The Ryans

Family Pics 2010-Check us out!

2010-03-22T07:54:00.000-07:00

So, anyways if you like what your seeing please click on the button directly below and leave a comment on christinaP's blog and I can earn me some print credit! We all know how we could use some FREE credit these days:), plus you need to see how AmAzInG she is. She works her bum off(literally, no bum;o) to get the ENTIRE fam dam to cooperate and she is super creative behind the lens. She brings treats for the kiddos and even sings a little off key to put a silly smile on your face.
Thanks Christina! You ROCK

LUCK 'O THE IRISH

2010-03-17T20:19:00.000-07:00

Happy St.Patricks Day!

We're IRISH and we love it!

Just a random note....

2010-03-05T20:21:00.000-08:00

So today in between clients I was hurrying to eat and pick up any left over items that might be seen by a human eye(heaven forbid a client come over and see something out of place and realize I am a simple human with a husband and 4 year old)?!
As I was putting all the pillows perfectly in place and hiding all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, I suddenly stopped and soaked in the moment of the few leftover items from my son.
All to often I complain about wearing shoes in the house, sitting on the couch in play clothes, not clearing plates from the table or putting away your toys when your done. We always try to instill good manners, cleanliness, independence, and love but sometimes I take it to the extreme and forget my child is just that... A Child.
Once, long ago it was just Justin and I, doing as we pleased. Sleeping in til we wanted, staying up til we wanted, eating what we wanted, leaving the house when we wanted, going home when we wanted, watching what we wanted, saying whatever we wanted, washing clothes when we wanted, doing adult things WHENEVER WE WANTED!
And then, there was Dylan!
So, today as I hurried around to pick things up and put things away, I stopped and realized how grateful and truly happy I was to see a few things laying around. I tried to remember what it was like when superheros and cars weren't left behind. And when a basket of size 4T clothes was left in the dryer for 2 days. When we had to be at Debra's by 5. Or when 8:30 pm became the most AMAZING time of the day;}
I'm the most far from perfect mom there is and I raise my voice over the dumbest things but today in it's simplest form I remembered that I am the most perfect mom..... for Dylan.

A superhero magnet left behind on the chair

A face down Ironman on the living room floor

Watch out below Batman. Leftover from breakfast on the kitchen floor

Family Night 2.26.10

2010-02-27T22:29:00.000-08:00

So we decided to head to Sunset Bowl (and those of you who are local know how classy that can be).
It was so much fun!
Dylan's first time ever and of course we could not help him with the ball. Even the shoes are so dang cute!
Needless to say, he's hooked on bowling. We will be back for sure.

V-Day 2010

2010-02-27T21:48:00.000-08:00

So this year I decided to be a little romantic and plan a surprise get- a- way for me and J to the (drumroll please).... Courtyard Marriott in St.George UT!!! Yes, I know I know I'm quite the high roller but sometimes I really wait until the last minute when all the rooms are gone and we celebrate V-Day a week early?!;} Feb. 8th!
I left a key to the room with a note on our bed saying meet me here but please stop by the front desk of the hotel (where I left a little present;0). I made sure to be out of the house by 3:30 because J always comes home by 4.
I'm waiting for him in my sexiest outfit (tried on the lingerie that has never been worn and because mother nature took the girls away after Dylan was full to the brim the lingerie made me look like a helium deflated balloon) so I threw on my running shirt!! Ha, what makes you feel more sexy then worn out lycra from a race you won?! Not much
When 4:45 the 5:30 rolls around I'm thinking, hmmmm what the heck so I txt him and say "Bring the egg rolls" (for my midnight snack). He sends back a ?.
I say"where r u".
"Home".
Long story short I know his exact come home from the office, put his laptop by the couch, go STRAIGHT to the bedroom to change into gym shorts. At the same time. Everyday.
Not today.
He went straight to the office to finish some listings and didn't even see the note.
He made it to the hotel in 5 minutes after I txt'd.
We headed to Osaka for some sushi and then....... I fell asleep in the hotel @ 8:30?!?!
What the?
Sorry ladies, no juicy details of sweet passionate love making. I'm turning 30 next month and I'm getting old!!
All in all he was totally surprised and we had a great time together.

Here are some pics from our most handsome cheetah making V-Day chex mix for his class!
What a babe! Might I add he totally added the hand to the chin pose. HELP ME!!!!!

From the mouth of my son.....

2010-02-10T20:17:00.000-08:00

Tonight, we were taking pictures of us making Valentines Day treats and Dylan pulled a perfectly posed picture. Justin and I started laughing and I asked him where he came from.....
he gives a little laugh and says so matter of fact, "Wal-Mart". Oops, I was for sure he would have said Harmons!

Sound Alseep

2010-01-12T23:06:00.002-08:00

with crossed feet!!!
Here's how I found Dylan on the "top bunk" tonight when I
went to check on him.

Toy in hand, a MUST every single night, rain or shine!
Dirty little tattoo left over from Saturday's b-day party... Yep, been bathed and everything!
Foot crossed over knee, a usual for this boy!
And don't forget, he got to sleep on the "top bunk"(or so he thinks! Only til we go to bed then J moves him down)!

From the mouth of a babe!

2010-01-06T20:07:00.000-08:00

As we are eating breakfast this morning Dylan slurps the milk from his cereal and then looks at me and says, "That wasn't a fart mom. Farts come from the butt".
Yes Dylan, Farts come from the butt. HELP ME!!!

My Sister, My Friend

2009-12-23T12:12:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Waybs, Aunt Waybs, Sarah, Sar,Louise!!!
Here's lookin at you!

Baby Jesus and the GORILLA

2009-11-29T13:51:00.000-08:00

I asked Dylan to go and find the sheep that went with his manger.
He came back and said,"I couldn't find the sheep, but this monkey wants in."
I'm not sure what version you've read, but our stable has a monkey!

PiCkEd!

2009-11-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

I came in to the bathroom tonight to find Dyl "Picking" his hair!
He had to get up on the tub and have a good look at it each time he combed through it.
I think it's time for a haircut?!

Natural Instinct

2009-11-16T20:35:00.001-08:00

I guess this is just what happens when you have boys.....

Here is exactly how I found him while we were camping.
Serious son?
Yep!
Sound asleep in the great outdoors!

LefToVerS

2009-11-10T11:57:00.000-08:00

Morning.Noon.Night

There is nothing Dylan wouldn't do to watch a moobee!

This is the remains left after another great night in front of the tube...

Happy October

2009-10-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

One Friday night.Just the 3 of us.Making some "cReEpY" looking pumpkins.

This is dedicated.....

2009-09-22T15:10:00.001-07:00

to the ONE I LOVE:}

Happy Anniversary! 2 years and counting.......

Must a been...

2009-09-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

a BEAUTIFUL baby, cause baby lOoK at you now!!!!

Dylan 9.15.05

Dylan 1st B-day

Dylan 2nd B-day

Dylan 3rd B-Day

Dylan 4th B-day

So Happy Birthday to you Berta, cheetah, Alex(from Madagascar), bolt, and Prince Caspian.
Dad and I love you very much and cannot believe how many years have already passed!
Thank you for ALWAYS being the highlight of our day!

Yep... I'm a SoCceR MOM!!!

2009-09-13T22:09:00.000-07:00

So, it's official. I'm a soccer mom, and I LOVE IT!
Seriously, it's been one of my favoritest sports since I played it in elementary with Mr. Ferguson. Fillmore was to small for a real league so I just got a small taste, but it was oh so tasty!!
Here is his debut, Dylan James Ryan with the blue tigers(not sure where the blue comes in, but they ALL voted on it)!
A little story goes like this...
Dylan went to practice on Thursday and all was good. He practiced hard, loved his new friends(mostly talks about Luke the first boy he met) and participated the entire practice time. Then Saturday morning game time rolls around.
All is good til someone gets aggressive and gives our little precious an elbow, and the drama breaks loose. Crocodile tears all over the place. I wish SO BAD I would have taken a picture of him crying because the blue team shoved him (in his words) and of the rest of the drama to follow.
It's 10:50 in the morning, probably 100 degrees outside and I am playing soccer with my 3 year old. I held his hand and ran up and down the field. I helped him kick and I gave him fruit snacks for "soccer energy".
Talk about living out the glory days...
Don't worry, if I have to I will do it EVERY single game til November 7th just to say my son was involved and part of the team!!!!

Just Dylan

2009-09-10T21:43:00.000-07:00

Here's how we found him... Tiger, Necklace, Poo Tana Blanket. All snuggly on the floor:)

Family Ties

2009-09-04T14:02:00.000-07:00

That's right it was the 5th (couldn't believe that much time has gone by) annual Brown, Skinner, Ryan family reunion!
As usual we had a blast and this years theme(cuz mom always comes up with one) was "Family Ties". We all wore "tie- dye" t-shirts and had a scavenger hunt hiding things that "tied" each individual family together and then all of us as a whole.
We decided to take it back to our roots and head to Fillmore for a long dirty weekend in the canyon. We stayed at one of our favorite childhood spots, Pistol Rock!
The men were totally unsure of the woman's choice in camping and fishing spots, but we proved them wrong(as usual):}

Dylan helping dad drive up the canyon like mom used to do!

Justin with his first fishy;[ Poor thing. Nice arms babe:}
The first attempt at the "timed" family pic! Look what we got
Second attempt...look at my bad bad habit
Ta da!!! If your wondering why my shirt doesn't match-it was the ONLY one that faded. I'm always taking one for the team

Making crafts. Don't look at my posture. That is sick and wrong

Two very creepy fisherman:]

Dylan with the "gun" he found

Ky with his"Narnia forever" sword (he will love that when he's older)

Throwing rocks in the creek. could have done this all.day.looong

Another beautiful weekend!

2009-08-23T18:38:00.000-07:00

I had a short fun trail race in Brian Head on Saturday morning and then we headed up to Duck Creek to Jon and Tera's cabin.
Honestly, I can't think of a better way to spend a weekend. Great food, great friends, and some endless laughs! Oh, and I won the race being the first women to cross the finish line and 5th overall! I was excited cause they said prizes to the first man and women to cross. Take a look at my prize!lol
After the race we took a scenic ride on the ski lift to the summit of Brian Head. It is so so beautiful up there and I can't believe how blessed we are to live so close to natural beauty.

Pre-Race family pic - Me with my victorious crown;)

Our family self portrait on the ski lift- I loved this cool green rock

A view from the top

A friendly game of "shoes" @ the cabin - Pics are blurry but my sis with her best form

Sarah and Jon with some kinda "I'll kick yer butt horse shoe clank"

The boys after another HARD weekend:)

Hogle Zoo

2009-08-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

We decide it was time for some family fun, so we headed to the zoo. Dylan was talking about it for two weeks(mostly the"hotel" or "otel" as he calls it) cause he is obsessed with staying in them.
Thanks Nana for again getting us the best hotel ever. We didn't even have to leave and we didn't. Just went to the store and whipped up some dinner in our little kitchenette and slept all day Saturday cause it was raining outside. Dylan seriously did not leave the TV and thought he was in HEAVEN when shark tales came on and he had the whole thing to himself. Just like a king propped up with some pillows and a box of vanilla wafers by his side. I wish I could have captured the moment. He cracks us up even when he is being so dang naughty!
We went to the Hogle Zoo on Sunday and I think Justin was truly disappointed at the fact that he is now 25 and the zoo isn't what he had remembered at the age of 7. Sorry hun... it's all about the kiddos!

Dang... It was a long day

Please Watch with Honor

2009-08-04T11:09:00.000-07:00

I was forwarded this email. The video is about 13 minutes long, but worth every reflecting second.
Thank you to EVERY American solider whom I've had the opportunity to meet, personally know and haven't had the honor yet.
My thanks and gratitude for your selfless act could never be described in words.

Please read before watching the video, makes it more fitting.

Killed in action the week before, the body of Sergeant First Class John C. Beale was returned to Falcon Field in Peachtree City, Georgia, just south of Atlanta, on June 11, 2009 . The Henry County Police Department escorted the procession to the funeral home in McDonough, Georgia. A simple notice in local papers indicated the road route to be taken and the approximate time. Nowadays one can be led to believe that America no longer respects honor, and no longer honors sacrifice outside the military. Be it known that there are many places in this land where people still recognize the courage and impact of total self-sacrifice. Georgia remains one of those graceful places. The link below is a short travelogue of that day's remarkable and painful journey. But only watch this if you wish to have some of your faith in people restored. Please share widely.

http://blip.tv/play/AYGJ5h6YgmE

Footloose, Footloose Everybody Cut Loose

2009-08-03T21:18:00.000-07:00

Some of my longest and dearest friends came down on Saturday so we could drag all the husbands to Footloose at Tuachan.
We enjoyed some scrumptious din (sorry Mel and Chad-next time) at Haven and then headed to the show.
There were some cheesy parts, but it was good. Me and Mel sat next to each other and made some nasty jokes(k, mostly I did) about some of the characters in the show.
Justin sat next to me eagerly awaiting the end, but never complaining til we got home about the guy directly behind him who farted the whole time and with no breeze and 105 outside you know that was ripe!
I have known these ladies my whole life and there has never been a dull moment even now that we r moms! I turned up genuine real loud in the toaster and Chad played some Sir Mix Alot in the92 Ford as we jammed in the back seat. We didn't go to bed til 3!
Thanks girls for always takin me back to my roots!!lol MHS is #1

K, so how bad A is my friend Jayci that rode her Spyder down from Spanish fork in a skirt and heels? She crusied Dyl around the block!!

Here's my babe totally intense on the Spyder

Dinner. So good til the last bite

Do you notice how my bangs look just like Sandy the dog from Annie? Whoa, who needs a haircut

All the hot babes

How to survive in these ECONOMIC Times

2009-08-03T20:52:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let everyone know how my sister and I decided to save some$$ at the Bryce Canyon half marathon.
Has anyone ever watched a creepy Alfred Hitchcock film? Seriously, I'm not even joking.
From the moment we pulled in to the parking lot to the minute we walked into our room.
Freakin scary, but so dang funny! We were creeping around at midnight to take pictures to capture the moment!
Not even lying these are the real pics!

Look at this TV. Did it work, yes it did. I left it on all night so no one would break in cause they would think we were up. The shower curtain with friend included

So umm... yeah I squatted the entire time! How do you get better then that homemade sign?

Here's some more friends on the floor. Here's how we protected r selves against bad guys

This was the weapon we would use if someone pushed past our table:) How bout that sign?!

And saving the best for last... 6 am ready to run!

Can u tell by my # I wait til the last minute to sign up? I don't know why but I guess I'm waiting for a coupon or a discount or something

Pine Valley Overnight:)

2009-08-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

We decided to load up the toaster and head to Pine Valley overnight! So much fun we did have!
Jake and Sarah were in charge of breakfast and me and my babe had dins.
Oh so delicious was that amazing dutch oven dinner-Fiesta Chicken. Justin never ceases to amaze when he puts his mind to it. He "seasoned" that baby for 3 days and stunk up the house like metal from all the oven cleanings he had to do. In the end it paid off!
Me and Waybs ran 7 miles to prepare for the Bryce Canyon half. She wanted to see how she would do with the altitude change. I guess we should have been a little more worried bout me since I had to stop at mile 5.5 cause I had to poo so bad. Sorry, I know its gross, but all you runners out there know the feelin. It totally sucks and your humiliated and bummed, but what do you do?

Here's those two most handsomest little philleys.

Umm... Hi

2009-08-03T20:26:00.000-07:00

Not that anyone is sitting around anticipating my return, but for those of you who have been checking in daily, weekly and at this point monthly..... I have returned with some AMAZING stuff!!lol
Just some refreshing tidbits about our oh so fabulous journey we call life.
I have considered secretly going private because I have such anxiety about the fact that I'm not more on the ball like all the other AMAZING mothers who update to what feels like hourly about the cool things their kids are learning and doing.
I then realized it is all about expectations.
I ExpEcT that when I get on to someones blog that I secretly stalk or don't stalk because I have been "invited" that it better dang well be up to date. And you know, it freakin always is. I totally hate you "perfect, beautiful peeps".
Anyhow, I am re-entering the wonderful world of blogging that every husband makes fun of and that all the other women want to be apart of and the place that we all secretly wish we were as witty, spunky, on the ball and creative as that other girl whom we have never seen nor will we ever meet, yet we wish we could because she seems through her words and those most creative pages to be the coolest thing ever created.
To you, here I am........

Let the sun shine in

2009-06-28T09:10:00.000-07:00

Here is Dylan as he has discovered that around 5:30 pm if he stands in just the right spot he can be blinded by the sun.
We explained that it is dangerous to stare at the sun, so he asked me for his sunglasses.

He kinda reminds me of a treckie waiting to be beamed up:}

Keepin it Real- Old Skool Style

2009-06-23T12:09:00.000-07:00

Sorry babe, I just had to do it!

Justin and I are going through the deepest darkest parts of our closets to get ready for a YARD SALE, when to my pure horror and disbelief that we had moved 4 times with these monsters, I see them....... some Air Force 1's (or whatever they are called) in the closet on a shelf with no dust(like he had dusted them yesterday).
I looked shocked to actually see something of such "space like quality" still following us around. As he picks them up to smell them he is whining about how they are Jordan something or others and they cost $140 dollars and he really tore up some court in those babies.
I bet he did and I bet they did, but know lets see Justin in 10th grade+9 years-the UGLIEST shoes I have ever seen= no longer equivalent to $140. More like $4. And for all the storage space he has been hogging with those moon boots I deserve a new pair of shoes!
Long story short.... after second guessing himself they went to the garage yard sale pile. Here is how I found them as I made sure he really threw them out.

All set up like the day he saw them through the window at Footlocker:}

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to the BEST dad I know!
(and all the other BEST dad's)

2009-06-16T22:49:00.000-07:00

Just needing some HeLp finding my pinky toe through this blister...

just lovin my new running shoes and all the CoMfOrT they provide!! btw: I really do LOVE 'em

Sunday Afternoon Clipping Coupons

2009-06-15T06:36:00.000-07:00

Whew..... Here is Our MAY in Review

2009-05-31T18:20:00.000-07:00

It all started out May 2 with a PrInCeSs and her Beau getting married!!! Yah, the day had finally arrived!
To celebrate we ladies started the celebration out with a bang by having a PINK themed Bachlorette party! What a night... we had so much fun eating at Samauri 21 and then staying up all night at Tonya's(thanks so much Tonya for a great night).

May 2nd was a beautiful day and of course my little sister couldn't have looked more stunning.
She asked me to write their vows for them so I decided to write a little something sentimental to the both of them that included a few of their favorite inside jokes!

What might a big sister say to her little sister and husband on their wedding day?
Don't sweat the small stuff, a classic line from the past
Never go to bed angry is what every elder marriage does say
Life is to short, so try to soak it up, every minute of everyday
Say your sorry even if it's not your fault
Say I Love You and mean it, it's not just a four letter word you throw out
Be the more mature adult, hold your tongue. Learn not to shout
Cry if you need to , it always helps to get it out
Talk about adventures you someday want to take
Plan spontaneous date nights, leave love notes on the mirror
Compliment each other
Learn these words-Yes Dear
Help change the light bulbs and a T.V. or two
Don't forget that dirty dish and flush when you take a poo
Give kisses in the morning
And always say goodbye
Don't dwell on the past or opportunities that passed you by
It's never easy when your wrong, but you won't always be right
And your life is never greener on the other side
So choose your battles wisely, talk things out when you need to decide
And remember little ears are listening, don't say things to make them cry
Sometimes be romantic, it doesn't take much just make it from the heart
laugh at each others dumb jokes
Tell stories from when you were young
Like each others families, but remember their just that
Because today for forever, this is where it's at
Husband and wife with son in tow
The Skinner family, Woo Hoo, we all made it-what a road
Marriage is hard, the hardest job you will have
Remember: Keep God first
He will guide you with his plan

It was an amazing day and everyone stayed up late enjoying great food and good friends!

May 10! Happy very very late Mothers Day to all!
Justin and I decided that we would mark an already special day with the child dedication of Dylan. It was great to celebrate such an important event with our family and be able to explain to Dylan why he would want to dedicate his life to the Lord.

May 25 made me stop and reflect a lot more this year then any other. With the passing of 4 young lives in the month of August last year, I once again realized just how precious each breathe really is. Whether it's the last chance you have to cruise around the world or the last "see you later" you may get to say, take it. Say it, do it, be it, live it, dream it. When we are left behind to personally grieve or grieve for those we love who have lost someone, your person becomes so much more aware of life's daily grace.
And in a time of such adversity among the nations, you take more time to pray for the soldiers who continually put their lives on the line for us. Complete strangers that they will never meet. You pray for the soldiers whose lives have been lost and for their families. A thank you will just never be enough.

May 26 and beyond was full of beautiful bodies requiring a bit of structural integration and homes that finally got purchased!!! Yah for my babe who continued to work hard and contract two in the month of May!
Dylan and his best friend and cousin Kyler have spent endless hours in the sun at Kys new pool and spent a day on the town with Justin going to Denny's for breakfast, Pioneer park, Petco and the movie UP.
Yah to me for finally getting off my butt and posting!

Not Cool

2009-05-21T23:19:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a ZIT on the inside of your nose that hurts so bad and it just won't pop? For days now? Welcome to my world....

Betty or Veronica

2009-05-20T21:04:00.000-07:00

I totally grew up on these comics!! Grams would always let me pick one out at the checkout of Duanes! Gotta love the good 'ol days!
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30846812/?gt1=43001

FuNnY StOrY

2009-04-24T10:26:00.001-07:00

My sister asks me last night if I got her text. "No" I say.
She calls me later to tell me that the text she sent me got sent to one of the pastors of our church. The one who will be marrying her next Saturday.
Here is what the text said: I'm pretty sure everyone downstairs can see my cooter(our family word for the down below woman parts)... oh well
So, long story short, she was upstairs at the gym in her daisy dukes sweating bones on the elliptical and she thought this was important information I needed to know.
Low and behold she accidentally sent the message to the sweet and innocent pastor. Luckily she called him and he had been so busy at the church he didn't even read it. (or so he said)!!!
Moral is- watch those slippery sweaty fingers when your texting at the gym:}

1:48:23

2009-04-22T20:56:00.000-07:00

My newest 13.1 mile time to beat. Really nothing to brag about, but for me it's not about winning-just about doing better then I did the time before.
It was a beautiful day in SLC and the course was perfectly mapped out. I think it made it easier for me to run because I new the destination, so I could keep telling myself that I was almost there.
My Aunt Steph (who is still a hottie at40 somethin) ran in the 5k along with my beautiful bride-to-be sis. They both did amazing in their age groups.
We ended the day with a trip to Citrus Grill for a post race breakfast and then headed to Gygi's for some last minute wedding decor.

Is there a family resemblance?

Say Cheese! A big Cheese

Late Easter Post

2009-04-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

I got to share the Easter holiday this year because it was my BIRTHDAY!
Yes, that's right. The big 29! Seems like yesterday I was turning 16 and getting that most anticipated cedar chest that mom just thought I had to have (sorry mom, but you know how un-excited I was) and getting kissed upstairs by my boyfriend that I was so madly in love with.
Now, that was a birthday to remember!

This year was great and sharing it on Easter Sunday was way more cool, then just eating cake. Speaking of cake, I ate 5 pieces of my homemade carrot cake(thank you very much Jon) and I enjoyed every single bite. Then 1 day after my birthday I got another homemade cake (delicious Bryce) and enjoyed it so. What's a birthday without cake?

Saturday night mom had a family party for me with carne asada, rice, beans and all the fixings. So good!! Thanks mom for always cooking me good food!

Sunday after church we headed to the park in coral canyon (awesome park for the kiddos) and enjoyed sandwiches, salads and many treats. We watched the big boys throw around the pig skin (as Justin would say) and had an Easter egg hunt for the little kids. The weather was perfect!

Dylan with his basket the "Rabbit" left him.
How handsome is this little philly? This was his exact pose. No lies. I'm in BIG trouble

Run, Dyl, Run!
Yes, he found his favorite color. The green egg!

Dylan Sage Aria Kyler (don't look at Dyls wt basket. I left his home:{)
One BIG happy family! (and forget the fact that my shirt makes me look totally preggo-I'm not and I'm super sexy with my eyes closed-oh well)

Stalker

2009-04-14T22:07:00.000-07:00

Have you ever "clicked" around and checked out other peeps blogs and then suddenly feel 100% less than because your thinking"what the heck, how come my pictures don't ever look like that and I've never seen an option that would make my blog look like that." Or "where did they get that cutest background ever?"
The worst is the totally hilarious, witty and completely clever girls that say everything just the way you wish you could, except they already did and you are left wishing that you kinda hadn't "stalked" them earlier cause you want to leave a comment, but they don't even know your name and your left to ponder your blog and how to really "spruce" it up?
Oh well, I guess. That's what I get for stalking....

Fast

2009-04-08T20:59:00.000-07:00

Justin and I are just rounding the end of our 3 day fast. We decided for reasons regarding insight, guidance, and pure desire to do what is right that we would take a journey where we had never been.
Fasting has been done by millions of people for millions of reasons and just recently we had fasted for 24 hours for our brother in law who was having a second tumor that had attached to his brain removed. His surgery was successful and we thank God for the grace he gave to Julio and his family.
My mom had shared this book with me about fasting and how to dive deeper into your relationship with the Lord and what fasting can bring about in the lives of you and those around you.
I wasn't waiting for a deep revelation to be thrown from the skies or for someone to put a huge package on the doorstep, but we wanted to make sure that the directions we are going in life are the ones that bring the most glory to God.
I think so often we get caught up in the world that is happening around us. All the misfortunes, the wrong doings, the terribly poor economy, the persons we can't stand; that we forget what life is truly about, or should be about.
I won't lie one single bit, it was hard after day one to see or smell food(any food). You know what to expect during a 24 hour fast because many of us have done them numerous times in life, but with just water, juice and chicken broth for 3 days you start to become quite irritable. I realized that I was suddenly becoming angry with Justin for things that we were praying about. I was taking the focus off the real reason we were fasting- to better understand our path in this life.
As day 2 was ending I journaled out anger realizing that I was doing this quite wrong and I had let myself get distracted. I am very aware of the true blessings that our family has always had. From the day Dylan was born, our lives drastically changed for the better and although our situation was not one that was pleasing to God, I know he gave him to Justin and I.
Things always work out the way they are supposed to. Not always are we happy about what we are faced with, but I know without a doubt the the Lord does not give us more then we can handle. He just planned our lives so accordingly.
So, with that being said, this is a good read. Excellent I might add. For anyone of any faith. Of any religion. It helps you to understand the simple things so much better.
BTW PEEPS: We are celebrating victory with a delicious breakfast with anything I can get my hands on(including a bowl full of the most delicious homemade potato salad you have ever tasted)! Thanks T-Babes and Joyce!

Sorry it is kinda small. I'm still working on my downloads:)

Thank You

2009-04-02T22:52:00.001-07:00

In times like these I just wanted to tell all of my clients, near and far, big and small, young and old and to he who passed away-Bill Croft Wed. March 4, 2009, that your business and your friendships mean the world to me.
Everyday I get filled up with the lives that are changing right before my eyes.

The economy, family circumstance, random mishaps, and life's up and downs have happened or are happening to all of us and I know that for so many, times are very hard. Clients continue to refer clients and even as times are, my business continues to grow.

So, to all of you, Thank You! Thank you so much for giving my life purpose. A purpose to create, educate, and manipulate the body! I love what I do and I appreciate my clients more then you may ever know.

Thank you for teaching me and allowing me to teach you. Thank you for the difference your lives have made in mine and thank you for your willingness to want to make a change in and of yourself for the better.

"Soul and body react sympathetically upon each other; a change in the state of the soul produces a change in the shape of the body and conversely, a change in the shape of the body produces a change in the state of the soul." -Aristotle

"I'm In Here"

2009-03-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

M: Dylan do you want to get in the shower?
D: No, I want to get in my tub.
M: K, just wait a minute and I will give you a tub as soon as I get out of the shower.
10 minutes later...
M: Dyl, where are you?
D: I'm in here.
M: Where?
D: In the office.

And there he sat, totally NAKED with one hand perfectly set upon the mouse and the other hand on the keyboard. I guess you could say like father, like son. Justin always does his best work while sitting NAKED at the computer!! LOL

Running

2009-03-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been spit on, pee'd on or farted on?

Running: It's Just What Happens

6 & 6

2009-03-07T16:47:00.000-08:00

I was tagged to pick the 6th picture in my 6th folder....

This was a family day out to Zions about a year ago. Dylan was 2. Sad how time flies so quick. He looks like a little baby with the chubbiest little cheeks! I LOVE them cheeks!
And then there's my babe, who as always throws on a beanie and looks hot! Still thinkin your hot babe:}

I tag every little sole who reads this post! U R IT!!

GiRLs, gIrLs, GIRLS!!

2009-02-28T15:32:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I spent the night in Cedar at the Springhill Suites (thanks Nana Julie for always having the hook ups) with some of my closest childhood friends.
We spent the entire night (until 5 a.m.) talking, laughing and eating lots of yummy food (the sinful fruit pizza that I had a hard time keeping my hands off)!
These are the Millard girls with whom I have created quite a list of "almost not legal, but never got caught" activities. Some of which include:

Speeding down the center lane of main street while Jayci mooned the boys in the truck next to us
removing items from the front and the back of the local grocery store and then randomly placing them on peoples front lawn
taking underwear off the outside laundry line from peoples backyards and then putting them in the glove box of someones dads truck (sorry Mr. Kunz)!! Not Really:)
kissing many, many boys in the basement at Mandi's house and then sneaking them out in the wee hours of the morning
driving Meladie's car very foolishly into snow banks, huge mud puddles and onto dirt roads to have it finally break down while we were ditching 4th period and having to hitch back and get the boys to start it before school was over
driving four-wheelers through the night and all over the new golf course and out running the cops
going to the cemetery and pretending to be scared with our 9th grade boyfriends
back talking Mrs. white in 6th grade and making fun of the whole in the back of her white stir-up (yah, you read that right-STIRRUP) pants
farting all the way home from Delta and Cedar cause I ate to many cherries and getting made fun of for the rest of my life
driving Meladie clear to Monroe to make out with Lance
watching every drill team competition and being as proud of them as they were for being such freakin awesome dancers
obsessing and crying over every stupid boy we LOVED!
Driving at the last minute of the moment to SLC to Adrian's wedding
driving all night to Payson to see Heidi with Kambree the day she was born!

We have known each other our entire life and although after high school we moved away and some of us lost touch, we quickly catch right back up where we left off! I can't wait to do it again!

Me, Mandi, Jayci and Meladie

On Saturday night I spent another girls night out with some hot babes from St. George!
We wined and dined at the good 'ol Texas Roadhouse! Um... I love that yummy barbecue chicken!
Although these girls are newer to my heart, they are just as important. We could stay up all night looking through old pics and laughing at old flames!!
There is never a dull moment when we get together!:} Thanks Kaysh for always sharing your
warm bed with me!!

Sarah, Misty Bayba, Me, Kaysh and Amanda

Craft or I mean BUY it forward!

2009-02-24T07:21:00.000-08:00

The first three people to respond to this post will get something bought by me! My Choice. For You. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I buy you.

2. What I buy will be just for you.

3. It'll be done this year.

4. You have no clue what it's going to be.

5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch is that you must re post this on your blog and offer the same to the first three people who do the same on your blog. The first three people to do so and eave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS purchased gift by me! Oh and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it. And if you could include your address with your post, that would be most helpful!

Who's In?
(ps, I totally had to change this to "bought" not made. For ALL of you who know me the crafty bones stop at Dylans scrapbook that was made during my baby shower and still sits picture less in its box. Not because I don't care or that I don't want to reminisce and flip through it everyday, but because it takes me over an hour to cut the pics and paste them. I'm totally crazy and thats why I don't make stuff. I BUY it!

My BLOODY Valentine

2009-02-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

dinner over candlelight
soft, romantic music playing in the background
a dozen long stem red roses
candles and a bubble bath
gushing over each other with words of I Love You

Nope. Nun the crap for me. Instead...
Waiter: Can I please have the hot looking fellow with the concussion and the cut on his head. Yes, that's him with the blood running down his face, brain pulsating when he washed it off, requiring a trip to the insta-care and 5 stitches. Oh, and don't forget that the doctors told him he was lucky cause it could have been much worse.

Every Sat. morning Justin tries to get together with the guys from church and head out to the Bloomington caves. This fine morning (Valentines Day to be exact) a rock ( the size of a football) was knocked loose from the climber above Justin and as they yelled "watch out below" he covered his head with his hands and the rock went right in between his hands to create a nice long gash.
Aww... Now how romantic is that?!

Pre-Stitch

Oh so cute

5 Stitches and no pain medication later (he was more worried about his hair being cut than the pain. How would he ever be able to style it if they had to shave)?!

I must say we ended the night with some delicious Samauri 21. Sushi, yummy! My fav

Picture of MY week!

2009-02-12T20:40:00.000-08:00

Dylan has his own personal hairdresser.....

His DAD!!!!

sunday morning

2009-02-01T11:49:00.000-08:00

the warmth of sun on your back in February
the sound of a peaceful stillness in the air
the clarity of a blue sky
the scent of non-polluted air
seeing the tops of mountains and the bottom of ponds
the thought of low crime and friendly neighbors
a sunday morning service that fills up your soul

Life in St. George. I simply love it here

2 of My Favorite Things

2009-01-25T20:50:00.001-08:00

Look at these two angelic BFF's. Aww... the sound of silence :}

Phoenix or Bust!

2009-01-22T17:14:00.000-08:00

So the weekend starts out with 7 beautiful babes piling into a car and cruising the lonesome highway to Arizona.

Me, Sara, Angie, Deniece, Marcee, Jen, and Janey headed out for a night of fun where I instantly became "Mother Hen" making sure that everyone was where they should be and that all the ladies were enjoying themselves. What the heck was I thinking not packing my "Hot Mom" clothes so I could let loose a little?! (sorry no pics)

Saturday morning we woke up late (like real late, 10:30 am) and went out for some delicious breakfast. We ended up laying around for the rest of the day by Sara's pool, just sunning ourselves in the 80 degree weather. It was honestly so relaxing. Not that I don't totally love my husband or my son, but with not a care in the world and no one to reply to, I could get used to that!

That night we went to CPK to carbo load and shop a bit. I ended the night with the most amazing piece of carrot cake. Like I've said, the best part of running is the night before when you gorge on carbs and sweets to fuel you for the next day.

Sunday morning we got ready to run and had the most intelligent (I say this because he knew just a little to much about everything) taxi cab driver take us downtown. I got the pleasure of sitting up front next top this sweet spirited, missing tooth and breath was result of hadn't been brushed in a long while man. Needless to say, I rolled the window down and held my jacket over my face. Nothing wrong with a little halitosis:{

The run was Awesome and I will do it again. Probably one of the funnest races I've done. Tonz of people line the streets and we ran right through town with the cars passing by. It's a true adrenaline rush. The best part was probably the fact that I had a little unexpected liquid come from no where and because I was at the very end of my 13.1, I just kept running. For all of you runners, you know what I'm talking about when the body does things you just don't expect. It was kinda like when you fart for the first time in front of your husband (do not say it hasn't happened). You just roll with it and kinda pretend like it didn't happen, hope it doesn't smell and talk a little bit louder in hopes that no one heard. BTW: I did not poop my pants

So, with that being said, a tradition has been started, new friendships have been made and 13.1 more miles were added to the runnin shoes. Thanks Sara for being the ultimate host and to
Angie for driving us all over the place. I had a blast!

Pre race pic taken by my boyfriend Hal:}

Post race- Nice and sweaty

Milk & Tuna, or Jerky?

2009-01-15T21:38:00.000-08:00

The "Panther" won't eat tuna or drink his milk, but he sure loves jerky?!

2009-01-13T19:48:00.000-08:00

At the end of the day it's all about family. Regardless of if we have been getting along every hour of every day or if we are at the best financial place in our life, we it comes down to it... all that really matters is that you have your family right by your side. Through good times and bad, through sickness and health and for RiChEr or PoOrEr (that's what we say on the happiest day of our life, right)?! So, with that being said... I Love my boys. Always have, always will. And for those of you blood relatives near and far(you know who you are) you mean the most to me too. Friends, and acquaintance's, the same. Our lives wouldn't be what they are if it was meant to be.

FaMiLY:(according to The Oxford American Desk dictionary)
1. set of parents and children, or of relations.

2009-01-10T13:32:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to "The Dougler" aka: Papa, Doug, or The Sprinkler Doctor! And let's not forget... Happy Birthday to "Big K" aka: Dad, Grandpa Kerry, or Kerry!
(is it super creepy that my mom married to different men with the exact same birthday? Oh well, we love them both anyway:})

Papa Doug enjoying some of his favorite kind of treat

Grandpa Kerry and Dylan

Ho, Ho, Ho

2008-12-30T20:31:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!!
Hope everyone had as much fun as we did (all week long).

We spent a weekend up north through the big storm of the year stuck between Spanish Fork and Provo for an hour on an icy overpass as we watched in the mirror, cars sliding out of control behind us. Followed that up with our handsome little devil being a StAr in the Christmas play at church. Say Cheese!

We then spent Sat. night with grams and gramps opening up all there fun gifts to the boys and enjoying the ever delics meal of machaca. A definite family favorite and tradition since I was young.
Grams continues to surprise us with her will to make Christmas Eve exactly how we have always remembered even though she is more fragile. Last year she was in the hospital and care center at this time and we weren't sure if she was going to make it. She stuck it through and made it back home to gramps and the dogs!

On Tuesday we piled in the car to make an exciting journey to CALI! So um, yah, got a little off course when we took the wrong exit at the last minute in the middle of rush hour on a 5 lane freeway. I was subject to some profanity, but I can't blame my babe. We (mostly me)calmly got off on the next exit and got back on track.
All 6 of us stayed snuggly in our 2 Queen bed hotel room and experienced the pitter patter of 3 year old feet in our face or back for 4 nights. I know someday I will be grateful for that closeness!

*We were hosted with the mostest by the coolest uncle and aunt around and ate and drank sooo good!* Spent some good q.t. catching up with cousins that are like your closest friends. *Went to the beach and froze our buns off, but loved every second of it. *Got spanked at Marie calendars for the Christmas morning buffet that cost us $18.99 a person and tasted like hoggie slop:(
The weather was cold, but you can't beat the warmth of the love from the fam.!

On the way home we were stuck in what we thought should have been a severe storm or 20 car pile up, but it was merely the wonderfullness of holiday travelers all with California license plates headed back to Utah at the very same time as us. WEIRD!!!
What should have been a 6 hour drive turned into 12, with an adorable 3 year old taking his first man pee into a bottle because we couldn't even pull off the road for a potty and a grown women (me) squatting alongside the car on a desolate exit ramp because every bathroom had a line-up like purgatory on Friday night.

These are the days of our lives and this is what makes holidays so much dang fun!

Gotta love the gifts from the Lord and all that we have to be thankful for. What would we be if it wasn't for all that he has done?!

You must a been a beautiful baby...

2008-12-22T23:32:00.000-08:00

cause baby look at you now!
So today December 23, is my little sisters birthday. It has always kinda sucked for her because it is so dang close to Christmas, but not this year cause we are on our way to California baby!!!
I wanted to include a few of my favorite things about my sis for all to enjoy.

She is an amazing aunt
She is a patient and loving mother
She is a true and devoted friend
She stands up for the truth
She is honest
She is the best friend that only most people could hope for

So... here's lookin at you kid!Love Ya!!

Whoa!!! Is that Snow?

2008-12-18T12:42:00.000-08:00

Sure is little phillies. And don't you worry school got canceled because as one school quoted"Due to hazardous road conditions"
Guess they didn't grow up in Fillmore!(yes, people actually live there)

Merry Christmas "Who's"

2008-12-16T16:10:00.000-08:00

For all of you "The Who's I visit", I just wanted to say Merry Christmas!
We hope that the New Year brings MUCH prosperity to all and that your lives will continue to be blessed by all that our Lord offers to us.
Here is a sampling of our Christmas card. Hope you get a good laugh. And BTW.. these babies came right from grams closet!
Grandma got ran over by a reindeer so we took her sweaters! Love, The Ryans

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

2008-12-07T15:08:00.000-08:00

Some may think that we are a bit "Scroogie" in our house since we have never had a normal size tree. Well, let me list in order the reasons why I love these 3 little trees:

These baby's cost $29.99 5 years ago and I haven't had to replace them yet!
Easy Set-up and take down (fluff a few branches and it's all good)
Less lights and ornaments (hey, we can all use the extra money we would spend on decorating and the electric bill)
No need to spend countless hours looking for the perfect tree skirt (none required)!!
No need to vacuum dead pine needles cause there aren't any!
You won't spend countless hours pondering over what is in the mysterious box that your grandma sent you because presents don't fit under these trees!

HAPPY DECORATING!!

Structural Integration

2008-11-30T21:13:00.000-08:00

What is it and why do you want it?

SI is a process of re-educating the body through movement and touch. It systematically releases patterns of stress and impaired function. Basically, in a nutshell I organize the muscles of the body putting them back where they belong.

What do you mean"Organize" the muscles? Have you ever looked down at your feet to notice the way you stand? Are your feet pointing in or out or maybe just one foot is a little off?

Have you noticed how you always seem to be "tight" in the shoulders and sometimes it hurts to turn your neck because it feels tight? Have you been diagnosed with TENDINITIS or are you weak in the arms and you have numbness or tingling and loss of grip in your hands?

Do you suffer from severe migraines or just really bad headaches? Do your hips or knees hurt when your standing on tile floors or just standing for long periods of time in general?

Have you ever been diagnosed with PLANTAR FASCIITIS? Does your doctor recommend cortisone shots because you have an aching shoulder or knee?

Are you a runner who suffers from I.T. Band Syndrome? Do you or someone you know have TMJ? How are your sinus? Do you constantly feel plugged up?

Have you had a baby or are you trying to get pregnant(and the doctor has ruled out any internal issues for not)? Have you been in a minor fender bender or a really bad car accident?

How about SCIATICA? Or abdominal issues i.e. not enough or to many bowels, menstral cycle being to much or you skip months?

What about just being STIFF or feeling TIGHT? Are you always TIRED and you feel like you just can't move as easily or gracefully as you would like?

Are you a dancer, gymnast, hard core work out buff, writer, painter, guitar player, a violinist, a MOM or DAD, child with A.DH.D., a hair dresser, an athlete, someone who just wants to feel better and is tired of all the wrong answers for you?

Structural Integration is form of Massage Therapy. At times it can be intense and it is not a "Feel Good" massage, but it can change your life.

I would love to hear from anyone who has more questions about what I do, where I trained, how much sessions cost, how I could help you, why should you come see me, does this massage hurt?

Before 10 Session and After 10 Session Series

This client came to me because her hip kept popping out and she was seeing the chiropractor 2 times a week. She completed the 10 Series Session in about 7 weeks and so far her hip has been great. She is a very active athlete who continues to receive bodywork to maintain her flexibility, but she claimed to feel more energetic, have more endurance and not feel so tight. * Notice the difference in height in the before and after photos as well as the space between her legs and how forward or straight her head is. (you can't tell from this photo but she gained and 1 1/2 in. in height.

The 10 Series session is a series of 10, 90 minute sessions that completely realigns the body's structure and function. We work from bottom to top, top to bottom , inside to outside, front to back, opening up all muscles taking you to the core structure of your body.

It's completely amazing to watch the transformation in each client and for you to gain a greater understanding of how your body was designed to work.

S.I. is a Body Beautiful from the inside out!

STUFF IT!

2008-11-24T21:50:00.000-08:00

So, in honor of Thanksgiving Day and all that it offers us as far as the many blessings of a delicious feast, I am giving to you a scrumptious recipe for stuffing.

Take from it what you will, but this comes from a girl who HATES stuffing and has always thought it was the most disgusting thing on earth. I have been making it for 3 years now and it is always something to look forward to!

I hope this Thanksgiving finds all of you healthy, happy and full of love(and lots of food)! Let's go running after, shall we? I hope you ennoy it as much as I do and remember:
THIS AIN'T YOUR GRANNY'S STUFFING!

Sausage and Apple Herb Stuffing

Half lb. Bulk Pork Sausage (I use the turkey or soy sausage instead. Still tastes great)
1/2 C Butter
1 1/2 C sliced celery and same of chopped onion
1 pkg (14oz) Herbed Seasoned cubed stuffing (or whatever flavor looks good to you)
1/2 C seasoned dried cranberries
2 C coarsley chopped apples
1 T Rosemary herb seasoning mix (or dried rosemary)
2 cans (14oz) chicken broth

Preheat oven 350
Cook sausage in skillet on med. heat for 3-5 minutes
Remove skillet and crumble sausage into small pieces

W/ skillet back on stove add butter for 1-3 minutes. Add celery & onions. Cook and stir 4-5 minutes or until veggies are crisp & tender, then combine stuffing, cranberries, apples, seasonings and sausage. Add vegetable mixture and broth, toss until moistened. Put in a deep dish baker, covered and bake for 30 minutes.

Carefully remove lid and bake for 30 minutes more

How's Yours?

2008-11-15T17:20:00.000-08:00

So... How's Yours?

Where would you put a phrase of such simplicity?
How about over the best seat in the house?

13.1? Did I hear you right?

2008-11-09T16:35:00.000-08:00

As I start to run I feel good. Somewhat calm and at peace with the decision I have made to run this race. Not just any race might I add, but a half marathon.

Now for those of you runners out there your thinking : Why even blog about this. I am a 26.2 world champ. Maybe (Megan you fit in this category) even having run the marathon 3, 6, or 12 times. But for those of you who don't run or like I, just started running and the most you have ever run was 8 miles 2 weeks ago, this is like a really big freaking deal. 13.1 miles ain't for the weak at heart.
No, on no it's for those who are ready for a challenge. Not just of the mind, but of the BODY. You start out feeling good. Maybe even really good, but then on about mile 6 you start saying to yourself "Man, a 10k(6 miles) is sounding real good about now".

At about mile 8-9 your calf muscles begin to get weak and the seem to lose blood circulation. What was once squishy, soft muscle has now turned to what I like to call... STONE. Very heavy stone which makes you have to physically check out so that you can continue to focus on the matter at hand- finishing the race.

Most of the experts say that you begin to get a runners high that takes over and just gives you this un-imaginable power that helps you to proceed. Hmm... I must have missed the mile that we picked that up cause I never got that. I kept hoping that somewhere along the next turn I would get a ride on that train that should have been coming through, but nopes I missed right out.

As I approached mile 11.5 I started feeling the rumblies in my tummies and I seriously thought (even for a second) about jumping into the lava rock and becoming one with nature. It's hard to imagine I know, but when your running that long something happens to the insides of you. (no worries, I was able to contain myself)

The #12 never looked so sweet on the tiny orange cone I had been looking forward to seeing all along the way that would let me know each time just how much longer I would endure the thrill of this self induced joy ride! "A mile and a half" were the words they were yelling and suddenly I felt the goodness from within that I had been hoping to have at mile 3, suddenly kick in.

I started running faster(not much because at this point there was some definite numbness in the balls of my feet, besides a tingle and frozen shoulder in the right upper trap) and I could totally see Snow Canyon High where we were to end this amazing journey.

I rounded the corner and ran past all the people and I even vaguely remember a few watery tears drifting from my eyes as I realized that grass and a toilet were there with my name BOLDLEY written across them.

It was totally awesome! Hauling as much butt as I had left to haul on that track to cross the finish line. Feeling all the while like I can't believe I just put myself through this, but knowing all the more that I am doing it again baby! Oh yes, you heard me right. You start to become kinda excited by the thought of doing better next time. Running faster, being stronger and pushing yourself harder then you ever thought possible.

Some may call me crazy, I call me crazy to but watch out cause here I come!

The best part of running begins the night before with this delicious feast of carbs and sugar. Those of you who know me know exactly how much I enjoyed EVERY LAST BITE!! Oh, was it pure heavenly bliss!
Wo, Is that a 4:52? No, the 1 was broken so the used the 4. 1:53 baby. Can you see me? Ya, I'm the one with the pink bandana ready to collapse. I'm glad you couldn't see my face from the front. Not a pretty sight
Me, Sara, and Angie. 3 runnin babes!

Burgers anyone?

2008-11-04T20:14:00.000-08:00

What do you do when your sweet dear hubby says he is going to be the Burger King king for Halloween? You buck up and be his queen! NOT

Even better you become his em-ploy-ee! Yee doggies

(please don't let those tights scare ya, very very CrEePy). Instead of makin burgers, we just made us a 'lil frankie

As the night continued we did some trick-or-treatin and had a fun block party with all the neighbs in the Highlands. There was a cake walk and cat walk with prizes for best costumes, tonz of yummy chili and breadsticks and lots of FuN! We had a blast

Halloween has always been a little more special to us because it is Gramps B-day! He is a sweet 'ol cowboy born and raised up in Texas. We love you Gramps and hope yer day was great!

SGPTF

2008-10-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

Single-Green- Potty Training-Frog who keeps his undies dRy cause he is a "BIG Boy", does pee-pee and poops(aka-snakes) in the toilet, and gets a delicious treat after he uses the toilet!!!

Yes, you heard it right peeps, I responded to this ad and now I've got me a handsome little 3 year old who is P to the otty Trained!

I started out thinking that because Dylan was 2 1/2 years old we were throwin those diapers away and waking up to have a huge potty party! Um... ya, I was totally WrOnG. Who knew the parents don't make all the big decisions?

Justin read an article in his Men's Health magazine(not just ripped up hotties on the cover) about a dad who woke his son up one morning with a boy doll who was wearing underwear and who needed to use the potty. He would give his son a treat everytime he used the bathroom or attempted to and also gave his son the babies treat after the baby sat on the toilet. The dad also put some tootsie rolls in the undies of the baby to represent an "accident" and wet his undies once or twice and let the little boy feel it. He still gave the baby a treat even though he had an accident and just kept talking to the little boy about keeping his undies dry.

Holy cow, it totally worked. Dylan just jumped right to the big toilet and although we have had a few accidents it isn't even worth mentioning compared to the success! Justin started it out on Sat. and Sun. and I took over during the week. We have been going strong for 3 weeks now!!!

Maybe it has something to due with the fact that Justin isn't as highly stressed out like me and he wasn't curled up on the bedroom floor after day 3 of Dylan not wanting to be potty trained(true story of me the first time around with real bawling tears and everything. I'm such a FREAK!), or the pure fact that Dylan was ready to wear his big boy undies? Hmm... who would have thunk that a single, green potty training frog could have made all the difference?

Don't you just love the way life works it self out?

Once again, it's about me!

2008-10-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

So here is my two tags in one: 25 things about me and crazy 8's. Don't you worry, I will keep it short,sweet and to the point.

8 favorite shows: Seriously I really only have two, The Office and One Tree Hill

8 things I did yesterday: went to the gym, went to mom and me aerobics, went to embrodery plus to make my Halloween costume, went to Halloween Alley at the Tonaquint Nature Center, went to Golden Spoon for a treat after, helped Sarah finish some baby shower decorations, called my clients to schedule appts. for the week. Wow, I'm incrediably interesting

8 favorite places to eat: Samauri 21, Pachangas, Cafe Rio, Don Pedros, My moms, Milts in Cedar, Pasta/Pizza Factory, Egg n I

25 Things about me:
* I LOVE LOVE LOVE Mustard on almost everything.
*I sleep with a night light or the bathroom light on. I totally get night anxiety and I know I'm a freak
* I do not enjoy the snow
* I totally love sweets and I have to work really hard to not eat them
*I don't like chocolate. I will eat brownies and those homemade oreos, but thats 'bout it
*I am not LDS even though I have lived in Utah since I was 3
*I was raised up in good 'ol Fillmore Utah. Yes peeps, there really is a town there!
*I have one very dumb tattoo on my ankle
*I have a huge issue with people wearing shoes in my house. I still love you but you gotsta take yer shoes off
*I can help people grow taller
*I am the oldest of all the grandchildren on both sides. I guess that's why I'm everyone's favorite!!
*I started running this year
*I have been married before
*I bought my first house at 22 when I was single and shopping for someone to love! Guess I found him in the exact same complex!
*My first grade teacher was my favorite and most meaningful to me
*I write poems sometimes
*I do not enjoy shopping in crowded places
*I won a car
*I'm totally high strung and I stress out way to much
*I like red wine
*I love morning coffee
*My friends would say I am the most outspoken and daring
*I was a bagger at Albertsons for a very very short time:(
*I hate my smile and I once asked the dentist if he could fix it for me. He said yes but I would have to have my jaw broken and reconstructed. I decided maybe I would just show these gums for life
*I have worn glasses since the third grade

Well everyone, there you have it. A few more exciting tidbits about my life. Enjoy!

Like Mother, Like Son

2008-10-14T15:30:00.000-07:00

So, today Dylan decided he needed to get started plucking his eyebrows.
What can I say... He learns from the best! (I have to pluck EVERY SINGLE DAY)

2008-10-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

I got this email and thought it was so profound and so deep to the soul. I thought I would share it with you:
"Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you; Jesus Christ and the American solider. One died for your soul; the other for your freedom."

TaG... NoW U R It!

2008-10-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

So the rules of the game r to pick the 4th file in your pHoToS and then the 4th pIcTuRe in that file and then talk 'bout it.

So... here goes little phillies.

This is one of the centerpieces from our wedding last September. Yes, it was the September day that it basically flooded the town and rained non-stop and I called every place in town looking for canopy's and then I bought one from Lowe's and borrowed one from Heideman Mortuary and the fellas in town for the wedding(including my hubby) ran out to Ivin's to stand in the remaining drizzles and put those baby's up over the cake and the chairs. Without further complications after the wedding planner moved all the furniture in the house cuz she thought we would move the weddn' inside, she put all the furniture back and pulled all the plastic off the tables and pictures and the amazing talent Lindsay of Orhids and Co. delivered all the final touches and our day was perfect. Just a little bit of red dirt left over on the dress from the moist (and I do mean moist) ground.

Well, I feel really bad that it wasn't a pic of my handsome little phillie Dyl or my lucious husband, but I hardly ever file stuff and this really was my 4th file and 4th photo! Aren't those flowers pretty though? Pictures just don't do it justice!

Tag, u r it: Keely,Camille,Holli,Kayln,Kelly

Also, a shout out to my mother-in-law Nana Julie! Today is her B-day and Dyl misses her very much. He always cries when she is leaving and then the next day asks if he can go in her white car (after she has left to SLC). I am grateful to have a loving, kind and very understanding mother in law. She is devoted to her family and loves every minute with her grandchildren. We love you Nana!

Who Knew?

2008-10-05T15:18:00.001-07:00

October 4 was a huge event for 7,000 inspiring, determined people from all around the country. The St. George Marathon is an event that some look forward to years ahead of time. Those of us who don't run, have never run or are just starting to get their groove on in the running world, we have yet to experience the feeling of accomplishment only a runner knows after making it 26.2 miles. Congratulations to all of you who ran and to those of you who freakin kicked some major bootie and beat your previous time or times. Way to go studs. You guys ROCK!

Which leads me to the title of my post " Who Knew" that we would be celebrating some more very important birthdays this weekend.
First of all... my mom. Known to this clan as :Big L, Big Lis, L.B., Mom or Lisa. She turned 47 on October 4. She doesn't look much past the late 30's and loves being reminded daily (seriously) that she is to young looking to be a grandma and that I must be her sister. No jokes, her head is going to explode with the swelling from those of you who find it unbelievable that she is 47. I have to admit, she is cute and if I can look as good as she when I'm that age then bring it on!
Here's to you mom. I love you and I appreciate every moment we have to spend together. Your

an amazing example of strength and love and your the most genuine person I have ever known.

Next, to my main squeeze, my babe, my man. Justin turned the big "25" on Oct.5. Wow, is he getting old or what? He celebrated his day by driving to Virgin to watch a bike tournament and then came home to go out on a bike ride of his own. For those of you who don't know he is totally hard core on the mountain bike and he could be gone for days out in the wilderness.

Hope you had a great day riding your bike and grubbin down on some of LB's home cookin. Here's to you and remember what you said... you know this year is going to be good. Go get 'em tiger! We love you babe!

Happy Birthday to our niece Sage on October 4 too! We love you Sagie.

PaRtY, pArTy, PARTY

2008-10-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

Check Below 4 Pics @ Dyl's Party. I can't get it 2 post here & it's real cute!!!
So dont worry about me being just a little behind the times... or alot! The beginning of September was quite hectic (as months usually are) with the exception of some wOnDeRfUl celebrations over at our pad.
Dylans birthday is September 15 and our wedding anniversary is September 22.
It was like one party after another with Dylans cousin Treyton's B-day on the 9th, Dyl's friend Jaxson the 12th, Dyl celebrated at his preschool on Friday,his cousins and nana from SLC had a party on Sat., church had a party on Sunday, and FINALLY, yes FINALLY the big day arrived on Monday! He was so excited because every party we went to he asked if it was his party! We had so much fun at the park and enjoyed all of Dylans friends and parents that came.

P.S. If you order your special persons cake from Wal-Mart call to double check that the cake is actually done. Even if they tell you on the phone when you make the order that it will be done, call anyways! We pulled the head off of a Shreak cake and the girl tried to make it look like an emergency zone in 20 minutes before the party started. Hmm... did I hear you say " Should have called 25 and Main"? Ya, when we get rich and famous I will!!!

I would also like to tell my babe that he's fabulous and thanks for a great 1 year official. (yes peeps, he is my baby daddy and we lived in sin for 3 years)
Sometimes stuff happens and you learn to grow together regardless of your situation. We've been makin it happen since I hired him at Pac Sun over 4 years ago and then he quit and then he confessed his love for me! he he (he really did though). We have been together ever since. Through the thickness and the thinness, we just keep workin it. Love ya, sugar ....... ( I can't use those words on the blog, but some of you know it) he he

Yes, I'm IT!

2008-09-25T22:28:00.000-07:00

So, like the wonderful game of tag that I have been missing out on until I got my blog, I'm It, by two people. YES(said just like Napolean Dynamite)

4 things I adore about my husband:

1.No lies here ladies, my babe shops for the grocerys and I can't tell him enough times THANK YOU!

I don't like wasting time and I feel like shopping for our groceries is a waste of good time and I have issues with people sometimes. My husband unselfishly gets the groceries and knows that almost 99% of the time I will be home taking a nap.

2.He changes Petey's Diaper(catbox). Ever since I was preggers and we found out that pregnant ladies should not be around cat litter because of all of the stuff in it, he unselfishly changed it and still does. Somestimes I do have to remind him, but he always does it

3. He is super, super smart. He always reads tonz of books in all different categories of life. He wants to help anyone and everyone he can in the financial departments of their life and he trys to influence people with his knowledge and time in anyway that he can. At the times when his knowledge is over my head and I am trying really hard to get it and understand I am just so happy that he pays the bills and will do whatever it takes to keep our family running.

4. He always, always supports me in everything that I do. If it's a new exercise regimen or the way I want to discipline Dylan, he always hears me out. He trys it my way and even if he doesn't always like it right at that moment, he still follows through for the bigger plan. He supported me in school while we were new parents, he supported me in my beliefs and started coming to church and now leads us in that journey, he supports me in my new-found running carrer, he supports me by putting up with my fam(love you guys) and attends all the functions with a glad heart, he supports me in the love I have for all my friends and that sometimes I need to be their for them. Thanks Just for being a great guy that puts up with alot of stuff. You are the most mature 24 year old I know and I love you for it! he he

4 movies I would watch more than once:

1. 40 year old virgin(please don't judge me)

2. Sweetest thing

3.Center Stage

4. Footloose

4 T.V. shows I would watch more than once:

1. The Office

2. One Tree Hill ( I know I'm a total teenager) I'm totally obsessed!!

3. Splash of Color with David Bromstead

4. Rock of Love Season 2(how trashy am I)

4 places I have been:

1. Costa Rica

2. Idaho

3. California

4. Mexico

4 people who email me regularly:

1. mom

2. Holls

3. swell

4. money mastry

4 of my favorite foods:

1. Hummus(eatn it as we speak)

2. Mexican

3.Sushi

4. anything my mom makes. Seriously

4 places I would like to visit:

1. Ireland

2. Chicago

really peeps, it's hard for me to travel cause I get major anxiety on the plane. I like to stay close to home and I've already visited there!

4 things I am looking forward to in the coming year:

1. The vending machines paying for themselves!!!

2. Growing my business

3. paying off bills

4. Christmas because we are going to Cali to hang out with my awesomest uncle and aunt ever!!!!

Nicole... sorry it took me so long. I have had it drafted for 2 weeks! Forgives:(?

So I'm taggin Melanie, Malea, Chelsea and Jamie!! Have fun hotties

September 20, 2008

2008-09-23T14:55:00.000-07:00

What an amazing way to spend a sUnNy Saturday afternoon! My amazingly creative neighbor came to our benefit for Kassie and Jerym and I asked her to just start taking tons of pictures of all the happenings. I didn't point out anyone in the family and she took some of the most moving pictures I could have ever asked for. I went to pick up the pics and she had put them to this song.

It's not often in life that you are able to open your heart to experience the gift of love. Love is something that can be given and also received if you are willing to be ready at any point in time for the possibilities that can change your life because of it.

Love really is the greatest gift you can ever give and I will be forever greatful for the opportunity I had to love Kassie and Jerym. Knowing both of them and their families helped me have a better understanding of the words "unconditional love".

If you haven't given it- Give it. If you haven't felt it- Let yourself feel it. If you haven't opened your heart to receive it- Open it and open it wide. Our lives will forever be changed now that they are gone, but they were already forever changed because we had them in it. With love always, Kerra

EVERYONE Please Read

2008-09-15T21:22:00.000-07:00

Everyone Please forward this blog site to Everyone that did or did not know Kassie and Jerym Lee. A benefit has been set up for Sat. Sept. 20 @ 9:00 am and we want EYERYONE to come! Thanks for your help and C U There!!!
reasonstorememberkassieandjerym.blogspot.com

Yo-Naturals Baby! It's Organic

2008-09-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

Here is a day in the life of a vending machine owner- Oh, that 's ME!

We meet the big semi and unload his truck into our truck(thanks waybs for the truck)LoOk at all those boxesWhat a minute, who is this handsome little devil? And what BIG muscles he hasHow about this hallway that gets filled with the boxes from the truck that we get to unpack and sort for each machine? Sounds like fun, doesn't it!!!Umm... dElICiouS and NutRutiOus treatsThat's alot of garbage to recycle!!(earth friendly, that's me)Wow, who organized that closet? She must be AmAZinG!!!How's my girl lookin? Pretty cute I know and there are 4 more just like her So, there you have it folks. A day or should I say days in the life of a vendor. Don't forget to place the order, go to Costco to pick up drinks, drive to all 4 locations and 1 of them needs you 2 times a week cause the kiddos are diggin the treats, decide what stuff to switch up if a product doesn't sell and hope you made a good choice, go to the bank to cash in your money and remind the teller each time that you are NOT a stripper or drug dealer cause you come in once a week to deposit bundles of one's.
We wanted to bring something to the schools and workplace that was healthy and yummy so our kids can have something other then a sugar high and a sugar low. The products are organic, gluten and wheat free, low in natural sugar and YUMMY. Next time the chitlens need some money for the vending machine ask if it's Yo-Naturals and tell them to try it if they haven't. You too!!!
Don't forget to give your vending machine person a hug next time cause it's a "Dirty Job, but somebody's got to do it"

I'm ObsEsSeD!!!!

2008-09-03T23:40:00.001-07:00

Ok, so when you have changed your template 4 times in a week and you only started blogging like 1 month ago, you have a problem.
Not to mention that you haven't been sleeping for the past 3 days because you are so worried about how to get your slideshow to post. You would think that you were a single, unemployed, non-home owner with not a care in the world, who can sit on the computer day and night BLOGGING!
Hello people, It's me I'm talkin about! After 2, yes I said 2 cups of coffee at 10:30pm to keep me going, I think I figured it out. My awesome sis-in law(and husband) walked me through some stuff and then low and behold my BFF just happens to be awake and walks me through some other important stuff!! Love You Guys!
I knew I didn't want a blog for this very reason. I just can't stop! I'm reading all of yours and updating all of mine and it's like an obsession. I wait for the days to pass so I can post another of what I think is a very insightful post, pics included.
So, when you see me in real, life not via blog, please-DO NOT BE ALARMED- at the bags under my eyes, hair totally messy, no makeup and the same t-shirt in 4 days. I have not started any extra curricular(might I add,ILLEGAL)activities although at the rate I'm going I may need some. No it's just a good old case of the "Can't figure out all the computer lingo for my blog" blues!

AnTs, aNtS, ANTS!!!!

2008-08-31T13:18:00.000-07:00

The Ants go marching one by one, who-rah-who-rah....

So, I come into the laundry room one lovely afternoon with nothing better to do then clean up ants.

The lovely yellow particles on the floor along with the ants is the most amazing ant killer called AMDRO.

Look for it at your nearest Home Depot!

Seriously, they are GONE in a matter of minutes and they DO NOT come back.Child and Pet friendly people-what more do you want? Oh, it's like $10!!

Family Reunion Weekend

2008-08-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

Ready, Set GO!!!!!

You may be wondering what kind of extreme activities can keep a beast like me contained?

Well, we just attended our 4th annual family reunion and boy oh boy, was it fun! Some of the following ExTreMe activities were involved....

eating

swimming and laying out by the pool

eating

climbing a rockwall (might I add, Sexy and Fashionable gear is required)

Dang, I'm HOT!

Is that a look of fear or a pure adrenaline rush?

eating

oh, did I mention EaTiNg?!

We had alot of fun involving Dylan in the activities this year. We let him ride a horse and he had a blast swimming and sliding into the pool with his dad. He even climed the rock wall all by himself! We made smores by the campfire and even hiked checkerboard mesa in Zions (no pics of that:(). He and his cousin are getting to be BiG BoYs now so they got to share the hide a bed in our cowboy cabin.

Handsome little devils, aren't they?

Look at my son, all grown up ridin his first horsey!

The Zion Ponderosa Ranch has many activities for children and adults of all ages and is very reasonable. We had alot of fun spending the weekend away with our aunt, uncle, cousin,nana and papa(sister,bro-in-law, nephew, mom and Doug). I didn't get a pic of all of us together, but don't you worry, we are one HOT bunch! Love you guys

Suddenly Gone

2008-08-19T12:54:00.000-07:00

I have been going back and forth trying to decide if I would post this, and I decided that I would.
When I started my blog I intended for it to be a fun way to talk about my family and show some incredibly UGLY pics of myself and some really CUTE pics of my fam. Also, to educate all of you (my dear friends and friends of friends who read each others blogs) about Structural Bodywork and the truly amazing way it changes lives. Also, I planned to use my blog as a type of journal. I consider myself to be a deep and personal person that does not have a problem sharing my thoughts and opinion's with others. Not trying to persuade anyone in a specific direction, but also just being as real as I can be with every person that I know. I have made so many friends in all different aspects of life and I love each individual for just that. Them being an individual and being who they are. I try hard not to judge and make assumptions towards a way of life that is different then mine, realizing that each person I have ever come in contact with played a part for the minute, day, weeks and years that they were around. A lot of friends I have moved away from and maybe haven't even spoken to in years, but I think of them and could run into them in the store and still talk to them just the same as when we were last together.

With that being said, I lost a friend that I grew up with a month ago, a close friend lost her husband last week, my grandpa passed away 2 days ago and yesterday I received a call that made me sit down and bawl. A friend that I had grown to love and become close to passed away in a horrific car accident along with her 8 year old son. Her middle child was flown to Primary Children's with neck and facial injuries and is said to be in stable condition.

I saw the accidents aftermath and all I could say was that it was an extremely terrible crash. I never expected the individuals inside would be those that I loved.

I tried to put a feeling on the feelings that I was experiencing and pure devastation was all I could feel. You tend to cry and then get yourself together and understand what happened, where was she going, what happened to make her veer from the road, cry more and then suddenly break down feeling helpless, angered and selfish that it isn't right or fair and that you didn't say Goodbye.

When I had Dylan I realized that life was more precious then I could ever comprehend to that point and that life as I knew it would forever be changed. Life comes at you in a seconds flash and can be gone just as fast. When I asked Kassie's mom if she needed anything all she wanted was to turn back time. She told me that she thought if she just loved her kids enough then they would always be ok. My heart hurts so much because I loved Kassie and her children and I love her family. I spent so much time being with them and I think that is what makes it hurt more, is knowing how bad they are hurting. I think we always take for granted our time. Time to talk, laugh, cry, vent our anger, sit at the computer blogging, spend precious precious minutes with our children and our loved ones, and calling or stopping by to see our friends- new or old. We always say we will, but something comes up.

I intended this post to just ramble and cry but also to tell EVERY person who reads this that I know in one way or another, that I have had the opportunity to spend countless hours with or just minutes at a time, that I am so grateful to know you and that you are truly meaningful to me. All of your relationships have impacted my life and I take a little to grow with. Our lives have a purpose and Life was intended to be lived. Live it and Love it every single day to the last drop!

Kassie Shae Lee and Jerym Samuel Lee passed away on August 18 and their lives touched many. My love and prayers go out to the Pectol and Lee Families.

We love you Kas and Jer-Ber

"Miss Melanie's Swim Camp"

2008-08-07T22:47:00.000-07:00

So the beginning of class on the final day of swim camp starts like this: Dylan, my little handsome dogglette (in white shorts) instructing his cousin(in red) what swim buddy(little floaty) he should choose. Now, see the background? All the other children are lined up in or at the pool as Miss Melanie has instructed(hence the hand).

What a BIG helper!? (p.s. don't mind his untied swim shorts. We were running late-another story of my life.)

Hmm... Which swim buddy did Dylan choose? How's the poo-poo and pee-pee from all the other 50 kids Miss Melanie teaches through out the week taste? One of Dylan's many traits, licking everything. His fav. is rocks. I guess we are missing something in the diet. Ya think?

So, is he learning the backfloat or just relaxing in Miss Melanie's arms? p.s. No Sun was Out:}

She is so good and talked really soft in their ears to help them relax

Hey Kerra, Is that Cheese or CHEESE? We love cheese 'round here and please don't mind the glare from my specs, I was moving my vending machine (don't worry world, later post) and was in working attire

I made this one real big so you can see the classic look on Dylan's face as I asked him to get one last picture with Miss Melanie. The look on her face is screaming "Poor little fella, I was just trying to help him Think not Sink. He totally hates me"

She was so great and had the most calm and kind voice. Even though she recommended taking the same class next year(Hey, she says boys are a little slower at this then girls-like everything; POTTY TRAINING)

I really enjoyed have the opportunity to watch Dylan experience something new and fun, but also very useful for the future. He does remember to plug his nose in the tub which he never did before swim camp! You go Miss Melanie! Thank You

My Worst Nightmare

2008-08-06T12:19:00.000-07:00

wow, nice root. We could eat off of that for weeks

Now a straight shot to the pool! Can you see it, the small blue thing in the distance? K-Mart special

I thought this morning glory was so beautiful with the white and purple flowers so I let it grow. BIG mistake!

No more pretty

a little forest

what forest?

So, um, yah... For those of us stay at home moms who do nothing but watch soaps and daydream all day while our children change, feed and play all by themselves; I decided to start a revoultion!

We have some very uninvited guests that creep their nasty little selves into our yard every WEEK!!! I'm talking 'bout wEeDs. You may have seen them in the unkept yard of your unruly neighbor or since every house on the block is in foreclosure, you may have seen them there.

Well ladies (and gents for those of our hubbys who pretend not to read our blogs and blogs of our friends) I have them too. I decided to shut off my soaps and finally give Dylan some food and check to make sure he was still breathing and get outside and pull these suckers. I took the guess work out of it for all of you with a before and after and even a rOoT picture.

I hope you can all appreciate your homeowners association fee that you have to pay and mine doesn't really make sense since no ASSOCIATION comes by to mow my grass or pull my wEeDs, but rather I, the homeowner does it.

Here's what it took to FILL UP! Holy freakin cow people.

Do I look like I just got hit by a semi? I felt like it. A cool 100 and I'm out picking weeds. Oh, don't mind the HUGE scab on my face. I went and saw Carol at Asia Nails and looks like a little more then hAiR came off that upper lip:( oh Carol, me lip no feel so good
P.S. I was getting a close up so you could see the sweat beading from me

What the Heck? Did someone holla "Get a Freakin Gardner"

"My First Time"

2008-08-03T21:25:00.001-07:00

Oh my gosh. When I hit the "Continue Blogging" button and it said "your post has been successful" I kinda freaked out inside. I have known about this whole blogging thing for years now and many, many friends (cause I have lots of them) told me to get my butt off their blog and start one of my own! After much thought about the time it would take me to post pics and fun little comments about me and my wonderful family, I decided just to do it. Hence the title. You might be a little scared and some anxiety might build about how long it will last, what it will feel like and what to do when your done, but there is something inside of you that is telling you how bad you want to DO IT!!! I'm talking about the first time you ride the Colossas at Lagoon people. Let's get our minds out of the gutter, although I was kinda exciting myself there for a minute!