Another Great Kid..

As to not neglect any child I need to have a post just for my Ryan. I have written about all the others individually so it's Ryan's turn. In all things there must be balance--including equal posting per child.

Ryan is a unique soul. He is very sensitive and sweet. Emotional and deep feeling and thinking. He is a perfectionist and a worrier and of course as I already mentioned learning the art of martyrdom quite well. I could write a book on just experiences with Ryan and his reactions to different situations but that would embarrass him and he does not like that kind of attention so I will just share a few stories that have been approved.

When Ryan was in 1st grade we went to his conf. with his teacher and while we were waiting in the hall to go in we were reading the little cute pictures in the hall. Well they had all written and drawn pictures of what they wanted to accomplish when they grew up. One boy wrote he would be president, another being an astronaut or something, and then we get to Ryan's. He had written I want to have lots of minions(he spelled it men-yons) to bring me anything I want. OK my sweet, sensitive little Ryan has a picture of all these little stick people bringing him things. Disturbing to a parent to see this and to realize my 6 or 7 year old is even aware of the word minions. After talking to his teacher he was doing great and she wasn't too worried after talking to him about it. I came up with that Darth Vader's influence in his life might be a little to powerful. My solution was to limit all viewings-Kevin's solution was to steer him towards Yoda's example and teachings.

Ryan unlike Luke does not feel the need to have constant activities and entertainment. He tried gymnastics and did well and like it but after the the 8 week session I said ,"So do you want to do the next session". He looked at me and said, "I already did gymnastics". I said, "I know but you can keep going and learn more, didn't you like it?" "Yes, but I already did it so I 'm done now, it takes up a lot of my Saturday". It was only 45 minutes! Apparently that was putting a dent into his carefully planned itinerary which includes playing with his toys and then well more playing with toys.

Then he tried some sports with my prodding because I felt guilty Luke was in all these activities and Ryan wasn't. Well with much anxiety- which he faces, like myself in any new situation-he tried soccer and then baseball. After those experiences I again asked, "Do you want to play again this season?" His reply, "Mom, I'm not really a sports kind of guy?" That's fine with me and now all guilt of trying to keep things 'fair' has thus been relinquished.

Ryan is funny because he takes what he hears very serious.
They are learning about the heart and circulatory system at school and is now very concerned about proper eating because he doesn't want his heart to get "clogged up". So he comes home and says can I ride my bike-it was cold but I said OK and off he goes. He rides about 4 houses down and then back. He comes in like 5 minutes later-it took him longer to put on the helmet and get on the bike than the actual 'ride' he took but unaware of this he says very seriously. "Mom do you think that was enough to help my heart." Well hmm... I guess considering that is way more exercise than my heart has seen lately I replied, "Sure!"

Ryan is in tumbling now which again he is really good at and learning to do flips on the trampoline. I'm curious when it ends in a couple of weeks what his answer will be when I ask if he wants to do the next session.Since it's not on Saturday's it may be acceptable.

Thanksgiving...

We had a great Thanksgiving so I thought I would just show some highlights. The Richards' family really knows how to have a Thanksgiving feast. Kevin's family puts nice tablecloths and decorations on the tables with festive glasses and dishes and have--which I feel is the best part-- tons of fabulous homemade food. Kevin was so anxious to get over to his parents--to help cook and organize-- oh no but to recruit players to play Axis and Allies. Which if you are not aware is a game that is like Risk but way more elaborate with ships,planes, tanks, and takes forever to play. It makes Monopoly-which I feel is way too long of a game-seem like Go Fish. Anyway he found some players and they began their attempt at world domination.

The kids made fun turkey cookies.

Aunt Beth demonstrated and oversaw production.






After singing a couple of Thanksgiving songs it was time to eat and enjoy the spread.










Rest (Kevin), Relaxation(Grandma Hottenstein and Aunt Joyce), Digestion(everyone), and Dessert(Kristen) were next! Kristen really loved Grandma Richards homemade fudge!!


So you can see we had a great Thanksgiving and I think I will be full for the next week. Well, we all know that's probably a huge exaggeration. In fact I think some ice cream sounds good about now.

Popcorn Popping

Here is a fun video. As we have already established she's not a very verbal child(that is actual words, she screams and grunts quite well) . Popcorn Popping is her favorite song and even though she never actually attempts to sing the words she has the actions down. So well actually, that she is always a couple of seconds ahead of everyone that is being slowed down by actually singing the words that she can't be bothered with.

Wonderful Washington D.C.

Here is a glimpse into our wonderful Washington DC getaway. It was our kind of pre-Anniversary /Kevin's b-day trip. Since I'm due like 3 days after our 10th anniversary we decided we would have to celebrate now. We had a lot of fun and really enjoyed getting away from regular schedules for awhile. Thanks again so much to Mom and Dad Richards for taking in our jedis. We owe you big time. We did however really misjudge the amount of walking it was going to require here. The magic number was 2 blocks it seemed to get anywhere but if you add that up like a million times and then factor in the pregnancy conversion (2 blocks=6 blocks) then we did some marathon walking.

Some highlights were seeing the capital and taking the tour. It was funny because if you know Kevin at all you know he is very much a conservative and to get a tour you had to go to your senator from your state. Well he was going out of his way to find the Republican senator but after we looked and looked for his office he had to suck up his pride and reluctantly be dragged into the Democratic senator and ask for the tour. I told him look on the bright side at least you made them do some work today! The tour was led by this guy from Sweden, here on a school visa, which is funny he is telling us all about American history and democracy. He did a good job though. Kevin did too, he taught the guy a few things as well(watching all that CSPAN really paid off). We got our picture with the Brigham Young statue.We got to meet some great old(known for along time) friends Dave and Cheryl for dinner. That was fun and their little boy was so cute. Thanks again Dave for making this whole thing possible by introducing me to Kevin. At the end of day 1 we were dead tired. We were a sad sight I tell you. On the way back to the hotel we had kind of an extended metro ride and all of a sudden his stomach is not doing so well. Next thing I know he is like "we have to get off now" Well this was not our stop but I get the picture. I can't walk another extra step so I say I will stay and sit on the bench and he reluctantly agrees and takes off. Well unfortunately there was no bathroom in that station so the poor guy had to cross the street and go to the George Washington Memorial Hospital ER. With every moment pretty crucial here he gets stopped by a guard who wants to see ID. He then tells the guy "I need a bathroom NOW!! OK meanwhile here I am in this station waiting on a bench and I look up and see the name of the station we are at : FOGGY BOTTOM. I thought it was a funny irony.
SO were back on the train finally get to our stop and I literally can barely walk. I have this weird limp, hobble thing going on and am moving like a snail. Poor Kevin is trying to help me walk our 2 blocks back to the hotel while I know he needs a bathroom again and fast. It was really pathetic to watch, I know this because one of the homeless men who had been standing in the cold misty rain all day actually looked sorry for us!
The next day was way better, Kevin was fine, I was sore but we factored in the previous mentioned conditions and just saw the White House and then spent the day in the temple. Thanks to Jeremy and Jen for being our taxi to the temple and then having a great dinner with them. It was appreciated and their daughter was adorable. I forgot how big and beautiful that temple is. It was really neat to compare being married there almost 10 years ago and see where we are now. The picture contrast was not so fun to compare however.

We thought we would do all this sleeping in and relaxing but we both couldn't seem to sleep past 7:30 or 8am that was frustrating. However, leisurely waking up and not being jumped on by a hungry cranky child is precious not matter what time it may be.On Sunday,we found a nearby church and went to sacrament meeting and some of Sunday School(which by the way Shayleen your lessons are way better!) Then we were off to the airport. Below picture is Pentagon from the air.Which was another funny story because we found ourselves waiting on the plane for about 30 minutes for a "missing" crew member to take off. Then walks in the Captain who's watch apparently "broke" so he had no idea he was so late.That is one delay I have never heard of before. Bad weather yes lost pilot no. So that was our summarized trip. I loved seeing new things and spending time with just Kevin. That doesn't happen very often so it was a great experience I will remember for a long time. Thanks Kevin for thinking of this and making it happen!

Happy Birthday!!

Today, Friday November 9th is a great day. It is my good friend Dory's birthday and my awesome, amazing husband Kevin's birthday too! I thought for Grandpa it went well asking the kids comments so I tried it again and this is their thoughts on Daddy. Again I don't think their input would be very interesting to you Dory but I also hope you have a great birthday.

Luke: I like when he plays catch with me. I also like hearing his stories about police and fire stuff, they are cool. It's fun when we have pillow fights and he makes these cool sounds. I think it's funny how serious he is about the rules for the legos. like 1. Always wash your hands before playing, no greasy fingers on the legos. 2. Don't take them apart(like take there heads or hands off) and throw the pieces on the floor.

Ryan: I think he is funny when he does the Donald Duck voice. He is like a lego master and can build anything! He knows like everything about Star Wars and I think that is cool. I like when he uses a Yoda voice to wake us up and says "Wake up you shall".

Colin: He has the coolest jobs ever. He is a police man, park ranger, fireman, paramedic, and a teacher. (Note: most of those are either the same job or combined within a job he really doesn't have 5 jobs) I like that he helps people like put out fires and help people cross the road and stuff. It was so fun when we went camping with Dad.



Kristen: Dad! Dad! Mere, Dad!!
Heather:He is a great husband and dad. He makes me feel beautiful everyday even on the days I can guarantee I am anything but..I know this because my kids are much more honest and will say wow mom are you really tired today or sick or something? He does have a crazy schedule but when he is here he tries to jump right in and help me with anything I need. I know he is dead tired but he still thinks of his family and tries to put in a 100% here. He cooks and he cleans (even the bathroom!). He really looks at housework and those type duties as a team effort and not just my work. (For this I am forever grateful for Kevin's parents--his mom to teach him and his Dad to show him by example that men can be equal partners in the home). He is funny, honest and loving and I am grateful to have him in my life. Happy Birthday!! I Love You!

Happy Halloween!

Our Halloween went very smooth so I am thrilled with the lack of drama or stress. I had one embarrassment and several annoyances. My embarrassment came when this little kid approaches in a spiderman suit, the problem was they had this really long pretty hair so before I even take in the whole scene carefully I say, "Oh look, it's Spidergirl." OK I then see the boy more closely and realize my mistake. I try to play it off for a minute but you can't play that off without then looking more stupid so I just don't make eye contact hand the kid a large handful of candy and hope I didn't scar him for life. My annoyances this year was not with my family at all but the laziness of some other kids today. I totally understand and back the desire to get as much free candy as you can at any age. As a mother now I just enjoy reaping the benefits of my childrens' labor. I'm not a stickler for you having to be a certain age but could you at least make an attempt at some sort of a costume. I had several pack of 'kids' ,if you call 14-15 yr olds kids, that came up totally in their regular clothes and some didn't even have a bag. One kid had his school backpack opened and one of the girls just opened her purse. One kid is texting on his cell phone the whole time he is holding his bag with the other hand.Come on now really, could you not at least take a sibling or find a little kid like we would do to take out so you weren't conspicuous but could then stick out your own bag on the down low.Thanks by the way to my friends little brother for helping out his sisters' friends for several years. Anyway, if I had any kind of guts I would have refused them candy unless they at least did a trick or something. However, I am the queen of non confrontation so of course I hand each of them candy(I did give them the smallest pieces I had) and then mumble to myself. I'm to chicken if denied they will come back and smash my pumpkin or worse. Next year if that happens I'm going to give those kids an apple or a carrot or something. So oh well at least my kids earned there massive loot the good old fashioned way-- Dressed up and adorable. I am also happy to report there were definitely no half-jobs going on this evening. They each put some major effort in accumulating as much candy as possible. Especially Colin who isn't known for his stamina. Kevin who took them reported that Colin lasted the longest with no complaint as he determinedly slung his pillowcase (quite heavy with sweet goodness by this point) over his shoulder as he marched on with his mission. One more house equals one more piece of candy!