Three, Three, Three

Today we celebrated Riley's 3rd Birthday. I know some of you are thinking, but he turned three in December. He did but between Christmas and the loss of my job we delayed it by a few months. I want to thank everyone who came to the party. Riley got so many wonderful presents and it was so nice to spend an evening with our family and friends.

My super cute niece Kinley. I just want to eat her

Diana made Riley the cutest Dinosaur cake. He just loved it

Lock up your daughter is right....we have a lady killer on the loose

Some new shoes...new Crocs to be exact. Riley loves his Crocs. Luckily Grandma Sherry keeps him supplied and has since birth

Chelsey stopped by for a visit before the party to bring him a new Bob the Builder video. He also had a visit, From Tad, Tammy, Zach, Grandma Colene and Papa Richard, but I forgot to get the camera out.

Grandpa Dale, Grandma Diana and Aunt Kim

Me and Sadie. This kid has more spunk than she knows what to do with.

Uncle Colby, Grandma Teri and Papa Bill

Kelly, Braden and Braden's friend. Riley is Braden's biggest fan.

The proud parents of Riley Joe Taylor Beck North

Grandma Sherry and Papa Tim

Uh OH...I'm not sure who is going to win this fight...my money is on Riley

Great Grandpa Dean and Great Grandma Jean

Uncle Colby scored big point by giving Riley his very own Golf Putter. By the time Colby gets home from his mission he will be a pro.

We had so much fun watching Riley open all his presents and sing happy Birthday to him while he blew out his candles. What a big boy he is getting to be. He amazes me everyday with how smart he is. I am finding that he is not a baby at all anymore but a cute little boy who seems to be changing daily right before our eyes. I feel so very blessed to be his mother, and I am so grateful to all of you for helping us raise such a wonderful boy. He is a light in all our lives. We love you all and thank you for helping make this a special day for him.

Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward
{The Rules}

1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me~something crafty or yummy, who knows?!

2. Winners must post this challenge on their blog, meaning that they will 'Pay It Forward,' creating a handmade gift~anything, for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on their post about this giveaway!

3. The gift that you send to your friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item.
♥ ♥ ♥

A new Blog

I have officially started a blog for Colby to track his mission. If you would like to add it to your list it's http://bigcheesenews.blogspot.com/

Random Thought

Forget world peace!! If I was in charge I would say to HELL with daylight savings. Or at least pick a time and leave it. 4 months of an hours difference just really isn't worth it.

Is uncle Colby going golfing?

So trying to explain to a three year old that uncle Colby is leaving for two years

has not been the easiest of feats. When we ask Riley where Colby is going

sometimes he says "He's going golfing!" We keep trying to explain

that he is going on a mission to teach people about Jesus but I am pretty sure

he has no clue that Colby is really going to be GONE for 2 years.

But anyways here is a picture of Colby, Justin and Mat golfing in St George

a few weekends ago. I know Mat had a great time and he is going to miss Colby

a lot when spring gets here.

We love you uncle Boby!!!!

Where in the World is Elder North Going?

Family, friends, and neighbors gathered at the North residence last

night to find out where my sweet brother Colby will be headed for 2

years to serve an LDS Mission

There were so many people there to support him, it was really awesome.

Colby is one of the greatest people I know.

He is generous with his time and his heart and is always willing to lend a

helping hand if he can. He is awesome with Riley and I am

grateful to Colby for all the time he spends with him.

I know Riley is going to miss him so much. He loves going to Grandma

Teri's to play tractors and Bob the Builder with Uncle Boby.


The Kitchen was filled with treats and more people. By the time everyone arrived
it was standing room only.

Colby hanging out with his friends awaiting the reading in just minutes to come

The anticipation is just about killing everyone

Trying to act laid back but you know he's nervous as heck!! Ü

Waiting around some more

Taking a turn at the guessing map

HMMMM where do you think Colby is going?

The Moment of truth. Colby Richard North has been called to Serve

in the Richmond Virgina Mission. FYI Chelsey guessed right

so she got the prize of the night

The Proud Parents!! And they should be. They have raised one of the best

kids I have ever met. I am really glad that Riley has him to look up to.

The Proud Grandparents

His super proud sister. I can't believe he is going to be leaving us all

but I am also so excited for him and all that he will get to do

and experience.

Amy, Riley, Colby, Sadie, Justin & Kinley

Just Chillin with the friends.

Colby checks into the MTC on April 1st and I hope for all our

sakes he is back before we even know he's gone.

Colby we are so proud of you and wish you

the best of luck on this Chapter of your life.

We know you will make an awesome Missionary!

Lots of Love!!

Amy, Mat & Riley Joe Taylor Beck North

Back to reality

It's my first official week back at work and all things considered it is going really well. My feet and lower back would beg to differ, but it feels good to get back in the swing of things. I am learning a lot of new things and luckily everyone is being really patient with me while I ask the same question at least 5 times before I finally remember it. You ladies are awesome!!! ( and you know who you are)
I also want to give a special thanks to Teri, Diana, Grandma Colene and Jamie for helping me out with the babysitting. Without all of you this wouldn't be possible. So thanks again for all you do for me and my family.
And I promise I will get up some more stuff of Riley ASAP, We have many stories to share.

XOXOXOXO

Breaking News:

After 3 months at home with my cute little boy, I got the great news that I am heading back to work. I am delighted to say that I am headed back to work at Capital Community Bank at the Pleasant Grove Office. Now for those of you who know me well, change does not always come easy for me. I like the familiar, the routine, but being home for three months with lots of time to think, I have realized that change can be (and most often is) a good thing.
So with my new job I am going to embrace all the changes that come with it, and most importantly be grateful for the opportunity to go back to a place that I really didn't want to leave to begin with. Granted I will be at a new office, but I have had the pleasure of working with most of the people there and I feel lucky to be surrounded by them again. And I am especially happy about being in the same building as my dear friend Lacy, who I can now see everyday, and perhaps lunch with at least once a week. (This is me embracing change)
I want to thank all my family and friends who have offered me words of encouragement, called me with job opportunities (even if they didn't pan out) and have just been there for me. Your love and friendship mean the world to me. But for now I am going to enjoy this week at home with my sweet Riley, and worry about the checkbook next week.

XOXOXO
Ames

The Happiest Place on Earth

Last week Mat and I got to take a trip to Disney World in Florida with Mat's work. We stayed at the Coronodo Springs, one of Disney's resorts, and it was so much fun. From getting our grove on at the dance club at the hotel, to a digital scavenger hunt in the Magic Kingdom, it was never a boring trip.

Jack with Tigger and Pooh on the Digital Scavenger Hunt
Here we are at Hollywood Studio's in line for the Rockin Roller Coaster

Matt & Lisa Before the Rockin Roller Coaster

Kyle, Karen, Mat and Aubrey

The Castle at the Magic Kingdom. Riley is pretty sure there is a dragon in there.

Amy & Aubrey in Line to ride Buzz Light Year. Of course the boys beat all the girls.

Jack, Karen, Kyle, Aubrey, Mat, Amy, Lisa & Matt after our first ride

on the Rockin Roller Coaster....good times were had by all.

Mat & Buzz at the Toy Story ride at Hollywood Studios

Amy and Lisa at the Rockin Roller Coaster

Oh Look!! It's Mr. Potato Head...or is that Mat?

Kyle and Aubrey and the Tower of Terror Behind them.

We had so much fun, and it was nice to get to hang out with people outside of work.

But I must give a special thanks to Mat who worked his tail off all year (and every year)

and got invited to the Presidents Club. He works really hard, as did all those who were invited.

And every one who knows me knows I love Disney Land, and roller coasters.

It was a great little get-a-way, with a lot of fun people.

Un-Christmas

I want you all to be proud that I am taking down my Christmas stuff before January ends....I know hard to believe as much as I love the holiday and all. You will be glad to know that my son is following in my footsteps. His cries of protest as I pulled the ornaments off the tree could surely be heard as far as Provo.
"But Mama, you can't take the tree down, what about our Christmas?"
Trying to explain to a three year old that in less than 10 glorious months we will get it out again is a little harder than I thought....Oh well.