Happy 30th Alan!!!

(Ryan)-Today is Alan Lindsay’s 30th birthday, making him the oldest person I know. Crossing the 30 boundary is a great landmark in the life of every human being. It means that you are old. You are no longer a child, but a certified geezer. I’m so glad that Alan crossed this threshold before I did so that I could feel young at 29 and him old at 30.

Alan and I have been friends since we were 15, so we’ve been friends about half our lives. I’ve watched him accomplish many things in my day, like spraying himself in the eye with perfume at Dillard’s when he was trying to flirt with the sales girl, or watch him leap from a car going about 30 mph with a t-shirt and shorts on. By the way, after having leapt from that moving car, he came to school the next day wearing shorts that revealed the super nasty carnage on his knees. He put this Vaseline on his knees to prevent cracking of the scabs, but it was so horrifically disgusting that people would walk as far from him as possible.
This one time he pulled the fire alarm at our high school just for fun. The whole school had to be evacuated, but I don’t think anybody ever found out it was him. I knew Alan was super cool when he brought his really old-school snowboard to the sled and inner tube hill. He looked so sweet in his black trench coat snowboarding down the little hill.

Alan is one of the best musicians I know. He has written so many great songs and many of them on the fly, making them up on the spot like the Big Fat Pie song, or the song Shaun Heier was singing for his then-girlfriend Joselyn. I love his impromptu jazz sessions and I have learned so much from his skills. My skills plus his skills have also brought forth some pretty sweet tunes. He and his wife Cristi have written some seriously unreal songs too.

Alan has this way about him that draws people to him in a mysterious subconscious way. He always seems like he’s in control even though often he’s doesn’t know what’s going on. He takes it in stride and somehow makes things work out for the best. He and I can laugh for hours about pretty much anything. We’ve created alter egos ranging from german housekeepers at the Marriott to Yanni wannabes to Chinese proverb creators to the famous Loaf Loaf or writing completely off-the-wall resignation letters for jobs we quit without two-weeks notices.

Alan is one of my best friends of all time. He is the greatest friend I could have ever asked for! Happy Birthday, Alan. This picture is them singing at a church Christmas program in 2005.

(Christy)-I also wanted to take a moment and wish Alan a happy Birthday by embarrassing him some too! I met Alan while I was dating Ryan. Ryan and I went through a lot before getting married, (hence the five engagements) and Alan and Cristi were always there not only for Ryan but for me. I would go over to their place after they were married and talk to them for hours each time Ryan and I broke up. They were always very supportive and kind to me and still are.

(This picture was taken at Sarah and Price's house in Colorado)

My husband is just amazing and is the most spiritual and kind person I have ever met. And Ryan is the person he is today a lot due to Alan and Brady (the third member of the trio). Ryan struggled some as a youth and didn’t have good friends, but then he met Alan and Brady. They all helped each other and remained active in the church and were good examples to others. I will always be grateful to Alan and Brady for their love and friendship they showed Ryan during those teenage years. And I know they feel the same way about Ryan. It’s so incredible to see that bond and friendship that they have with each other, and I know that it will last forever…so yes we will all be in diapers together someday! (Alan first though, right? Lol.)

There is lots of things that amazes us about Alan (and his wife Cristi, who I absolutely adore!) But one other thing I want to mention is that Ryan and I love to watch Alan eat….yes, eat. It is so funny! I have never met anyone who can make everything and anything look so delicious to eat. Alan seriously could make dirt look appetizing... Just the way Alan uses his fork and knife almost makes it look as if the food is floating in the air and how he gently eats the food off of the utensil with one swift smooth move. We seriously have never seen anything like it! It's amazing and truly a gift! I have two brothers, who can eat a whole pancake in one big bite without even chewing or inhaling. And most of the time growing up, if you weren't at the table and had your plate full, you would be left in the dust with nothing...(ok maybe not nothing, but pretty close) so in my family we all eat pretty fast. So it's no wonder why I appreciate and enjoy watching Alan eat. He makes you want whatever he is eating. And when he is eating something you are not eating, he makes it look that good that you can almost taste it too! We have always told him he could do a commercial advertising food or get a job critiquing food and everybody would be sold!

Anyway, we hope you have a great 30th Birthday Alan! Hope we didn't embarrass you too bad! ;) We love you!!

Picture of the trio and the wifes! (Ryan and I, Brady and Yvonne and Alan and Cristi!(I am pregnant in this one...) Dec 2004

Ryan, me and Madi with Alan, Cristi, Emma and Brooke (I am pregnant here too...lol) June 2007

Foot Brace

Avery got a brace on her foot on Tuesday. She isn’t quite sure what to think of it. She doesn’t cry when it’s on, but seems annoyed and puzzled to why it is there. Ryan and I really don’t know if the brace is working though…we still see her foot turning inward and it doesn’t seem like it is the right size for her foot. So we will have to check it out with the doctor. Anyway just thought I would post pictures of her little foot...poor thing!! :0

Baby Alarm Clock...

Ryan and I just didn't want to get out of bed this morning! The girls were both up, and of course crawling and climbing all over us, trying to get us up... We were both in and out of conciousness enjoying too much our well needed slumber. I had just finished feeding Avery a whole 8oz bottle of formula, when all of a sudden a volcanic explosion from Avery sent regurgitated milk soaring threw the air and all over Madi, Daddy, the bed and me. If you can imagine two adults and a toddler jumping and sprinting out of bed as if running to catch a bus, that would be the picture! If there was any alarm clock that worked to get anyone out of bed as soon as it went off with no snooze button well, that would be it! A baby that pukes all over.

Just moments before this picture was taken...there we were, curled up sleeping with the warmth of our blankets and dreams of sugar plums dancing IN our heads as two little ones were dancing ON our heads...(haha! something like that) when the unpleasant incident took place. This is our bed sheet that was puked on, and not only did it soak the mattress covering, but also soaked down into the pillow mattress itself...gross I know!!

Here is a picture of the culprit... the one that, "BaRFFT!!"(as Madi says it). She is still on the loose...sometimes hiding under tables, behind furniture, climbing stairs and eating whatever she comes in contact with...she may be armed and dangerous with endless drool and poopy diapers that make your toes curl up and nose hairs cringe. AND WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T BE LURED IN BY HER CUTENESS!!!

Reward if found: lots of "Chocates" (Madi's way of saying chocolates...)

Big Bad BBQ

This is special reporter Ryan writing in again about a fantastic activity that took place at the Hodges' house over the weekend. The back yard was filled with friends, food, and plenty of fun. Those in attendance were (in order of arrival): Kevin and Stephanie Woodward with their son Heigan and daughter Saylee; Jeremy and Morgan Johnson with their daughter Sadie (the twins, Brooklyn and Kate were M.I.A); Haley Meusborn with her children Josie, Sam, Ellie, and Eva (her husand Aaron arrived shortly after due to having to work; Blake and Lara Tanner with their children James and Bethany; and Christie Collier and her children Sam and Zoe (her husband Moses showed up a bit late also due to kicking some serious butt in his Kempo martial arts class. We also invited the Moores and the Hamiltons but the Hamiltons had a wedding to attend and the Moores just don't like us very much. (j/k, they went out of town)

In this picture: Lara, Haley, Blake, Kevin, Saylee and Stephanie

Jeremy, Morgan and Sadie Johnson

Festivities set off with some serious grilling by yours truly, involving hamburgers, about a million hot dogs, some chicken, and a baby hamburger the Johnsons brought for Sadie. There was a ton of great food there and we all ate until we were stuffed with goodness. The kids played on the swingset, jumped on the tramp and threw sand into each others' faces and hair while the parents sat and talked or played a mean game of volleyball (which the kids eventually took over also).

Sadie on the swing

Eva and Heigan playing

Sam and Sadie jumping on the trampoline

Sadi and Zoe embracing...(let's hear it...AWWW!)

Josie, Ellie, And Madi in the sandbox

Madisen

I learned some new interesting things about some of our friends during the party, like Blake Tanner went to Argentina on his mission (where Spanish sounds so beautiful), and Moses could kill me with his bare hands and some kempo skills. I hear he's pretty good with a bow staff. I learned that Kevin is a true Star Wars junkie at heart and that Jeremy could hold his own on the professional volleyball circuit. I also learned that Aaron Meusborn is a pickle connoisseur with a special place in his heart for scrumptious dill pickles.

Christy and I loved having everybody here and hope that we can do this again with all our friends!

(These pictures were taken by Morgan Johnson. Christy and I forgot to get our camera out, so not everyone is in these pictures... Sorry! Thanks to Morgan though, we have a few!)

Dear Mom

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mothers!

We also want tell our own moms Happy Mother's Day! I feel so blessed to have such wonderful mothers! My mom and I are best friends! We talk almost everyday, if not several times a day for hours! We cry and laugh together but best of all we can tell each other anything and I know she is always there for me. I also feel so extremely blessed because Ryan's mom and I have also become such great friends. We are both so similar in so many ways and just love hanging out together. Our Moms are always there for us and we feel so blessed to have the BEST moms ever! :) We really appreciate everything you do for us and we love you both so much!!!

~A Mother~
Author Unknown
A Mother is one whounderstands the things you say and do

Who always overlooks your faults and sees the best in you

A Mother is one whose special love inspires you day by day.

Who fills your heart with gladness in her warm and thoughtful way.

A Mother is all these things and more - the greatest treasure known.

And the dearest Mother in all of the world is the one I call my own.

----------------

My Beautiful Mom, Rebecca

Ryan's Beautiful Mom, Tammy

Avery checking in...

Avery's Progress... Avery has been going to physical therapy now twice a week for three weeks and I just realized this last week that we have been working on the wrong side of her neck! I didn't even notice at first because she seemed to be improving and showing that her neck was turning to both sides fairly well. She also seemed more straight and upright then before she started therapy, so I thought it was working. However, about four days ago I noticed that she really started to tip to the same side, and I realized then that therapists were always messaging and heating her right side, when it should have been her left...well they say doctor's have done surgry on the wrong leg before, so I guess something like this is not uncommon , but I am glad I finally noticed! I mean I feel kind of stupid for not paying closer attention. I just figured they knew what they were doing but things happen, ya know?

Avery's foot is also not improving much, so she is getting a brace on her foot nex week, which will help her be able to stand better. She has been falling quite a bit since her right foot turns inward so much- she looses her balance and falls. She has started to climb up the stairs with me right behind her but falls down a lot because of that foot.

Well that's the news today...Avery checking out....

Finals are finally over!

School is out!! For me at least...

I woke up at 3:30am to study and I took my last test just this morning…Before the semester began I was really excited to go back to school and now I am super excited to be done! I decided I am not going to continue to go to school this summer, but just to stay at home and be a mom. It was fun learning new things and remembering things that I have learned before. I learned a lot about the brain, the nervous system and how it all functions. I learned what happens to the body when we get stressed, the ways we cope with stress and what can happen if we are too stressed, the many mental disorders that are common and how different types of therapy there are and how they can help. I also learned more about politics and studied our constitution. Through all this I have really come to appreciate those mothers and fathers that both go to school and raise a family, plus with all their other responsibilities of working and church, how amazing are you! That is one heavy load! Give yourself a pat on the back! :)
I greatly admire those that do all that, it was pretty tough for me and although I was only a part time student, there were many hair-pulling, nail biting, and excessive eating moments (that was my coping mechanism for stress…jk!) throughout the semester! So I am grateful to have had the opportunity to go to school again, yet I am even happier to be done!! thanks Joanna for pushing me! And a BIG thanks to my husband for all his support and help!! I love you honey!

Good luck to all those that are still in school and are going back to school next semester! You are awesome... Keep up the good work! ;)

Inspiration finally came...a bit late...

This last Friday, I was invited by a few girls from our new ward, Shantaila and Emily and her sister in law, Andrea to go to an all night scrapbooking party! (well, 6pm-midnight) There was several ladies there, all with their fancy tools and bags and paper...it was quite a sight believe me... I love scrapbooking! I love shopping for scrapbooking stuff, (myhusband would say I love shopping for anything...which I do!) anything to do with scrapbooking and I am all in! It's definitely like being a two year old in a candy store! Well pretty much everyone scrapped the night away making beautiful pages and scrapping many fun memories...well, except for me.

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Yes, that is right, I did not get one single scrapbooking page done the 6 hours I was there! Why you ask? Not to make any excuses, but I have realized that I just can't scrapbook with a crowd, I get really distracted and come down with a bad case of hyperactivity...hehe. I asked the girls to pray that I could get some inspiration too, because they were on a roll, pumping out all these cute cute pages! "...I think you are ready to go Pro!" haha!

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Also I haven't scrapbooked in so long that the creative side of my brain had been turned off... Anyway, I told the girls that I would post pictures of my pages when I finally got done with them...so here's to you guys! (See, I am not a total slacker! lol.) I think they turned out pretty cute and I am happy with them. I know that I have already posted all of these pictures on my blog but these are the pages that I tried to start that night...what do you think??

This page with the girls holding hands is my favorite!

I had a great time and would totally do it again just for the fun, even if I don't get anything done...I know I really just can't scrapbook very well with others around...(nothing personal!) Thanks again for inviting me go with you and for all the laughs!!

Carrots for Dinner

I wasn't sure what to make for dinner tonight...most nights are like that. I do like to cook, but with two kids hanging on me as I try and prepare it, asking for something new every other minute...well you get the picture, it's just crazy sometimes! (Those with kids know what I am talking about, and those that don't have kids well I am sure you can imagine and if not well, just wait!) Tonight was one of those nights... I needed some quick meal that I could just throw together. I decided to cook up some Salmon and mashed potatoes with green beans. I asked Madi if that sounded good to her...She quickly said, "No"(typical thing I hear) and then looked up at me with such great enthusiasm and said, "I would like some carrots...and an apple please!!"

I had to chuckle a little...it was quite stunning and amusing to hear her say that....I was just waiting to hear her say chocolate or chips or some other really unheathly food. Although it's more of a snack than dinner...you just never say no when I child wants vegetables! So she ate carrots, apples and potatoes for dinner...what a meal, eh?

P is for Potty and Patience!

We have tried potty training Madi many times, I have lost track of just how many, she was just never ready and we never wanted to push it... too much. But right before she turned three we decided to give it another try and just make it the funniest thing she has ever done! We let her pick out her own treats when she goes in the potty… (being the smart girl she is she choose chocolate bars!)

Woah! I know…and we let her pick out her own underwear! So she picked some My Little Pony underwear (of course), Elmo and she has also got a variety of flower ones, so she has a drawer full of panties. So the first 4 days were pretty rough I have to admit, more for me than for Madi. Patience is doesn't come easy for me, so I have had to really work on that as she had accident after accident, day after day! This T-Shirt Avery is wearing says it all...(I wonder if they have one in Madi's size too?) But after all the frustration (that I had to hide from her) all the messes around the house and the endless encourages from her dad, grandparents and I, a light bulb went off and she is conquering the toilet one day at a time! We made potty time into play time and that has made all the difference! So as soon as the timer goes off we tell her it’s time to go potty! And she says, “Come on! I need to get my dinosaurs too…”

Madi is doing really good. She still has a few accidents here and there, yet she now uses the potty without screaming and throwing a fit! Sometimes she even runs into the bathroom and sits down before the timer goes off, or before we even have to ask her, which is a huge step! We are so excited and see that she is becoming a big girl, wanting to do more and more by herself everyday…a little bitter-sweet. We are excited to see her grow more independent yet sad to see our baby getting older!

Springtime?!

This is what the people of Pocatello woke up to this morning! Crazy Weather! But the good news is that it only lasted a few hours! (view from our front yard)This is what it looks like now! The sun came out and it is warming up fast! Can't wait for spring to stay... I thought winter was over, but it's still throwing snowballs at us! ;) I am really grateful for the moisture, we really needed it but the snow has definitely overstayed it's welcome this year!

Box Climbing

Ryan and I have moved 10 times since we have been married...I know, we just can't make up
our minds where to live! We have saved our boxes over the years, just because of that, and
they were able to come in handy this last week for some good friends of ours too, who had also just moved. Yesterday they brought them back, and it
was like a field trip for Madi. She spent the rest of the night climbing to the top and then "sliding" down them...saying, "WEEEE! That's fun!" Like it was some pleasurable ride at an amusement park, as her bum and arms were getting scraped nearly everytime she went down. (at least she didn't ask for a bandaid! ;)). Kids think the weirdest things are fun! …anyway I just thought these pictures of the girls climbing together were fun...

Madi would say, “Come on Avery… climb up!”

Haha!

Avery tried to climb up and did pretty well I thought, for still being wobbly when she stands up! Avery got frustrated a few times, she wanted to be

like Madi and climb to the top!