A Chick with a Gun

If you know what scope bite is, you can get your laughter over with at the beginning of my post, rather than holding it for later. I have two on my forehead. If you don't, you'll have to keep reading.

One of the highlights of the week was my shooting afternoon, provided courtesy of my super-cool, ultra-amazing, very fun brother Chris. I'm originally from Montana and I felt like I was going back to my roots. Chris drove us about an hour into the wilds of the Idaho desert. I was beginning to think that perhaps he was going to ditch us in the desert in some version of family Survivor. But, at last we made it to our destination.

We started off with the .22, which Todd got fairly proficient at by his third clip. Todd was feeling very grown up to have been included.

Then we moved on to the .45 handgun (am I writing these calibers correctly?). I had no idea that it was going to have such a big kick for such a little gun. I loved shooting it, though. It looked very spyish. Reviewing the pictures, I realize I look like a ninny leaning back so far, but it was my first time. Then, the AK-47. Super cool. Very heavy. And quite a kick as well.

Then, the 12 gauge shotgun with the clay pigeons. I don't know what miracle of fate made it happen, but I hit my second one. I should have stopped then and basked in the glow of my glory and the shocked laughter on my dad's face, but I persisted and missed about 20 more before hitting again. Oh well, 10% for my first try isn't bad (though I hear rumors that Julie rocked on her first try).

Next, we tried our hand at the AR-15. Very big gun that shoots far. Also included, a large scope, that when improperly held can kick back and smack you in the head. . .hard. Hence the scope bite, still a bit tender today. But, luckily it covers up nicely with concealer. So, I'm a rookie.
It was a super fun afternoon. I think I'm hooked. We definitely need to get some firearms before the new year and the new government. Who knows what will happen then. And now I'll step off my very small political soapbox.

Thanks, Chris for a great afternoon.

Zoo Days

We're having a great time here in Boise visiting Grandma Cheri, Grandpa Kevin, Uncle Chris, Aunt Julie, and cousins Matthew and Xander.
Today Grandpa said something about Matthew and Alexander.
Ben said, "Whose Alexander?"
Grandpa said, "Xander."
Ben looked at him like "You dummy. Don't call him that." So, I guess Xander will forever be Xander, not Alexander.

Last week, we went to the Boise Zoo with the four boys. They loved it. I happen to think zoos are always a little bit depressing, but this one isn't bad for a small zoo. The monkeys were talking up a storm. I don't think I have ever heard a monkey carry on a conversation, but it was absolutely hilarious. So, of course all the little boys tried their hand at monkey speak. Good stuff. The zoo has a full grown Komodo Dragon, which freaked Ben out just a bit. He didn't want to stand in front of the cage for a picture. He posed off to the side where he could keep the large lizard in his view. Smart boy.

It's been fun to spend time with my twin nephews, and it's especially fun to see our kids old enough to interact and enjoy each other. We will have some good times together as a family in the years to come with the five rowdy boys we'll have around.

A Great Weekend

More looking back on the month I missed:

After a great week at Scott and Tal's, instead of heading for Boise as planned, we came on back home so Ryan could be sustained and set apart. We ended up with Kevin and Cheri (my parents), Glenn and Kathy (Ryan's parents), Kyle (our nephew), and Brandon, Lucy, and Filipe (Ryan's brother and his family) all here for the weekend. It was a fun time, even if a little high stress. I think I only got grouchy once, but I hadn't really had a full night's sleep in about 10 days since the stake executive secretary had invited us to meet with "a member of the stake presidency."

Anyway, we don't have a picture of the crowd, but we are so grateful to have such a supportive family. It always amazes me when people don't get along with the parents or their parents-in-law, because I feel so blessed to be surrounded by amazing extended family.

Here's a shout out to Grandma Cheri for being willing to get soaked filling water balloons and then providing a target to be hit with water balloons. What a sport.

Also, check out Filipe, who is almost exactly a year younger than Ben. If you've ever met Brandon, you'll know why this kid is so tall.

Backtracking

Well, I've been a dismal blogger lately, so here's a bit of repentance for my wayward ways.

We had a fantastic vacation to Casa de Blomquist at the beginning of August (my brother Scott's home and his wife Tal and 4 super cute kids). Todd is always in heaven having 100% pure Kyle time. Benny and Lizzie were so cute together. Poor Aubrey is a great sport at putting up with the high energy we bring when we're around. We haven't spent much time in Utah lately, other than driving through on our way to Boise, so it was a great week. Some of the highlights:

• Hiking the "Y" mountain with all the kids--6 of them under 9. And, yes, we all made it to the top. Ben seriously climbed about 75% of it with his own little legs. Admittedly, he only made it about 25% on his own on the way down. Then we went to the Creamery on 9th for some great ice cream and a take home gallon of "The Goodness" (aka BYU chocolate milk). Very good times.




• The Legacy Center--very cool swim center in Lehi. I took the three big kids for an afternoon of fun while Tal held down the fort with the three minis at home. Aubrey, Todd, and Kyle are happy little fish.




• Thanksgiving Point Dino Museum. Very cool. The hands-on stuff at the end is outrageously fun for the kids. Todd loved the gigantic prehistoric shark. Lizzie did not.




• The Conference Center and Temple Square. We had the single most amazing guide for our tour--her name was Kim Olsen. She took our rowdy bunch of kids under her wing and loved them through the tour. I had no idea that a tour could be so kid-focused. She had those kids eating up the spirit as she testified of a living prophet--it was really amazing. I am so grateful when people take the time to love children. It was a good lesson for me as a mom to slow down, talk to my kids at their own level, and remember that their capacity to feel the spirit is so unfathomable.



• Seeing Ryan's little sister Ashley (and as a blonde, no less). She really has a way with little kids. Ben and Lizzie were just loving her to death. Maybe the three blondes were just all feeling a close kinship. It was nice to see her and spend with evening hanging out. She seems to be doing well in Orem.




• Visiting with my friend, Dina, and her kids. I haven't seen them for over five years, and it was good to catch up.




• Listening to Aubrey play the piano--that girl has talent.




• Spending time with Tal--she is an amazing sister-in-law and I love being in her home.




• Seeing cousins have fun together (and occasionally not have fun together). Cousins are such a great part of life.

So, thanks, Scott and Tal for being great hosts to our little family. Hopefully we didn't wear out our welcome. Come visit here anytime.

Chilly

So we're here in Monterey (Royal Oaks) California enjoying a long Labor Day weekend with Ryan's parents. Tonight, in late honor of Ben's birthday, we had birthday cake and started a fire in the fireplace. The boys have been requesting a fire since we got here on Friday and tonight they finally got their way. Yes, it was delightful. Right now it's 57 degrees outside and the boys and I are freezing! I guess you can never make these desert rats happy.

Plans for tomorrow: a day at the beach. It won't be warm enough for complete submersion in the water, but it will be warm enough for playing in the surf, building sandcastles, and searching for shells. So much fun!

Irony

I find it ironic that my last post (and long ago it was) was all about Ryan. Perhaps our stake president read it and realized what a great guy he was and that it why Ryan was sustained this week as our new bishop. Or maybe it really was revelation. (Probably the latter).

Whatever the reason, that's our latest news. Ryan is our new bishop. Or "Bishop Daddy," as Todd called him. When we told Todd and Ben before church, Todd literally dropped his jaw. Then, when Ryan explained that this would mean I would be released from my calling as Relief Society President, Todd did a fist punch in the air and said, "Yes! Finally! I've been waiting for this forever!" Then, after a quiet moment, he said, "We'll have to get a pool." Priorities, priorities.

So, keep us in your prayers as we set off on this new adventure in our lives.

A Shout Out to My Man

Happy 33rd birthday to my fabulous husband. We had a great day, even though it was Sunday. Ben and I made a delicious crepe breakfast (Ryan prefers his crepes with bananas, peanut butter, syrup, and whipped cream) complete with Uncle Scott smoothies. Then I had my customary meetings and then it was time for church. After church Ryan got a great nap and then we had chicken enchiladas and beans for dinner (Ryan's favorite). We then had an exciting present opening (everything is exciting with two little boys in the house). For dessert it was a delicious toll house layer cake--oh so yummy. Here are just a few amazing things about Ryan:

1. He's a great Dad. I don't think I realized until the last year just how many not great dads there are out there. He's one of the best.

2. He's a great husband. Ditto on the last one. Ryan has serious husband skills.

3. He is patient with my shortcomings.

4. He can get wild and crazy with his boys--and they love it (until they get hurt and come crying to me--what can you say?)

5. He loves his parents--and a great big shout out to Glenn and Kathy for raising a fantastic son.

6. He honors his Priesthood.

7. He's expanded my food horizons--I used to be the pickiest eater on the planet (no, really. There was a solid year of my life where I think I subsisted on Fruit Loops, frozen fish sticks, and peas). Now I love to try out new food.

8. He works hard to support his family.

9. He introduced me to the joys of a great beach vacation.

10. He is still fun to date.

11. He has a desire to do the right things.

12. He supports me in my crazy whims wholeheartedly.

13. He compliments me.

14. He loves to read--though it does drive me crazy when he downloads books on his Blackberry and reads them--how can you read a novel on a PDA?

15. He knows a little bit about a lot of stuff (occasionally useless, but often very useful)

16. He likes to dress nice--no leaving the house in holey sweats and ripped T-shirts.

17. He is silly--most of you will not believe this, but you just don't know Ryan well enough yet.

Happy 33rd! Here's to the next great 66 birthdays.