House rules

Okay, we are finding out just how hilarious Rebecca can be! She brought home some papers for the end of the year (journals, portfolios, etc.) and check out what she wrote as the rules of our house! 1. No Smokeing! 2. Tern off the pergieter (projector). 3. Clean your room. John and I were really laughing at this and realizing how things must seem from her perspective.
This one says: "I went to the Tabernacle Choir. I didn't go in the real Tabernacle Choir. I went in a baby place." We visited the live broadcast of the choir on Labor Day weekend last year. Becca and Tommy were too young to go inside (you have to be 8 years old), so John took them to the assembly hall to listen and see it broadcast from there. She told me she called it a "baby place" because there were so many little kids there!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

We feel so blessed to have the new temple so close to us! We think it's about 2 miles away from our house. Can you see the teeny, tiny men on the crane next to the steeple? The steeple was yellow on the outside for awhile, then blue, now it's covered with some kind of metal surface. It's so exciting to watch it being built!

The "birthday" bag

I got an anonymous gift bag on our porch from my "blossoming buddy" (Relief Society activity they set up!) and Tommy was very offended. He wanted the bag because his birthday is coming up next. He said, "No, My Birthday!" So I gave him the empty bag and told him to put some of his toys in it. About an hour later, John was going out the front door on an errand and he said, "What's this bag of toys doing out on the porch?" Tommy filled it up with toys, then left it out on the porch for himself!

Tommy's haircut

Yes, I did splurge on Tommy's haircut this week and took him to "Cookie Cutters." As you can see, he got to sit in the "car" of choice- a red firetruck! He also got to pick out a movie to watch- that's why he's holding so still! I got tired of trying to get him to hold still at home to cut his hair and then having people in Wal-mart say to him, "Does your Mom cut your hair?" I do try my best, but I'm not a professional by any means. Now Grandpa Ryan knows the secret behind the "Rico Suave" look on Sundays!!

Our new home

Some of our family live far, far away- so we thought we'd post some pictures of the home we moved into in April. It's so nice to have a finished home! Above is the front of our home and a pic of our backyard!




The following are some of my projects around the home: the planter has tomato and pepper plants growing in it, Becca and Tommy are playing "Captain Hook" in their new playroom, and this is a shot of our food storage room. Always a work in progress! I know that Noah didn't build his ark in a day, just like I can't get my years' worth of food in a day! It is actually so much work packing, hauling, and storing food! It must be good for us!

John's pride and joy

This is a recent project of John's- no, not the fireplace, that was already there! Our home theater! We like to brag that we bought the couches and recliner on ksl.com for a total of $125!

John's other pride and joy- besides his family, is music! He is a drummer in 2 bands: "Mammaz boyz" which plays classic rock, soul, and more old stuff- and a Rush tribute band. That really keeps him on his toes! We'll have more pictures of his bands later this summer when they do some "gigs."

John and Heather

Here's our family! We don't have any individual pictures of ourselves- those aren't as common now that we're parents. I am blessed to stay home and give my whole focus and energy to our home and children. John works hard at his business of building homes (see www.cjhomesutah.com) to make it all possible!

We were able to make a trip to 'The Happiest Place on Earth' (otherwise known as Disneyland) in December. The weather was beautiful and the lines short! This was also the 1st time our children got to see the ocean. It was a little chilly- no swimming involved!

Allison Celeste Ryan

Allison went on a fabulous trip to Washington, D.C. in March! Her wonderful grandparents took her on the trip of a lifetime! She came back with lots of pictures of the sites and of.... resident squirrels and birds!
Allison is gearing up for her debut as "Brigitta" in The Sound of Music! She has always been a natural performer and had no problem dancing, singing, and acting for the tryouts! We look forward to the production in July. Mark your calendars for July 10,14,19 @ 7 p.m.
http://www.herrimanarts.org

Rebecca Danielle Ryan

Rebecca is a true "girly-girl." She loves clothes, shoes, doing her own hair, and anything pink! She is also a talented artist. This is a card she designed and created for John for Father's Day. She is a sweet sister looking forward to getting baptized in September! She is finishing 2nd grade and has gotten straight "A's" all year! We're so proud of her!


Becca and I were driving past downtown Salt Lake and she (out of the blue) said, "I hope that I'm at the zoo when Jesus comes back again, I'm going to jump in the lion's cage and play with them!"

Thomas Christian Ryan

Who knew that Tommy was such a "poser"? Becca actually took all these pictures and Tommy was really playing it up! Tommy will be 4 on July 9th! I recently heard that life has long days and short years, I really believe that!

Tommy was recently diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech. What's that? It's a neurological disorder (I really don't like that word ) that affects his motor planning skills. That is why it's been so difficult for him to learn to talk. He is making great progress, though, and continues his preschool classes and works with his Speech and Language Pathologist once a week. Grandma and Grandpa Blackwell stopped by for a short visit last week and Tommy said, "Come see my room!" and "This is my window." And Grandma and Grandpa could understand every word! Yeah! We love him so!

Matthew John Ryan

The littlest member of our family we'll have to wait to see again someday! Matthew John Ryan died in December while I was pregnant with him. He is a very special spirit that only needed a body to continue his progression. When people ask me how many children I have, I tell them "Four- 2 boys and 2 girls." He will always be counted as ours.

This is a picture of his grave marker in Sandy, UT. We visit there often, mostly on Sundays.

We found out after we named him that Matthew means 'Gift of God.'

While losing Matthew has been the most trying and difficult experience of our lives, it has been the most spiritual, also. I believe that the Lord was pouring out his comfort and blessings to help us through. These are some scriptures that mean so much more to me now:

Moses 1:39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

Doc. and Cov. 18:10,15 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; And if it so be that you should.... bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

We miss him and love him very much! We look forward to the time that we will see him again.