Sunday, December 30, 2012

Nutcracker 2012

Nutcracker!


I had such a great time at the Nutcracker with my Mother-in-Law.  As soon as I heard that she had never been to the Nutcracker, I knew exactly what I was going to get her for Christmas!  She was so excited to see the Sugar Plum Fairies, Toy Soldiers, and Ballerinas.  My mother-in-law is such a wonderful person!  She has the biggest heart and I am so blessed to have her in my life. 

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Ryan Family Pictures

 Ryan Family Pictures 2012

We had a very early morning for our family pictures this year.  Even though we were pretty tired, we had a great time and we think that they turned out great!  We really missed Taylor in the picture this year, as he was not able to make it.  I love my family! 


One of my favorite pictures.  Our sweet family!

This is  such a fun picture that shows the different little families within our family



Matthew and Carlie



Bill and Angie


My sweet girls and of course, my darling little Maverick :)

Friday, December 21, 2012

Christmas Ships 2012

 
Christmas Ships!
 
One of the perks of living on the river, is that we have a front row seat to the Christmas Ship Parade each Christmas.  We head over to our neighbors house, grab our hot chocolate, pick out our jingle bells and watch the beautiful ships go by.  This year, my good friends, Terran and Bethany and their husbands came over.  It was a great evening...A little chilly, but really fun.  We are already looking forward to next year's parade!  I love life on the river :)
 
 
 
Good friends cuddled together watching the ships go by

Just one of the beautiful Christmas Ships

A few snacks before we head out in the cold.  (Yes, that is chocolate fondue)

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Matthew and Carlie are engaged!

Congratulations, Matthew and Carlie!

They're ENGAGED!
 



Matthew proposed to Carlie on Friday night!  We couldn't be happier for our two little love birds! Matthew bought the ring after getting permission from her family.  As soon as he picked up the ring, he couldn't stand it!  No patience....I swear!  After the ring burned a whole in his pocket, he went down on 1 knee and asked for her hand in marriage.  Carlie and Matthew have been together since they were 15 years old.  They are an adorable couple and we are thrilled to have Carlie as a new daughter in our family!  

Wedding plans will be coming up in future posts.  They won't be ready to get married until Matthew finds out where he will be stationed and after his first deployment.

I love that our family is just growing and growing.  It makes my heart so happy! 

Friday, November 23, 2012

Matthew's Marine Graduation

Matthew's Marine Graduation
November 20-21, 2012


OUR NEW MARINE!  CONGRATULATIONS MATTHEW!

 Matthew DID IT!  He made it through Marine Boot Camp!  (There was never ANY doubt!)
What a blessing it was for us to be able to go to San Diego and watch his graduation. We drove down with Allie and Kaela.  The weather in San Diego was so amazing!  Blue skies and temperatures in the 80's!  



This is one of the first times that we saw Matthew.  His Drill Instructor is in the yellow shirt....YIKES, He looks TOUGH!!

Tuesday was family day.  Matthew was able to have about 6 hours of liberty with us.  We had a nice lunch at a restaurant on base.  We did some shopping, we hung out, Matthew ate 4 protein bars, and we took lots of pictures!  It was great  to hear all about boot camp and how hard they push the new marines!  Marines are NO JOKE! 

Matthew, Bumpa and Grammy -  So happy that they were able to make the trip down too!

Matthew and Daddy...Bill is so very proud of his son! 

Carlie and Matthew - They were so thrilled to see each other.  She wrote Matthew 75 letters during the 3 months that we had been gone!  That's true love!

Graduation was on Wednesday and again the weather was gorgeous!  We all piled into the grandstands and watched with great pride as 6 platoons of new Marines marched out on the parade deck.  It was so impressive to watch and a little surreal to be there! 

Fox Company, Platoon 2131
Bill, Matthew and Me.  We are proud parents!
I love this picture of Daddy and Matthew! 
Kisses for Grammy!
Matthew will be home until January 1st.  At that time, he will go back to Camp Pendleton in San Diego for about 3 months for school.  After that it's Missouri for another round of school.  By then we should know where he will be stationed.  

We love you, Matthew!  Congratulations!  We are so proud of you!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Kaela's Senior Pictures



Kaela - Class of 2013
 
We had Kaela's Senior Pictures taken last week.  They turned out so perfect!  They really captured her beauty and her sweet spirit.  I can't believe that our baby will be graduating in June.  It's just amazing to be that our last child will soon be off to college and we will truly have an empty nest. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Introducing, Maverick William Jay Bratton


Maverick is HERE! 


Isn't that the sweetest little face EVER?  This is our 1st grandson, Maverick.  He was born on his due date, September 20, 2012.  Our family is over the moon in love with him!  

Jalen had a C-Section delivery and everything went very smoothly!  She is feeling great and is recovering well.  

Ready to become parents!


Courtney was such a great support to Jalen


Nana and TuTu are so excited to meet Maverick!


I LOVE THIS PICTURE!  Mommy and Maverick!



Maverick and Daddy


TuTu is going to spoil you rotten!



TuTu and Papa love you!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Matthew, Our Marine, Our Hero!

Matthew - Our Marine, Our Hero! 


It is with great pride that we are announcing that our son Matthew, have joined the United States Marine Corp and will be leaving for boot camp this week!  He will be gone in San Diego and Camp Pendleton for 3 months.  

We had a going away party for him to send him off with the best wishes and love from his family and friends.  


Matthew, you are an inspiration to our family.  We love you and may God be with you during this difficult journey!  See you a few months, son! GOD SPEED!

My Dad passed down my Grandfather's Marine money clip.  What a special gift for Matthew!

Matthew and Aunt Stacy


Papa Jeff, Matthew and Linda

Daddy and Matthew

Me, Matthew, Bill and Kaela

Matthew and Kaela

Allie and Matthew

Silly Allie and Nathan

Matthew and Papa Jeff

Matthew gives THE best hugs in the entire world. 

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Jalen and Nathan's Baby Shower

Baby Shower Time!

We had such a wonderful baby shower for Jalen and Nathan last weekend.    There were about 30 guests that came to shower them with love!  We started off with drinks and appetizers at our house, then headed next door to our sweet neighbors house for lunch.  It was so sweet of her to let us use her deck for the shower.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day!

We were so blessed to have my parents fly up from Pasadena to attend the shower.  Thanks Dad and Linda for helping with the shower.  Because of you, the shower was a complete success.  

Overall, it was a beautiful day!  We had a wonderful time with friends and family.  Maverick is going to set up for quite awhile!  

Warning:  PICTURE OVERLOAD!  :-)



This was a fun activity for the guests.  It's something that Jalen and Nathan can keep them forever!

Appetizers
Beverage Station with Blue Punch!
Mmmm...CHEESE!
Maverick's Cake was darling! 

Papa Jeff's Bruschetta!  It was so yummy!





Papa Jeff and Jalen
Nathan's shirts matched one of the presents!


The tables turned out so cute!  I love the centerpieces too!

Bill and I made some fabric flags for the backs of each chair.  They turned out so great!

Time for Lunch

Nana Debbie, Kelle, Auntie Stacy, Cindy and Uncle Mike


Everyone is having such a great time!

Maverick's Great Granda with Jason and Nana

Enjoying a great lunch on the river!


Kelle and Taylor

What a HAUL!


Auntie LuLu talking to Maverick

Jalen and her good friends, LuLu and Jessie!


Sister Love!

Ready to open their gifts!

I love this picture!  Everyone was enjoying watching Jalen and Nathan open their presents.



And on a side note....What a good husband Nathan is to shave Jalen's legs for her.  Especially since she can no longer reach them.  :-)