Cute Kids

Just thought I would post some new pictures of my cute kids

Holly playing dress up - She loves to play dress up!
















Mason getting some tummy time.













Ethan showing off for the camera - check out those eyes!
















Brothers by birth, Friends by choice. Mason loves his big brother. His eyes light up everytime Ethan enters the room.

The Walker Texas Ranger Lever

This vid contains two of the best things in life. Conan O'Brien and Chuck Norris. Check it out.

Life...a History

I was looking at every ones blogs and thought to myself what a great way to keep up with all your friends and family. Then I thought of something my cousin Heather had said on her blog..."my blog is my journal". That had not occurred to me that our blog could be my family's journal, but if you think about it, it is just that. The goings on of our family. So what a great tool to not only keep up with people but to also keep a type of journal.
Then again from my cousin Heather she found a place on line that will turn your blog into a actual book!! Check it out at http://www.blurb.com/. You could get a 40 page softback book for $12.95.
Wow how do you make it any easier for you to keep a history of your family. So I'm going to challenge all of my family that doesn't already have a blog to get one and to bookmark every ones blogs on their computers so we can all have a great new years resolution to keep a family history and keep up with each other.
I don't know about Heather but I know I feel like I know her a lot better after reading her blog.
I guess I'm thinking about all this stuff since the passing of our dear President Hinckley. He was such a great man. Last night Steven Colbert on the "Colbert Report" said something about Pres. Hinckley's passing and I thought to myself - who would have thought that the church would be so well known and all due to a man with the vision to know how to accept people no matter who they are and encourage it's members to do the same. He has left such an example of what we should do. So I guess I have been looking at my life and seeing what I can improve on.
Now we have to look forward to a new prophet. I will admit that I am not looking forward to having President Monson be the head of the church. Just because of my dealings with him and his family when I worked at Deseret Book (don't ask) but I know he is just a man and that the Lord has a plan. Somehow President Monson has something to contribute and look forward to seeing him grow into his new calling. That is if tradition holds.
Anyway I should go see what my kids are into. They seem to get into more and more things in less time these days.

Old Time Hockey

I about pooped my pants when I saw this video. I love old time hockey. A time when players didn't wear helmets, sticks were made of wood, and goalies wore pads that weren't the size of pickup trucks. Made me think of Section 20, Row CC at the old Salt Palace-my second home. I loved going to games with Mom and Dad and walking "around the block". In fact, Mom and Dad were probably at this game. I wasn't. It was about a month before I was born.

2007: The Year that Was

1. What did you do in 2007 that you have never done before?
Kept a journal.
Quit biting my fingernails.

2.Did you keep your New Years Resolutions and will you make more for 2008?
The above two were my resolutions for 2007. 2008-bigger home and new job.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2007?
We had Mason on August 28th.

4.Did anyone close to die in 2007?
Nope-but I know a few who I would like to see pass on.

5.What countries did you visit this year?
Idaho-numerous times. Believe me, it is a different country. Horrible drivers and an overrated football team at BSU.

6.What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
A job-one that pays better, keeps me off the road so much, and provides more satisfaction.

7.What day will be etched in your memory and why?
January 14th-the day Barb told me she was pregnant. and August 28th, the day Mason was born.

8.What was your biggest struggle this year?
Getting over the thoughts that I have an MBA and am stuck in job that keeps me from being a better provider.

9.What was your biggest achievement this year?
Focusing more on my children while at home. Holly has become the apple of my eye.

10. Did you suffer any illness or injury in 2007?
Nope-just getting older. Bones really do creak.

11.What was the best thing you bought this year?
Guitar Hero-probably the best video game ever. I am living out my 8th grade fantasies now. Having been raised in such a Puritanical household, I was forbidden to play the devil's instruments.

12.Who's behavior merited celebration?
Barb-she has taken a lot of crap this year from a certain homeowner in our HOA-she is strong and firm. She also has to deal with 3 little ones while I am away staying in nice hotels. Her day will come.

13. Who's behavior disappointed you?
Mortgage lenders, Investment Banks, Brokers, anybody involved in the sub-prime mortgage mess. (No, we are not in any trouble with our home). I feel bad for all those who have lost their homes (they may also be at fault as well, but the above enabled them) because of the greed of others. Now, we are all feeling the pinch.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Student Loans, Bills, Sonic.

15. What did you get really excited about this year?
Putting our home up for sale in November. Even though it hasn't sold yet-it was an incredible leap of faith.

16. What song will remind you of 2007?
"Invincible" by Muse. Great song-slow with great melody and even better message. Really helps me out.

17. Compared to last year, are you: much happier, much nicer, or richer?
Nicer-I am really trying to let go of old baggage. It does no good to lug it around.

18. What do you wish you had done more of?
Golfed

19. What do you wish you had done less of?
Second-guessed myself and watch TV.

20. Did you fall in love this year?
I can't believe how lucky I am to be married to Barb. Watching her give birth to Mason this last year just made me say WOW! I can't believe she went through that and then was ready to make me dinner a couple hours later. I ove her more and more each day.

21. What was your favorite television program of 2007?
The Office and 30 Rock.

22.What was the best book you read this year?
"The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini and "I Am America, and So Can You" by Stephen Colbert-I really wish he would run for President. He'd be better than anyone else in D.C. and that includes Congress.

23. What was your greatest musical discovery this year?
Muse-a fusion of Radiohead, Black Sabbath, and Coldplay-all bands that I love. My cousin Matt also turned me onto "DragonForce"-all I can say is, THEY ROCK!

24.What did you want and get this year?
Another son.

25. What was the best movie you saw this year?
Transformers and I Am Legend.

26. What did you do for your birthday and how old did you turn?
35 and we went to Tepanyaki for Sushi. Ethan and Holly loved the fire cooker.

27. What would have made your year more satisfying?
A better job and a new home.

28. How would you describe your personal fashion statement this year?
Business at work, slob at home. Actually t-shirts and shorts.

29. What kept you sane this year?
My good friend Craig Roper-he really helps me keep things in perspective.

30. What celebrity did you fancy most this year?
Optimus Prime and Chuck Norris.

31. Who did you miss this year?
I never thought I'd say this-but I actually missed Liz. It was good to see her at Christmas. I am proud of her for taking such a bold step and moving to Colorado. It appears that her move has served her well.

32.Who were the best new people you met this year?
New service managers at work-we all seem to have a lot in common. Music, TV, movies, etc.

33. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned this year?
That I cannot and will not be perfect in this life. I must quit comparing myself to others. I just need to be the best Ryan I can be.

And the Stress Goes On...

OK - we have had a bunch of people come through our condo over the past two weeks and still no offers. The best we have had is one lady wants to go through a 2nd time and that is promising but still no official offers.
We are going out today looking at about 5 houses all in Roy. That seems to be were there are the most available houses to purchase with the things we want and within our price range. I don't know too much about the area but Ryan works in that area and some of the people we works with live in the area. They have told us the best places in Roy to live and it looks great. Now we just have to wait.
I HATE WAITING!! I guess I am a bit of a control freak and hate to have things out of my control.
Oh well we will just have to keep our heads up, keep praying and keep going. Right?

Something Fun

My cousin Jeffery's wife Emily had this fun thing on her blog. It made me smile so I thought I would put mine up here on our blog.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Suzy Forster
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor & fave cookie)
Fudge Brownie Snicker Doodle
3. YOUR "FLY GUY/GIRL" NAME: (1st initial of first name, first 3 or 4 letters of your last name)
B Gran
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Green Cat
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (Middle name, city where you were born)
Michelle Lethbridge
6.YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Graba
7. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The" + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Blue Pepsi
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
John Glen
9. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names)
Lori John
10. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher's last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Degrassi Detroit
11. SPY NAME/ BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Autumn Orchid
12. CARTOON NAME: (favortie fruit, article of clothing your wearing right now + "ie" or "y")
Mango Poloie
13. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Cookie Mapple
14. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: ("The" + your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + "Tour".
The Reading Rain Tour

SNOW!!!

Yesterday we got hit with the biggest snow storm to hit North Ogden at least since we have lived here. It started snowing night before last about 10 pm and it snowed and snowed and snowed all night and all day until about 5pm yesterday. We got over a foot of snow!

Ethan was excited because now he had enough snow to build a snowman and he got really excited when Ryan told him it was deep enough for a snow fort! WOW - I thought Ethan was going to split his face, he had such a big smile on it.

Today was fun sliding around in the snow taking Ethan to preschool, and I do mean fun. My Subaru Forster is great in the snow and fun to drive in the snow too. The side roads we take to get to Ethan school were clear for the most part but there were a few that didn't look like they had been cleared at all and that is were we had fun!

Anyway we have dug out and now wait for the next storm which should be here sometime this afternoon. I wonder how high the snow will get before spring?!

New Year

Well another year has come and gone and I find myself looking back on the last year to see those things that have past. Of course we added another little person to our family which is such a great blessing. It doesn't seem that long ago that Ryan and I bought this little two bedroom condo thinking that it would be all we would need because we could not have kids. Now look at us three amazing kids that make me smile, laugh, and scream all in the same moment sometimes.
Mason is growing so fast...he got his very first tooth on the 1st of January and his second tooth a few days latter on the 5th. He is not too sure that he likes having them too much because he keeps biting himself. He also had his 4 month check up and he is 16 lbs. and 25 inches long now. He is almost rolling over from back to front. He gets up on his side and just about rolls over but his arm keeps him from going all the way but I'm sure it won't be too long before he gets it.
Ethan went back to pre-school today. He wasn't happy about getting up so early but I think he will be happy once he gets back into the swing of things. Ethan would much rather be playing with his figures or playing some kind of video game. I have to watch my self not only him with video games because he is getting really good and distracting Mom so that he can play just a little more. Little stinker!
Holly is very upset that she can't go to school yet because she is very excited about being able to go soon. I just keep telling her that she can't go to school because "they don't little girls who still were diapers go to school". I don't think she is quite ready to really be potty trained yet. We have tried but she has more accidents than she makes it. But she is trying and loves to have more of Mom's attention when Ethan is at school.
Ryan and I are still plugging away and getting more discouraged at the fact that we haven't had any offers on our condo yet. Our little family is not so little anymore and we really want to be able to have some room to move and the kid to play. But I guess we take what is dealt to us and do the best we can.
So looking back over the past and looking forward to the future I only have to see how much I've been blessed by the wonderful children around me and my perfect husband. Yes perfect...as I told Ryan he might not be the perfect husband over all but he is the perfect husband for and to me and that is all that matters because he is mine! I hope that everyone can and does have the perfect husband for them because I know I've been blessed.
I wish everyone a great new year and that we all may be blessed in the time to come.