Saturday, January 23, 2010

wish you were here...



Yes, Spring. I mean you! You bring such beauty to the world in all your colorful glory. Please show yourself soon and shoo this cold, frigidness out of the way.

As much as I love seeing white everywhere. I can only take it for so long. I need color. Lots and lots of color.

Mmm'kay pumpkin?!



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Thursday, January 21, 2010

Stand by me

A friend at work showed me this video. I was grinning ear to ear watching it. I love it!!

I especially love "Grandpa Elliot" from New Orleans. What a cutie!



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Monday, January 18, 2010

Lately...

I haven't been blogging on here a whole lot lately. My mind and body have been focused on other things. To find out what I've been up to lately...go here!

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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Lifestyle change...for real this time.

Yeah, yeah I've said it so many times before. I've posted about how I'm going to change my lifestyle, I even hired a personal trainer before to help me get it done. But, none of that really took a permanent change for me. Why? I don't know.

But I do know this. The doctor said Ryan needs to get healthy and lose weight. His bad numbers need to go down, and the good numbers need to go up. And you know what? That's all the information I needed to hear to make things click in my brain and make the changes. I love Ryan and if the doctor says he needs to do this or he'll be put on meds for the rest of his life then I'm going to be the one to help make that happen, not just for him, but for me as well - heaven knows I need this just as much as he does, if not more.

It's about cooking better meals, healthier meals. Making better choices when eating out, and not eating out like we used to. It's about planning ahead and making lunch to take to work, not being stuck without anything to eat and ending up going to JCW's.

It's about loving who we are and wanting to make ourselves better, inside and out. It's about living a longer life, and being able to enjoy it.

One thing I'm doing to help me along the way is blog about it, but not on here. check it out here if you like.

Here's to getting my health on!

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Sunday, January 3, 2010

Christmas

Still trying to play catch up for the Holidays...

A few weeks before Christmas I had posted that Ryan had surprised me with a new Piano. As promised here are some pictures. It plays beautifully! I've especially been enjoying playing the Charlie Brown Christmas music on it. Isn't she a beaut?!






Ryan and I had an enjoyable Christmas with his family this year, the first Christmas we've spent with them in almost 5 years of marriage.

We planned on starting our drive up to Powell, Wyoming on Dec 23rd, but the weather was a bit crazy and we didn't want to take our chances - especially since Wyoming winters are not the best...way too cold and windy. We told the family we most likely weren't going to be able to make it, due to the unruly weather.

So, since we still weren't sure if we were going up there we decided to do something totally unethical for Christmas, we opened our presents to each other on the 23rd. I know, crazy, but we had fun! I got Ryan a blu-ray player, gift card to "In and Out", and an unknown gift that his friend Brian had picked out for me to get him, although he wouldn't tell me what it was.

Ryan opened it and had this confused look on his face, as did I. It was the new Classic SuperMario Bros. game for the Wii. We didn't have a Wii! There's a lot more to the story and it's actually really funny, but it'll take a while to type. So, basically after our awkward moment there Ryan surprises me with a Wii! WHAT?! Man, I sure got spoiled this year!!

Christmas Eve I woke up to Ryan tapping me saying, "if we leave we gotta go now". The weather had cleared up and it looked like it was going to be clear skies for the next few days. So, we packed up and headed out. The weather was perfect!

I had sent a text to Jasi letting her know at one point we were in Shoshoni, a few hours outside of Cody. She was excited and had told her Dad that we were actually going to make it afterall. However, they didn't tell their Mom. It was a surprise.

After a few bathroom stops, and one for Taco Johns, and about 8 hours later we arrived in Cody. I needed to make a quick stop to Walmart before proceeding on to Powell, about 25 minutes away. We arrived at the Hadden home around 7pm. Ryan's Mom was surprised to see us, and it was exciting! We chilled for the rest of the night and headed to bed early, we'd had a long day.

The one thing I absolutely love about where Ryan's parents live is the constant herds of deer that hang around their property. It's so exciting for me! Here's what I'm talking about...

(pictures taken by Ryan)





Christmas morning we woke up to a yummy breakfast of eggs, bacon and rolls, courtesy of Mama Jane.

We hung around until Jasi and Ryan got there and then it was time to open presents. Jasi gave me some yummy Paula Deen scented candles - seriously yummy! I got some fuzzy socks, DVD's and a video from Jane. Thanks you guys!!

That afternoon we had Christmas lunch with Grampa Richards and the Eskeli's (Ryan's parents). We had yummy ham, funeral potatos that Jasi made - delish, beans dish and some DIVINE Jello-type desert. It was HEAVENLY! We chilled and hang out the rest of the day and took some pics of us on Jane's new Camera. Love these guys!



My Ryan, and Jasi's Ryan, and I eating Christmas treats

Ryan, Jasi, Ryan, me.

Ryan and I being silly.




The next day we had lunch at Hansel & Gretel's. I'm kicking myself that I didn't take any pictures of the place. It's a cute restaurant in downtown Powell, and the food is fantastic. It's a place where Ryan would hang out during lunch while back in High School. Cool place!

We headed home early the next morning, since a storm was on it's way. We had a great time with our Wyoming family. Thanks for everything you guys!! Love you!

We went through Bozeman Montana on our way home and was able to snap some pictures that I took while riding in the passengers seat of the car. This was up in the canyon up close by Yellowstone. It was gorgeous!





Over all it was a great Christmas vacation!





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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!




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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. :)


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