Garett the Carrot

Garett turned 12 on December 10th. He just recently was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood and passed the sacrament for the first time this Sunday. We are so proud of him! He is such a good kid and we are glad he is ours! Here are 12 great things about Garett that Ethan and I could think of:



1. He does a great booty dance! Look for a video coming to the blog soon!
2. He is loving and caring. He has a tender heart. He cares about people.
3. He loves collecting things... cards, stuffed animals you name it.
4. You can't help but laugh when Garett laughs. It is so funny to see him giggle.
5. He is super organized. This makes his step mom especially proud!
6. He loves pumpkin pie like his dad!
7. Loves spending time together as a family.
8. I can ask Garett to do anything, anytime and he will do it without complaining. I am learning this is a dieing art.
9. Great baseball player! It is really fun to watch him play.
10. Garett loves video games... the little kids love it when he plays XBox with them.
11. Garett loves music and can sing most words to most songs on the radio.
12. Garett is a laid back easy going type of guy... what is not to love??

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARETT!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

More old Farts...

Eric and Brooke Garner

Meredith and David Chapman






Cameron and Lea Heath

Are we really turning 30?

Melissa and Charlie Udy

Laura and Micah Woods






















Jenna and Cory King


















Nathan and Jessica Ball (Jess is not even close to turning 30. So it is only fair she looks this good!)







Louisa and Geoff Child

Just Whip it.... dun na na na na

So there are about 20 people in our ward that were born in 1977 that are all turning 30 this year so Cameron and Lea Heath threw a party in our honor. It was a totally rad bash with all our favorite snacks and even caffienated soft drinks. For the most part, we were laughing the whole time about how old we are getting. Total blast! Thanks to the Heaths for an awesome celebration!!










Sonda rockin' the side ponytail











Laura in her ripped and put back together shirt and teased hair
























Part of the group chillin out


















Have you ever worn a BANANA CLIP?


















Eric sportin' the mullet and visiting with the other "oldies"

Footloose...

These are some more pics from the "30's Party" Notice the pegged pants and socks with sandals. Were we really this dorky? Hmmmm..... :)

Nathan, Nathan Bo Bathan....

....Banana fanna fo Fathan Fee fi Mo Mathan.... NATHAN!!!! (Don't act like you didn't just sing that in your head!)

Someone (BECKY SMITH :) tagged me and so this post is dedicated to someone who has more patience than any human being on the planet! My husband is amazing and when our lives settle down and we have a quiet moment.... we remember how much fun we have together and why we chose to spend FOREVER together. He is quiet and shy till you get to know him then..... he is a great discovery! He is funny and happy and can make anyone feel at ease. I love this man and am thankful that he didn't go running in those first few moments after we met!!! I love you Nathan!

What is his name: Nathan Brooks Bryce

How long have you been married - 7 years

How long did you date? 6 months from first date to wedding date

How old is he? 34

Who eats more? It depends upon the food

Who said I love you first? He would say I did...cuz I actually had to force him to marry me! I think he is embracing the idea more and more with every year we are together! TRUTH... he did. Then I called him back and we decided it was a little wierd and a little too soon... Made it even better when we really felt it.

Who is taller? Nathan

Who sings better? Nathan... All the old ladies in church used to tell him he had the voice of an angel. HE HE!!! He sang the whole song from Darby O'Gill and the little people to me over the phone when we were dating (She is my dear my darling one) I was instantly swooning....:)

Who is smarter? Depends on the subject and the day! He definitely knows alot about alot of things. I know alot about meaningless things.

Whose temper is worse? Do any of you know Nathan? Definitely me

Who does the laundry? I do but only cuz I'm OCD but he knows how and will if he runs out of scrubs (So funny Becky that our boys are like that!)

Who does the dishes? I do unless I scream at him that I need a little help

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I don't get this question... Does it mean the right side being the side on your right when you are standing looking at the bed or the right side when you are laying on the bed????It changes the answer you know...I think I just screwed myself for anyone thinking that I am smarter!

Who pays the bills? Nathan... took them over about a year ago. It is the greatest gift he has ever given me.

Who mows the lawn? I do, or the boys do. I love it though. Nathan has horrible allergies.

Who cooks dinner? I do unless I scream at him that I need a little help. This only happens a couple of times during the month... :(

Who drives when you are together? He does unless he needs to sleep... I take that back. The only time he doesn't drive is if he has medicine strong enough to knock him out!

Who is more stubborn? We both have our moments but I am too cute for him to stay mad too long...JK!!! I am as stubborn as they get (I am hoping he doesn't read that part :)

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Nathan, but only because he thinks it will make me quit giving him reasons as to why I am right AKA it will make me shut up!

Whose parents do you see the most? I think we are pretty equal on this one.

Who proposed? Me, two weeks after I met Nathan I told him I knew I was gonna marry him and if he didn't like it he better leave now. I think fear kept him around. He took care of the formalities a little later!

Who has more friends? I think this is a trick question! I am more outgoing!

Who has more siblings? Me

Who wears the pants in the family? Nathan, but my kids know that I am the boss when he is gone or when he chooses to remain silent!

I now tag: Ais, Kayrena, Kassie, Brooke, Shine and Molli!!! XOXO To all

the Dirty Thirty

So I had to talk about the life altering experience I just had... Yep... it really happened... I turned 30. And contrary to popular belief, you don't feel old or have to start wearing adult diapers or anything! So far, being 30 has been great! I started thinking about all the things that have happened up to this point in my life... It is pretty wierd to think that I have been alive 3 whole decades. I thought back to those years in my life... 10, 20, 30... And this is what I've learned thus far...

At 10 years.... I crapped my pants in public. I always say that this doesn't really matter because I was still somewhat of a child. However, it was still humiliating and freakin hilarious. I still laugh about it everytime I tell the story. Most of the time I don't know if I am laughing at myself or the adult who has just shared their "you'll never believe what I did last week" story. I take pride in the fact that I have never pooped my pants since. Knock on wood...

At 20 years old... I was married... for the first time! I would never change anything about the way I have lived my life. I learned so much from my first marriage about myself and it ultimately led me to Nathan. How could I not think that this event was landmark?

At 30 years old... I am happy! There are some people who just don't get me and that is ok. When I was little I used to love to record my own voice. It drove my mom crazy because I never shut up... (Not much has changed... sorry Mom!) But she kept some of the tapes and on one of them I said " Some people don't think I'm funny but I think I'm funny." I love my life. It is hard sometimes but I wake up in the morning with people who I would give my life for. (Sometimes they would do the same for me... I think) I get to go on lots of vacations with those people and grow and learn with them. I am healthy and consider myself blessed and lucky. I thought I was gonna have a psychological meltdown when I turned 30. I have found it to be quite refreshing! So for all you turning 30 this year... Come on! Don't be scared. The dirty thirties are as Nacho says "the beeest!"

Clean up, Clean up everybody do your share....

When we head down to the beach, we take EVERYTHING we need, some stuff we might need and even still some things we know we won't even touch the entire day. The theory is that we only have to make minimal trips up to camp to go to the restroom (for those who are too cool to pee in the water) or to go make lunch. At the end of the day we look like the Clampetts. Usually, Nathan and the boys make more than a few trips to get all the beach crap back up to camp. This was the first time that Ryan carried anything. He packed the Scooby chair all the way to the trailer. He was so proud! So was Mom. Isn't he cute?

Cholla Bay

"The Hill"


The quads on the horizon. How romantic!

Takin a break and eatin some Rainbow Nerds and a fruit snack

Ethan in deep reflection

Dad and the little boys

Muscle Man Garett

We always like going to Cholla Bay while we are in Mexico. If the tide is out, and the tide pools are good, you can find some pretty cool stuff. The first real live octopus I ever saw was out at Cholla the first time I went to Rocky Point. ANYWAY... the first day we were there, we ate a quick breakfast and all loaded up on the quads and rode out there. Didn't find a dadburned thing but it was a great ride. The hill behind us in the one picture, (it was way bigger and taller in real life) I am proud to say I made it to the top by myself. I am getting braver every day!

Beans Beans the musical fruit

So we all love chicken hut for the chicken. Savannah loves it for the beans and rice. She brought home the leftovers, ate a little before bed and left the lid off and put the rest in the fridge in the trailer. When we woke up and opened the fridge, it smelled like a crew of mountain men that hadn't showered in a few months had just used our toilet in the trailer. Savannah was devastated that night when she learned that the beans had been thrown away!

Chicken Hut ... Yeah baby!

Ain't nothin' like the hut! Anyone who has been to Rocky Point knows... I love
this place. Good food and good Coca Cola! Anyone from my ward remember when we went here with James and Cari and Lacee and Rich? Rich was so excited about being in Mexico and wanted to know how to say Coca Cola in spanish. When James laughed and said "Uh... Coca Cola..." Does anyone remember Rich's response? Still an all time favorite saying at our house! Yummy!

I love to see the Temple...

This post is mostly for Sunshine and Patrick Seekins. Sunshine is my little sister and she was sealed to her sweet husband and boys this weekend in the Houston Temple. Nathan and I had the opportunity to be there with them and it was amazing! Our family home evening tonight was about temples and the importance of the trip that Nathan and I just took. We came away with greater faith and a reminder of how we can be together forever if we do what we need to do. I am so thankful that I could go out there! It was a great trip. My kids stayed home with my little sis Molli and her husband Kendall. Did I mention that they have 2 kids of their own! They are brave little kiddies (Molli and Kendall that is) and my kids were happy when we got back. I appreciate Molli and Kendall and the sacrifice they made so we could go.



I think I need to clarify something before you watch the clip.

Singing is not one of my gifts... I downright stink at it. I leave the singing to Nathan usually but he wasn't home. Anyways, I was exhausted tonight and figured that the key changes every couple of notes may be forgiven by those who trully love me. For those who don't, I don't recommend that you turn up the volume on this one. :)

Tyler in Graduation Outfit from Savers

So I am probably just severely deprived of interaction with other people and so I find this video of Tyler highly entertaining. I just figured out how to upload video so it is kinda old but I think it is freakin hilarious... Enjoy!

Some Beach...Some where

I have not posted anything since I got back from Mexico. If I had a hammock, I could've been found swinging in it every day this week, probably sleeping. I swear, my brain is still on vacation. Most of you know I love Rocky Point. This last trip was so much fun...great weather, great company and lots and lots of MEMORIES! I will get into "memories" later. For now, just know that this was not the only beautiful sunset and yes, Ryan was barefoot most of the trip. I love the beach and the sand and 8 months is entirely too long to wait to go back!

Off we go to Mexico...

So we are off! I can't wait. We are leaving in the morning for Rocky Point! It is our last trip of the year and it is Nathan's favorite time of year as the water is warm but the air is chilly early in the morning and in the evening. I can't wait for the hot cocoa! What more could a girl want... sandcastles, hot cocoa and the sound of the waves! I think that is where we will retire. So sorry about the postless blog for awhile... I will be a posting fool when I return. Have a great week everyone! XOXOXO

High Ho the Dairy Oh...

Ethan sang and hummed this song tonight at the dinner table till I was ready to kick my own "dairy oh". I had to remind him of the rhyme "If you sing at the table or dance in your bed the devil will catch you by the hair of the head." I swear this is true... It might be tonight anyway...

CVHS...GO... FIGHT... WIN!

So one of my friends posted this on her blog and I thought it would be fun. These are all questions about High School. I hate to say my memory is fading. Couldn't be that it has been so dadgum long since I was in High School. Anyhow... here goes...

1. Who were your best friends? My big brother Coltin… Kristy Miller, Jim Roberts, Sunshine and Coby Cook...
2. What sports did you play? Volleyball all four years, Softball freshman year. I guess I was the only one who thought it was funny when the ball rolled between my legs.
3. What kind of car did you drive? The “Rooster” (An old Nissan truck) I only lived a mile from the high school, so I got to drive the truck to Seminary which was about 5 miles away when I was not quite 16, then “straight to school. Sunshine, my little sister talked me into going to the local star mart before school to get a treat. As it turned out I got pulled over in the parking lot of school… embarrassing… but didn’t get a ticket! You betcha! Also drove a “rice rocket” a little Ford Festiva that I wrecked the summer after my senior year. OOPS!
4. On a Friday nights what were you doing? Hanging out with my brother and his friends during my freshman year. Sophomore and Junior year I was probably somewhere with Coby Cook and Sunshine. Goofy Golf, Prescott, Flagstaff, anywhere but the Verde Valley.
5. Were you a party animal? Never went to a drinking party in high school, but I always have loved a good time.
6. Were you considered a flirt? Probably—Just had lots of friends that happened to be boys. Having an older brother that you get along with that has great looking friends has it’s benefits. Only dated one of my brothers friends… ok maybe two or three…?
7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? None… Choir one year. I opted for sports instead.
8. Were you a nerd? Maybe… I took AP classes and I had my share of fashion OOPS days as well as the occasional trip and fall. One particular fall I took was on a banana peel my brother planted. How do you like that? The gym showers proved to be rather slippery as well. I think that officially qualified me as a nerd. Oh well.
9. Did you ever get suspended/expelled? No, only in middle school.
10. Can you still sing the fight song? Sorry… I think I missed half of the assemblies…
11. Who was your favorite teacher? Gary Buettner…Challenged me to think outside the norm.
12. Where did you sit during lunch? In the courtyard. Always brought my lunch from home.
13. Name the school full name? Camp Verde High School
14. School mascot? Cowboys… YEEE HAWWW!
15. School Colors? Blue and White and Red
16. Rival high school? Mingus Union High School
17. Did you go to Prom? Yes… soph, junior, senior
18. If you could go back and do it again, would you? Don’t think so. It was fun… but I love where I am now.
19. What do you remember most about graduation? I threw up a huge ol peace sign when I got my diploma and gave a big woopin holler. They took my pic and put it in the paper. Don’t you know my mom was sooooo proud? J
20. Where did you go senior skip day? Don’t remember. I think me and two of my girlfriends (Kristy Miller and Crystal Cowan) skipped out and went and floated the Salt instead. It was the first time that I saw the male anatomy naked. It was traumatizing and freakin’ hilarious.
21. Favorite memory? Had lots. It’s hard to narrow it down. Senior Prom was fun. Went with Scott Gordon. We were just friends and there was no pressure. We had a blast and prom was up in Jerome. An experience in and of itself.
22. Were you in any clubs? NHS, Yearbook, Sports Clubs.
23. Where did you go most often for lunch? School courtyard or home
24. Have you gained some weight since then? What a crappy question...I have ...A little….
25. Who was your Senior prom date? See above memory
26. Are you planning on going to your 10-year reunion? Actually missed it! We were in Mexico.
27. Who was your home room teacher? Not a clue!
28. Who will re-post this after you? I would love to see Aisilyns. Coltin doesn't have a blog but I would love to see his too.
29. Who was your high school sweetheart? I had a lot of crushes, but my boyfriend for the longest amount of time was Coby Cook
30. Do you still talk to people from high school? Occasionally
31.Did you win prom queen or king? Prom Queen Senior Year! Whoop de doo. Not really my bag
32. Where did you work in high school? Weber’s IGA
33. What were your grades? I was in the top 10
34. What was your dress style? Changed…often. For the most part very casual. I have always been a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl
35. What year did you graduate? 1997(I am so retarded! I just read this again and I really graduated in 1996! OOPS!)

Tylers last game...

I was talking to Coltin last night at the hospital and he was teasing me cuz I never said in my post whether or not the Bulldogs won the game. Tyler scored their only touchdown and the game ended in a tie. Happy Days!

Ruskenhausel

This is the nickname that Tyler made up for Ryan. It sounds russian to me. Sometimes he even calls him Ruskensmoops. Anyhow... the point is... I love this kid. This pic embodies all the reasons why. What is not to love?

BLANKET PARTY!!

I don't know where the madness began. I thought it would be cool to make a special beachy quilt for our trailer. I bought the fabric and by the time I was done I was a little frustrated at the whole idea of buying material only to cut it up and then sew it back together again. But I cut and put the top together one week at moms. I don't know if I will ever do another one. However... I have a great friend who had access to one of those cool quilting machines. She had never used one before but she took my quilt top and bottom and made it into this magnificant masterpiece. Props to Cari Shields...(my good friend who put the quilt together)because she did an amazing job and then even hand stitched the edges. She is the bomb! The boys wanted to make a fort and play superman and all kinds of things with the new special blanket. I only let them do it for the pics. I can't wait to have a blanket party in the trailer (If the trailers rockin don't come knockin') J/K ... sort of. I love this quilt and am thankful for the time that Cari put in to help me have it finished by October for our Rocky Point trip. I will think of her everytime I look at it and remember all the advice and funny things she had to say! I miss you Cari!

Hatch a bird egg on you...

My dad always used to sing happy birthday to us like that..."Hatch a bird egg on you..." It made us laugh ...

Ethan turned 6 on August 14th and he got a special hat at school and 6 small gifts in honor of his 6 mighty years here on planet earth. He was so excited. I made his favorite "chocolate cookies" one in the shape of a 6 and we couldn't figure out what was on his face in that pic. Once we zoomed in we figured out it was a fly. I thought I would list the top 6 things I love about Ethan. ps. red is his favorite color.

1. I love his sparkly eyes. They always tell you how he really feels.

2. His little giggle. Makes you almost pee.

3. He loves Heavenly Father and Jesus and prays for them to know it.

4. He is smart and loves to learn.

5. I told him when he lost his teeth that I couldn't possibly wake up grouchy to a face that was that dang cute. He makes me smile and he makes me happy.

6. There are not very many days that Ethan is not happy. He finds something to be happy about everyday. That reminds me that it really is the little things in life that make it so worth it.

Some must push and some must pull...

Ryan and Brennan got a chance to play a little while Grammy was down here to visit Baby Brynlee. The boys found this hippo and Ryan wanted to give Brennan a ride. Brennan was more than happy to not have to push but didn't like Ryan's driving too good.

Baby Brynlee

So my pics are not as cute as Julia's but I got to go to the "hosipal" as Ryan says to see Molli and Kendall Bryants new baby girl Brynlee. It is amazing to me how quickly you forget how little and amazing a new baby is. She is so precious! All that black hair reminded me of when Savannah was born. Anyway she is a dolly and we are so excited she is finally here!