Fall 2008

Peyton has learned how to climb up the stairs. She made it all the way to the top by herself, but of course mommy was close by. I tried to upload a video of her climbing the stairs, but it wasn't working, so look for that in the future.




Peyton tried a bannana for the first time here. Let's just say she was a sticky mess by the time that bannana was finished, but she did a good job eating it up.




Halloween! Miss Peyton was quite the cute little ladybug. She didn't mind keeping the costume on. When the costume was off of her she loved to laugh at it. She thought it was a very fun thing.

Peyton and Mom went to a Halloween party with their friend Ricki. Ricki's husband Richie left for Iraq the same time as Mitch. We hang out quite a bit and keep each other company. When Richie found out what I dressed up as for Halloween, he commented that there was no need for me to dress up. For those of you who know Richie, quite the typical comment and for you Richie, just wait till you get home!

My friend Ricki helped me take some fall pictures of Peyton. She was pretty cooperative, but got bored quickly as you can see. She was loving the pumpkins around her. She posed pretty adorably in this picture.

Peyton was soon bored with all the pictures. I can just imagine what she was thinking. "Oh Mom, not another pictures"

"Will this ever end?"

I was cleaning out underneath the stove and Peyton thought it would be so fun to pull out the pans. She loves the noises they made when she banged them together. She is such a curious little lady.

Play the video below.

This is Peyton just shortly after she discovered she can stand up.

Peyton loves to look out the back sliding glass door. She is slowly discovering the doggy door. I just hope she doesn't attempt to crawl through it. I told Ellie it was her job to guard the door and to not let Peyton escape. She just looked at me with little response.

Bye, Bye Daddy.

Mitch left for Iraq Friday the 5th of September 2008. Here is Daddy giving Peyton one last kiss goodbye. It was a rough day for me, but I was able to keep it together. Mitch had to check in at post by noon, but he didn't actually get on the bus for the airport until 4:00 that afternoon. It was a long four hours, but I was glad to have a bit more time to spend with him.

One last family picture. It was a gloomy day, but I guess that fit our moods.

The Sunday before Mitch left we went to take pictures in the park. Peyton was so cooperative and we were able to get many adorable pictures of her.

A year in Colorado

Where should I start? Peyton is getting bigger by the day, and as you can see in the following pictures, is cuter than ever! Morgan and I are truly blessed with her in our lives. I leave for Iraq in about a week and will miss both Morgan and Peyton lots! Please pray for us as we go through this upcoming deployment, and if you have been praying already, thank you very much. God is always faithful, and we can definitely feel your prayers through his love.

P.S.- You can double click on the pictures to make them bigger.



Here is Peyton getting ready for her first bite of peas! Yummy!




I don't know what her expression means, but it sure is funny.



Here she is playing with Ellie, they have been interacting quite a bit ever since Peyton has aquired her "wheels."


On block leave we were able to go to the fireworks in McCall, ID on the 4th of July. This is Peyton's reaction. I don't think she was too pleased that she was woken up.


Here are all my brothers and sisters, minus two step-brothers in CA.




Kristina and Peyton had a great time together. "I love you baby PeyPey."



We ventured out to see Great-Grandma Betty in Emmett. She was happy to see her great-granddaughter!



My mother, myself, and Peyton.


Lately, Peyton has been aquiring and enjoying many new toys:)


Great Grandpa Ryals, Grandpa Ryals, Baby Peyton, and Mom.



Great Grandma Ryals, Peyton and Mom.


Of course, how could we leave out Natalie's 21st birthday....that she made her mother throw for her;)


The lady and her hats!


Grandma and Grandpa Marks with Little Miss Peyton.


Peyton, Grandpa, and Dad.


From left to right: Ritch, Zach, Me, and Matt. Zach and I are no longer in Bravo, but these studs were the original 4 LTs in Bulldog Battery.


Peyton is not such a picky eater... Here she is diversifying her palate! Rawhides and nylabones are delish!



Peyton loves to laugh at daddy. Mom says he is goofy.

It has been a long time!

Howdy to all. I know that you all might think we have fallen off the face of the earth,
but we are all here and doing well. We will be in Boise from June 21 through July 12 and
would love to see you. Here is what we have been up to these last 6 months.

June -

Last week Morgan's sisters Natalie and Cassie and Cassie's husband
Fernando came to visit. We had a great time seeing the sights around
Colorado Springs. Peyton had a blast hanging out with her
Aunts and Uncle.


Last Saturday Peyton had her first very own Pool Party. It was finally
warm enough for her to take a dip in the pool. She loves to splash around
in the water. Check out the video taken by her aunt Natalie.






"Oops, I dipped my face in the water. "

"I love my pool"

Peyton is starting to cut her first tooth. As you can see below,

she will chew on anything and everything she can get to her mouth.

We also were able to make it to a ROCKIES MLB game.

It was a pretty uneventful game up until the bottom of the

9th inning. Finally the Rockies were able to score after the game

stayed at a 0-0 tie.

This picture was just too darn cute to not show all of you.

Peyton turned 5 months on the 2nd of June. She is so full of

life it truly amazes us everyday to watch her grow and

discover new things. God is so amazing and has truly blessed

our lives with our daughter.

Pikes Peak is a famous mountain near Colorado Springs.

We drove up to the summit where it was only 31 degrees.

We only stayed a short while, but the view was amazing.

We were also able to make it to the Denver Zoo.

Here is a picture of Peyton on her first trip to the

Zoo.

May -

Morgan's school year ended. She survived her first year of teaching.

Next year she will be teaching at the same school, but will be

teaching sixth graders reading and writing.

In May Morgan was able to go to Dominique's wedding in Florida.

She went without Mitch or Peyton. So, Mitch got his turn at being a

single parent for a week, while mom was out playing on the beach.

April -

April was a tough month for Morgan. Mitch had to

head to CA to train for a month before he leaves for Iraq.

So, Morgan experienced what it is like to be a single parent.

Fortunately, we all survived the month, and for Mother's Day

Mitch was able to come home.

March -

SPRING BREAK!

In March we were all able to head home to Boise

to visit.

Peyton had a great 1st Easter. Grandma Ryals

made sure to spoil her with Easter basket goodies.

Yes that is a PEZ dispenser in the picture,

Grandma Ryals should know babies can't have PEZ,

but none the less.

Mitch was able to spend some well deserved time

away from work. Here he is on the South Fork of the

Boise River with a little fishy.

While we were home, we were able to visit Peyton's

Great Grandma Kyle. It was neat to be able to take

a four generation picture. Grandma was very excited to

meet her great grandaughter.

February -

In February Morgan brought Peyton home to Boise

to visit for the first time. She was visited by many

friends and family. She had a photo shoot done by Morgan's

aunt Cindy. They turned out so adorable.

January -

Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, the Aunties came to visit.

They enjoyed meeting their neice for the first time. Peyton was

three weeks old.

Just a few more pictures....

Here is Peyton being held by daddy. He is very proud of his beautiful girl!

Otis has been very protective of his little sister. He has to check on her periodically just to make sure she is O.K. He also gets concerned when she is crying.

Otis getting a little closer....

She woke up for a bit.

She is here!

She is here!!!

Peyton Elizabeth Marks

Born Jan 2, 2008 at 2:23 pm.

7 pounds 8 ounces

21 inches long


Peyton Elizabeth Marks finally came into the world on January 2nd, 2008, a week late, but whose counting. On the night of New Years, Morgan started having contractions, we found ourselves at the hospital on Fort Carson just after mid-night. Morgan was in labor for around 14 hours and Peyton was born at 2:23 pm! She came out at a whopping 7 pounds 8 ounces and 21 inches tall.

Grandma and Grandpa Ryals were able to make it out to Colorado Springs for Christmas break. They had to wait a week and a half to see their first grandbaby, but I am sure it was worth the wait. We were able to keep Grandpa busy by allowing him to do a few small home improvement projects.

Here are the proud Grandparents:

We were able to leave the hospital that Friday and were joined by Grandma and Grandpa Talford, Mitch's mom and step dad.

Grandma Sherri giving Peyton her first bath at home.

We enjoyed being able to spend Christmas with Morgan's parents, since we were unable to make it back to Boise for the Holidays. Morgan will get a six week break from school and will return just after Presidents weekend in February. Mitch has been able to take two weeks off from work, but will soon be heading to the field, leaving Morgan to discover single parenting. Peyton's aunts will be here this coming weekend to visit; we are looking forward to the company.

Other exciting news:

Otis Cole turns two:

Happy Birthday Otis!