A Hike Down Memory Lane

Christmas Day and The Garden of The Gods

Christmas day was a very special day for our little family. Ryan and I were engaged here and hadn't been back since. We decided to go back and enjoy it again. Lucky for us Ryan's family lives only about 5 minutes away. Yay! We took Miss B along for some fresh air and scenery. It was great taking in all the beauty of this place and remembering the day we decided to get married!! It was a perfect proposal that day but I will save all the sappy details for another time. On Christmas it was so nice to be in a place where nature reigns and to remember all of God's creations.

HERE is where we got engaged on June 12, 2006 . . . That is our rock! We hiked up there somewhere past all the trees and brush behind that fence. This is where we made that important decision to be a family. It has a fantastic view from up there but you are just going to have to trust me. Awwahhh!

Now - two and 1/2 yrs later here we are again with our Miss B!

Ryan with his little sweetie!

Miss B's first snow. It did also snow a little while we were in CO. Just a little though.

It was the best Christmas anyone could have asked for!

A Colorado Christmas

Christmas really is so much more fun when you have a child! Miss B was the center of attention and the life of the party!

Ryan, Miss B & I drove from McKinney to Colorado Springs with Dulce the doggie. It was a pretty uneventful drive out and back with only a few minor issues. Miss B travels really well! We spent some quality time with Ryan's family for Christmas week and enjoyed everyone so much!



Here are some memories of Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in pictures . . .

Miss B gets a "popper". Fun times!

Like the great mom I am, I put the moose in her shirt to see how long she would keep it there.

Ryan with his sweet & beautiful sisters - Suzi and Carissa! Miss B LOVES her aunts so much. They get to be extra silly and fun with her and get away with it.

Being silly with mommy . . .

Wow . . . are all these gifts for me? Cool!

Grandpa and Grandma enjoying time with their granddaughter!

Checking out her new "big girl" car seat. She loves to face forward now and see what is going on all around!

Christmas was really special and it was so wonderful to be with the people who love you most!

Meet Santa

Last year Miss B was just under a month old before Christmas so we never got an opportunity to have her meet Santa. This year it was time! After much procrastination in getting a photo with Santa we finally were able to have success at the mall in Colorado Springs.

We waited in line for just about a hour so Miss B could have her big moment. She was great! Grandma Sue kept her occupied and distracted while we waited . . . she was in great holiday spirits when the picture was taken! I LOVE this picture of them just looking at each other. Santa was probably trying to read her mind for what she wanted for Christmas since she doesn't talk yet. Too cute!

We wonder what she asked for?

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

We've been up in Colorado Springs with Ryan's family all this week. I promise to post all about our Christmas adventures and put up pictures when we return home this weekend. We've had a road trip with a dog and a baby, a little snow, frigid temperatures ( 1 degree - buurrr!), a visit to see Santa, movie watching, much video game playing, good food and lots of fun with family!

We hope that this Christmas season has given you much happiness, peace and joy.

Love,

Ryan, Lori and Bethany

Our Little Family

We finally got around to taking some really nice professional pictures as a family. It only took us a year!

Birthday Surprises for Grandma

Happy Birthday to a great mom and grandma!

We love you so much.

We hope you enjoy a look back at some of the family time we've spent together with the newest edition of the family. . . Limited edition Ryan and Lori offspring one, a.k.a. Bethany.

We love you MOM.

Ryan, Lori and Bethany

Today Bethany learned something new just in time for her Grandma Gloria's birthday . . . watch the video and see for yourself!

O Holy Night

I am just now getting around to putting these pictures up. I started back to working full time this past week and as you may guess - Life Is Busy!

Last weekend we went to our church's annual Nativity display. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of nativities from big to little, all over the world and of every kind. It was beautiful and really hit on the TRUE reason for the celebration of Christmas. There were some choirs and musical performances of beautiful Christmas hymns and favorites. One of my VERY favorite Christmas songs is 'Mary's Lullaby'. It has a wonderful meaning of what it must have been like to be Mary the mother of the Savior of the World! I LOVE IT!

O Christmas Tree

I LOVE Christmas!

For the first time in my adult life a have a tree to fit it. All the past trees I have owned have been pint sized - just big enough to fit a table top or in an apartment. So thanks Mom & Dad for lending me this tree for a while! We are so happy. It is much prettier at night time but this picture will have to do!

Merry Christmas!

Smile and Say Cheese

Getting Miss B to do these pictures was a miracle! She was so busy that day and in to everything that I almost didn't think it was going to work. These were some of the best shots of more than 100 pictures. Miss B is an amazing little person and we love her so. Enjoy her 1st yr photos!

Photos By: Janie Oyakawa

www.imagesfromoz.com

Happy Thanksgiving

From one turkey to another ~

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We are so blessed and tremendously grateful for a wonderful year and in all things we give many, many thanks!

Birthday Fun at the Cabin

Over the weekend we went out to my parents cabin in deep East TX. It is in the middle of no where! We helped paint the cabin and stayed over to Monday for Bethany's birthday with Mama Leslie and Grand Pappy! It was a great time and we all had a wonderful visit and lots of fun seeing Miss B eat her very first cupcake and ring in the one yr mark in life!

We LOVED the frosting hand prints she put onto the table!

On Miss B's birthday-eve I had to bath her in the sink because the cabin only has a shower. I think she has out grown the days of babyhood and is now into being a full fledged toddler. Over the stay she also got a few bumps and bangs from cruising and crawling around.

And Many More . . .

Today we celebrated Miss B's birthday for the second time! We had a small party on her actual birthday as well on Monday at the cabin. It was a wowzer of a party and a wonderful time. Bethany had some fun . . . and some not-so-fun!

Here she is with all of her gifts. Her mommy got really excited about it too!

The Presents

The Party

Bethany had a few melt-down moments.

The Family

Grandpa & Grandma Leavitt and Aunt Carissa came to visit us from CO! We are so glad they could be here for the party and Thanksgiving! Yay!

Finally - The Cake!

THE END!