Happy Birthday Ryan!

Today is Ryan's birthday! Having a birthday on Christmas Eve is tough, but Ryan has always had a good attitude about it. J.J. suggested that I just do a "Merry Christmas" post and put "P.S. Happy Birthday Ryan" in really small writing at the bottom. As funny as that would have been, I decided not to go with that option, and instead give Ryan the birthday post he deserves. 

When Ryan was born, he spent 12 days in the hospital, due to a sudden lung condition that developed during birth. Back then, they didn't have the technology or the medicine that they have now, so there was no choice but for the condition to hopefully work itself out.  Mom recalls the doctor saying that Ryan's heart had to work extra hard because only one half of one lung was getting air, and that his survival depended upon if his little heart was strong enough to sustain him. Luckily, Ryan did have a very strong heart, and he pulled through. This strong heart has continued to sustain him throughout many areas of his life. 

One of the evidences of Ryan's "strong heart" is the type of father he is. He is quick to help out Heather in any way she asks, and he is very involved with the kids. He goes above and beyond to make sure the kids have everything they need. For the past few months, providing for his family has required working 6 days a week (and long hours each day) at both his old job and his new job. After work, he has been working mostly single-handedly to finish off his basement so the girls won't have to share a room anymore. He says there are some nights in which he only gets 3 or so hours of sleep because he has been up late working. This is just one of many possible stories that illustrate the type of father Ryan is. 

Ryan's personality and his position in the family have made him a natural peacemaker. He has used these natural peacemaking skills in his professional work by being able to settle disputes between employees at his job, and he is also able to easily diffuse situations at home too. Ryan is extremely patient, even during difficult circumstances. We have never seen him lose his temper, even in situations when others might. Not only is he calm, but he maintains a positive and upbeat attitude throughout all of life's challenges. We believe that Ryan's positive attitude stems from his excellent sense of humor. Ryan is known within our family for being the source of many inside jokes, Phillips' "slang" and of course, he is good for any Seinfeld reference you can throw at him. Ryan's sense of humor makes him so much fun to spend time with. 

Ryan has always been athletic--ever since La Serna football. But this year, he has made more of an effort to take better care of himself. This has included quitting soda, training for and running a half marathon, and playing on a championship community basketball team. 

While there are other things I could write about (easily learning spanish, graduating from Chiropractic school, being a stylish dresser, etc.) I think the most important thing to mention is how much Ryan loves music. He played the trumpet in junior high school, and taught himself how to play the piano while he was on his mission. Since returning home, Ryan has also taught himself how to play the guitar and bass, as well as how to sing and write music. He has been in several bands--like "Sunset Strip", "Say it Aint Weezer", and "MIMIC". For those of you who haven't yet heard Ryan's music, check out this sample of a song that he not only wrote, but sings awesomely on: 

"This is Gonna Be Good"

 

Ryan, we love you and we hope you have a very good birthday!  

Happy Birthday Ricky!

Today is Ricky's 40th Birthday! Ricky shares December 23rd with many other prestigious men--like Papa Savage and Joseph Smith!

Ricky has many interests, hobbies and talents. Mom remembers when he was younger he was very into playing outdoors and riding his bike. As he grew older, playing outdoors turned into camping and climbing mountains. Riding his bike turned into riding motorcycles, which is one of his favorite things to do now. This year he got to go on a special trip to Indianapolis to see the GP Moto Races with Eden. 

Ricky also loves to play music, and he took oboe and saxophone lessons for years as a kid. One of my favorite memories of Ricky's music was after my best friend Danielle's father passed away. Her family wanted to have music at the funeral, but they didn't know anybody who could perform on short notice. Ricky hadn't played his saxophone in years, and he was very nervous to perform in front of people. But, he did it. Even without being asked or pressured, he dusted off his saxophone and played beautifully in front of a room full of strangers. Danielle's family appreciated it so much, and it was a nice tribute to her father. I was so proud of Ricky that day! 

I'm sure this is not a surprise to anyone, but one of Ricky's best qualities is his intelligence. He is very intellectual, loves to read, and he is a gifted writer as well. He loves to apply his intelligence toward his interest in all things related to church history. He has read just about every book on the subject and he can't get enough of it. If you ever have a question about anything related to church history, Ricky is the person to ask. The picture below is from Christmas last year, when we surprised Ricky with a limited edition Book of Mormon replica. He was very excited, and he treated it as gently as if it were a baby bunny.

Ricky is known for his love of cleanliness. We tease him about being a little OCD, but he's really not so bad... and lets face it, I am on the opposite end of that extreme. Even when he was younger, Ricky would regularly rearrange the furniture in his bedroom, hoping it would be "just right". Now that he is in his own house, he is very conscientious about keeping it in tip-top shape, which is no easy feat with two toddlers running around. He likes to vacuum almost every night, he has a particular way that he likes his dishes to be washed, and he also loves to keep his car nice and clean, both inside and out. Even though its a lot of work to keep up all this cleanliness, Ricky loves doing it, and I have to say that it makes visitors feel comfortable to come visit his house. Ricky likes to make effective use of his time and to be productive, and managing a very neat home is a good way to do both. 

Ricky is also a dang good driver, with an excellent sense of direction. To this point, Mom said, "If I had to be lost somewhere I would want Ricky to be my guide". 

We are also very impressed with how well Ricky takes care of himself. Despite having a serious back injury, he takes very good care of his health, tries to eat right and works out several times a week and feeds the boys nutritious food. He is also very supportive of Eden's physical fitness pursuits, by tending the boys after she gets off work so that she is able to go play tennis. He encourages the boys to be physically fit, by taking them to the gym with him and even enrolling Lincoln in a sports class earlier this year. 

Speaking of Eden, we love that she has come into our lives and we think that she and Ricky have a very cute and sweet relationship. They are affectionate with each other, and Ricky is very supportive of her. He even lets her watch the TV shows that she wants to watch. 

Ricky takes his task of teaching the ten year olds at church very seriously. He doesn't just feed them treats and show them the latest issue of "The Friend". He prepares real lessons for them and he puts a lot of time into it. This is not surprising though, because when Ricky decides to do something he usually does take it pretty seriously. I think this philosophy has transferred over to his parenting style as well. Ricky is very good Dad to Lincoln and Logan. He has learned how to be patient and loving with his boys, while also maintaining high expectations for them. Sometimes, kids are just wild, and Ricky has learned how to accept that and "roll with the punches", so to speak. The boys are both so very lucky to have a Dad around who is as devoted to them as Ricky is.

We love you Ricky and we hope you have an awesome birthday!

Basement Update

Everyone has been asking about how the basement is coming along. We haven't had much time to write about it because we've been working like maniacs to get it finished in time for Christmas. And, when I say "we" I mean Dad. Mom and I have helped some, but mostly it has been Dad working every day, at least 10 or 12 hours every day. He has been crucial to this process and it never would have happened without his hard work. Thanks Dad! 

One of the first things that had to be done was putting up tile in the showers. This guy was a good sport about having his picture taken. Dad was under the gun to get the bathrooms primed and painted before the tile was laid. 

This is several days into the painting process, when I finally came on the scene with the camera. Turns out, there is much more to "painting" than just slapping on the paint. Dad had to do caulking, spackeling, primer (sometimes several coats of primer), sanding, and then finally it was time to paint. 

Then the bathroom cabinets were installed

The painting became such an ordeal that we had to recruit some professional help. Luckily, we know this guy who is more than happy to paint all day long. 

Then the countertops were installed. Mom had to make some quick decisions on the material and coloring, and as you can see, she did an excellent job. 

This is what the basement looked like for the better part of two weeks. Painting central. The picture doesn't really do justice to how hectic things were down there. 

Even through long hours and backaches, Dad had a calm and positive attitude. 

Mom even took a few days off work to help with the painting projects too. It was fun to have her helping. 

Slate tiles were laid around the fireplace, which required lots of measuring and cutting on a very loud machine. 

The cement floors had to be evened out before tile can be put down. This is  the "kitchen". 

Dad is painting the difficult areas, Mom is doing the detail-oriented caulking, and I am taking pictures.
I guess we all have our talents. ;) 

The sun was so bright that she needed sunglasses to do her work. It doesn't hurt that she looks cute, either. 

After all the painting was finally done, the process of putting in carpet began. First they had to lay down this padding. 

While the carpet was being installed, the tile floors in the kitchen were also being put in. 

First section of carpet. It is soft and a nice warm brown color. 

Now, Mom's part of the process really begins. She used these samples to furnish the downstairs. She has been busy buying mattresses, bedspreads, lamps, chairs, sofas, coffee tables, artwork, plants, and appliances. Things are really starting to come together. 

The sinks, shower rods, curtain rods, and mirrors are up in both bathrooms now. 

Appliances have been delivered! Unfortunately, the kitchen won't be operational until after Christmas, but its close! 

We have begun the process of moving the furniture into the rooms, and it is looking awesome! This room will soon be transformed into the "jungle room", which will have a king bed, a toddler bed, and a pullout sleeper sofa. Lots of room for (hopefully) lots of visitors! 

These two have been very involved in the process, as well. They are Dad's cheerleaders and have helped to keep his spirits high during all of this hard work.

We can't wait for you guys to see the finished product! Everything smells fresh and new, and it will be so nice to have the huge basement filled with kids and grandkids!
Just in case you guys want to know, this is the anticipated Christmas schedule....
JJ & Jen: Dec 21--Jan 1 (may spend a day or two in Salt Lake at the end of their trip)
Ryan & Heather: Dec 25--27
Roo & Annie: Dec 26--Jan 1 (may spend a few days in Salt Lake at the end of their trip)
Barratt & Marci: Dec 27 (or later)--Jan 1

Merry Christmas!