey and I had a great time with the kiddos. Colby and Tad are quickly becoming friends, they were playing freeze and making funny faces while running around, so adorable together. By the way, I LOVE listening to kid conversations. They say the cutest things.

Here they are having a good time

Ethan and Kel content in the stroller, chillin

Posted in: 2011, colby, ethan, riss on at 1 comments  

While pinning.... I am starting to think way too many of my sentences are starting like this, ADDICTED! Back to reality, I found an awesome tutorial on how to make a zebra cake, it was super easy to do and I love how it looks. The dessert for Sunday dinner was a success. My nieces loved it, they are so nice.

I have learned how hard it is to make a 4 tier cake and frost it while making it look good. This is only my 3rd attempt at trying to frost a cake, but boy is is tough. I am going to have to try more often because I need the practice. I still had a blast and am excited to try and get better at this whole cake decorating thing.

Posted in: 2011, riss on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 4 comments  

When Darrin was interning at Central Utah Clinic one of his main jobs was to get ready for the big company tailgate party... too bad BYU got crushed against Utah. Anyways, the party was AWESOME. The food was catered, a couple bounce houses, games with prizes for kids, a raffle and a massive screen for the game. The party was a success and everyone told me how much they loved Darrin. They all thought things ran smoother with him there and how he was already missed. ( love when people brag about my hubby : )
The kids and I had a great time at the party, Colby and Ethan especially loved the popcorn, chips and churros. Mmmm what a healthy dinner.

Posted in: 2011, colby, darrin, ethan, riss, us on at 1 comments  

Back to blogging, yeah!! I have missed the blog world. This has been a crazy summer. I was able to go to Boise a lot this summer, which is always lots of fun. Darrin's parents left on their mission, they are doing great and I love reading their blog. They seem so happy, I know they didn't know what to expect but it seems like they are doing great things and loving it, now it makes me less nervous for when Darrin and I decide to go. ( I think we still have a while :)
In July, the Craner family had a big family reunion at the house, yep all 50+  before the misssion, Darrin had yet another surgery- during the reunion, an emergency apendectamy!
Also, Darrin's brothers family moved from AZ to Utah,  they lived here a few months until there house was ready. Darrin's sister also moved here for a few months, her house was getting renovated after some major water damage.
All in All- It has been BUSY, CrAzY and FUN.
We feel super blessed being able to live here while D's parents are on the mission. School started in the middle of August, we are excited to get things headed in the right direction. We are already in school and it's going great. I am excited for this adventure and look forward to where it will take us, BYU has a great MBASA ( MBA Spouses Association) with lots of fun things to do. We have already met lots of great friends.

I broke one of our cameras this summer and finally it's back, and our other camera won't charge, I'm wondering if it needs a new battery. I will post the pictures I did get.

Posted in: 2011, riss on Monday, September 12, 2011 at 2 comments  

Colby turns 3. Boy was he excited. This year was the first time I invited friends and made it an actual party. Colby loves Toy Story, so I attempted a toy story theme. I think it was a success. The kids had popcorn, bananas and chocolate dipped strawberry's, plus pizza and cake. Lots of yummy food. I even attempted my crafty side and made a birthday sign.
































Here is the gang- getting excited for food. Of course Colby and Christopher with their camera ready smiles.




















Colby and pals enjoying sidewalk chalk. We also had bubbles, lots of cars to ride around in, swing set etc. With boys, I am learning fast that it is go, go and go.












I had to throw this picture in of Ethan. He could care less about presents he still wasn't done with the bubbles. Such a laid back kid, I love him.













Colby had a great Birthday. Thanks everyone for coming and making it special!

Each year Colby steals more and more of my heart. Colby is an amazing older brother, always looking out for Ethan. Colby loves to help his mom and dad. Colby is always going a million miles an hour and is super adventurous. He is always going to have lots of good friends, everyone he sees he gets excited about, everyone is his friend. If they are 1 or 50 Colby counts them as his best bud. Colby is truly amazing, love you!!!

Posted in: 2011, birthday, colby, ethan, us on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 3 comments