Here are just a few of the pictures from our Christmas 2007. Isn't Riley the cutest baby EVER?!? We went to Grandma & Grandpa Passey's for Christmas Eve and stayed the night. Christmas morning was chaotic with all the cousins, but so much fun! Riley was more interested in the wrapping paper than what was inside his presents, but he seems to like his new toys and he LOVES his new books!
Riley is coming up on 6 months and is doing really well! He is sitting up by himself and he's even learned to pull his knees up under himself so we're sure it won't be long before he's crawling. He is such a social butterfly and loves being with people. He is a mover and a shaker and its getting harder to keep him on my lap as he reaches for new things to play with and cranks his head to see what's going on around him. I'll post some more pics and some video later. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Well, Benson being the amazing gift-giver that he always is, got me a new digital video camera for our anniversary. (You may think that 'fruit & flowers' is the traditional 4 year anniversary gift but you'd be wrong...its digital electronics!) Believe it or not, this is my very first video camera EVER! I'm really excited to start getting video of our family as we (and Riley) are growing. I'm also going to have to learn how to use Adobe Premier Pro so I can show up Adam & Ryan with my video productions :)

Merry Christmas!

Riley thought this Santa's hat was pretty fun...his smile is so contagious!

All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth!

Well, after a long few days of runny noses, gallons of drool, and general crankiness, Riley officially have two bottom teeth! If you look really close you can seem them there in the photo. 5 months is a little earlier than we were planning on, but he has been ahead of the curve on everything else, so why not! He loves eating cereal with a spoon like he sees us doing, but I think its more because he likes making a mess than the actual food itself.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...BY RILEY

The TV. I know there are better things to be doing (like trying to get my feet into my mouth or seeing if I can break my spit-up distance record) but I just can't help being fascinated by the television. Wherever I am in the room, I will twist and turn to catch a glimpse of what is on. Today Daddy caught me in his recliner trying to turn the darn thing on...so many buttons I just can't remember which one. My usual tactic at this point is to push them all and then stick the remote in my mouth but unfortunately that's only worked once. I know what they say...TV will rot my brain yada yada, but I just can't help feeling like I might actually learn something from those dudes down on Sesame Street. Besides, my days are rough with all the playing and the napping and lets not forget the spit-up...doesn't a guy deserve a little down time?

UDreamIt Vinyl Business

As if I need something else to do....I have been helping Ashlee start a new vinyl design business. Its called UDreamIt Vinyl and the whole idea is that we do custom designs instead of the same old sayings you see everywhere out there. Here are just a few examples of the designs we've done so far. We've been putting the vinyl on tiles, boards, candles, plates, clocks, walls, car windows...pretty much any flat surface that could use a little decoration. She's had an open house, done an enrichment night at BYU-Idaho, and spent two weekends at the local flea market. She's had a really positive response so far and think she will do really well. The demand for new designs keeps me on my toes, but I love doing them and its been a lot of fun!

Sunday night on our way home from Boise we got a phone call from my Mom telling us about a fireside by Michael McLean based on his book and CD about the adoption process. I really wanted to go, but Benson was sick and just wanted to get home and into bed. I dropped him off and drove straight to the chapel with Riley and got there just 2 minutes after it had started. He shared the stories behind the songs and how the adoption process had touched his life. He sang songs from all different perspectives including the birth mother, the adoptive couple, the adopted child, and even the birth grandparents. The spirit was so strong and I pretty much balled my eyes out for the whole hour. I am so grateful for the adoption process and how it brings families together in ways that otherwise wouldn't be possible.

Boise Thanksgiving 2007
It was a great, relaxing weekend at the Smith residence for Thanksgiving. We went to the Boise
Building to take family pictures in the lobby...i think they turned out pretty good :) After Thanksgiving dinner, all the girls banded together and we were able to make 6 baby quilts for the church's humanitarian effort. We got to hang out with the new, beautiful baby Macey and Riley got to spend some quality time with his aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. Before we left home, we had explained to him thoroughly the importance of making good impressions, and just like the angel that he is, he pretty much kept a smile on his face all weekend. :) He really is just a happy baby and we feel so blessed to have him in our lives. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!

Newest Family Pic

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Mom & Riley

Just a beautiful fall day out at Grandma & Grandpa's

Riley loves going outside and looking at the trees and hanging
out with Daddy. Sitting in the leaves, he seemed very intent on
the new sensation of the crunchy leaves in his hands.

A Cold Day in October

It was only the first week in October and we had a snowstorm that dropped 3 inches overnight. We bundled Riley up for the cold and went to the new flea market. He was so warm and comfy that he just slept in his stroller the whole time. He seems to like the colder weather better than the heat of summer....i don't blame him

Decorating Fun!

Hannah asked for a bedroom remodel for her birthday this year and it turned into a huge house reshuffle at the Petersen residence. They moved her downstairs and had the room painted in brown with a turquoise stripe, so Krischelle and I decided to take the whole day while Hannah was in school and finish the remodel. We painted furniture, put some vinyl on the walls, and filled the room with accessories. It came together so cute and Hannah LOVED how it all turned out. We could so be on HGTV!

New Calling!

Benson & I got new callings in the ward. We will be team-teaching the 17 year old Sunday School Class. Ikes. Yesterday was the first time we taught...(actually I taught the lesson and Benson sat in the corner holding Riley with a pained look on his face. He threw his back out and could hardly walk so I took over the lesson for this week.) We are still trying to decide if we will take turns or teach together. The kids are typical 17 year olds...moving the chairs to the perimeter of the room so they can lean back against the walls. It will be a challenge each week to keep them interested and participating but we look forward to the adventure.

I'm 2 Months Old!!

Yeah, yeah, I know I'm pretty much the cutest baby ever.

Oh my goodness life can get so tiring! I've eaten, got a new diaper, and played all morning...I so deserve a break!

Every once in a while Dad gets to steal a few minutes away from his busy day at work to play with me. Sometimes I wonder if he wakes me up from my naps on purpose....hmmm.

Mom is getting pretty good at answering phones, checking her email, and cuddling me all at the same time. I think its great cuz its my favorite place to hang out during the day.

OUCH!

This is a painful example of what can happen when
you mix a tent, a strong gust of wind,
and a mean run of bad luck.

Boise Weekend

We had a great Labor Day weekend in Boise. Most of Benson's family hadn't met Riley yet so we decided to make a quick trip over there. We had so much fun, spent too much money, and just relaxed for a few days. Here are a few highlights.
Ryan and Tess met Riley for the first time. It took a few minutes, but I think he decided they were pretty cool.

Aunt Jamie...(a.k.a. the queen of swaddling) is our favorite babysitter!

We had fun catching up with Great Grandma and Grandpa Smith. Riley was all smiles as Grandma held and cuddled him.

Grandma Smith was so excited to see Riley again. He has changed so much since she came to visit when he was just a week old. He is smiling in response to people now and is so attentative to his surroundings.

Grandma & Grandpa Luster

This past week Riley got to meet Grandpa Jack and Grandma Carolynn for the first time. We got to spend a few days in Island Park with them (Benson couldn't come due to a crazy weekend at work) and Riley thrived (and slept well) in the cool mountain air. Grandpa & Grandpa Petersen, Aunt Elaine, Krischelle, Zach, Hannah, and McKenna were there, too and Ashlee and Micah even brought their family for the last few days. We saw "Annie Get Your Gun" at the Playmill in West Yellowstone and did some shopping, too. Mostly we just enjoyed camping and letting Grandma feed us. :)

To Each His Own

Okay, I know that we each have our own little quarky things, but every time Riley arches his back and starts checking out his world upside down, it cracks me up. This position will calm him down when he's fussy and kinda freaks people out cause it looks like he's breaking his neck! McKenna thinks its pretty funny, too. :)

Aunt Krischelle

Aunt Krischelle loves spending time with Riley. She helps so much during this busy summer time when Benson and I are running around trying to get things done at Signature. He has no shortage of people who love him!

Our Family is Growing

We wanted to put this blog out there for all our family and friends to stay updated on our family and growing baby. Riley is changing every day and we love to see how his personality is developing into an amazing little person. This top photo was taken at the hospital in Colorado Springs. Riley was so mellow and didn't fuss much. Grandma Jo was there with us and helped alot the first night we took him back to the hotel. Sleep deprivation was a new thing to us.The whole trip home was a dream and we couldn't have asked for things to go any smoother.