Unfortunately, our camera still isn't working so I only have one picture (thank you Shauni!). Ryan said we could get dressed up and take a picture (when our camera is fixed, of course) and pretend it is the night of the Gala but I just can't lie to all of you like that (plus, hello, I wanted to post about it today!). So I apologize that I have no pictures of Ryan and I together--I guess now we have a reason to go next year, right honey?
Kelly, me, Natali, and Shauni
Into Thin Air, by Jon Krakauer, is a personal account of the author's experience climbing Mt. Everest in 1996 and the tragic deaths that took the lives of many of his teammates during the expedition. I would highly recommend this book to just about anyone. It absolutely reeled me in--I couldn't stop reading it. It is a truly haunting story that has made it hard for me to think about anything else. Even though he tells you in the first couple of pages who dies (the book is dedicated to his teammates who lost their lives), I couldn't help but be caught up in the suspense of the book.
One thing I know for sure--I NEVER want to hike Mt. Everest. I don't care if I ever even make it to Nepal/Tibet to see the mountain in real life. Don't get me wrong, I have more admiration and respect than ever for those who have summited the mountain---I just don't have any desire to be one of those people!
Since we didn't get any hints from Ryan about what he wanted for his b-day, Isaac and I had to get a little bit creative, so we decided to win his heart by way of his stomach. Here's what we gave him (a special thanks to Allie for giving me the idea and allrecipes.com for coaching me through this meal--especially the red meat which I know next-to-nothing about cooking!):
Blue Cheese Crusted Filet Mignon
Strawberry Avocado Salad
Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions
Cresent Dinner Rolls
Sweet Corn with Cream Cheese Sauce
Strawberry Lemonade
Ben and Jerry took care of dessert with Ryan's favorite ice cream, Cinnamon Buns (I highly recommend it if you've never tried it before).
I feel so blessed to be married to Ryan. I cannot imagine my life without him. He could not be a better father to Isaac. Ryan loves our little man so much and Isaac knows it. Plus, he is an amazing husband who always puts my needs (as well as everyone else's) before his own. He is my best friend. I am the luckiest girl in the world :-)
Up until last week, Ryan was the clear victor. But suddenly Isaac has a new favorite toy--his animal book. Guess who's winning now? (I know, I know, I have to teach him a little bit about directionality--he's only 11 months old, people!)
Lisa tagged me the other day so here goes: ABC's of you. Each player then tags 6 people and posts their names. A- Attached or single: Very much attached.B- Best Friend: Ryan is my best friend but Isaac is a close second. C-Cake or Pie: Pie, especially with ice cream on top! D- Day of Choice: Sundays because our family gets to be together all day. E- Essential Item: chapstick, and a diaper bag when I'm on the go. F- Favorite Color: I can never decide, but pink right now in honor of baby #2 G- Gummi Bears or Worms: worms all the way--they're bigger so there's more gummy to enjoy! H- Hometown: Kaysville, Utah I- Indulgence(s): Ice cream or pretty much anything sweet. As of late it has been Ryan's orange julius supreme. I ask him to make them all the time. J- January or July: July all the way. January always seems like a downer because it's cold and Christmas is over (sorry, Allie, I know it's your birth month and all). K-Kids: Isaac--11 months (almost) and baby #2---126 days left until birth. L-Life is incomplete without: My wonderful family and my faith. M- Marriage Date: June 29, 2005. N- Number of Siblings: 1 brother and 3 sisters (not to mention 4 sisters-in-law and 5 brothers-in-law) O- Oranges or Apples: I pretty much love any fruit you put in front of me. P- Phobias or Fears: The idea of something bad happening to my family, and icy freeways in Iowa (the two went hand-in-hand a couple of weeks ago but luckily everything turned out ok). Q- Quote(s): "Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal in life is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual tolerance, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old-time rail journey - delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally with beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank God for letting you have the ride." (President Hinckley quoted someone else who said this, I just don't remember who it was!) R- Reason To Smile: Isaac's laugh, even though he fakes it sometimes (it's still my favorite sound); Ryan and I got to go on a date tonight; we have another little bambina on the way :) S- Season: I love Spring because everything comes to life again. Summer and Fall are great, too. Winter is nice until Christmas, then I just want it to be over! That's why January is so long and bleak. T- Tag 6: "Life on the Bayou", "And then there were Four", "Nobody puts Baby in a Corner", "Stale Buns", "Roundy Rage", and "Me Myself and I". U- Unknown Fact About Me: I have a fake tooth; when I floss I have to floss all the way underneath it. I used to freak my third-graders out with it on Halloween. V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Somewhere in the middle. W- Worst Habit: Where do I begin? I have an addiction to reading other people's blogs. I am sort of obsessed. If there were a blog addiction recovery program I might have to sign up. X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds, although I do hate that gel they put on your stomach. Y- Your Favorite Food: The list is way too long--pad thai, Indian food, almost any kind of salad, Cafe Rio anything, fruit, fruit, fruit, ice cream, and almost anything else that is sweet. I'll stop there. Z: Zodiac: Virgo.
