Well in case anyone is wondering if it is still hot in St. George, it is! Really hot! Unfortunately the market is not doing quite so hot! With the downturn in the market, economy and lending, you can imagine that St. George is not doing so great, and that we have been able to make it a year since the lending industry has been tightening guidelines to the point that not many borrowers can even get a loan, has not come to an end. And actually, it has been really good. Charles and I have never been afraid of change, so this update may seem like a good bye to St. George, because we are leaving this wonderful place to venture out into the future!
So, 6 months ago Charles was working in SLC, however, that did not last long because we could not live apart and I was able to work a little more. So, Charles has been able to work with my father (who has purchased a warehouse here in St. George to convert it into a Independent Living Facility just below Green Valley). Basically an posh place where old people can live and not worry about anything (tell your grannies and grand pappies cause it will be ready in about 2 years!) Anyway, Charles has been able to help him with getting through the city, dealing with potential clients, and learning a new soft ware and designing the renovation. While that has worked well these past 6 months, it is now time for a change. Charles is in San Diego getting his CISSP (an IT security cert.). He will be home for one day and then will be starting a contracting job with Verizon Wireless on Sept. 9th. He will also be completing his degree at the Western Governor University, majoring in IT securities. We are excited and really feel like a path has been made for us……now if we can just figure out what to do with our house.
Lucy, Evan, and Ava and I will stay in St. George until I find a renter or a family who would like to have a vacation home here (like a rental but no ownership…anyone interested??) I have to say, it has been such an experience living in St. George. It really is a different mentality and way of life. More low key. We have been able to do so much here and feel so blessed to have been able to live here and raise our beautiful children here the past 3.5 yrs. It has not been easy raising twins and we truly feel like we have been blessed while doing so, by having careers that have been so flexible. We have learned so much, had great times and hard times, and all in all, we feel like it is time to move on. So, it is with much appreciation to this great city, that we say, “see ya later” not goodbye, because we have such a great love for St. George that we may be back someday! I will continue to keep my license and do loans, don’t worry someday (who knows when) the lending industry will get better and actually WANT to loan money again.
Now for just a little update on the kiddies, cause that is WAY more fun!
Lucy loves kindergarten. After making the comment 3 or 4 times that, “mom I want to go to afternoon kindergarten” I finally understood and asked, “Lu, do you mean that you wish you could stay at kindergarten until the afternoon…..all day?” the answer was yes! This girl is ready for more! She loves it. So, after school we have a little school of our own. We do work books, reading (which she is so good at, and is loving “Green Eggs and Ham”) math and numbers, spelling and other “fun” activities. Then she is out the door riding her bike to Kenya’s (our little neighbor). Lucy, Evan and Ava, Kenya and Kamree are the new and improved neighborhood bike and trik and wiggle car posse. Watch out they usually start at 7:30 am and continue throughout various times of the day. We have loved this neighborhood! Lucy said the other day about moving, “Mom we need to MOVE! I have lived in St. George my whole life!” She must think she will get to play with cousins ALL the time! Lucy gets dressed, cleans her room, and makes her bed all before she comes up to go ride her bike in the am….I have been so proud of her. Isn’t 5 a great age! She continues to be my #1 helper and I just love that little girl so much!
The past 6 months it has been amazing to watch Evan and Ava. They have changed from babies to little people. (They have to keep reminding me, "mama I'm NOT a baby.") Especially since they are both potty trained! I started about 26 months and didn’t push, just encouraged and talked a LOT about big boys and big girls and Annie and June ( from little Einstein’s) and Luke Skywalker and Gav and Jake and Zac and Josh (cousins and Star Wars) a lot. It was great, and not bad at all…..just intense, but now it is great! They have also increased in language and understanding. The way they understand and interpret and recall from memory is so fun to watch and see. Ava has especially started to talk and expain a lot more in long sentence and is always so mindful to add “please and thank you.” Bright little minds.
Luke Skywalker, no I mean Darth Vader, no I mean Samurai Ninja, no Indian Jones, no no no I mean Evan is loving life! Evan loves his guys…and teasing his sisters, but I think he loves cool guys a little more. He is still totally into his apparel and loves cool t-shirts. Evan is usually playing and holding a guy while jumping off something and saying “so cool!” He like to play kill mama and wake her with a kisssss… I added the kissing part cause I love it! We even get Ava to play. And I have to admit, it is ok to die by the sword or the gun or even the imaginary weapon, just as long as I get that sweet kiss. Evan has been a little more of a mama’s boy, which is ok by me, except when he is literally hanging onto my leg. It is a little hard to move. He loves to draw pics with a pen, jump off the the slide onto the lovesac, eat anything in a baggie, watch movies and eat junk food! He is a treat to have around is so dang cute….even with his mohawk that daddy finally buzzed off! Fav bed time song: mmmahh went the little green frog one day….done by daddy of course!
Little Ava is still little but taller! She continues to be my sweet sensitive screamer…..we are working on it. It is just hard when you have a big sis and a twin always taking away your “things”. Ava wakes in the am so happy and loves to be outside with Lu bright and early. They are my morning risers. She loves the compartment behind the trik so she can put her baby and baby silky in it and take it for a ride….or anything that is near and dear to her on that given day. She loved eggs! She loves oatmeal and fruit and of course treats! She can be bribed by fake crying (in order to get kisses…Daddy does that at least 5x a day!) She is the only one that can get Daddy to do just about anything she wants. He is a sucker for her! One night he was instructed to get her to bed while I was with Ev and Lu and I come back to find Ava making him fake food! Charles had such a guilty expression saying,” she is making me food.” ( eyeball sandwiches are his fav’s). My particular little Ava has to have 4 songs before bed. I am a Child of God, Temple, Twinkle Twinkle and Rainbow. At least we know what to expect. She is busy and loves to color, loves loves loves playdough, being outside looking at bugs, and the tickling of her neck!. She is sweetness to have around.
We have fun. Thank you for all of your who help and inspire us! We feel so blessed and really feel like as long as we have eachother, we can do anything....God Bless!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
July 2008 Fam Pic in Bountiful
Here is our little fam at the Swaney's (my sis Ang finally had a little boy! Cash, after 3 cute girls) here we are after his little blessing. The kids love their backyard, they have a ton of grass and a river, they are all over the place...this was quite a feet to get them to sit for a minute.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Blogging
Ok so I am getting with the program and am actually going back in time, in order to get updated and get all the info on my blog that I have wanted. So, here is my attempt at doing my 6 mo updates on my blog!
Yay!
Yay!
Riggs Fam Update Twins 2 Lu 5
March 8, 3007
Evan & Ava 2-Lucy 5
Happy Spring Time!
Greetings to all family and friends! I like to give an update on our little family every 6 months or so, more for me than anything else, so we are a little late, but better late than never.
I am having a quite moment because my children are all in bed (usually by 8 pm) and Charles, is in Paris CA on a weekend Skydiving Get-A-Way.
So, Lucy is 4 going on 5 in June and is becoming such a sweetheart. She has always been so, however, as of late I see her do little things "automatically" rather than having to tell her. For instance, the other day Ava had a melt down, most likely because Evan had whacked her in the face with one of his "guys" or maybe her baby and the babies silky was lost, who knows…the point is that Lucy went over to her knelt down and just held her. It was so precious and more and more I see Lucy becoming such a helpful daughter, a sweet (not all the time) sister, and a fun and outgoing friend. This little change all came about, or was most apparent to me when Charles had started a job in SLC. We were all still here in St. George and I was home with the kids, going to the gym everyday for my get a way, and attempting to work, as much as possible from home. Daddy would come and visit on weekends. While he was gone I told Lucy multiple times, "I can do 2 babies, but not 3. I need your help, can you pleaseeeee help me." (Some of those times I would be in tears, so she actually really listened.) From then on she, for the most part, was my #1 helper! I love watching the changes in my children as they grow up.
Lucy is VERY excited for Kindergarten….the day we registered she cried as we left because she wanted to stay and GO to kindergarten. It was a sad realization for her. The Easter Bunny brought the kids a bunny and it has brought out all the motherly qualities in Lucy. She dotes over the bunny and holds it just like a baby. Last week we moved Lu down stairs with the babies, thinking it would be darker and she would hopefully not get up before 7….well she got a new purples room, but still wakes up at the same time. Which is ok, its almost summer and the weather here in St. George has been gorgeous. Anyway, Lu gets up and looks for Floppsy, who is usually under our bed. It takes her about 5 minutes of sternly saying the bunnies name and hunched on the ground trying to grab the bunny, so of course we are awake. She loves the bunny, and it gives her a great sense of responsibility.
Lucy is reading and usually loves it. She is a matter of fact girl who is increasingly challenging the motherly truths that I simply expect her to take. Either much more explanation or the threat of much more Tabasco is used. I thank my lucky stars to have such an amazing little girl….who at this point still wants to be a Cowgirl when she grows up, and yes, that entails having a farm. Theme song, "Little Liza Jane."
Evan and Ava turned 2 on March 8th! We had a b-day party at Flips gymnastics in Bountiful with some fam and friends and it was so much fun! They absolutely loved it. See they never get to play on any of the equipment when we pick Lucy up for gym here in St G. (except for rare occasions) and so they loved being able to do whatever they wanted. Two, 2 yr olds……when people asked me if 2 babies overwhelmed me, I always said, "no 2 babies doesn't overwhelm me, but two 2 yr old does." And now that we are at that point, I have to say, that YES there are times that are very overwhelming, but even more so, I feel like that is why Lucy has had to be a big helper and of course Evan and Daddy are pretty much connected at the hip, and other "angels" that come around and are just "helpers" to me, make it much for doable and enjoyable. We have fun. I have been so blessed by these 3 little spirits. They are constant teachers to me of happiness, humor, and life lessons.
Evan. Watch out girls, he's gunna getcha, either with his dashing smile and looks, or his kungfoo punch with his guys. This kid has it all. He is all boy. Evan continues to be a social butterfly, a seeker of newness, a lover of new people and places. He is my one child who is not shy at all. He loves his guys. He and daddy play them and yes, Evan can even make those dude sounds that killing, helicopters, crashes etc make. I know even if I tried to a whole day I still could not do it, it must be a talent you're born with. Evan loves wrestling with dad, playing outside with Ava, and boy is he a great jumper on the tramp. He really goes quite high and has a smile the whole time. His theme song is "Big Strong Muscles" hahah he loves it. He loves daddy's burritos, tomatoes, and any snacks….as long as it is in his own baggie.
Now for the real part of Ev that would be greatly sad for him not to know when he is grown….Evan is a very particular child. The "guys" legs have to be just right, if they are not then it could get ugly. Evan is known to have tantrum when "things" don't go his way….on the floor ones. It is really great. Daddy always pretends to call the goblins and it usually stops pretty darn quick. "I happy, no goblins" he says. Evan remembers, don't tell him we can go get a goblin book tomorrow, he will demand to go NOW, or at the very least will remember it the next day. He understands a great deal….But for the real treat, Evan loves new outfits. Yes, he has been going through a phase (hopefully it is a phase) where he is REALLY into what he is wearing. Choices are death. In the beginning I tried to give him a choice, there were days he would choose and then once the shirt was on he would bend over in a horror stricken cry "noooooooooo take it off"…and we would find a new one, only for the same thing to happen. One day I dumped ALL his clothes on the floor and told him to get one he wanted. That was the low point of his relationship with his outfits. We are nearing a peak, as he is getting better and I am getting better at having a "cool" outfit laid out for him in the am, and I let the outfit be HIS discovery. It also helps that daddy always says "NO WAY, dude you get to wear that cool shirt!" Wow, what a trip.
Evan is so cuddly, he will lay by you and glare into your eyes and you feel like you are one….one night we were at my sister's house and I was crouched down as Evan ran to me, he was pretty close to me and I was talking to him. He stared into my eyes and said, "Evan", "Evan" with a big smile and pointing with his finger an inch away from my eye. He could see himself (his reflection) in my eye….we do it all the time now and it is a special little memory. He is such a fun child to have around. He just makes you wanna have fun and smile.
Little Ava Maria….sweet and sassy, that is all there is to it. They don't come any sweeter and they defiantly don't come any sassier. I have often wondered if she was born with the sass or has that come from being a twin and having an older sis that are always in your face. I have determined its both. Ava likes her space and she does what she wants when she wants. She is a little mini with a walk that goes with her attitude. She sways her little hips as her hands fling back and forth behind her. Ava has the gift of long hair…I think God sent her with extra for Lu. It is at least half way down her back and looks so cute in piggies. She has such small precious features and truly can be so sweet and sensitive. She is a helper; she loves to throw things away for me, or anything I ask her to do. Time and time again she is saying, "Here go Buddy". Evan is Buddy and he is her constant. Evan is ok without Ava, Ava is NOT ok with out Buddy. They have a very special relationship, but I see it more distinctly through Ava. The other day they were standing on the threshold of the door looking outside, holding hands. Charles said, "look" to me, and they just stayed like that for a while…I think I started to cry. I do easily these days because so many cute things like that happening all the time.
Ava is ultra particular when it has to do anything with her. Don't touch her or look at her too long. She will decide when SHE is ready to enter your personal space, but don't dream about coming into hers. Unless you have won her over, which is possible, with patience, time, and basically ignoring her until she is ready, or teasing her. Both methods seem to work occasionally. It is a science you see. Which we continue to think this child has a talent for, science that is. She is extremely detail oriented. Ava is the child that has to have her baby and the babies silky (because she has her own, but I won't let that one out of the crib) ALL the time. I never was one for that because of germs and just yuck…..well you see when Ava doesn't get what Ava wants (when she really wants it) it is not like you can distract her, oh no, and the cry, oh the cry is just enough to drive you to drink. All in all, really is it THAT big of a deal to let the child take her baby and the baby silky to the gym, and everywhere else……..no I guarantee you it is not worth the alternative. So, if baby is lost "baby go, baby go" and oh yes it keeps getting repeated until you say, "Ava you left her in the kitchen" or here or there. For instance, the other day Charles was putting Ava down for a nap and she said "other silky go" that is the babies, and Charles looked ALL over the downstairs for the missing article of precious comfort to the child…but to no avail. I immediately called him to respond to the urgent text and told him to get her out of her crib and tell her to go find it. Low and behold she pointed upstairs, daddy put her down, she went into the laundry room and tada, she opened the washer and their was babies silky….nap time could now continue. Well, after she situates baby, lammy, teddy along with each of their silkies, as well as her own. Do NOT try and rush this process by using a firm "Ava lay down" or it will spiral into an uncontrollable cry, and you realize you hurt her feelings and have just ruined the sequence of all that is holy and will now have to calm her down so she can start again. THAT is my Ava.
Ava loves rainbows. She has 2 rainbow shirts and loves them dearly. She has lungs and knows how to use them with a shill "nooooooooooo". She loves eggs, breakfast foods, rice and sour cream….it should be a staple, she eats it with a spoon. She is a mama's girl, she loves to be held still and is so light I don't seem to mind. She must have her lemon drink in the am, you would think she hadn't drank in a year the way she wines for it. Very dramatic at times and at others totally happy and content on her own. She is my child who really will go off on her own, as long as she know what buddy is doing, and do her own thing. Play in the sand, or lay the blanket perfectly out for baby to lie on, or playing with Soppsy for the longest time…she says it so cute. Ava is a great sister, she helps and is kind and sweet to her sis and bro, and others times can pull hair, grab with her nails with her eye brows raised for emphasis, and a new one is spitting! Ava is a precious treasure. Win this one over and it will make your feel like you just won the lottery.
Charles continues to have many hobbies and is always doing something new, but his love for now is Skydiving. He continues to try new "things" in the air and loves being able to "fly" every weekend, or at least every other. He amazes me, it is so natural to him, and even though I did it twice, I surely would not have jumped out of the plane had I not been attached to a person! It really is a sport and has much to it. Base jumping not allowed!
Charles took a job in computer servers and firewalls up north and worked there for just over a month from. He came home on weekends and thought that was the direction he wanted to go. What we determined however was much different. The kids and I went up to visit for a week as March 9th was our 7 yr anniversary and March 8th the babies turned 2, we after actually being together and talking and being away from St. George, we determined that St. George is where we want to be. We love it here; we want to raise our children here, and of course either choice would have worked, we felt it was up to us, what did we want and what were we willing to do to have what we wanted. Lesson Learned.
Charles continues to work on various new technologies in the computer world and has been hired by a company here; however, he has chosen to work with my dad in developing a project here in St. George. They will be building an Independent Living Facility, as well as retail space and warehouse. There is a lot of potential and this is actually something Charles and I have always wanted to do, we have been having fun so far. Charles is doing school online and besides that he helps tremendously with the kids. They adore him. The other night at Target he got a big stuffed Superman and peeked it around the isle and started making it talk to Evan….I think Evan really thought it was talking to him-ahahah. We were laughing and a woman came around the corner and said, "What an awesome dad". He really is. He is SO involved, he loves them each so much, is so patient, has the best stories, wrestles the best, and can still even change a poopy diaper without barfing (barely). He is great to us all and is meant for great things.
Well, just to have been able to sit down and write these works has done wonders for me. Our life is so much fun. Yes, hard at times, definitely not perfect, but we try and enjoy all we can. I love being a mom and a wife. I could not ask for a more perfect husband and perfect children for me. They see me at my best and worst and help me to want to not have so many worsts. I have been working out at the gym and have loved getting back into classes; they can be so much fun. I am working 2 days a week, which works out well. I would love to open my own yoga studio over where Charles and my dad are developing and have been looking into that.
Charles and I are dreamers….really we are. I believe that we should follow our hearts and do those things are hearts so desire (have you NOT read the Alchemist?). I am just so grateful for all I have. I am so grateful for awesome opportunities and that things have a way of working out when we think positive.
I hope all is well with you and yours. May God Bless you all.
All my love, ANDREA
Evan & Ava 2-Lucy 5
Happy Spring Time!
Greetings to all family and friends! I like to give an update on our little family every 6 months or so, more for me than anything else, so we are a little late, but better late than never.
I am having a quite moment because my children are all in bed (usually by 8 pm) and Charles, is in Paris CA on a weekend Skydiving Get-A-Way.
So, Lucy is 4 going on 5 in June and is becoming such a sweetheart. She has always been so, however, as of late I see her do little things "automatically" rather than having to tell her. For instance, the other day Ava had a melt down, most likely because Evan had whacked her in the face with one of his "guys" or maybe her baby and the babies silky was lost, who knows…the point is that Lucy went over to her knelt down and just held her. It was so precious and more and more I see Lucy becoming such a helpful daughter, a sweet (not all the time) sister, and a fun and outgoing friend. This little change all came about, or was most apparent to me when Charles had started a job in SLC. We were all still here in St. George and I was home with the kids, going to the gym everyday for my get a way, and attempting to work, as much as possible from home. Daddy would come and visit on weekends. While he was gone I told Lucy multiple times, "I can do 2 babies, but not 3. I need your help, can you pleaseeeee help me." (Some of those times I would be in tears, so she actually really listened.) From then on she, for the most part, was my #1 helper! I love watching the changes in my children as they grow up.
Lucy is VERY excited for Kindergarten….the day we registered she cried as we left because she wanted to stay and GO to kindergarten. It was a sad realization for her. The Easter Bunny brought the kids a bunny and it has brought out all the motherly qualities in Lucy. She dotes over the bunny and holds it just like a baby. Last week we moved Lu down stairs with the babies, thinking it would be darker and she would hopefully not get up before 7….well she got a new purples room, but still wakes up at the same time. Which is ok, its almost summer and the weather here in St. George has been gorgeous. Anyway, Lu gets up and looks for Floppsy, who is usually under our bed. It takes her about 5 minutes of sternly saying the bunnies name and hunched on the ground trying to grab the bunny, so of course we are awake. She loves the bunny, and it gives her a great sense of responsibility.
Lucy is reading and usually loves it. She is a matter of fact girl who is increasingly challenging the motherly truths that I simply expect her to take. Either much more explanation or the threat of much more Tabasco is used. I thank my lucky stars to have such an amazing little girl….who at this point still wants to be a Cowgirl when she grows up, and yes, that entails having a farm. Theme song, "Little Liza Jane."
Evan and Ava turned 2 on March 8th! We had a b-day party at Flips gymnastics in Bountiful with some fam and friends and it was so much fun! They absolutely loved it. See they never get to play on any of the equipment when we pick Lucy up for gym here in St G. (except for rare occasions) and so they loved being able to do whatever they wanted. Two, 2 yr olds……when people asked me if 2 babies overwhelmed me, I always said, "no 2 babies doesn't overwhelm me, but two 2 yr old does." And now that we are at that point, I have to say, that YES there are times that are very overwhelming, but even more so, I feel like that is why Lucy has had to be a big helper and of course Evan and Daddy are pretty much connected at the hip, and other "angels" that come around and are just "helpers" to me, make it much for doable and enjoyable. We have fun. I have been so blessed by these 3 little spirits. They are constant teachers to me of happiness, humor, and life lessons.
Evan. Watch out girls, he's gunna getcha, either with his dashing smile and looks, or his kungfoo punch with his guys. This kid has it all. He is all boy. Evan continues to be a social butterfly, a seeker of newness, a lover of new people and places. He is my one child who is not shy at all. He loves his guys. He and daddy play them and yes, Evan can even make those dude sounds that killing, helicopters, crashes etc make. I know even if I tried to a whole day I still could not do it, it must be a talent you're born with. Evan loves wrestling with dad, playing outside with Ava, and boy is he a great jumper on the tramp. He really goes quite high and has a smile the whole time. His theme song is "Big Strong Muscles" hahah he loves it. He loves daddy's burritos, tomatoes, and any snacks….as long as it is in his own baggie.
Now for the real part of Ev that would be greatly sad for him not to know when he is grown….Evan is a very particular child. The "guys" legs have to be just right, if they are not then it could get ugly. Evan is known to have tantrum when "things" don't go his way….on the floor ones. It is really great. Daddy always pretends to call the goblins and it usually stops pretty darn quick. "I happy, no goblins" he says. Evan remembers, don't tell him we can go get a goblin book tomorrow, he will demand to go NOW, or at the very least will remember it the next day. He understands a great deal….But for the real treat, Evan loves new outfits. Yes, he has been going through a phase (hopefully it is a phase) where he is REALLY into what he is wearing. Choices are death. In the beginning I tried to give him a choice, there were days he would choose and then once the shirt was on he would bend over in a horror stricken cry "noooooooooo take it off"…and we would find a new one, only for the same thing to happen. One day I dumped ALL his clothes on the floor and told him to get one he wanted. That was the low point of his relationship with his outfits. We are nearing a peak, as he is getting better and I am getting better at having a "cool" outfit laid out for him in the am, and I let the outfit be HIS discovery. It also helps that daddy always says "NO WAY, dude you get to wear that cool shirt!" Wow, what a trip.
Evan is so cuddly, he will lay by you and glare into your eyes and you feel like you are one….one night we were at my sister's house and I was crouched down as Evan ran to me, he was pretty close to me and I was talking to him. He stared into my eyes and said, "Evan", "Evan" with a big smile and pointing with his finger an inch away from my eye. He could see himself (his reflection) in my eye….we do it all the time now and it is a special little memory. He is such a fun child to have around. He just makes you wanna have fun and smile.
Little Ava Maria….sweet and sassy, that is all there is to it. They don't come any sweeter and they defiantly don't come any sassier. I have often wondered if she was born with the sass or has that come from being a twin and having an older sis that are always in your face. I have determined its both. Ava likes her space and she does what she wants when she wants. She is a little mini with a walk that goes with her attitude. She sways her little hips as her hands fling back and forth behind her. Ava has the gift of long hair…I think God sent her with extra for Lu. It is at least half way down her back and looks so cute in piggies. She has such small precious features and truly can be so sweet and sensitive. She is a helper; she loves to throw things away for me, or anything I ask her to do. Time and time again she is saying, "Here go Buddy". Evan is Buddy and he is her constant. Evan is ok without Ava, Ava is NOT ok with out Buddy. They have a very special relationship, but I see it more distinctly through Ava. The other day they were standing on the threshold of the door looking outside, holding hands. Charles said, "look" to me, and they just stayed like that for a while…I think I started to cry. I do easily these days because so many cute things like that happening all the time.
Ava is ultra particular when it has to do anything with her. Don't touch her or look at her too long. She will decide when SHE is ready to enter your personal space, but don't dream about coming into hers. Unless you have won her over, which is possible, with patience, time, and basically ignoring her until she is ready, or teasing her. Both methods seem to work occasionally. It is a science you see. Which we continue to think this child has a talent for, science that is. She is extremely detail oriented. Ava is the child that has to have her baby and the babies silky (because she has her own, but I won't let that one out of the crib) ALL the time. I never was one for that because of germs and just yuck…..well you see when Ava doesn't get what Ava wants (when she really wants it) it is not like you can distract her, oh no, and the cry, oh the cry is just enough to drive you to drink. All in all, really is it THAT big of a deal to let the child take her baby and the baby silky to the gym, and everywhere else……..no I guarantee you it is not worth the alternative. So, if baby is lost "baby go, baby go" and oh yes it keeps getting repeated until you say, "Ava you left her in the kitchen" or here or there. For instance, the other day Charles was putting Ava down for a nap and she said "other silky go" that is the babies, and Charles looked ALL over the downstairs for the missing article of precious comfort to the child…but to no avail. I immediately called him to respond to the urgent text and told him to get her out of her crib and tell her to go find it. Low and behold she pointed upstairs, daddy put her down, she went into the laundry room and tada, she opened the washer and their was babies silky….nap time could now continue. Well, after she situates baby, lammy, teddy along with each of their silkies, as well as her own. Do NOT try and rush this process by using a firm "Ava lay down" or it will spiral into an uncontrollable cry, and you realize you hurt her feelings and have just ruined the sequence of all that is holy and will now have to calm her down so she can start again. THAT is my Ava.
Ava loves rainbows. She has 2 rainbow shirts and loves them dearly. She has lungs and knows how to use them with a shill "nooooooooooo". She loves eggs, breakfast foods, rice and sour cream….it should be a staple, she eats it with a spoon. She is a mama's girl, she loves to be held still and is so light I don't seem to mind. She must have her lemon drink in the am, you would think she hadn't drank in a year the way she wines for it. Very dramatic at times and at others totally happy and content on her own. She is my child who really will go off on her own, as long as she know what buddy is doing, and do her own thing. Play in the sand, or lay the blanket perfectly out for baby to lie on, or playing with Soppsy for the longest time…she says it so cute. Ava is a great sister, she helps and is kind and sweet to her sis and bro, and others times can pull hair, grab with her nails with her eye brows raised for emphasis, and a new one is spitting! Ava is a precious treasure. Win this one over and it will make your feel like you just won the lottery.
Charles continues to have many hobbies and is always doing something new, but his love for now is Skydiving. He continues to try new "things" in the air and loves being able to "fly" every weekend, or at least every other. He amazes me, it is so natural to him, and even though I did it twice, I surely would not have jumped out of the plane had I not been attached to a person! It really is a sport and has much to it. Base jumping not allowed!
Charles took a job in computer servers and firewalls up north and worked there for just over a month from. He came home on weekends and thought that was the direction he wanted to go. What we determined however was much different. The kids and I went up to visit for a week as March 9th was our 7 yr anniversary and March 8th the babies turned 2, we after actually being together and talking and being away from St. George, we determined that St. George is where we want to be. We love it here; we want to raise our children here, and of course either choice would have worked, we felt it was up to us, what did we want and what were we willing to do to have what we wanted. Lesson Learned.
Charles continues to work on various new technologies in the computer world and has been hired by a company here; however, he has chosen to work with my dad in developing a project here in St. George. They will be building an Independent Living Facility, as well as retail space and warehouse. There is a lot of potential and this is actually something Charles and I have always wanted to do, we have been having fun so far. Charles is doing school online and besides that he helps tremendously with the kids. They adore him. The other night at Target he got a big stuffed Superman and peeked it around the isle and started making it talk to Evan….I think Evan really thought it was talking to him-ahahah. We were laughing and a woman came around the corner and said, "What an awesome dad". He really is. He is SO involved, he loves them each so much, is so patient, has the best stories, wrestles the best, and can still even change a poopy diaper without barfing (barely). He is great to us all and is meant for great things.
Well, just to have been able to sit down and write these works has done wonders for me. Our life is so much fun. Yes, hard at times, definitely not perfect, but we try and enjoy all we can. I love being a mom and a wife. I could not ask for a more perfect husband and perfect children for me. They see me at my best and worst and help me to want to not have so many worsts. I have been working out at the gym and have loved getting back into classes; they can be so much fun. I am working 2 days a week, which works out well. I would love to open my own yoga studio over where Charles and my dad are developing and have been looking into that.
Charles and I are dreamers….really we are. I believe that we should follow our hearts and do those things are hearts so desire (have you NOT read the Alchemist?). I am just so grateful for all I have. I am so grateful for awesome opportunities and that things have a way of working out when we think positive.
I hope all is well with you and yours. May God Bless you all.
All my love, ANDREA
Riggs Fam Update 9-8-07 Twins 1 1/2 Lu 4
Evan & Ava 1 ½-Lucy 4
September 8, 2007
My little Evan and Ava are 18 months old (Sept 8)! As we have been nearing this 1 ½ milestone I have been just loving this time in our lives and thought a little update would be appropriate.
Lucy, who turned 4 this summer, has started her 2nd year of pre-school and has been oh so excited. I love this age! She has her moments but for the most part is such a delight. She speaks with such conviction and animation that you can all but ignore the child. She loves the imaginary world, most likely from the many hours spend by her dad telling her imaginary stories, big foot, anacondas, la supracabra (apparently a Spanish word for little monster) hahah. She is so much fun to talk with and be around. She loves going to dance and playing with friends, as well as coloring and playing with all her animals in her bedroom. She is a great sister, Evan and Ava adore her and love when she yanks them around by the legs, or taking them on rides by pulling them in their little sofa chairs. The times I hear my children laugh the hardest is when they are playing with each other, and I am usually balling because it makes me so happy to see them having so much fun.
Evanator (Evan) is my big boy. It is like he went from a baby to a big boy. His personality, his face and how he interacts seems so much older than his little sis! Evan loves his daddy and boy stuff….however has been caught on occasion with princess shoes on or Lucy's girl princess hat (don't tell his dad). Yet, I am not fearful of the feminine side, he has 2 sister…what do you expect, and he would change the princess shoes any day to put on his "crock" which he calls all his cool shoes. He is so much fun. He loves balls and has a wicked arm, watch out! Evan loves pizza, peanut butter toast, quesadilla, root beer (only on rare occasions) and do not even mention the treat word or he will not let it go without getting one. He has a loud voice and does like to use it. He says anything you really ask him to. The funniest have been,"goggles, hi scarecrow, mask (since Charles already has the scary Halloween masks out). He is a joy and I am so grateful for this little stud muffin!
Ava, is a little dear. She is still oh so sweet but has learned quite quickly that most things are "mINE". If she has an object and Evan or Lucy walk within 5 ft she twirls around yelling mINE. She is hilarious. She is still petite, I bought her a 6-12 mo shirt the other day and it is just perfect. Her feet have now surpassed the size 3 and we are working on the size 4's! She has a sassy little walk to match her sassy little attitude. I think she will most likely join the theater, as she is perfecting the art of drama. When hurt physically or emotionally, she cocks her head back and cries and throws her entire body forward to the floor….which also brings me to believe she will be very flexible and love dance and gymnastics like her mama because she is quite bendy. She is a joy and brings so much sweetness into our lives. She calles Ev "buddy" and Lu :sisi"….adorable. She says hi to the scarecrow as well and totally flips when she finds the tiniest bugs on the ground. Her favorite position is to squat, yes, great for going to the bathroom, but also very comfy. She has learned how to use her voice and survive with the other 2 hooligans!
Charles is doing well, he has been exploring new skydiving ideas and has been keeping up on jumping out of the airplane as much as our lives allow him. He continues on doing Real Estate at Entrada and enjoying that. He has been doing so much for our family and is such a great husband and father…..sometimes I think they have almost too much fun, but then I remind myself that is never possible! How lucky our children are to have a dad that takes Lu to the library and reads her "The Wizard of OZ" before bed, a daddy who takes them on airplane rides on their sofa chairs…which is not an easy task-especially the ever growing Lucy. Charles had fun doing the Narrows with some fam, however his IT bands in his knees are giving him some havoc, but is stretching vigorously trying to gear up for his 2 week trip to Nepal next month with my dad and bro-in law!
As for me, I am loving my beautiful children and loving the routine life that comes with school and activities. I am so grateful for these little ones who are so much fun right now, I forget how fun each stage is, especially when there are 2. Never a dull moment, never a sight that I don't want to photograph (thank goodness for digital). We got to go to Bear Lake for a fam reunion with my entire family, we had such a great trip and it was so fun to all be together. Work is picking up, despite the mortgage industry, can you believe it people are still moving to St. George! It is such a great place to live, we love it and feel so blessed to be where we are at in life.
Thank you to all our friend and family that are always there for us and help us through the life!
Hope all is going well with you and yours.
Love,
Andrea
September 8, 2007
My little Evan and Ava are 18 months old (Sept 8)! As we have been nearing this 1 ½ milestone I have been just loving this time in our lives and thought a little update would be appropriate.
Lucy, who turned 4 this summer, has started her 2nd year of pre-school and has been oh so excited. I love this age! She has her moments but for the most part is such a delight. She speaks with such conviction and animation that you can all but ignore the child. She loves the imaginary world, most likely from the many hours spend by her dad telling her imaginary stories, big foot, anacondas, la supracabra (apparently a Spanish word for little monster) hahah. She is so much fun to talk with and be around. She loves going to dance and playing with friends, as well as coloring and playing with all her animals in her bedroom. She is a great sister, Evan and Ava adore her and love when she yanks them around by the legs, or taking them on rides by pulling them in their little sofa chairs. The times I hear my children laugh the hardest is when they are playing with each other, and I am usually balling because it makes me so happy to see them having so much fun.
Evanator (Evan) is my big boy. It is like he went from a baby to a big boy. His personality, his face and how he interacts seems so much older than his little sis! Evan loves his daddy and boy stuff….however has been caught on occasion with princess shoes on or Lucy's girl princess hat (don't tell his dad). Yet, I am not fearful of the feminine side, he has 2 sister…what do you expect, and he would change the princess shoes any day to put on his "crock" which he calls all his cool shoes. He is so much fun. He loves balls and has a wicked arm, watch out! Evan loves pizza, peanut butter toast, quesadilla, root beer (only on rare occasions) and do not even mention the treat word or he will not let it go without getting one. He has a loud voice and does like to use it. He says anything you really ask him to. The funniest have been,"goggles, hi scarecrow, mask (since Charles already has the scary Halloween masks out). He is a joy and I am so grateful for this little stud muffin!
Ava, is a little dear. She is still oh so sweet but has learned quite quickly that most things are "mINE". If she has an object and Evan or Lucy walk within 5 ft she twirls around yelling mINE. She is hilarious. She is still petite, I bought her a 6-12 mo shirt the other day and it is just perfect. Her feet have now surpassed the size 3 and we are working on the size 4's! She has a sassy little walk to match her sassy little attitude. I think she will most likely join the theater, as she is perfecting the art of drama. When hurt physically or emotionally, she cocks her head back and cries and throws her entire body forward to the floor….which also brings me to believe she will be very flexible and love dance and gymnastics like her mama because she is quite bendy. She is a joy and brings so much sweetness into our lives. She calles Ev "buddy" and Lu :sisi"….adorable. She says hi to the scarecrow as well and totally flips when she finds the tiniest bugs on the ground. Her favorite position is to squat, yes, great for going to the bathroom, but also very comfy. She has learned how to use her voice and survive with the other 2 hooligans!
Charles is doing well, he has been exploring new skydiving ideas and has been keeping up on jumping out of the airplane as much as our lives allow him. He continues on doing Real Estate at Entrada and enjoying that. He has been doing so much for our family and is such a great husband and father…..sometimes I think they have almost too much fun, but then I remind myself that is never possible! How lucky our children are to have a dad that takes Lu to the library and reads her "The Wizard of OZ" before bed, a daddy who takes them on airplane rides on their sofa chairs…which is not an easy task-especially the ever growing Lucy. Charles had fun doing the Narrows with some fam, however his IT bands in his knees are giving him some havoc, but is stretching vigorously trying to gear up for his 2 week trip to Nepal next month with my dad and bro-in law!
As for me, I am loving my beautiful children and loving the routine life that comes with school and activities. I am so grateful for these little ones who are so much fun right now, I forget how fun each stage is, especially when there are 2. Never a dull moment, never a sight that I don't want to photograph (thank goodness for digital). We got to go to Bear Lake for a fam reunion with my entire family, we had such a great trip and it was so fun to all be together. Work is picking up, despite the mortgage industry, can you believe it people are still moving to St. George! It is such a great place to live, we love it and feel so blessed to be where we are at in life.
Thank you to all our friend and family that are always there for us and help us through the life!
Hope all is going well with you and yours.
Love,
Andrea
Riggs Fam Update 4-9-07 Twins 1 yr!
4-9-07
Evan & Ava 1-Lucy 3
Hello and Greetings from the beautiful St George, Utah.
I hope everyone had a fun Easter, filled with love! I am finally getting around to sending out an update on our family since Evan and Ava are ONE year old! They turned 1 on March 8. Of course it is amazing how time flies and that we have made this little milestone. We have had so much fun this past year, and how grateful we are that we have made it.
Evan my little champ is all boy. He loves balls, trucks and makes sounds like he is one with them. You would think he is starved for attention because he always wants to be with you, going outside, playing, exploring, climbing up on tables and making a bridge with his little body. No fear, except for being thrown a little too high in the air, at which his face goes blank and his body ridged. He is so much fun and demands smiles and loves. He blows kisses and is great with his little sign language. He is a biter, so when he gets mad watch out he will bite whatever his mouth finds first…..yesterday it was Ava's wrist, the day before my thigh, he is hard to get mad at because he is so flippin cute! We better watch this one, I can tell already.
He has 4 teeth on top and 2 going on 4 on the bottom. He is a great sleeper, and yes sucks his thumb and loves his soft silky and blankets. He is walking! He stands up by himself and is leaning how to maneuver around the rough terrain in our home, from carpet to wood floors, and various obstacles on the ground. Evan has a movie star smile and loves to be with new people and situations. He and Lucy have the sibling rivalry; Ava kind of just watches from the sidelines….it is so fun.
Ava is still sweet, precious and so delicate. She still is a mama's girl and is oh so darling. Ava loves balls as well and loves putting them in cups and toys. She loves to climb as well and is getting really good at playing keep away from Evan by pivoting her little body around. She will also climb on toys, yet she starts to whine because she then can not get down. She says mama, dada (which is usually everything) no-no and turtle (we have 2 of them and she loves them). She loves to drink, just like Lu they drink a million miles a minute from her straw sippy-cups and then she like to pour it out on the floor…..I can tell she is going to love finger painting! Ava can find the tiniest little particles and put them in her mouth, needless to say she loves nerds.
Ava has 2 teeth on top and 3 on the bottom. She is also a great sleeper and loves loves loves her silky and binki (only for sleeping though), she drops them into the crib and waves bye-bye to them before we leave her crib, it is so cute. She took 7 steps yesterday! She is less motivated to communicate and get around, but I think she getting ready….she could be walking, yet it is her personality, she takes it slow and will do things at her own pace, she is such a blessing to me, I love the peace that she is and brings to our family.
Lucy is loving Evan and Ava even more as they are growing up and becoming play-mates. She is adjusting well to having them climb all over her and on her as well as chasing her and vise versa. They all love to play outside on the slides and trampoline. Lucy can do a bum up and is getting daring on the tramp, are they a great way to expend energy! She loves pre-school, playing with friends, animal shows (Planet Earth-isn't that awesome!), making potions (usually out of products that she is NOT suppose to use) and swimming-thank goodness for the neighbor hood pool that is within walking and seeing distance. She is a joy to have around. Every night, despite my constant urging to come up with new answers, she claims that "worst" is when I go to work and the "best" is when I get home....she loves that I get Thursdays off and we do fun things. Night time is my sweet time with her and I just love it.
Charles continues to do real estate at Entrada for Split Rock (4 mo) and loves it. He also is Skydiving like a maniac, he loves that too, I think a lot more than working…….he has his own gear, thank goodness we don't know anyone close who owns a plane or I would never see him. He is great, I love him dearly and am so grateful to have such a wonderful man for a friend, husband and father.
Me in a nut-shell, I love St George, especially the weather right now. I love being a loan officer and working with such wonderful people, MTWF for about 4-5hrs., it continues to be a great source of empowerment for me. Charles got a FJ Cruise (sunshine yellow mind you) and we were able to go on a little get-a-way just the two of us to Moab and test it out….it was awesome. I also got to run the Moab ½ marathon, it was so much fun, I can actually say I enjoyed the run, so beautiful (except those last 2 miles) but it was great and I felt great. Charly, my mother in law continues to care for our children while I am gone, and continues to be such a strength and blessing to our family. I am so grateful for those in my life that are so giving of their time and love, especially to my children.
My thought for the day, and everyday: just love.
Love Andrea
Evan & Ava 1-Lucy 3
Hello and Greetings from the beautiful St George, Utah.
I hope everyone had a fun Easter, filled with love! I am finally getting around to sending out an update on our family since Evan and Ava are ONE year old! They turned 1 on March 8. Of course it is amazing how time flies and that we have made this little milestone. We have had so much fun this past year, and how grateful we are that we have made it.
Evan my little champ is all boy. He loves balls, trucks and makes sounds like he is one with them. You would think he is starved for attention because he always wants to be with you, going outside, playing, exploring, climbing up on tables and making a bridge with his little body. No fear, except for being thrown a little too high in the air, at which his face goes blank and his body ridged. He is so much fun and demands smiles and loves. He blows kisses and is great with his little sign language. He is a biter, so when he gets mad watch out he will bite whatever his mouth finds first…..yesterday it was Ava's wrist, the day before my thigh, he is hard to get mad at because he is so flippin cute! We better watch this one, I can tell already.
He has 4 teeth on top and 2 going on 4 on the bottom. He is a great sleeper, and yes sucks his thumb and loves his soft silky and blankets. He is walking! He stands up by himself and is leaning how to maneuver around the rough terrain in our home, from carpet to wood floors, and various obstacles on the ground. Evan has a movie star smile and loves to be with new people and situations. He and Lucy have the sibling rivalry; Ava kind of just watches from the sidelines….it is so fun.
Ava is still sweet, precious and so delicate. She still is a mama's girl and is oh so darling. Ava loves balls as well and loves putting them in cups and toys. She loves to climb as well and is getting really good at playing keep away from Evan by pivoting her little body around. She will also climb on toys, yet she starts to whine because she then can not get down. She says mama, dada (which is usually everything) no-no and turtle (we have 2 of them and she loves them). She loves to drink, just like Lu they drink a million miles a minute from her straw sippy-cups and then she like to pour it out on the floor…..I can tell she is going to love finger painting! Ava can find the tiniest little particles and put them in her mouth, needless to say she loves nerds.
Ava has 2 teeth on top and 3 on the bottom. She is also a great sleeper and loves loves loves her silky and binki (only for sleeping though), she drops them into the crib and waves bye-bye to them before we leave her crib, it is so cute. She took 7 steps yesterday! She is less motivated to communicate and get around, but I think she getting ready….she could be walking, yet it is her personality, she takes it slow and will do things at her own pace, she is such a blessing to me, I love the peace that she is and brings to our family.
Lucy is loving Evan and Ava even more as they are growing up and becoming play-mates. She is adjusting well to having them climb all over her and on her as well as chasing her and vise versa. They all love to play outside on the slides and trampoline. Lucy can do a bum up and is getting daring on the tramp, are they a great way to expend energy! She loves pre-school, playing with friends, animal shows (Planet Earth-isn't that awesome!), making potions (usually out of products that she is NOT suppose to use) and swimming-thank goodness for the neighbor hood pool that is within walking and seeing distance. She is a joy to have around. Every night, despite my constant urging to come up with new answers, she claims that "worst" is when I go to work and the "best" is when I get home....she loves that I get Thursdays off and we do fun things. Night time is my sweet time with her and I just love it.
Charles continues to do real estate at Entrada for Split Rock (4 mo) and loves it. He also is Skydiving like a maniac, he loves that too, I think a lot more than working…….he has his own gear, thank goodness we don't know anyone close who owns a plane or I would never see him. He is great, I love him dearly and am so grateful to have such a wonderful man for a friend, husband and father.
Me in a nut-shell, I love St George, especially the weather right now. I love being a loan officer and working with such wonderful people, MTWF for about 4-5hrs., it continues to be a great source of empowerment for me. Charles got a FJ Cruise (sunshine yellow mind you) and we were able to go on a little get-a-way just the two of us to Moab and test it out….it was awesome. I also got to run the Moab ½ marathon, it was so much fun, I can actually say I enjoyed the run, so beautiful (except those last 2 miles) but it was great and I felt great. Charly, my mother in law continues to care for our children while I am gone, and continues to be such a strength and blessing to our family. I am so grateful for those in my life that are so giving of their time and love, especially to my children.
My thought for the day, and everyday: just love.
Love Andrea
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