Thursday, March 26, 2009

EVAN'S PINEWOOD DERBY

Evan and Ryan have been puting their heads together this last week and creating Evan's first pinewood derby car. They came up with a cool design and Evan wanted a green car. It was fun watching the two of them collaborate and talk cars. Tonight was the big race! Evan did great job he came in about 6th place. It was funny to think how many derby cars we'll have by the time all our boys are done with scouts! Quite a display! Papa Claycamp and grandma and papa Reasbeck came to cheer Evan on. Chandler and Ethan were even so excited for Evan and his car. Great job Evan! We all had a lot of fun.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

ETHAN AND T-BALL!

Ever since last baseball season Ethan has been dying to play baseball like his big brothers. We got him on a "grasshoppers" park and rec skill team last year. But, it was very basic and he didn't get to play very much because the focus was on throwing and what base comes after what base. Well, Ethan has known those basics since he was probably two. He loved being on "grasshoppers" because it was better than nothing and he loved being on "his team". He was so grateful to be there we just knew that he needed to and could do more. So, this year he is on a real t-ball team, the Red Sox, and he is thrilled. He has practice two times a week like his brothers and loves every minute. He got his own baseball bag for his birthday and helmet. Too cute. Can't wait to post about his games. Just wanted to journal how cute and happy and serious he is. Great job Ethan!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

LAKERS!

Last October Ryan thought that Evan and Chandler would like to join a basketball team through the YMCA. When we went to sign up they were already all filled up. Ryan asked if he volunteered to coach could that help them be able to play. Well, they made a team for Ryan to coach so Evan got to play. They didn't have any room for Chandler, but he got to warm up with Evan and in one game even got to play a little. Their team was the Lakers. Ryan had never coached before and wasn't sure exactly what to do, but by the end of the season he looked like a pro. That is exactly the same scenario as the team. We were the youngest team and probably the team with the least skill. The very first game reminded me of any of the Disney sports movies where there's the #1 team that can't be beat and the underdog, terrible, "bad news bears" team. We were the latter. Ryan quickly got practices scheduled and slowly but surely the Lakers started looking like they knew what they were doing. In fact, their last game I got all choked up at one point because it was just so great to see how much they had improved. It was a lot of fun and Evan found a new sport that he enjoys. Ryan even wants to coach again next year!

So, last night we had a little team party at Upper Crust pizza. They all got trophies, had pizza, and I made cupcakes. Not many boys were able to come but it was still fun, and there's something great about getting a trophy!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

CHASE FOUND A NEW GAME TO PLAY BY HIMSELF!



While I was cleaning up after dinner I caught Chase playing a game by himself. I'm sure the name of it is "pull mom's kitchen towels off the oven as fast as she picks them up and puts them back". When I finally got his attention he was very proud
of himself and his conquest.




In the last few days Chase has pulled himself up on pretty much anything within reach. He especially likes the back of my legs while I'm trying to move around and do stuff. He thinks he's really big stuff when he lets go and waves. Way to go Chase! And, you are growing up WAY TOO FAST!!!

Friday, March 20, 2009

PLAYING WITH NEW FRIENDS!

Our Aunt Gee has become a very popular babysitter/nanny among families in my dad's ward. These families that she watches their kids usually have kids about the same ages as our kids. So, Angie has created new friendships along the way between the kids she watches and our kids. This weekend she is at a family's home for the weekend and the boys seem to get along well with their kids. So, we went over to play for a little while. Their oldest two, Mae and Tyson love wall-ball and Evan and Chandler love wall-ball. Ethan and their four year old, Seth got along great today. They had fun tying each other up and "playing tennis". Chase had fun exploring new territory, and the older guys had fun just being boys. I had fun watching their youngest Dexter run around. He looked like he has springs in the bottom of his feet. He is too cute! Thanks Gee for inviting us and thanks Huang family for playing with us.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

ST. PATRICKS DAY AT THE REASBECKS

Well it is official. St. Patricks day for us is just a reminder how Irish we are not. I did buy corned beef and cabbage for dinner and the blog has cute St. Patties day decor but that is about it. I couldn't even get the boys to wear green today. I explained to them that today you usually wear green. I got, "It's not that big of a deal mom. Do we have to?" No , they didn't have to. I just hope they don't get tormented by everyone pinching them at school for not wearing green like they did when I was in grade school. Do they even do that anymore? And sadly, I don't own a stitch of anything green to wear. Oh well. Happy St. Patricks day everyone!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

UTAH!!!!!

My Aunt Yvonne's oldest daughter, Stephanie, got married on Friday, March 13, 2009. So, on the night of the 11th my dad, Gee, me, Chandler, Ethan and Chase left for Utah to attend and help with the wedding. Angie had to finish her shift at the hospital and both Ethan and Chandler had baseball practices on Wed. the 11th, so we couldn't leave until 8:30 pm. We, the Claycamps, haven't done the all night drive in a very long time. We did it but it sure wipes you out the next day. Kudos to dad and Gee for getting us there. I really wanted to take my turn but Chase wouldn't let anyone elst help him. We made a bed for the older two in the back of the van, like in the old days with us kids. Brought back memories! Ethan and Chan slept pretty much the whole way which was nice. We got there about 9 am. We were going to be staying in a hotel, but couldn't check in until 3pm so we hung out at Yvonne and Randy's house for a while. Dad and I slept for a little while and the boys played. The house was very busy with last minute preparations for the wedding the next day.
We finally got to check in to our hotel, Adam came over after work, and then we went to dinner. We went to the good old Brick Oven. Talk about memories! Went back to the hotel and tried to sleep. Chase I guess decided that he didn't need sleep. He was so exhausted but the only way he would sleep is if he was in bed with me and "attached". UGH! Needless to say I didn't get sleep this trip.
The next day was Stephanie's wedding. She married Justin Losee. He seems to be a very nice guy and they were very cute together. They were married in the Mt. Timpanogas temple. It was so nice to be able to go to the temple and leave everything noisy outside. I think everyone was feeling mom's absence that weekend. She was always the first one to want to help with weddings and planning parties. Yvonne said that she knew mom was on her shoulder helping her finish the wedding cake. (Which was beautiful) Anyway at the temple it was very nice to be at peace and feel mom's presence.

After the wedding they had a luncheon at Thanksgiving Point. It was nice. Then we had to head back to the Richins to help transport the cake, assemble it and help with getting the reception underway. (All things that mom usually did.) It was nice to be able to be there and help. Hopefully we were able to do that. The reception was very beautiful. It was held at a nursery. There were so many people. Somewhere between 400-500! Aunt Karen and Uncle Bill and Aaron, Kira and Andrea were in charge of the food. Dad, Angie and Adam helped with that. Since Chase wouldn't go to anyone he was my permanent barnacle so it was more difficult for me to help which was a bummer. I did however help with the cake. Angie and I cut the cake. A little scary, I've only ever watched mom do it. But I think we did just fine.
Two times that day when I had to have my arms free my cousin Jeff offered to take Chase. Jeff was the only one that Chase would go to and both times Chase went to sleep. It was fantastic! Thanks Jeff!
After the cake was cut they had dancing. My boys didn't get out on the floor until like the last song, but it was fun to dance in our chairs if nothing else. It was a great day and very pretty!








The next day we slept in and then Gee and I took the boys to breakfast. Then we went to the mall to look around. I told the boys they could get new shoes and I was trying to find a dress for Ryan's cousin wedding that is in April. Boys got their shoes, but of course nothing for me. Dropped off Gee at the hotel. Adam and Gee and their aged cousins went out for the night. So, dad, me and the boys went over to Bill and Karen's for dinner. You know when you go there for dinner you're gonna have a great meal. And, we did. It was just nachos but they just weren't nachos. They were very nummy and of course had the Staiger touch. Thanks Bill and Karen! Love you guys!
After the Staigers went back to the hotel and got ready to leave in the morning. Woke up and packed up. We left around 8:30 am California time. We got home about 9pm. The boys I thought did really, really great. Ethan and Chan were angel boys and Chase only melted twice and it wasn't for very long. I would have melted a lot more than that if I had to be held down in a car seat for that long. Thanks dad and Gee and Adam for all your help and thank you boys for being such good boys. The trip was short and exhausting but we still had a good time. I had a great time just seeing family again. Utah will always have a special place in my heart.
While we were gone Ryan and Evan stayed home and had a great time bonding. Between baseball practices and Ryan snowboarding for the first time and Evan getting to spend quality time with Grandma and Papa R. they had a very fun and busy weekend too.

CHASERS!!!

While Chase was in his highchair today patiently waiting for his lunch and eating Cheerios to pass the time I realized that with our new blog this would be a great time to make a post about out little Chase, or Chasers as we like to call him. He was our big event of last year and as the fourth child I really don't want him to fit into the "fourth child and have no pictures of me" club. So, Chase this is for you, and everyone this is Chase!
Chase was born on June 18, 2008. We were so excited to finally meet him. His older brothers couldn't wait either. It was fun that Evan, Chandler and Ethan were all old enough to know what was going on. The only issue Ethan had was when deciding on a name Ryan wanted the name Luke. Well obviously my choice won but Ethan still insisted that the new baby was Luke. So, needless to say for a while if you asked Ethan what's the baby's name is he would tell you, "Luke". He finally came to terms and to make him feel better his special baby that is his security friend (my old Cabbage Patch Kid) its name is now... you guessed it. Luke.
As soon as Chase came home there was plenty of people, young and old, who wanted to hold him.
Chase was blessed by Ryan and Chase's papas, and uncles stood in. It was a great weekend. Evan was baptized the day before. We had a busy weekend but it was so special.
The next day we went on our annual family camping trip to Millcreek campground at the Redwoods near Crescent City. Chase went on his first camping trip and did great. He was one month old.
Chase grew and grew. He smiled a lot and would coo all the time. For Halloween his brothers were Star Wars Clone Troopers and he was a cute little pumpkin. In actuality he only wore the costume for the picture. He didn't go out trick-or-treating and stayed home with Ryan for the school carnival. So, at least we got a picture.
Then in December Ryan has always wanted to take our family out in the woods to find and cut down our Christmas tree. So, we made the trek. During the four hour search Chase was a trooper. At one point he fell asleep in the backpack on Ryan's back. Too cute.
Over the next couple of months Chase has learned to crawl, he's starting to pull himself up (we had to lower the crib mattress), wave hi and bye, clap, and become very clingy. He is our first baby to actually want to go to Ryan (he cries when Ryan leaves in the morning, and kicks with excitement until Ryan comes and picks him up when he comes home after work). We think he is beautiful and he makes us all smile. He makes his big brothers laugh and we just can't get enough of him. We are so ecstatic that you are a part of our family Chase!

Monday, March 9, 2009

ANOTHER LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENT

When we moved into the house almost eight years ago we put in a nice stepping stone walkway with grass in between the stones. Well, over the years the weeds have encroached and almost taken over the grass around the stones. So, Ryan got a wild hair and dug it all up today. He has decided to put down pretty pavers and make the walk a little bigger. The rest of the lawn he left alone. So here is the before pictures and hopefully we will have an after picture very soon. Ethan is always more than happy to help daddy with any outside project. What a big helper.
Ryan always makes all of his projects beautiful so I am excited to see the final result.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I had a great birthday! On my birthday Ryan's parents and aunt were out of town. So, on my day my side of the family celebrated with me and I celebrated with Ryan's side last night. It was great, I got to have an extra special extended birthday!



On my birthday our little fam, my dad, sister Angie (better known as Gee), brother Garrett and his wife Kristi and their kids Cody, Logan, and Emily all went to eat Mexican food for dinner. I have a definite weakness for Mexican food! It was really great to have everyone there. We missed the Reasbecks though.





After dinner we went out to the parking lot were I was flabergasted to see the masterpiece that Gee had made me for my b-day cake. It looked like it came straight from Food Network Challenge. She really put a lot of time into it and it truly was beautiful! Thanks Gee!
From there we all went bowling. Fun times. When we were younger mom and dad would always take us bowling as a family. Thankfully the fun times with the sport hasn't stopped now that we are older. Everyone has a blast and it's great to see dad still out there helping the grandkids (and the big kids) with technique. We got there at 8:30pm and didn't leave until closing at 11:00pm. It was a late night for the children but everyone had a great time!


I already mentioned I have a weakness for Mexican food. Well I also have a bigger weakness for these special tacos that my mother-in-law Cindy makes. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! They are just tooooo much. This was the third year that I have asked for them for my birthday. We were going to have them all together but Reasbecks had to go out of town at the last minute so Cindy was nice enough and made them last night. Our family went over to Bill and Cindy's last night and we indulged in the best tacos on the planet! Ryan's Aunt Kathy and grandma Colleen came too. MMMMMmmmmmm! My mouth is watering thinking about them. I've been told that they are not hard to make just time consuming. So, I am very grateful to Cindy for taking the time to make them for me. It was fun to have Ryan's family there. Then we had brownies and ice cream for dessert. Wow was it a good night! Thank you Reasbecks and THANK YOU CINDY!!!!

DEBUT!

Yes, we have done it! We finally have our family blog. It has taken a while to get it going but with deep adoration of various friend's and family's blogs and with the encouragement of the same friends and family we now have the debut of the Reasbeck Review! Yeah! I am actually very excited about having our blog. The opportunity of documenting family history in a fun and creative way is very exciting!