Monday, December 28, 2009

Happy 30th, and 6th b-day!

December 29th.



Today was always just my little sister, Caitilin's birthday. That was until she decided to get married, and have two boys - one of which was born on her birthday; coolest birthday present ever I'd say!



Now, it's Caitilin and Ryan's birthday. And oh! How I love these two people. I mean, I love every member of my family, but I wanted to spotlight these two in honor of their Birthday.

Caitilin is 30 today!! She was born 28 months after me. I don't remember her being born but I'm sure I was happy, unlike Erin, who wanted to "throw her out the window". That's a funny story.

Caiti and I were always close growing up. Since I was the oldest of the youngest four she and I always shared a room. We shared the same bed for the longest time until Jr. High when my parents thought it would be good for us to have our own beds, daybeds. It was a good day.



Caitilin was always the mother figure growing up. She was always taking care of everyone, and she loved to cook.

We hung out all the time, worked at chick-fil-a together, went to NKOTB together, she even bought my ticket to see the Backstreet boys.

While I was on my Mission Caiti (19 at the time) met and married a good man, Kurt Summerhays. She was the first of the siblings to get married. I met Kurt when he came to Chile with a friend. I still remember the phone call saying that he had a package for me. I had no idea who this dude was but he just happened to mention that he and Caiti were dating. WHAT?! Caiti never told me this!! Yeah, it was a surprise, but a good one. I sent Kurt home with a package for my family, and a letter to Caiti saying that I approved. After I met him I knew they would get married. He was perfect for her, and still is.



I remember asking my Mission President if I could call home to talk to her before she got married, he denied my request but said "she won't remember the whole conversation over the phone, but she'll cherish a letter more". I was bummed, but I knew he was right.

Even though she is younger then me, she feels like my older sister because she's so mature. I always go to her for advice and for comfort when I need it. She's a great listener, a great friend, sister and especially a great Mother.

She's got these two amazing boys, Gavin and Ryan. Love them both so much!!

Ryan cracks me up! He's the younger of the two boys. He acts so much like his mom. When he tries to help Gavin do the right thing he'll say it in a tone that she would use, and words she would use like, "make a good decision Gavin!".

He and Caiti need to have their own cooking show. I mean this kid is 6 years old today and reads cook books to his mom. He's so smart, he and Gavin both are amazing boys.

Here are some fun videos and pictures of the two of them.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAITI & RYAN. Love you so much!!










Ryan sleeping

Gavin and Ryan in Asheville, NC

Ryan & Gavin looking out the window in my house

The Ryan and Caiti show!




post signature

Sunday, December 20, 2009

another early gift


My parents got me this to play on my new piano. Man oh man am I LOVING it!...and yes, the piano too. :)


post signature

Monday, December 14, 2009

SINGING CHRISTMAS CARD

Hey everyone,

This is my brothers website, and offering FREE Singing Christmas cards on TUESDAY the 15th ONLY. Get ‘em while you can!!!
-Shannon


Merry Christmas, friends and family!

Some of you know that I recently launched a website called SingingChristmasCard.com On that site, over 250 personalized Christmas songs are available to send as an e-card, instantly. Normally, the cost of sending one is $5.95. A pretty good deal if you ask me!

But I've got a better deal for you... and all your friends... and all their friends, and so on. This Tuesday, December 15th 2009, for one day only, all 250+ of my personalized Christmas songs will be FREE to send. Yep, FREE! There's no special code to enter, no membership to buy, nothing like that. This is one of those rare times when free really means FREE!

Send as many as you like, tell your friends and relatives to send as many as they like. Forward this email to everybody you know! Blog about it! Twitter about it! Make it your Facebook status! Send a mass text! Get the word out! I want everyone in your circle, and everyone in their circle and beyond to take full advantage of this!

Wishing you and yours the best this Christmas!

Shane Curran
SingingChristmasCard.com



post signature

Saturday, December 12, 2009

"I'm yours"...

This is so dang cute! And man, this kid can sure play the Uke.

Happy Saturday!




post signature

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Early Christmas gift

I am still in shock, I'm speachless! Tonight Ryan came home and told me that this will be delivered to our house on Saturday. Are you kidding me?!


I cried. Oh yes I cried.


I have the best husband. I don't tell him enough how great he is. Thank you, Ryan! I love, love, LOVE YOU!!!




*this is the exact piano, except in Mahogany. Ooohhhh...ahhhh!!!




post signature

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Vay-cay??!!

In my mind this would definitely be considered a vacation even though it would be work, work, work. Ever since hearing about the opening of this from Ryan, I have wanted to go. You can make it a week long event or a full month. I would go for the full month if I could. It would cost a pretty penny, but would be soooo worth it! Anyone want to help donate?

I mean look at everything you do on a single day...


*Fitness and Exercise*

Immerse yourself in a variety of indoor fitness classes in our gymnasium and aerobics room with Toning, Circuit Training, Indoor Cycling, Tai Chi, and Yoga. Or take the opportunity to experience an outdoor activity like Water Aerobics, Outdoor Mountain, or Road Cycling.

Sample of our daily schedule:
6:00 am - Open Gym or Class
7:00 am - BreakfastStretch
8:00 am - Hike / Walk
11:30 am - Water Aerobics
12:45 pm - Lunch
1:15 pm - Education Series: Cooking Demo
2:30 pm - Kickboxing
3:30 pm - Circuit Training

4:30 pm - Stretch

5:30 pm - Dinner

6:15 pm - Education Series: Intuitive Eating


*Schedule has seasonal changes
Other Classes during the week may include: * Total Toning * Cardio Circuit * Living Drums * Step-n-Pump * Ball Works * Core Strength * Treading



post signature

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

For your enjoyment...

Monday during work my younger brother, Conn, came to my desk and chatted with me (we work at the same place). He played a song for me that he had recorded the night before. If you've ever heard him sing you know how amazing he is. The song almost brought me to tears because I was so proud of him.

Well we got talking and I told him how much I wanted to record a song with him. He agreed and we got things going. We went to my parents house that evening and went into my brothers recording studio he had built in my parents basement. We found a karaoke version of, "Baby it's cold outside", printed out the lyrics and away we went recording.

I've never recorded a song before, so this was new to me, but very exciting. We recorded the first take of it and liked how it sounded but decided we needed to play it up a bit more and really have fun with it.

Click
here for the final version of "baby it's cold outside" (and yes that's me laughing and shouting at the end...that's how fun it was!)


post signature