Come on, where's the updates?

Where are all the updates? We have focused our energy on other things besides blogging, hence for no updates recently. We have been pretty busy with a variety of things and unfortuneately have no pictures to show for it b/c I (Amanda) have been lazy at going to grab the camera, so here is a little bit of what's been going on.



Quick Update:
Keedan and I (Amanda) made a week long trip to Texas (via driving 12 hours each way) at the end of February. Sadly all the plans I had originally scheduled to do got rearranged and some cancelled altogether but with what we did do and the people we did get to see it was wonderful!



Keedan had a blast at his Papa & Meme's house (Amanda's Parents). There he learned how to say Kitty (mostly b/c they have a plethera of cats running around the yard....I'm not kidding, there are at least 7 little kitty's running around). The weather was fairly clear and warm so Keedan was outside 95% of the time we were there. He learned to gather rocks and throw them in the ditch one at a time. This was probably not the best thing for him to learn b/c now he wants to throw rocks into our pool at home.


I had the opportunity to go to the Houston temple during my trip and how I wish I could have gone everyday. I hadn't been to a temple since we moved to NM and it felt so wonderful to go serve and to feel the love of the Lord.



How I have missed my sweet friends (Texas, Laura, Hayley & Becca) and wish they lived here with me in Clovis, NM.
Thank you for the GREAT conversations and FUN times!



Keedan had so much fun playing with everyone during our trip and going to the Children's Museum on Thursday night for story time, a free book and lots of fun in the renovated museum. I was soooooo impressed with all of the improvements made since the last time we attended.

Next time we will definitely take pictures!

Comfy & Cozy

Keedan absolutely LOVES to be surrounded by cushiness. He helped me with the laundry tonight (he's a great little helper).

I turned away for a moment and he was in the laundry basket which was on the couch.

He told me in his own little way what he wanted.

What he wanted was to be surrounded by towels and his pillow so that he had a cushy spot to relax.

I can't blame him for wanting to get comfortable!

Ryan & His Little Helper

Here are a couple of pics of our living room during the rennovation.

No pictures yet of the AFTER b/c we have moved things into the living room so that we can work on other rooms.

I don't want the pictures to look cluttered so you'll all just have to wait.

Ryan and Keedan getting ready to sand the drywall.

Keedan got his mask on and the guys were ready to rock'n'roll.

The mask didn't last long, neither did the sanding.

Here they are laying down the plastic before the wood went down.

K's a great little helper most of the time.

He definitely brings the FUN to the house work.

January 28th Snow Storm

The weather here cannot make up it's mind. Just yesterday I could have worn my flip-flops and today it is sooooo COLD and snowy. Yes SNOWY.



It is soooo SNOWY that Ryan did not have to go into work today nor did kids have school.


I wanted to make a snowman but chicken'd out b/c I wanted to stay warm.


Here a some more pics of today.





This is our pool, if you can believe it.

Our poor cars had to stay outside b/c our garage is wayyyyy too full of stuff.
Look how much snow there is.

Ups to cold days is that we had the fireplace burning, ate some super scrumptious Green Chile Soup and got some work done on our house.

Mommy! Mommy!

So, I just love being a dad, for reals! It's just a blast and I never thought I would like it so much, but it's a lot of fun. It makes me feel bad for all those out there that think of their career is more important than having a family because let me be honest with you, YOU ARE MISSING OUT! I've done a few things in my day. Some highlights include being a rock star on guitar hero, becoming a homeowner, winning a law school advocacy competition, hitting a grand slam with two outs and two strikes in the last inning of the game (it was almost a comeback, we lost by 2), pitching a no-hitter (actually, I think it was a 2-hitter), getting a 4.0, acing a chemistry test, breaking a weight-lifting record in Utah, serving a mission, getting sealed in the temple and winning the local ward football tournament. However, NOTHING compares to the day after day experience of having a loving wife and being a dad. The biggest difference I think is that these experiences are great and I really enjoy them, but then they pass and they end. On the other hand, being part of a family doesn't...I'm part of the same family day after day. There is nothing like coming home and greeted by Amanda and little Keedan. Now, I realize a lot of the past experiences laid the foundation for the family life I'm enjoying now, (and it helps me realize just how important the gospel really is) but it is just great.



So, the title to this post has special meaning (Mommy!Mommy!). When Keedan was younger he knew how to say one word, DADDY! He said it all the time and I think Amanda even felt bad that he said Daddy all the time and didn't say Mommy much. It felt great for me though and I even admit that I gloated a little to Amanda about how Keedan liked me more. I know, sorry, I have my weaknesses. Well, the tables have turned and it seems Amanda is getting revenge. You see, Keedan still loves his dad, but he seems to have decided in his mind that Mommy and Daddy pretty much mean the same thing. He's decided that he can use the two words interchangeable and he's also decided that saying Mommy is easier!!!! So, it's just a little funny when I walk in the room or get home from work and Keedan screams, "Mommy!" Just one of the funny things that goes along with being a parent.

Fun With Playdough

Keedan has discovered the FUN of making monster fingers with playdough.




After his monster fingers have been made, he is very careful not to be too rough with them.



He also gives a soft little growl when he attacks.

I just love it.

Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas in Clovis, NM this year. Despite our little man getting "PINK EYE", and a few other sickies in the house, I think overall we all had a great time.

Ryan's family drove down from Utah, since we were stuck here (b/c Ryan was oncall during Christmas).

Before they got here, we frantically tried getting our house together as best we could.

Ryan's sister Sabrina and her husband Dallen came a few days early to help with our house.

Thankfully, with their help, we were able to get our house in order for the time being.

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house was the smell of Prime Roast cooking throughout.

Our tummies were happy after such a good meal, we all settled to the living room to take a brief chill.

There was dancing and laughter with cute little ones, and crafty stocking making - oh how we had fun!

We awoke the next day to see what Santa had brought and to much of our surprise it was alot.

For there were 14 total people in our home that day, Santa hadn't forgot any and all were happay :)





The day after Christmas, we went bowling.

It was Keedan's first time, and he seemed to really like it, at least when he got his way.

Testing out the quality of a bowling ball.

Ryan's good luck charm.

Awww success...I believe that was a Turkey!

Keedan rubbing off some charm onto Daran.

Marietta & Camilia...oh soo pretty!

So, the ball comes through here?

SAWEET!

Good Times Good Times!!!