Ryan's Baby...

As part of Ryan's Child Development class he has to take care of a "baby". Yes, this baby cries, needs to be fed, needs it's diaper changed, needs to be burped and rocked and cries some more...needless to say, it's been interesting and he's only had it home for 3 1/2 hours. No one but Ryan can care for it...excuse me, him - the baby's name is Tim. Hope it sleeps thru the night though we've already been warned it probably won't!

At the risk of sounding...chauvinist? (that may be a little harsh)...Ryan was able to figure out how to care for the baby while playing on the computer and playing his video games.

Think it cried a few times? And that was before we all went to bed.
Update: I woke up at 2:53 to a baby crying intensely. Little Timmy was in the room with Ryan but Ryan was fast a sleep. I woke him up but it may have been too late - Timmy didn't go back to bed until 3:45. Needless to say we're all a little tired this morning. And just a little happy that Timmy goes "home" today!
Oh, something else Ryan figured out... if he leaves the baby's pants off, even if it was chilly this morning, it's easier to change the diaper. Hope there isn't a temperature sensor on that baby!!
And finally, poor little Francis became worried every time the baby cried. She kept trying to see what was wrong with it. And at 2:53 this morning she was sitting across the room staring at the doorway - wonder how long Little Timmy had been crying???
Almost forgot...so as we were getting ready to leave this morning Ryan asked me to look at the log book (he had to keep track of every time the baby cried and what Ryan did to get him to stop). On the very last page What have you learned from this experience? - "I NEVER want to have kids" - he said he wrote it at 3 in morning while the baby was crying. Somehow I'm sure that will change in a few short years.

Hovater Family Reunion - 2011

Ryan holding sweet Lily!

Luke & Jon playing with Ryan - fun stuff, a pebble shower!

The whole family - minus a few who were in Austin, a few living in Colorado, 2 living in Russia and of course, the 2 living in Virginia Beach - we missed you!!

And it all began with these 3: Robert Hovater,
Martha Carol Hovater Bell & Nina Hovater Barber

Ryan the Wrestler

We're pretty pumped about Ryan's participation on the wrestling team...looking forward to the first match in a couple of weeks!

Sad but good times...

On Friday my good friend, Annette, from work, retired...I'm already missing the laughs!!
Then on Saturday I flew to Raleigh, NC so I could attend the memorial service for Preston's dad that was held on Sunday. Many people attended - he was obviously a well liked and respected man. There were tears at the service but there were many good moments spent with family.

Annette at her desk with her retirement "goods" - plant, balloon, candy, etc. This shot is from my desk - yep I saw that smiling face everyday - well most days - the days I wasn't irritating her anyway.

Annette and her husband, Mike, with her 5 year service award - best wishes on your retirement!

Josh, Rhiannon, Tracy and Preston at the sight of the memorial service.

Josh, Rhiannon, Kathy, Preston and Tracy at Kathy's beautiful home.

Tracy and her "poochers" watching TV in the hotel room - Preston too!!

Ryan at Cy-Woods

Ryan is now enrolled at Cy-Woods High School (the school right by our house) as a Sophmore. He is very excited!
He wasn't quite as excited about me taking a picture of him next to the school mascot (Wildcats) after he was finally registered...but I told him it would be our only chance to take one without a bunch of people around to watch us look dorky!
Anyway, Ryan starts both school and seminary this coming Monday!!
Go Wildcats!! Go Ryan!!

My Yearly Picture...

I was able to get my yearly picture of the boys today after church - amazing what happens in 6 years...

July 2011 - The Trip

I took a trip to pick up my parents from Wyoming - we then went to Utah and then to Phoenix before heading home.
We were able to see Cowboy "Don"uts while in Wyoming - all I have to say is we have some hard workers in our family AND the kolaches were yummy!!
We had a very nice visit with my sister, Jenni and her husband, Brian in Utah - thanks for the great Birthday dinner!! And I was able to visit with my good friend Jen and her cute kids! Thanks for letting me drop by so early in the morning!
I didn't get my camera out in Phoenix so I don't have pictures from there but we had a good visit with my Aunt Lin and were able to have dinner at my cousin Erin's house with her boys! Thank you!!
Besides running out of gas in West Texas - yes, believe them when they say the gas stations are few and far between out there - the trip was good!
Thanks to everyone that made it happen!!