A week late but worth the wait.

Last year for my birthday I got to go to Disneyland. It was so much fun that I wanted Ryan to be able to have a birthday trip also. He found a snowmobiling trip he wanted to go on. We talked about it for several weeks. I was pushing him to do it, he wanted to go but he was having second thoughts and taking to long to book, I know he needed the break from work and we needed some couple time. Ryan decided the best time for him to take the trip was a week before his birthday or around our anniversary (I think he wanted to be home for the Superbowl) so it became an anniversary/birthday trip double the fun. This was our attempt to make sure we could take pictures as a couple without outside assistance. Ryan's dream about to come true. Whoever said black was slimming wasn't wearing a snow suit.

Plenty of people offered to take our picture for us and every time Ryan jumped at the chance I wanted to just jump. Am I the only person in the world that hates having my picture taken?

I took this picture while on the back of the sled. We had seven other snowmobiles in our group.

I took this picture again on the back of the sled. Our guide's name was David. Our snowmobile was behind his. It is nice to be lead dog but we had to be second this time. Ryan is great at reading a map but I am happy he left it to the experts this time.

This is us in front of Old Faithful. How appropriate for an anniversary. It was so much fun. I missed the kids but after spending 10 years of anniversaries being pregnant or breast feeding we deserved this time to rekindle our relationship. We have all that and we are still in love. Does it get any better than this?

Not so long ago, in a Temple not so far away.

Thirteen years ago on January 22, in Mount Timpanogos, Utah temple Ryan and I were married for time and all eternity. It is amazing it has been thirteen years it feels like I met him yesterday. Ryan was my first official boyfriend. I had imagined marrying other guys but Ryan was the only man I could image being happy with. He is goal driven thoughtful and fun. He guards himself around others but it is fun to see Ryan's relaxed side come out when we are at home. He always kisses me goodbye in the morning before he leaves for work. I finish his sentences and he corrects mine. I truly believe to love someone you have to known them so even though I loved Ryan when we got married I love him even more now. Looking forward to the years to come love ya Rynie.

If your not gonna eat it, wear it.

I know I have had many posts already since I started this but I have 10 years of kids to catch up on. This picture was taken after Danica decided to dump her plate on her head. It still makes me smile when I look at it.

My son the Doctor(head?)

This morning during splash time I mean bath time out of the blue Derek informed me that he was going to be a doctor head when he grows up. I asked him what a doctor head does and he told me they fix babies and he is not a baby so he can be a doctor head. I am still not sure about the head part but if he does become a doctor I will expect him to be a lead or head doctor in pediatrics. Coincidentally Derek was named after his father Ryan so his initials are D.R. Lund this was not intentional and we didn't even realize until about a week after his birth when Ryan's brother clued us in. Danica's middle name is Rae so we already have two D.R.'s in the family.

The Grinch vacations with the Easter Bunny

My girls love to dress up, they find the most interesting costumes. The green hair is actually a grass hula skirt. I love that they are so inventive and creative. Charlie as I said before is the princess so dressing up for her is a little more serious. Her stylist on this occasion is her twelve year old cousin Alissa. It is hard for a twelve year old and a six year old to find things they have in common but this never fails.

How I see them

Makes my life easier. Irelee is my oldest and most helpful child. Her room is always a mess but she never hesitates to do whatever I ask around the rest of the house. She is often caught up in a book which surprises both her dad and mom since we didn't like to read as children. Irelee's latest funny was when she told the family that she had to choose a state to report on and she chose Pennsylvania because that is where Dracula lived.

Makes my life fun.

Oh, what to say about Jenna? Everyone loves Jenna. I am constantly told how loving and sweet she is and all I can say is wow, she has got a lot of people fooled! Jenna is opposite her older sister in every way but that is what makes raising them so fun. Jenna's room is spotless. Her bed is made every morning. She never wants to help around the house. She loves attention but it has to be on her terms. Jenna always brings laughter to the party and she is our funny child.

The feminine element.

Charlene or Charlie as she is more commonly known is the princess of the family. She loves pink and dresses. She loves to dance and still wants to be a ballet teacher when she grows up. I still haven't figured out how but she is opposite both of her older sisters. She never cleans her room and always throws a fit when she needs to help around the house. People often comment on her beautiful highlights and then look at me and ask if I did them myself, truth is she was born with them. She has several boys that like to tease her and a few that have told her she is their girlfriend. Thankfully she tells them "I AM NOT YOUR GIRLFRIEND". Hopefully that will last at least 10 more years.

The masculine element.

Derek is girl trapped in this house but don't let the doll fool you he is all boy. He is the reason there are child safety recommendations. I was so excited to have a son and I wouldn't trade him for the world but I now know why I only have one. When people find out that he has 4 sisters and no brothers I hear" oh you poor thing you must get picked on all the time", unless that someone is from a family that had only one boy then we hear "I bet you are spoiled". Yes he is spoiled. He gets dad to himself on many quick store trips because dad says he is giving mom a break. Derek loves anything Cars and is constantly begging for food (even as I type). Keeps me smiling.

Danica is the grand finale to our family. She is always happy and loves to smile. She is taking her own sweet time hitting her milestones but that is just a part of her relaxed personality. She has learned how to nod yes and is always nodding when she approves.

I can't imagine my life without a single one of these blessings and I am so happy my Heavenly Father has trusted them to my care.

Don't expect to much

So this is my attempt at blogging. I'll do my best. Don't hold your breath.