Everythings BIGGER in Texas...

Right after our return to Las Vegas from SoCal, Brady and I hopped on an early flight Thursday morning to Dallas. We had a stop in Albuquerque and that is when I began counting the BYU gear, every group that got on the plane had at least one shirt or hat. I think by the time we got to our hotel that night we had seen at least a hundred people dressed up.  
Brady's brother Lonny and his wife, Lisa, came with us and it was so fun to hang out with them. After grabbing the rental car we headed to downtown Dallas to the JFK 6th floor museum. It was interesting to read and listen to all the news about his presidency and all the conspiracy theories about his death. After the tour we went across the street to stand at the "grassy knoll" and see the perspective off the crowds during the shooting. We grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed out to Arlington.

We were lucky enough to be there for the 6th game of the World Series against Dallas and St. Louis. Our hotel was just across the parking lot from the stadium and we wished the last 2 games would have been in Dallas. Instead, we asked around and decided to go to the 'OFFICAL' game party at one of the local pub/bars. We sat inside the restuarant but in the older section they had set up huge tents outside and had big screens set out and there were tons of people in there. We were seated right by the door, so it was freezing and we only made it to about the 5th inning, but it was some good BBQ. After we went back to the hotel and sat in the bar to watch the end of the game. Lets just say the employees were not to happy when things went south in the extra innings. However, it was fun being in a city with such excitement. 

Friday was the day of the big game and we spent the morning at the mall doing some shopping and then eating at THE BEST mexican resturant I've ever been to, Pappacitas!!! I am still craving the fajitas and table side guacamole. We also celebrated Lisa's birthday with a divine chocolatie dessert. 

Next up was the game. Brady wanted to get there early and we did. We lucked out and walked in with Cosmo and the cheerleaders. The Cowboy stadium was amazing and looked more like a fancy hotel in some spots than an arena. We walked around for awhile and took pictures before finding out seats. As Brady and I were walking down we ran into Robbie Boscoe, a former great BYU quarterback, so i got a quick picture. Brady's friend Jeff and his son Ethan also joined us for the game. It was great to see them and wished they could have stayed a little longer. We were all a little dissapointed in the outcome of the game, but I thought TCU was not a very nice host. Brady and I were glad when we found out St. Louis had won!!!! 

Saturday we headed back to the stadium for a tour of the facilities. We got to see the press box, a private suite, the locker rooms, the Cowboy cheerleaders locker room (Brady's favorite), the bird's eye where Jerry Jones watches the game, and the highlight playing around on the field!!! It was so much fun to throw the football around and see how hard it is to see the ball with the lights and background distractions. Let's just say I burned off some major calories on that field!!!

The rest of the trip was full of eating some more and relaxing. Dallas sure was a fun trip and now that BYU plays all over I can't wait for our next away game, Hello Hawaii!!!!

I would also love to thank my mom for watching the kids and making sure they had fun. Ellie enjoyed a fabulous Halloween party thrown my an old high school friend's parents with Ryker and Aunt Kellie. Apparently she shook her booty like a crazy girl on the dance floor. They also spent time at the park and watching Will play football!!! Thanks again

Where Memories Begin...

After Cody's farewell we loaded up in the car and headed to sunny Southern California. Due to alot of traffic we got there a little behind schedule, but not to bad. Sunday night we headed over to the park we rode a few rides, before the shows started. We watched the fireworks from the front of the castle this time and the kids loved the view. The favorite again was Tinkerbell flying through the sky. We also saw Fantasmic for the first time, Ellie was enthralled with it, but Cooper curled up on my lap and decide to take a nap. Afterwards me and Coop hung out as Ellie and Brady went to ride Big Thunder Railroad. Since Cooper was sleeping he and I headed back to the hotel, while Ellie and Brady stayed and rode more rides. I love staying across the street so that this is possible!!!!

The next few days we rode the rides, ate yummy food, and had a great time spending time together. Although we have been a few times this year, Cooper really enjoyed himself this time and was pretty vocal about the things he wanted to do. Ellie loved being the tour guide and helped us navigate the parks. This October was much busier than previous years, I guess their Halloween decor must be attracting more visitors. 

Ellie's favorites: Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mtn., the Matterhorn, Ariel's Under the Sea Adventure, Tarzan's TreeHouse, Roger Rabbits in ToonTown, and meeting the princesses.

Cooper's favorites: Watching the old Mickey Movies in the theater on Main Street, Ariel's Under the Sea Adventure, he probably rode this at least 12 times, the Island, Mickey's Roller Coaster in ToonTown, The rocketships, and Buzz Lightyear.

We were all disappointed to find out that Pirates would be closed the entire time we were there. Ellie kept saying we can try again tomorrow or maybe it will be open later. We also had a feeling about Small World being closed for the holiday prep, I wished we had ridden it Sunday night before it closed. He also saw a lot less characters wondering the park. 

There were a few first on this trip including Ellie becoming a thrill seeker. She rode Space Mountain once, it was a little to fast, Matterhorn, Big Thunder Railroad, Goofy's flight school, Jumping Jellyfish, Splash Mountain, and Tower of Scary, i mean Terror!!! She was really hoping to do Indiana Jones, but she was to short. We all rode the TeaCups together!!! I have been terrified after being so sick riding it a few years ago, but all turned out well!!! We also got to walk out of Monsters Inc. when the ride shutdown. Ellie loved it:)


We can't wait for our next trip once CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE's construction is finished and they open the new Cars land, with the Haycock crew for my parents 50th wedding anniversary next fall. Our kids both need to grow a few inches this year so Ellie can tackle the rollercoaster and Coop can ride some of the big rides too!!! 

Random OCTober Happenings

Here are a few random pics i found on my phone...
The kids loved taking rides in Daddy's Jeep!!1

Brady noticed the NON-CAFFEINE FREE Diet Coke in the offensive box at BYU!!!

We also saw Nate on TV during the game!!!!

I think Coop may be a litte to big for the swing:)

Shopping with Grandma, Ellie playing with her new anti-sanitizers!!!

Ellie's new winter hat, we are on a big Hello Kitty kick at our house lately!!!

Cheesing it up at the dinner table!!!

Farewell to Cody!!!

The middle of the month we took off to Las Vegas, my nephew, Cody was getting ready to leave on his mission to Portugal.
We had a blast hanging out with Chelcie and Nate friday night we saw Footloose, it was pretty good despite it being Kevin Baconless, and in my next life can i please have a body like Julianne Hough!!!!


Saturday we took in a soccer game of Rykers and had a huge family dinner at Macayo's.

Someone found Grandpa's stash of BB Guns behind the office door. 

Played with some of our cousins. 

Took some family photos.

Ellie just looking adorable!!!

I can't believe a post about Cody and I didn't even get a pic of him. Here is one i stole from his Mom's facebook page as we was entering the MTC!!! Good Luck and we will see you in 2 years!!

Zion & Tuacahn

October started and ended as a busy month for our family. Brady's parents came down the first part of the month to attend the Tuacahn shows. Ellie and I were lucky enough to get to see The Little Mermaid with them. It was fantastic and Ellie enjoyed every moment of the show. Her favorite part was the bubbles during Under the Sea. After we even got a chance to met and take pictures with Ariel and Eric!!! Ellie can't wait for Aladdin next year and asks about it all the time.

On Sunday while his parents were here, we took a drive out to our favorite restaurant in Zion, The Majestic Lodge, and then we drove through the entire park and made a stop at one of the lodges on the other side. We were looking for the buffalo, but couldn't see them so we settled for the horses instead. There was a bunch of hay all over the ground the kids kept feeding the horses with. They ran all their energy off and had a fantastic time. 

One early morning Brady and his Dad took the Jeep out on a few trails around town. They had an adventurous time despite the cold weather.

We had such a great time while they were here and can't wait for their next trip down south.

When Did September end....

Brady had a conference up North for work and then he traveled to Austin for the BYU football game and while we was away the kids and I had a great time. At first we were planning on heading to Vegas, but then I realized Ellie has school!!! So instead we stayed and played in St. George

Ellie continued to model her new school clothes, along with Cooper and her BFF Abby...

 Mickey found a new home...

We spent some time at the water parks...

We had a McDonald's picnic in the front room and watched the old school Mickey Mouse and the Musketeers (a new family fave)!!!

I made a fall wreath...

The kids got all spirited out in the BYU gear, 

Cooper was always part of the Riley faithful!!!!

and Cooper was a crazy sleeper. The entire time Brady was gone he would go in his room at 8:30 for bed and then stay up and play until 11 or so, loading his bed full of toys first. One night I thought he was totally asleep, then around 10 I heard the strumming of his guitar or the humming of his harmonica. This was the beginning of the end of naps and thus him going back to sleep at a reasonable hour. 

So far behind

I can't belive how long it's been since i've updated the ole blog. They have totally changed the way to post and i hope its not to confusing. In the next few days  i will catch up so just bear with me as we take a blast through the fall with the flygare family:)