Tuesday, December 29, 2009

December 2009

Merry Chirstmas!


The Christmas Season at the Ryan household was full of laughter, love, stress, happiness and togetherness! I had so much fun decorating our new house for Christmas this year! Just a warning, but this post is going to be a BIG ONE!


With a family as big as ours, I have alot to say! So, settle in with some hot chocolate and get ready to get caught up with our family.


This year it was Miss Courtney's turn to put the angel on the tree. The look on Bill's face in this picture is priceless. Thank you honey for always lifting our children up...in more ways than one.


The stockings were hung by the chimney with care....(Ok, Ok...the gas fireplace) Ha ha

Our Chirstmas table....All we need now is family to fill the seats!



Our family room....Yes, we decorated Joey's kennel. Overboard? We think not!

Bill, Allie and I went to a Christmas party over at our friends BK's house. It was so nice to see her! She just moved back to Oregon from Los Angeles. I am so thankful that I have such a good friend that lives so close to me now! Thanks for a fun night BK!


Allie and Bill all dressed up for the party! It's been so wonderful having Allie home from college for the holidays.

The Best Christmas Present Ever = New curtains for my kitchen! Thanks Mom! I love my new curtains! They give my kitchen exactly the look I am going for! You're the best!




CHRISTMAS EVE!


We had a wonderful night over at my in-laws house with Wayne and Jaylin, Parker and Piper. I made a Chicken Tortilla Soup, and we had a Clam Chowder and a wonderful salad. After dinner, we met up with Taylor, Jalen & Courtney and we went to the 11pm Christmas Eve service at church. It was so wonderful to be there as a family and sing carols and hear the true meaning of Christmas! Happy Birthday Jesus!

1/2 of our family on Christmas Eve. Taylor, Jalen and Courtney spent the night with their Dad.

CHRISTMAS DAY!

Mom, Papa, Stacy & Tyler came over for breakfast! I made an overnight blueberry french toast and some sausage! It was wonderful!!

Christmas morning with the stockings!

I baked so much this year! This is our treat table for Christmas Day! WOW!!!

Celebrate!

Jalen, Allie and Courtney on Christmas night!

On Christmas night, we had my Aunt Patti come over with with cousins and their children! They traveled here from Alaska and Los Angeles...and it was wonderful to have everyone together. The kids had a great time playing together! My house was busting at the seams... just the way that it should at Christmas! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family!

Enjoying dinner and everyone's company


Me and Allie on Christmas night!

With 2010 just around the corner, we wish all of our friends and family a year full of happiness, love and peace.

Yes, it's true....Joey really is "Santa's Favorite"!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Teenagers and Relationships

Oh, the drama of it all....


With 6 teenagers in our family, there is bound to be drama with boyfriends / girlfriends. As parents, one of the hardest things is to stay the heck out of it. I have a tendency to get "sucked in" to the on again, off again, on again, etc....It 's a very tough thing to watch your child struggle with issues around relationships, and the sadness and hurt that go along with that. I know that we have all been there and had to find our own way. I know that our children will go through this process and learn what they need to learn so that they may have healthy adult relationships. I have faith that God will lead them and help teach them. That is my prayer.

I got to thinking about healthy relationships and what that means to me.

1. Listen to each other. Good communication is key to a healthy teenage relationship. Heck, it's healthy for all relationships. When you can share your feelings with your partner without the fear of him or her laughing at you, there is a comfort and security that goes along with that. So, if something is bothering you, talk about it with your partner. Make sure that there are no mis-communications, so that no one feelings get inadvertently hurt.


2. Trust and Honesty are key. Trust and honesty go hand in hand.


3. Sometimes it's difficult to keep your identity. It can be hard to separate yourself from your partner. But if you want to have a healthy relationship, remember to keep your own identity. Do your own thing sometimes. Go to the mall with your friends without your boyfriend. Or, catch a baseball game with your pals without your girlfriend. Do not give up the life you once had to be with the other person.


A teenage relationship should be fun and exhilarating. I hope that our kids can have fun with their relationships and be happy! Afterall, life is too short for anything else.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Anticipating SNOW!

Brrr...... Baby it's cold outside!



It has been so cold lately! About 15 degrees outside, but really sunny and beautiful. Just COLD!

We are expecting 2-4" of snow tonight. I'm so excited! I love to get all tucked in the house with my family and bake, watch movies, and play in the snow. At least this will arctic blast will force me to get all Christmas cards out in the mail.


I snapped this picture the other night when it was about 10 degrees outside. I think that our kitty, Chandler has the right idea.
I'm planning to join Chandler by the fire this weekend.

Oh, and this is post #150! Yay me! It only took me 3 years to get to 150...ha ha

Monday, December 07, 2009

Kacey Lee's Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Kacey!
aka....SNOW WHITE!


We hosted Kacey's birthday party at our house last weekend. Kacey turned 5 years old yesterday. I really can't believe how fast she has grown up. It seems like only yesterday that I was visiting Kelle in the hospital after she was born. I'm so thankful that we were able to have her party at our house. It was a really fun party! Kacey is a HUGE fan of Snow White, so a Snow White party we did! We made some candied apples (poison apples), green punch (witches brew) and some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the shape of apples.
Kacey was thrilled and was nervous to eat the apples because
she said she didn't want to fall asleep. So sweet!


Poison Apples.....Yummy!

Pretty Birthday Girl

Green Punch...Looks gross, but it was really good!

PB & J....Snow White Style

Kisses with her cousin, Justin
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KACEY!

WE HOPE THAT ALL OF YOUR WISHES COME TRUE SWEETHEART!

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Civil War!

CIVIL WAR!

Congratulations to the University of Oregon Ducks!
(Even though we are Beaver Fans)


The war is over....and the University of Oregon Ducks will play Ohio State in the Rose Bowl this year. It was an amazing game tonight....The Oregon State Beavers were ahead for most of the game! Final score was 37-33. It was so exciting because no matter who won tonight, an Oregon team was going to be playing in the Rose Bowl!


Today at work we had a Civil War between the staff. We all had to bring a treat in the color of either the Ducks or the Beavers. Technically, we are University of Washington Husky Fans, but we are Beaver fans by default. I made some pudding parfait cups with the Beaver logo on the cup. It was fun to make and they were a big hit at the school. Not only did the Ducks win the Pac-10 championship, they also won the school staff civil war.


Oh, and by the way......





Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving 2009

Once again...Another successful Ryan, Schroeder, Johnson, Yocum Thanksgiving! Dad and Linda made the trek up from Southern California to spend Thanksgiving with us. They arrived on Wednesday night and we went out to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings. We always have such a good time together.


Thursday morning was spent hanging out and watching the Macy's parade while Dad prepared our Thanksgiving Feast! I just love this picture of Papa Jeff with Courtney!




Turkey Time! As tradition served, Bill and Dad put the Bird on the Barbie. Bill had the turkey in a wonderful brine for 2 days so the flavor of the turkey was fantastic!


The finished product! Mmmmmm


My Thanksgiving Table

Enjoying Thanksgiving Dinner with our family!




Dad and Linda! Thank you so much for everything! It was wonderful to see you guys! We had so much fun with you. Dad, dinner was amazing (per the ususal)...It it even possible that your Thanksgiving dinners get better and better each year. Yep, I think so!


Allie and Aaliyah
Allie didn't put the baby down all day! I had a beg and plead to be able to hold her. :o)

Bill and I were so honored to be asked by Christie and Patrick to be Aaliyah's Godparents! I have never had a God child before, and to be asked by them was so wonderful! Thank you!


Christie and Patrick
What an adorable couple!


Hanging out with my BFF, Christie! I love you my friend!


Bill was gearing up and getting ready for bowling on Friday by playing Wii. Ok, we all practiced a bit hoping to improve our bowling scores. I should have practiced more, because on Friday....I was terrible! I don't know what happened? I used to be a good bowler but now...forget it! Next time, I'm using the bumpers.

Bowling with the family on Friday. Good Times!