Our Trip to Michigan!

Last week, over UEA break, we took the boys to go see Grandma and Grandpa in Michigan. We were so excited to see them and to see the area where they were serving. Mom and Dad looked great, and we all fell in love with Michigan. It is beautiful, the trees were still full of bright colorful leaves and instead of deer running through their yards, we watched the squirrels play. The mission home is in a very nice neighborhood, just a few blocks from the church and the mission office and about 15 minutes from the airport. The picture (above) was taken with the poster that Mom and Dad take to the airport to go pick up new missionaries .

The boys favorite pass-time was playing in the backyard of the mission home. Bryson had brought his glow in the dark BYU football and wanted to play football as much as possible. The boys seem to really get into the tackle part of the game.

McKay warmed up quickly to Grandma and Grandpa and became Grandpa's pal again in no time. He also loved to be outside playing with the boys, even Grandpa changed his clothes for awhile to play football. McKay has started this new thing were he acts shy and covers his eye with his hand, its so cute!

The boys with Grandma and Grandpa standing in front of the mission home, after walking around the neighborhood and collecting leaves. Note: Beautiful neighborhood with huge homes and huge trees, but I could get lost very easily. There are no mountains to orient yourself and the cute street names aren't very helpful either.

The mission office...this is where it all happens, Dad has his own office next to the A.P.'s office. And the office missionary couples are in the front lobby. Dad has now taken the prize for being on the cell phone the most. Paul, who we all know, is a close runner up, was happy to see that Dad has now won the prize. His phone could be heard ringing anywhere from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Sitting around the kitchen table eating around treat before bed, sound familiar? We had fun hearing Dad's stories and we all had some good laughs! If you ask Garrett what his favorite part of the trip was he will tell you, "the food!" Thanks Mom!

Bryson's turns nine!

I can't believe my oldest is nine! What a fun birthday for Bryson. We had yummy chocolate cake the eve before his birthday with Grandma and Grandpa. Bryson licked up every last drop. Then, we left early on Bryson's birthday to fly back home to Utah, he was proud of the fact he had been in some many states on his birthday.

When we got back to our house, we had yet another pary with Grandma Elda. We had Bryson's favorite meal...sloppy joes and then we (finally...according to a very anxious 9 year old) opened presents. The next day after school, I was surprise to find out that Bryson had invited most of his class over to play with his new gamecube games. Happy Birthday Bryson, we love you!

BYU vs. Notre Dame

Paul, Bryson, Garrett, Uncle Scott and Uncle Ryan all drove down to South Bend to watch the football game with the Ritchie clan and friends. The boys had a great time but where disappointed to see BYU lose (can't you just see it in Bryson's face...or maybe he just loves getting his picture taken).

Whenever Notre Dame scored, the crowd would pick up a student and do push ups with him or her for their new score. So Scott and Ryan, decided to do the same with Garrett. To Garrett's dismay, he was not lifted as much as the Notre Dame's team. But, as you can see, he loved every second of it!

Let the Games Begin!

This soccer/football season has been crazy and I feel like I am just getting a taste of things to come with four boys! On game days, we have four games we are trying to watch. All the boys are in soccer and Bryson is also in football. This first picture is of Garrett warming up.
This picture is of Bryson with his cousin Spencer just after finishing a good game of flag football, then we were rushing them both off to their soccer game. Its really fun to watch Bryson this year, by this age, they really understand the game and it gets pretty competitive!
This is right before Tanners game, and the boys are supposedly "warming up". Tanner's game are really fun to watch because the kids are just happy to run around for awhile and then they can get what they really came for...the treats!

Just "Ask Ang"

Those of you out there who know me well, know that I don't hestitate to share my opinion on things that really interest me. On occasion, I have been asked my personal opinion on serveral topics: For instance, Scott called to asked me what I thought about my Bosch and if I would choose it over a KitchenAid. My brother Ryan just called to ask me about his love life and how to make a yummy Sunday dinner for a bunch of girls. I've been asked by Paul (on a regular basis) "Do these match?" Or from friends, questions such as, "Do you think this scrapbook page is cute?", "What do you think I should wear to ...?", "How do you get your baby to sleep through the night?" , or "Do you have a good recipe for..."

All of these questions I feel comfortable answering. Not that I have the right answer by any means, but I feel that I can carry on a conversation and might even be able to add some information that could be valuable to that person in that subject area.

Apparently I've perfected the art of giving counsel. Yesterday, I had a neighbor lady call and ask me this question: "I was wondering what your opinion is of the candidates that are running for mayor and who you are going to vote for." I said, "Excuse me? Did you mean to call someone else?"

I was a bit taken back by her question, but, given my nature, I began to tell her my thoughts. The more interested she seemed, the more advice I gave. I waxed eloquent on the topic. She seemed interested and I hung up feeling pretty proud of myself for giving her something to think about before casting her vote.

Then, a few minutes later I received yet another phone call from this lady's friend. They had apparently talked and liked my political viewpoint so much, that they now felt that they couldn't cast their votes for city council members without my input. At this point I started laughing and said, "Is this some kind of joke? No one has ever asked me my opinion about politics." But she assured me it wasn't and that she really was interested on my thoughts. So, I began again to give her the information I had and who I thought would be the best man (or woman) for the job.

As the conversation went on, I realized that I kind of like giving advice, (maybe it's the older and wiser sister in me - Paul probably could have told me that). But these kind of questions historically seemed to be reserved for Paul (along with "What do you think they should do about Coach Crowton?" or "What do you think about the economy right now?" or "Is the real estate bubble going to burst?" or "Where should I invest some short term money?"). Well, not anymore ... Just "Ask Ang!"

I am now officially on the advice-giving soap box, regardless of the topic. I might even seek to get a column in the Wasatch Wave. Heck, since the calls yesterday, I've even become aware of the fact that there are two vacancies in the Supreme Court. I'm full of knowledge! Those ladies made my day.

(A little plug for Ang from Paul follows)
So, for all of you mental midgets out there, or those of you who just can't make a decision without affirmation or some outside direction ... go ahead and ask away... Marital or relationship problems that the family counselor can't solve? Financial problems that the financial planner and banker can't solve? Medical problems that the doctor can't solve? Trade deficit problems that Alan Greenspan can't solve? Doctrinal questions that Bruce R. McConkie didn't address? Your answers are only an e-mail away. . . Just Ask Ang!

Grandma Loves Me More than You

I have to ask the question? Has grandma Elda made any of you rice pudding lately? No, I didn't think so. I am grandma's favorite - and frankly she's mine too. No one else makes me rice pudding and sends the whole pot home with me. The fact that she asks me not to tell anyone else suggests to me that she might like you all a little bit (seeing as how she is concerned about your feelings and all) - just not enough to be on my level of love. . . Keep trying - but I doubt you'll catch up.

Fall Sunsets in Heber

You've got to love the fall sunsets in the Heber Valley.