Big Brother Riley Turns 8!

Riley and Kaiya with cousins Cora and Alec on his birthday.

This week Riley turned 8!! I can’t believe I have a child that old! I remember when I turned 8, and at the time, my mom seemed a lot older than how I feel now. Riley is an awesome kid. He is very sensitive and thoughtful of others. Every once in a while he sneaks in my room to make my bed or leave me a nice note. He loves to read, play LEGOs, and ride his bike. He just started piano lessons last week and he is on the swim team and loves it. He is very gentle and a great helper with the babies.

Riley and the new bike he got for his birthday.

Fun Facts about Riley:

Favorite Colors: Blue and Green
Favorite Food: Pizza
Least Favorite Food: Tomatoes
Favorite Treat: Ice Cream
Grade in School (2008-2009 school year): 3rd Grade
Favorite Subjects: Reading and Art
Least Favorite Subject: Math
Favorite Superhero: Spiderman
Favorite Thing To Do: Play with friends
Favorite Restaurants: Rudy’s BBQ and Taco Bell
What he wants to be when he grows up: Moviemaker

Favorite Riley Quotes:

Riley (at the start of every meal): “What do I have to eat to get dessert?”

Riley: “Mom, what does it mean to be famous?”
Mom: “It means a lot of people know who you are.”
Riley: “Oh, I get it, so we are famous, but not rich.”

The Scene: We walk into Jamba Juice where two older ladies are sitting at a table, drinking their smoothies. Riley suddenly starts sobbing.
Mom: “Riley, what’s wrong??!?”
Riley: “I just don’t want you to get wrinkles!” (sniff, sniff)

Riley (almost seven) in the Bluebonnets--the Texas State Flower

Riley (6 years old) playing T-ball

Riley (5 years old) on his first day of Kindergarten

Riley (4 years old)

Riley (3 years old) has always loved to dress up--in anything!

Riley--2 1/2 years old

Riley--1 year old

Riley--9 months old

Riley--5 months old

Riley saving the universe--4 months old

Riley (2 weeks old) on his blessing day.


Cast your vote for which baby looks the most like Riley in the poll to the right===>

Big Brother Riley Turns 8!

Big Sister Kaiya Turns Five!

This week was Kaiya’s fifth birthday. We celebrated with a small family party, but Kaiya couldn’t have been more excited. She tells everyone who walks through our door that she is now 5, and is constantly saying things like, “Today is the first time I [go to church, eat pizza, etc.] when I am five!” Because of her birthday, I decided to focus this post on Kaiya.

Kaiya and her princess birthday cake.

Kaiya is such a fun person to have in our family. She is all girl. She loves dressing up, dancing, make-up, playing with dolls and wearing pink. She is also very smart---sometimes a little too smart! Even though she is nearly three years younger than Riley, she doesn’t let that stop her from trying to do (or out-do) everything that Riley does.

Fun Facts about Kaiya

Favorite color: pink, purple and rainbow
Favorite food: chicken bundles
Most hated food: tomatoes
Favorite treat: chocolate ice cream
Favorite place to visit: Disney world
Favorite princess: Belle
Favorite things to do: help with the babies, play dress-up
Favorite restaurant: McDonald’s
Funny thing about Kaiya: She hums when she is eating something she likes.

Favorite Kaiya Quotes:

Riley: “Mom Kaiya hit me!”
Kaiya: “It was an accident!”
Riley: “Mom, what does an accident mean?”
Kaiya: “I know, I know, an accident means that you don’t go to time out, on purpose means you do go to time out.”

Kaiya: “Where does Grandma Rappleye live?”
Mom: “She lives in Utah.”
Kaiya: “Me-tah?"

Kaiya's Baby Pictures

Kaiya's Baby Announcement Picture

Kaiya about 5 months old.

Kaiya about 8 months old.

Kaiya's first birthday.

Just for fun, I thought I would take a poll to see which baby people think looks the most like Kaiya. You can cast your vote in the poll on the right.

Big Sister Kaiya Turns Five!