My VETERAN, My HERO

I wanted to say thank you, and I love you to my soldier. You are my hero and I'm thankful for all that you've done for me and this country while serving in the military. I used to worry about what it would do to us when you were all the way around the world; but whether it's from Iraq, to Korea you always find a way to connect us.

I know that this country wouldn't be what it is without volunteer soldiers like you. Starting with the Revolutionary War until now in Iraq, Afghanistan and all over the world: it is you, the Soldier that has given us our freedoms. I always miss you, and know I will in the future when you deploy again but I am and will always be proud to call you my best friend, husband, and soldier. Thank you for you.

TE AMO

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

...."Was to support their lands, and their houses, and their wives, and their children, that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies; and also that they might preserve their rights and their privileges, yea, and also their liberty, that they might worship God according to their desires." Alma 43:9

Even if you do not agree with certain government ideas or areas of conflict remember that the soldiers fighting these wars are doing it for us: the citizens of the United States. Please thank a Vet for all that he has and will sacrifice in the name of liberty.

Hola from Portugal

Well Ryan has class every morning for three hours. I usually go wander Lisboa and talk to cute old ladies while he is gone but this morning I've decided to be lazy and just enjoy this beautiful morning by myself. So for all of you, and mostly my sweet little Raiyah here are some pictures of our trip so far. Portugal is beautiful. There are many things I don't like: EVERYONE smokes, including all of the high school kids, and everyone looks at me like I'm crazy when I smile or say hello. So it's not the happiest place in the world unless you get outside the main cities, which is what we have found we love doing. It's kind of nice to just let Ryan take care of everything, because although I like to pretend like I speak Portuguese really well obviously Ryan is a little better than me. :) The people we are living with sit and talk "at" me forever, and Ryan just told me to nod my head and smile like I understand because they are truly just talking without waiting for a response. Pretty funny.

This was my first Professional European soccer game. It was a blast. The crowd even yells at their own players for hogging the ball, getting off sides, or not moving fast enough. It was a lot of fun.

We went to a REAL palace. It honestly was the place of every little girls dreams. And it's Portugal so we just walked through the entire thing. It was absolutely amazing.

This is part of a castle we went to. For every girl who is in love with the galant knights of old, this place was a dream as well. Ryan and I had so much fun wandering the entire thing. It was incredible imagining what used to happen within those walls.

Took a ride on the wine boat in Porto. This is my favorite "big" city. There was something new, and incredible around every corner.

My favorite little village, Obidos. It was just a maze of cobblestone, tiny white houses, beautiful flowers, and churches.

So as we were driving to Nazareh I looked over and saw this bench full of cute old men just hanging out on a beautiful Sunday. It may sound funny but this is the scene I was looking for all over Portugal. I knew I would find it if I looked hard enough. It was so fun to stop and talk to all of these cute old me. They were so animated and happy. They all would stop each other mid-sentence, shake their fists, and were just so friendly. They all wanted to get cute and handsome for a picture with me, it was so much fun. I was giggling in the car for a long time after we left them.

TOP OF THE WORLD...

Okay, not really but close enough for me. I hiked to Kings Peak (hightest peak in Utah) last weeked with my family and some good family friends. I wouldn't say it was the funnest thing I've ever done but I loved every minute of it. We did this trip when I was in eighth grade too but I got sick the morning we hiked the peak so missed out last time. I had a major headache the night before we were heading up the peak so I was pretty nervous I wouldn't be able to go- but no worries everything turned out fine. :)
I had quite an adventure on the hike- I took my own route (my Dad likes to say I got lost) but I could see the peak the whole time so I was not lost. I had to boulder up the East side of the peak which was one of the more scary things I've done. I was mostly worried that a huge boulder would kill me and no one would have any idea where I was, and I'd never be found. But after a little prayer and a little hope somehow my Dad heard me yelling and sat at the top of the peak waiting for me. It was truly a life changing experience. I'm glad I went even without Ryan (who had to stay home and go to drill) Sorry sweet heart. I thought of you on our 6th Anniversary as I was sitting at the top of the peak.

Do I look cold? Because it was freezing at the top.

As you look at this picture keep in mind we are on a backpack trip and there is no way to get clean other than the baby wet wipes I stole from my kids on the way out the door.
Picture of me and my Dad at the top of the peak. The man I know I can always count on to hear my cries. Thanks for waiting at the top of the mountain for me. Ilove you

You know that creepy feeling you get in the woods like there has to be something out there... it's because there usually is. As we were hiking back to the parking lot on the last day my Dad needed to go to the bathroom. He walked probably fifty feet off the trail and there was this moose just staring at him. I took this picture and could have gotten a lot closer becasue he was just staring us down. But I chickened out and just went back to the trail. I knew he was still standing there when I got to the trail but I couldn't see him. I really wonder what is out there when you get those goose bumps knowing something is watching you. :)

Family Photos

Still working on a family photo that actually looks good of all of us. We will triumph one day. :) In the meantime we are having fun.

Does Malakai look a little different? It's probably due to the fact that this is his third hair cut and he is only seven months old! His hair grows soooo fast, but I love it. He is still as sweet as ever and finally getting to the fun playing, crawling, eating, and loving his Mommy stage.

Raiyah is still her precious self. She constantly reminds me that she

is my princess. I cannot believe how grown up she is. This next week she will start Joyschool with some kids in our neighborhood, and ballet class (which she practices for every day on her stage aka the fireplace.)

Fourth of July

As usual we had a lot fun hanging out celebrating our Nation's Independance. Concert and fireworks at the park, parade, and carnival. It was a lot of fun. I'm still trying to figure out the whole letting both kids get the naps they need and being able to go to the activities we want to enjoy. Luckily we have Grandma and Grandpa Hare who always want to kids to come play or take naps with them. :) Thanks for helping us enjoy the Fourth.

Raiyah was pretty excited to get a fireman hat and see the fire truck.

Not quite sure how anyone gets a normal picture with kids. We haven't found a way with two kids yet. :) Oh well you can still see their cute faces.

Hanging out with Grandpa Flanders and his old man ear plugs. Pretty good lookin Dad.

Fireworks were a lot fun fun with both sets of Grandparents. Even Malakai liked them.

The lady had to crawl into the bounce house and pull Raiyah out at the carnival. Didn't know my kid would be that kid, but she sure had fun.

Ryan's Triathlon

Ryan came home a couple of weeks ago and said he was going to do a triathalon with my cousin Sean. He was so excited to do this, and as he said, "as excited as a little kid in a candy store." He did a great job and never stopped. I am so proud of you, thanks for your great example.

Ryan and my cousin, Sean Martin before the race.

Raiyah and Jack doing their usual thing when they hang out: sizing each other up to see if they want to tease or play together that day. :) It's always fun when Jack is around.

Ryan riding his bike in, getting ready to run. Raiyah was so excited, she kept telling me that "we are supporting Papa." She kept looking for him. When he finished with the bike she figured he would come hang out with her. As you can see she was not a happy girl when he gave her a five, and ran on by. She cried for a good five minutes wondering why her papa left her. You cannot tell she is a Daddy's girl. :)

Our Lil family after Ryan's Triathalon.

And the big finish: I'm not sure who had more fun Ryan or Raiyah on the big slide after all the other activities.

Rugby vs. Football

If you know my husband, you know he is obsessed with Rugby. Any true rugby fan is likely to bash on American Football players, and what whimps they are. They take breaks, the whistle is blown every few seconds, they have pads, etc. Whereas rugby you have no padding (excpet the smart ones who where a scrum cap), there are no times outs you just play straight through resetting your own game. I've come to love rugby and get bored watching football these days. So, if Ryan has it his way his little man will be playing rugby his whole life, but I'm sure he will be just fine with football too. We wouldn't want to force any of our children to do anything :). So here is Malakai posing with his American Eagles ball for Rugby, and Philadelphia Eagles ball for football. I think he's a tough, handsome man just like his Papa either way. :)

Raiyah's first fight (hopefully only)! I'm not sure how well you can see Raiyah's face but she has teeth marks with a bruise by her right eye, and scratches along her upper lip. When I went to pick her up from nursery last week I found her cuddled on the teachers lap with huge tears rolling down her face. It broke my heart to see my little girl crying over something that had really hurt her. I guess she was holding one of her friends shoe when they were getting ready to leave, and when her friend tried to take it from her, Raiyah held on. Obviously her little friend wasn't very happy because she bit, and scratched Raiyah. It's funny becuase although I was so sad for Raiyah and really upset at the situation I immediately thought of the little girls Mom, who has recently become my friend. I knew she was going to feel horrible, and that made me feel really bad. Anyway, this was a pretty traumatic thing for little Raiyah but she is just fine now. :) I think I wanted to write about it because it's the first time Raiyah has really been hurt. I don't even want to think of the future when she gets hurt and there is nothing I will be able to do for her, but hold her and tell her how much her Mom loves her. I'm not excited for those times. Malakai and Papa sleeping after a day of hard work. :)

My Parents bought the girls in the family tickets to Wicked! I was so excited. I have never seen it before. It was totally different than I had anticipated. I loved every minute of it, and was so thankful to my parents for letting us go. Aren't my sister-in-laws so cute. I really couldn't have asked for better girls to marry my brothers. I love getting to know each of them more and more. In case you are wondering starting on the left is Gina- married to Matt, Allsion- married to Mike, and Chantel- married to Bryan.

My sweet Mom and I before the show. Thanks for the tickets, ride, gum, phone, and purse space. You took great care of me as always.

Hanging out during maternity leave and after graduation

February was a life changing month for our family. Ryan graduated nursing school (yahoo!), and Malakai was born letting me be on Maternity Leave. What did we do during these days of nothing to do but hang out with our wonderful family. We flew kites, made forts, went to the park, and just enjoyed being our lil family. Life really couldn't get better. :)Raiyah and her valentine the nurse gave her at the hospital. I think she's adorable even with peanut butter on her face, and broken glasses she always wears. It's pretty funny to try and get a picture of Malakai without his eyes being huge. He's trying to take everything in.

Raiyah was so excited to go fly kites. Her favorite book is about Elmo flying a kite; so when Daddy brought a kite home with Elmo on it she was in Heaven. I love seeing her have incredible joy over simple things of life. On most of our outings Malakai had fun hanging out in his "polar bear" outfit, and car seat.

One day we spent the entire day making and hanging out in our fort. We had picnics, played with flash lights, took naps, read books. It was so much fun. I recommend a fort for any day you are looking for something to do.

Raiyah loves to jump on my bed. I don't mind because she has so much fun. The other day I walked out to get a basket of laundry and she got really quiet. When I came back in she was laying down in Malakai's crib, cuddled in his blankets. After taking a quick picture I held her in my arms and rocked her like a baby (her favorite thing) to reassure her that she will always be my little girl no matter how many brothers and sisters she ever gets.

If you haven't been to Castle Park in Fruit Heights I recommend it. It's one of Raiyah's favorite things to do. On a really cold day in February we packed up and spent the afternoon at the park. There are so many things to do you could spend hours there.

Malakai Jamieson Babinsky

Say Hello to our little angel. We named him Malakai Jamieson Babinsky. He arrived on February 11, at 1:00pm via C-Section. Weight 6pnds, 14oz. Height 19.75inches.He is absolutely perfect. He is eating and sleeping great. His sweet little spirit is very relaxing, and soothing. We've already found his tickle spot (his thighs) and he hates having his hands wrapped. It's so incredible to already love this little man with all of my heart. We are having a lot of fun. We will be heading home on Sunday, just loving recovering at the hospital. Well, if you hadn't gathered by now Malakai looks exactly like his Daddy. It's pretty cute seeing Ryan hold him, they are just the large, and small image of each other.

Raiyah loves being a big sister. She just sits and holds Malakai and talks about "little brother Malakai." She doesn't like when he is sad and loves to run her fingers through his hair. She is going to be a wonderful big sister.