Happy Birthday Ryan

For Ryan's birthday this year, he took us all hiking.  We had so much fun.  The kids are great little hikers.  Even Seth hiked for a while.  When he got tired Ryan carried him in the baby back pack.  It was so nice to get away and enjoy the outdoors for the morning.

The kids at the start of the hike

Ryan's birthday breakfast

Cracking up over a few of his presents...egg nog (he loves it) and the current jar of peanut butter (you never know what the kiddos will find around the house to wrap up.)

In honor of Ryan's 34th birthday, here are 34 fun facts about Ryan...

1.  He sets goals, and works really hard to accomplish them.
2.  He is very patient.
3.  He loves canyoneering.
4.  He invented one of the parts in the guitar for guitar hero.
5.  For the past 12+ years, Monday thru Friday, he eats peanut butter sandwiches for lunch.
6.  He has camped overnight on the top of Weaver's needle.
7.  He likes to run...(well, I don't know if he really likes running or not, but he runs so he is in good enough shape for hikes etc)
8.  He is an excellent story teller.
9.  He likes the show The Office.
10.  At one time he was extremely OCD about germs and washing hands etc, but has worked really hard to relax about all that.
11.  He speaks Spanish.
12.  He loves milk shakes.
13.  He loves going on vacations.
14.  He climbed to the top of Half dome this year.
15.  He has been to Kuala Lumpur more times than I can remember.
16.  He likes Star Wars.
17.  He is a super husband.
18.  His favorite food is soft shell crab.
19.  His ankles crack when he walks up and down the stairs.
20.  He is an awesome dad.
21.  He likes to read.
22.  He fixes dinner for the family every Sunday.
23.  He is into saving money.
24.  He is into NOT  wasting money...(hee hee...this one is for the kids because we frequently talk about how to not waste money as part of FHE.)  :)
25.  He can do all sorts of weird hand tricks that keep the kiddos entertained during church.
26.  He is really really really strong.
27.  He can do back flips on the trampoline.
28.  He takes care of his family.
29.  He can sing really well--just doesn't do it that often.
30.  He is does not like shopping.
31.  He is good at hunting scorpions with his trusty black light and "death stick" (aka the old broom handle)
32.  He is compassionate
33.  He is happy
34.  He is HANDSOME!!!

Love you husband!  Happy Birthday.  :)

Happy Halloween

Well, better late than never...

We had a great Halloween.  We carved pumpkins Thursday evening before we took the kids to gymnastics and karate.  Lots of fun.  And the best part was that Olivia, Grant, and Isaac carved their pumpkins themselves!!!  Seth and I shared, and Ryan had his own.  Nice.  :) 

 Grantman the Cowboy

 The boys

 Grandma Hooper let Grant borrow his sweet cow hide coat to complete his cowboy look.  :)

 Isaac aka Indiana Jones

 I love it!!!

 Olivia is the queen bee

 Very very sparkly queen bee

 Seth was Dash from the incredibles

 He really got into character...he was so fast I couldn't get a good picture of him.  :-[

 The group of us...I was glad Grant let me borrow his karate gui to wear, however I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad about the fact that it fit...(At least it was really short on me;) )

We had lots of fun at our ward trunk or treat.  The best was when we got home and the kids had their "semi-annual candy exchange" where they trade each other for their favorite candies.  (They said the "annual candy exchange" was at Easter)  Then they figured out they could give Seth all the gross candy and he would happily give them the good stuff.  He was just happy to be included.  I let them eat candy 'til bed time and the next day too, then we cleaned up all the wrappers and brushed teeth and were finished with it.  :)  It is nice to have it gone!!!