Merry Christmas!

We've been so busy between Christmas and Thanksgiving (as I'm sure everyone has!) I didn't get anywhere near as much done as I would have liked to and we still haven't done Christmas with the Henning side yet. But, we do have some pictures from Christmas, playing in the snow! (it wasn't a white Christmas, but a white day after Christmas) and Ryder on his trusty steed Cookie. Hope your Christmas was merry and best wishes for 2009.

Getting to know me - Christmas edition

Ok - I've gotten this email twice so I'm taking care of it here so everybody can get to know me Christmas edition. And you are tagged to do it, but if you don't I totally understand (but you should still email me with your answers because it would make me happy).

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper
2. Real tree or ....Artificial? Real - there HAS to be Christmas tree smell in the house
3. When do you put up the tree? About 2 weeks before Christmas I guess
4. When do you take the tree down? New Years Day
5. Do you like eggnog? yes - as Dad always quotes from the "Santa Clause" "it's a traditional holiday favorite" or something like that
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I'm not sure there were a lot of great ones
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad and Husband
8. Easiest person to buy for? Ryder
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes - 2
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail - but I might have to be an emailer this year - sorry!
11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I had the flu one year and that is the worst present you can get
12. Favorite Christmas Movies? Rudolph, Frosty, Charlie Brown Christmas, Elf
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? A while before, but I always do projects so I am scrambling all the way up to the day of.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I honestly cannot remember right now
15.Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Egg Dish, Sticky Buns, and all of Christmas Dinner (Wilson side wins on that one!)
16. Lights on the tree? Duh
17. Favorite Christmas songs? I love them all - EXCEPT the MOST annoying one EVER - "simply having a wonderful Christmas time" - yes Amanda and Mom it is the worst
18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? both
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Sing it with me, "you know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. But do you know the most famous reindeer of all? . . . Rudolph
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A Bow
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? too commercial and people seem to think it starts right after Halloween.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? homemade and country/vintage looking
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Didn't I already answer this one
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? For me to be better, our marriage to be healthy, Ryder to be healthy, our lives back to "normal"
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Oh, who knows
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? Jeremy, of course
28. Favorite thing about Christmas? getting together with family, buying/making gifts special for each person, wrapping presents, watching the joy Christmas brings to others, the lights, the peace of Christmas day, singing Christmas hymns in church, and remembering that all of the wonderfulness is because our Savior was born.

Where Did Thanksgiving Go?

This is my favorite time of year and also in a way I dislike it because everything becomes so rushed and I get more anxious than I already am. I wonder if the doctor can prescribe anything for holiday stress. If they have something for that I'll let you all know. Thankfully though a lot of the things going on are fun. This week alone we are going to the zoo with playgroup from church and then I am going to my Grandma's to make some Christmas cookies with her and my Aunt. And Sunday we are going to the Temple lights to hear a women's trio group, which I have heard before but not at the Temple lights. They have the most amazing voices and I am excited that they are finally scheduled for a weekend night so we can go listen to them. Things are busy, busy, busy!

What I've been listening to

I'll be your candle on the water

My love for you will always burn

I know you're lost and drifting

But the clouds are lifting

Don't give up you'll have somewhere to turn

I'll be your candle on the water

'Till ev'ry wave is warm and bright

My soul is there beside you

Let this candle guide you

Soon you'll see a golden stream of light

A cold and friendless tide has found you

Don't let the stormy darkness pull you down

I'll paint a ray of hope around you

Circling in the air

Lighted by a prayer

I'll be your candle on the water

This flame inside of me will grow

Keep holding on you'll make it

Here's my hand so take it

Look for me reaching out to show

As sure as rivers flow

I'll never let you go

I'll never let you go

I'll never let you go...

Candle on the Water, Disney's Pete's Dragon

Yeah yeah, it's a Disney song. Listening to it the other day (I'm a mom and we listen to some Disney in the car) it took on a new perspective for me. I love how music can do that. It seemed to be words coming from Jesus as if he was reassuring me in this most difficult time of my life thus far. I think they should add it to the hymn book!

Happy Halloween!

We had a fun Halloween. Ryder wasn't too sure about the idea at first, but once he realized people were giving him candy he was all in.

October has been a busy month for us. Besides my many trips to the doctor we have been out and about. I've been working part time at the Community Center & HOA. First it was helping set up the Haunted House, then working in the Haunted House, and now working in the office. Its kind of nice to earn some money and be able to interact with adults for a couple hours a week.

My elk hunt obviously wasn't successful. I had a limited amount of time that I was able to go out and hunt, and it was on the days that nothing was out. We still saw one each day, but the first was too far and in too thick of trees, the second was a bull (tag is good for anterless only), and the third ditched me - twice. Ryder loved camping and hunting. It is a little difficult to try and sneak up on animals when he is singing the ABC's in his backpack. Everyone had a good time relaxing , enjoying the cool weather and scenery. I wanted to get more hunting (and serious hunting) time in, but maybe another year.

Ryder and I had the opportunity to be on TV a week ago. We got tickets to attend a taping of Sonoran Living (local show) at the Phoenix Zoo. We were on camera a couple of times. They wanted kids in costume in the audience so Ryder got to get dressed up twice this year.

We also spent time with the Haynes families before they went back to Thailand and New York. Ryder liked taking care of the babies - whether it was his cousin or her baby doll.

And the newest member of the family arrived! Welcome Seth! We won't get to officially meet him since he is in South Korea right now, but we are anxiously looking forward to meeting him.

Check out our photo album to see some of our October highlights!

Hunting Scrapbook

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

A Hunting We Will Go

Its late and I need to get to bed, but I had to show what Ryder has been doing to prepare for Mom's elk hunt which opens tomorrow morning.

This isn't the greatest picture, but he got his own camping chair and some camo boots.

He tried on his cold weather clothes

He kept his mittens on for a good hour or so after we tried them on.Looking very GQ with the hand in the pocket and sucking the thumb.And he has his very own little sleeping bag!So let's go already!

Ryder also got to visit the temple grounds last weekend. The pictures from that are on our photo page. We are all looking forward to some camping, cooler weather (since it decided to get hot here again) and to getting some hunting in. Wish me luck on getting my 1st elk!

Ryder and Natasha

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I Tag

THE "I" TAG
My sister in law just "tagged" me since I checked her blog.
I: Lisa
I am: blogging (duh!)
I think: about too much stuff ALL the time
I know: a bunch of stuff, but is it useful?
I want: start a business working with horses and helping people
I wish: I was doing what I want (see above).
I hate: being hurt (physically and emotionally)
I miss: my family that is no longer with us right now
I fear: sometimes everything!
I feel: tired right now. And frustrated with all these darn meds side effects.
I hear: My sister talking to the dog (I must not be good company :)
I smell: nothing.
I crave: sweets
I search: happiness and peace
I wonder: when I will get back to "normal"
I regret: not going to Spain because of a boyfriend.
I love: this time of the year. Autumn AND my FAMILY!
I care about: my family, friends, and my animals
I always: count to 30 when I wash my hands. That is how long you are supposed to so you kill the germs.
I am not: good at reading my scriptures every day.
I believe: that we have a living prophet today to lead Christ's church. I believe that through Jesus Christ we are saved if we accept him and follow him!
I dance: not as often as I would like to. I love dancing, wish I could dance better, wish my husband would dance with me more when we go out and there is opportunity and I dance with Ryder
I sing: kids songs, and primary songs with and to my kids. And I am a great singer in the car, alone (or with Ryder). I love to sing too and want to learn to do it the right way.
I don't always: make the best decisions, but who does?
I write: emails, blogs, journal
I win: taking the most pills at one time - nope Dad beat me again.
I lose: my sanity now and again
I never: say never. At one time I said I would never become Mormon or drive a Mormon-mobile (Suburban). What church do I belong to and what is that great white beast sitting outside the window, hmmm.
I listen: Ryder say no,no,no,no a lot, the TV (for background noise mostly), music
I am scared of: too many things to write about right now
I need: to get organized!
I am happy about: my cousins are coming to visit soon and I get to meet their baby (and babies on the way) and that I have a lot of supportive family.
I tag: You're it!

The Rain Came Down and The Son Came Up

The saying "when it rains it pours" is so true sometimes. Our little home has been turned upside down for the past month. First, we finally made a big step in getting some help for some medical issues I've just been dealing with for years. I don't like to go into detail, but in summary I have been put on mandatory rest for a while and am getting accustomed to some medication. In order to be on rest I've been back with my parents so Ryder can be watched, while I spend most of the day sleeping since one of the lovely side effects of medication is drowsiness.

While Ryder and I were adjusting to a "new" home, Jeremy's Grandad's health took a sudden turn for the worse. He spent a few days in the hospital before passing away last Tuesday morning. We were very fortunate though to spend a lot of time with him at the end and have a lot of family around. Although it is never easy to lose a loved one, I think the time we had to talk, remember special memories and spend precious hours together was a great blessing. He is now in a better place and watching over us and also looking forward (as we all are) to the day that we will all be together again and be an eternal family with our perfect resurrected bodies and no more pain, tears and sadness. We will miss him, but we are promised that we will be together again soon. And as I told him when I last saw him, I'm looking forward to our horseback ride in the future.

The day after Grandad's passing I had another Dr. appointment in which she determined that the medication was not working and I am having to start over on a new medication which takes another 2-4 weeks to start working. And orders to not go home yet and more rest (and even more drowsiness). This time has been frustrating and left us with heavy hearts, but we have promises for a brighter future from our Lord so right now we are just trying to hold on look toward his light.

Funny Boy

Got some funny videos of Ryder here.

Triathlon Training

I have made it through an entire week of triathlon training and am still alive and able to move! Success! Just a quick note of what I have done so far:
Mon - Biked 4 miles/Ran 1 mile
Tues - Swam 800 yards
Wed - off
Thurs - Biked 4 miles
Fri - Ran 1 mile
Sat - Ran 2 miles
Sun - off
Mon - Biked 5 miles
Tues - Ran 2 miles
Yay, Me!!

One less egg

I don't know what is going on, but I went to get eggs and one of my hens was dead. I have no idea what happened to her. I know they have a longer life expectancy that one year. Hopefully, the others will hang in there.

This makes me laugh A LOT!

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Motivation

I decided I need a little more motivation to get back in shape, since being more healthy doesn't seem to cut it for me. Yesterday I sent in my entry form for a triathlon! I figure that not looking like a fool is good motivation from me. I'm not totally crazy though. I didn't go signing up for the Ironman. It is a local one and consists of a 400 meter swim, 10.2 mile bike ride, and 3 mile run. Swimming is no problem, bike riding skills are ok, running, hmmmmm, ok I might look like a fool anyways!

I might be a little bored . . .

I saw this on a friend's blog and thought is was cute and pretty right.


You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Leave a comment of which princess you are!

1 going on 5

Ryder always tries to be "bigger" than his age. From getting right in the middle of the older cousins playing to helping Mom and Dad with the chores. Yesterday at church he tried showing us again that he is not really 1, but rather 5 years old.
Jeremy and I co-teach the 7-8 year old class at church. Since Ryder is too young to go to Nursery (he has to be 18 mos - only 1 more to go!) he comes in with us. The first part of Primary is Sharing Time, which is the 3,4,5,6,7,8 year olds all combined. We were sitting with our class and Ryder was coloring with the rest of the class. Then it was time to collect the picture and have singing time. Ryder decided that he did not want to sit on the floor next to Mom and Dad like some baby so he got up and walked out of the row. He ran up a couple of rows and right before I could catch him he ducked into the row that the 4-5 year old class was sitting. He found an empty chair in the middle of the row and plunked his little behind down in it. The teacher said he was fine there so I went back to our class (which was only a couple rows behind) and watched as he sat in his little chair next to the other kids and watched up front as the teacher led the kids in their songs. He stayed there for at least 15 minutes and then got up and walked back to us.
Here is what else he has been up to.

My alarm clock is broken!

So, a while back I went into the chicken coop to give the chickens some fruit for a treat. Inside I saw my rooster and 3 hens. I looked around and found the 4th hen under the egg boxes, which was odd. I figured she was laying since she wouldn't come out. Later that day I went out to get eggs and the same hen is in the same place. It does not take all day to lay an egg so I shooed her out. She ran out and then the dang rooster ran after her and kept trying to peck her head (there is truth to the saying of peck your eyes out!) She ran back and hid under the box. So I decided that he needed to be booted out of the coop for a while, since he was trying to kill one of my hens and the other three were all bald on their back from him picking out feathers. So I took him out, he freaked out a bit with some non-stop crowing and then went along his merry way pecking around the yard.
Until a week ago, we came home from Phoenix and found feathers EVERYWHERE. Not good. We also found my poor plucked rooster in the yard with the suspect. A stupid little rat dog chased to poor thing to death. I chased it off and it had the nerve to return to the scene of the crime a couple of days later.
So sadly my alarm clock is no longer, but Ryder has happily taken over as he has suddenly become a very early morning person, again.

Blogging is Hard

I think I have blog-fright. You know how some people have stage fright were as soon as they are in front of a crowd they freeze and go blank. The same thing happens to me once I log in and have a blank post screen in front of my face. All day long I have clever little things that I think of writing and now, I sit with a blank look on my face and a blank brain. There is a lot going on and it seems like everyday I don't have enough time to do what I wanted to. Now when I try to think about what we have been doing NOTHING comes to mind. Maybe some pictures would help:


Ryder has learned what a fish says. In case you aren't up to date on your animals, this is what a fish says.






Ryder has also learned how to feed himself with a fork/spoon. He is improving. Note there is only a few splatters of food on the wall.







Ryder has taken it upon himself to help out in the office too. He made a "desk" behind where we sit. He uses Jeremy's file box as the desk and sits on a box. He likes to sit there and bang on the top. I guess that must be what it looks like we do on the computer.






Ryder and I spent a day up in Young so all the cousins could have one more big play day before Erin and the kids left for Korea. It is very challenging to try to get 6 kids, all under 5 years old, to sit still for a picture. I think this is a good one.




And I LOVE this one of the "babies" of the family. I guess they won't be the babies for long thanks to the Lancasters.







We got together at Grandma & Grandad's to see Erin and the kids off. The six kids were making a lot of noise and running around and then suddenly went quiet. I went into the other room to see what they were doing and found this.

After looking at this post I realized I've become one of those parents that only talks/writes about her kid. We do have other things going on, but who really wants to know about how I cleaned (or didn't clean - depending on how the day went).

Jeremy has been a little more busy lately. He started doing sales for his friend's concrete company and then is still surveying part-time. Unfortunately a bad housing market affects surveying and there is definitely a lack of work out there. The full-time sales work helps out a lot though.

I am still teaching horseback riding lessons. I'm up to 4 students. So it averages to about 1 lesson a week. I'd like to do more and hopefully will be able to get things going a little more with that.

We have more pictures and videos on our photo page.

My new favorite place

I

Love

My

New

Tackroom!!

Anyone want to go riding?

Almost there

Ryder is thisclose to being an offical toddler. Check out the action here.

What you want to know, but are afraid to ask

Alright, so I'm sure most of those who read this know that our little family is Mormon. Anyways, if you know us you know that yours truly is a convert (5 years and 6 months). I used to be one of those people who thought that religious people were a bit freaky and pushy. Well, I still sometimes think that. I don't want to be either freaky or pushy, but I feel the need to state what it is to be Mormon. There are unfortunately many things people think they know about our religion which are not true. There is a quote from President Hinckley that I love which says:
" We recognize the good that every other church in the world does. We have no quarrel with other churches. We do not argue, we do not debate, or anything of the kind. We simply say to people not of our faith, 'You bring with you all the truth that you have, and let us see if we can add to it.' "
So for all those who want to know but are afraid to ask:
"1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be build upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisaical glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul - We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."
Joseph Smith. The Articles of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. History of the Church, Vol. 4, pp.535-541.

I heard about the Church from a friend. I felt good and happy about these things that I heard. I was a HUGE skeptic. I learned about the Church and was baptized in a week.

If you read this and learned something that you didn't know before or had some things cleared up then I have accomplished what I set out to do. And if you have any questions, ASK!

Happy, Happy, Happy

Birthday, Birthday, Easter!

March has been busy for us. We started out with Ryder's birthday party. He was spoiled greatly once again. I don't think he minds though. I was quite proud of myself to make it through a birthday party and making a pretty cool birthday cake, if I do say so myself.

Then we had my birthday, in which my Dad reminded me that I am old. Although I am not old, but sometimes at around 3 pm and Ryder had ran me ragged I feel old and like I need a nap. I got a really awesome birthday present though. Check it out!

Yes that is a concrete slab. But it will be so much more come the weekend. That is the floor to my new tack room. The rest of the building comes on Saturday. I'm really excited to have a nice little set up on our property for horseback riding and Jeremy is excited to have some more space in the garage.

We spent Easter up in Young. We got there LATE Friday night. We had fun hunting Easter eggs - Jeremy of course won again, but that is because he cheats. Ryder was pretty much just mad that everytime he picked up an egg I took it away, put it in the basket, and made him go find another one. And he discovered that jelly beans are delicious.

Check out our pictures!

Useless Things to Know

1. What time did you get up this morning?
1st time: 4am (Ryder wake up call)/2nd time: 7am
2. Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds, duh
3. Last movie you saw in the theater?
What is a theater? We saw "The Bucket List" for Jeremy's b-day
4. What is your favorite TV show?
Sad as it may be America's Next Top Model or Super Nanny
5. What did you eat for Breakfast?
Biscuits and gravy
6. What is your middle name?
I'll let you take a wild guess (think Elvis)
7. What food do you dislike?
Ones that taste bad - I can't think of specifics
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
The one I burned the other day - I call it my happy CD - Over the Rainbow (the ukulele version), Bubbly, Darlin' Do Not Fear, and others I can't remember right now
9. What kind of car do you drive?
1988 Suburban Mormon-mobile, YES! With all blue interior I might add.
10. Favorite sandwich?
usually something that involves chicken, lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese, bread . . .
11. What characteristics do you despise?
Bad ones
12. Favorite item of clothing?
The ones that fit me and hid the post baby deflated pooch
13. If you could go anywhere in the world for a vacation, where would you go?
Jeremy hates this one but I'm not ashamed to say DISNEYLAND! (also Spain and Greece)
14. What color is your bathroom?
Mint
15. Favorite brand of clothing?
Ones that fit me like I said (see #12)
16. Where would you retire?
I don't know
17. Most memorable birthday?
21st - not because I could drink - we got engaged and Ryder's birth day
18. Favorite sport to watch?
Most any that involve a horse
19. Favorite saying?
Live in Faith, not Fear - can't remember who said it
20. When is your birthday?
On the day I was born
21. Are you a morning or a night person?
Positively, absolutely, 100% night (notice the time this is posted)
22. What is your shoe size?
8
23. What did you want to be when you were little?
Grown up
24. What are you today?
A grown up - sometimes
25. What is your favorite candy?
Twix
26. Your favorite flower?
I like all kinds - I can't single one out
27. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
? Nothing really coming up out of the ordinary
28. What are you listening to right now?
Super Mario Galaxy background music with the occasional "Dang it!"
29. What was the last thing you ate?
A Star Crunch
30. Do you wish on stars?
I used to
31. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Blue
32. What is your pet peeve?
Talking over me and interrupting
33. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Ryder's dad - He had to talk to him because Ryder thought we left him at the Wal-Mart and would not stop crying the WHOLE way home (20 minute drive) - we were in separate cars
34. Do you like the person/people you are sending this to?
Yes - Every single one
35. Favorite soft drink?
Pepsi
36. Favorite restaurant?
Red Robin
37. Hair Color?
Brown
38. Favorite day of the year?
Christmas or the ones we've been having lately and it is nice weather and the day is spent mostly outside in the garden or with the horses.
39. What was your favorite toy as a child?
Sigh - Barbie
40. Summer or winter?
Winter
41. Hugs or kisses?
Depends on who this is coming from - if you're not my husband hugs only please
42. Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate
43. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
It's rude not to
44. When was the last time you cried?
A couple of Mondays ago - birthday party hangover (stress - not drinking!) + baby with fever + everything else I worry about = crying
45. What is under your bed?
Nothing of course (like I'm going to admit to all the junk I hide)
46. Who is the friend you've had the longest?
Mom & Sister
47. What did you do last night?
Slept
48. Favorite smell?
Vanilla, baking goodies, clean baby, clean horse
49. What are you afraid of?
I'm afraid to list them all
50. How many keys on your key ring?
Jeremy says too many
51. How many years at your current job?
Which job?
52. Favorite day of the week?
Saturday
53. How many states have you lived in?
Dos
54. Do you make friends easily?
Nope, sure don't
55. How many folks will you send this to?
Billions
56. How many words did spell check have to correct?
I correct as I go because I can't stand the sight of the red dotted underline thing.

First Birthday

Ryder (aka: Ryderman),

It is hard to believe that you are one year old today. A year and a few days ago it seemed like you were never going to make your grand entrance. But, of course you did and we have been so blessed to have shared this past year with you. We had a little bit of a rough start, but you don't seem to be any worse for the wear. Four days after you were born (and only one day after you came home) we were back in the hospital for dehydration. It was a hard thing to watch my tiny little boy get poked over and over again (6 times to be exact) with a needle while the nurses tried to get an IV in you (and they didn't succeed until trying again the next morning). You took it like a champ though. You hardly cried while I sobbed in my chair.

After you came home again there were many doctors appointments and then surgery (at 6 weeks old) to fix your tongue tie. After surgery things slowly got to the way it should have been from the start.

From the beginning you have been a very active little boy which both worries and excites me about what to look forward to in the future. You're dad called you "Mr. Wigglely" for a long time right from the start as you would lay on your back and kick like crazy all the time. You were so focused on being active that you found naps to be a waste of time. You would cry for hours to avoid falling asleep. I tried everything to try and get you to take naps. For a very brief time you would sleep in your swing. You soon figured out that it made you fall asleep and then hated it with a passion. Finally, 9 months later, you would only cry for 5 minutes when we put you down. In just that last couple of days you will lay in your bed holding "Mr. Blue Dog" and go to sleep without any tears.

You will let anyone hold you, but then you become the most serious baby I have ever seen. It takes you a while to warm up to others, but when you do we can't get a word in edgewise. You jabber all the time and make the hand and arm motions to go with like you are telling some grand story. We think your first word was "dog", but then you stopped saying it. "Dog" was soon followed by "Buh OUT" (Buck Out!) Poor Buck was told "out" no matter where he was. Now you say "da da" (which can be me or your dad), "ma ma" (only when you are very upset), "stop", "don't", "buh" (Buck) and of course "out".

You also have all the makings of being the class clown when you get older. You love to make others laugh. You do cheesy smiles, make silly noises, and if we ask "are you being silly?" you giggle and do it some more. For a while you would fake cough because everyone thought it was funny. You make fish face kisses and give great big open mouth kisses. You give the best hugs ever. You open your arms wide, then wrap them around the shoulder and give lots of pats on the back. You also love animals. When we brought home the baby chicks you squealed and kicked and wanted to pet them (you were only 5 months old). You crawl all over Buck and really like to examine his wrinkled face and his feet. You give him nice pats too. You love to ride the horses, you've ridden all three of them already. As soon as we put you up there you grab onto the mane, lift your legs up like a little jockey, smile and giggle the whole way. When your ride is over you give the horse pats on the neck. You are not afraid of any dogs as you will crawl around in a room filled with six 50 - 100 lb dogs at Grandma & Grandpa's house with no problem.We've done a little bit of traveling. You've made some trips to Grandma & Grandpa's in Young and gone camping on the elk and javelina hunts. After all these trips we finally figured out how to get you to sleep in the camp trailer - you have to have your own bedroll. This year has been spent with lots of family get togethers and it is not hard to tell that you have very many people who love you. What's not to love? Things that you love right now are dancing, music, your animals, baths, playing in the dirt, "Mr. Blue Dog", spaghetti, books, working with Dad, and most of all your family (Mom, Dad, Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and all the Greats too). We love you very much and can't wait to continue to watch you grow and grow with you on this life's journey.

Love you forever,

Mom

A Hunting We Will Go (part 2)

Not even a year old yet and Ryder has gone on two hunts. This time Grandpa, Uncle Dave and Dad all had tags. Jeremy got his opening morning, which is a first for him. He is usually the one to get something at the last minute on the last day. After getting his javelina only two hours into the hunt he said that he might not do that again, because then he has to stay at camp with the "women folk" the rest of the time. Gee thanks! We did get some good pictures of some of the activities at camp.

2007 Inventory

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Stayed in the hospital (2x), give birth, take care of a baby, be a parent( a lot falls under this one), raised chickens
2. Did you keep your New Year’s Resolution?
I don't recall if I had one
3. Did someone close to you give birth?
I think, yes, ME! (and 2 of my sister-in-laws!)
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not close to me personally, but Sonny was close to the family
5. What countries did you visit?
Yeah right
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Money, more faith, sanity
7. What date from 2007 will forever remain in your memory?
02-27-2007 02:27am Ryder's birthday
8. What is your biggest achievement in 2007?
Giving birth, taking care of a baby, started teaching horseback riding lessons
9. What was your biggest failure?
Loosing track of taking care of myself
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
We'll just say yes
11. What’s the best thing you bought?
Visits to the wellness clinic
12. Who’s behavior merited celebration?
Jeremy - taking care of a baby and a depressed mother - the man deserves a medal!
13. Who’s behavior appalled/depressed you?
I think I'm easily let down or offended. Mine did and probably many others.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Diapers, hospital #1, hospital #2, several doctors, mortgage, insurance, animals, food, a black hole?
15. What did you get really excited about?
Ryder coming to join us
16. What songs will always remind you of 2007?
Last Dollar, Bubbly & Slippery Fish
17. Compared with last year are you:
Happier or sadder? Both
Thinner or fatter? Both, I am thinner than at the end of 2007, but fatter than the beginning Richer or poorer? Poorer in money, richer in blessings
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Laugh and take pictures
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Cry
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my family opening presents, playing Wii, and eating yummy food.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
How could I not?








22. How many one night stands?
ZERO!
23. Favorite TV program?
Grey's Anatomy
24. Do you hate anyone new?
I'm not supposed to hate. There are some I dislike and I need to resolve that.
25. Best book you read?
Bible and Book of Mormon - those are the only I read and I don't think I finished either during the year
26. Greatest musical discovery?
Slippery fish - the only song that would make Ryder stop crying
27. What did you want and get?
A beautiful baby boy
28. What did you want and not get?
My backyard fenced in!
29. Favorite film of the year?
Pirates 3 - I think that is the only one I saw