Chandler's 4th birthday

Our sweet friend, Chandler Dobson, would have turned four today.  We gathered at the Dobson's house to celebrate his birthday with a potluck dinner and releasing orange lanterns in the sky.  It was amazing.  He has such a wonderful family & friends and I'm so happy that we could all be together to celebrate his life and his birthday.

 Check out how cute these girls are!  I love them all so much :)

 

Spring Break

Two weeks seems like a long break from school but I can tell you it's not.  Our time off from school has been busy and I'm sad that our days are numbered.  We haven't had a chance to do all we wanted to do or see everyone we wanted to see.  We did squeeze in an impromptu Mexico trip at the last minute that was SO much fun.  We decided last Wednesday that we were going to join my parents in Rocky Point for a long weekend.  It's hard for us to get away from work but we managed to get away for 4 days.  The weather was great on Friday and Saturday but a storm rolled in Saturday night and it felt like a hurricane.  We bundled up, put the kids to bed, and watched a movie.  Sunday was cooler, but really nice.  The kids have so much fun playing on the beach & the grassy area right outside the condo.  We get our hair braided, eat mangos, & keep the beach vendors in business buying waaaay too much stuff we don't need.  It's such a great time.

Here's Cory on the drive down.  He loves when I snap photos while he's driving :)

 It's a given that we'll get our hair braided while we're there.  I usually haggle with the lady and try to knock $5 off the price but then I realize that she really has her work cut out for her with Reese & Ryan's crazy thick hair.

 Reese was waiting patiently while Ryan was getting her hair braided.  I love her hair in this photo.

We always get really excited to see the Mango guy.  He peels them and puts them on sticks. It's like eating a huge delicious mango popsicle.  We all love eating them.  They are such a juicy treat.

 Reese with her mango, getting her hair braided.

 Ryder boy got a new hat and it looked so cute on him.  He wouldn't take it off.  He loved the car on the front of it.  I loved that he kept a hat on while at the beach.

 Papa, Ryder, & Will relaxing together.

 Uncle Mike brought Jess & Will down on Saturday.  I think Jess was scared for her life because he's a speedy (but safe) driver.  They arrived in 3 hours, 15 minutes.  Pretty sure that's a record time.

Will is the sweetest kid.  He and Ryder have so much fun playing together.

 Ryder wouldn't go anywhere without his cars in each hand.

 The beach was so pretty but it was windy on Sunday.  I love this view.

 We were bundled up pretty good.

We were practicing some cheerleading moves like cartwheels, round offs, & toe touches.  There is a huge grassy area in front of their condo and it's our favorite place to play. 

Daddy & Reese running in the grass.

 More dancing and jumping.

 We could do this all day long.

Another zoo trip

We are getting lots of use out of our zoo membership lately.  

The weather has been so awesome and the kids love running around outside.  

We're taking a break from gymnastics right now so we've got Fridays wide open.  

A zoo trip on Friday morning with Karen & her kids was the perfect way to kick of the weekend.

Spirit Week at school

Last week was spirit week at the girls' school and they had lots of fun dressing up.  Monday was pajama day, which I forgot and Mimi took their PJs back to school for them.  Oops on my part.  Tuesday was character dress up day and they went as Rapunzel and Tinkerbell.  Very cute and I'm bummed that I missed out on taking a photo that day.  I finally got on the ball on Wednesday for crazy hat day and took a photo.  We didn't really have any 'crazy' hats so they wore their fedoras that they just got at Target.

Thursday was crazy hair day and this proves to be quite challenging because they have SO much hair.  We opted for the triple pigtails and looping the hair around with bows.  They were really excited.  Of course when I picken them up at 3:30 it had all fallen out.  Gotta love that thick Pantene hair :)

Ryan loves her jewelry.  She still wore her heart necklace over the shirt that has a faux necklace built in.

Dance recital

The girls' dance recital was so stinkin' cute.  They bumped up a level this past time and it's more of their age group.  They danced to "I love the rainy nights".  We walked around downtown after and visited the farmer's market and Paletas by Betty to get some yummy popsicles. What a fun night!

The girls have been taking the dance

Our big boy

 I've been hesitant to post this one, but we're going strong for about a week now.  I'm pretty sure that Ryder is on his way to being fully potty trained and we are tickled about it.  It started last Tuesday when we took off his diaper right away in the morning and he ran in on his own and went pee.  At that point I just let him run around naked from the waist down for the rest of the morning and he went pee and poop all on his own.  We were all jumping up and down cheering for him.  He wore undies under his pants when we went to go pick up the girls that day and peed as soon as we got home.  The next day we just kept on the same track and he did great all day long.  Same for Thursday.  We're 9 days into it and he's only had 2 accidents.  I think we're really on our way to being diaper free.  The big kicker for me was that yesterday morning I took his night time diaper off and it was dry.  I couldn't believe it.  The girls wore undies to bed a young age and stayed dry and I have a feeling Ryder will too.  I am SO excited for this milestone :)

Holy teeth, Batman!

Reese's two bottom teeth have been loose for about two months.  The bottom right was hangin' on by a thread but she wouldn't let us touch it.  I was watching her eat her snack while playing with her tooth and I told her that sucker was comin' out tonight.  She didn't protest as much as usual and I think she realized it was time.  When daddy got home we got down to business.  Ryan told Reese, "I promise it doesn't even hurt, Reese. Just do it."  Nothing like a little sibling pressure to really get things going.

That first one came out no problem.  She was really excited!

 

 Then she chomped on the washcloth for a bit.

And then we got the other one out.  I realize this is gross--the blood on the washcloth, the photo below of the two little teeth pulled out, but hey, I want us all to remember every moment of this some day.

 

 And then there was the REALLY excited face.  Two teeth gone!  The tooth fairy has her work cut out for her.  Reese was so happy.

 Reese has always had a bigger gap between her two front teeth because her top teeth kind of swag out (picture drapes on a window).  The gap is huge with the bottom teeth both gone and the space on top.  

Our baby girl looks like such a big girl!

Remembering Gammie

We had Gammie's funeral and reception on Monday night it was such a nice ceremony.  There were SO many people that came out to support her, our family, and her legacy.  Sometimes I think I took for granted all the amazing things my Gammie did in her lifetime.  I just knew her as my fun grandma that loved me to pieces and didn't really think too much about the life she lived before she had kids and grandkids.  When my dad & Uncle Phil were talking about her it was pretty astounding to hear all that she accomplished in her 84 years.

I gave a little speech about my Gammie after my Uncle Phil spoke and I was so happy that I got up and said a few words.  I was REALLY nervous the days leading up to it because I knew there would be at least 500 people there and every time I read my speech out loud I started crying at the end.  When I got up there to talk I really felt a calm presence come over me.  I know that my Gammie was with me and she was helping me stay calm and get the words out without breaking down.  I think that she would have been proud of the eulogies that were delivered by me, my dad, & Uncle Phil.  The music was so beautiful and her pastor did such a fantastic job.  The reception was catered by Robert's Catering and the food was delicious.  I know that she would have loved it all and I hope she was looking down with a smile, knowing that we were celebrating her beautiful life to the fullest.

Here is my speech about Gammie:

For those of you that don’t know me I’m Lisa Whyte, Bill & Sharon’s daughter, and Audrey’s oldest grandchild.  I have been thinking about what I want to say and share with all of you about my Gammie.  I have so many memories with her that are priceless and she taught me so many pearls of wisdom throughout my 33 years.  She was such an amazing grandmother to me and my 13 cousins.  We loved going to her house and playing on the farm.  We were allowed to run around and get into all kinds of mischief.  We'd go across the way to ride the golf cart at Uncle Mike's house, which we crashed on more than one occasion, and somehow we never got in trouble. Gammie would ring the big ol' dinner bell when spaghetti dinner was ready and we'd all come running across the field.  

She loved traveling and she wanted to share the world with us.  Gammie & Papa would take the four oldest grandkids on vacations when we were little.  We'd load up in the motorhome and hit the road.  We went to the Grand Canyon, Disneyland, southern Arizona, & Carlsbad Caverns.  My papa was always driving, hoping we'd make good time, and Gammie would sit in the back with us and play Old Maid or Go Fish.  I remember having so much fun on those trips.   

Gammie was so thoughtful and generous in every way.  It usually showed up in the little things she did.  I thought it was amazing the way she would send a card to every single person in our family for every single holiday.  Without fail we would get cards for our birthdays, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, & Christmas.  She made every holiday so special.  In this day of electronic everything it was so nice to get the mail and see a hand written note to me, my husband, and each of our three children.  She taught me that it's those little gestures of love and kindness that really make a difference.  

My Gammie was so full of life and had such a zest for living. I think she truly taught me to be a YES person.  She was always up for a good party and said YES to everything.  Whether it be a baby shower, birthday party, or just a family dinner---you could always count on Gammie to show up with a smile.  I know in the last few years that was sometimes hard for her to do.  It wasn't easy for her to get around but she always made such an effort to be there and I was so grateful for her presence.  The last party she went to was on Feb. 9th at our Remax office.  It was my dad’s surprise 60th birthday party.  She was there dressed up in her red & gold jacket, makeup on, and looking great.  She had fun chatting with everyone and took some leftovers home for Bo.  It was a wonderful night and she had so much fun.

She was such a strong woman with a spirit that couldn't be crushed.  The night before she passed away I was at hospice with her and my mom and we will treasure those last moments we got to spend with her.  She was totally coherent and we were having a conversation with her.  She was asking me to scratch her back and said she wanted the nurses to give her a bath.  She asked for her reading glasses so she could watch TV. She probably wanted to see if Dancing with the Stars was on.  We thought she was on her way to comeback again like she had done so many times before.  But this time was different.  She was ready to go home and be with my Papa.  Selfishly I want her back because I miss her so much and it's not the same without her, but I know that she's in heaven and she's the life of the party up there.  My sweet Gammie, I love you so much and I will miss you all of my days.  

Audrey June Stall Ryan

My sweet, sweet Gammie passed away on Tuesday and it's been a tough week for us all.  I was with her most of the day on Monday at the hospital and then at hospice that night after they moved her over.  I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with her that last night.  She was talking to me and asking me questions.  I got to tell her how much I love her and she said back, "I love you too". 

She was such an amazing woman.  My mom wrote her obituary below.  I hope I can lead a life half as great as hers.  She was one of a kind and we will miss her so much, but I am so happy knowing that she's in heaven with my Papa.  I bet she's laughing away and having way too much fun.  That's just her style.
 

Audrey June Stall Ryan, a Chandler native and member of a prominent pioneer family, died peacefully on February 21, 2012, nineteen years to the day after losing her husband of 43 years, Robert David Ryan.  Audrey was born to Adah Ware Stall and John Franklin Stall on May 28, 1927 in the old Le Seuer home in Mesa, which at the time, was used for delivering babies.  The Le Seuer home was the site on which the Southside District Hospital would eventually be built.  She joined big brother, Klyle, and they lived on the family farm, 160 acres of land on the northwest corner of Cooper and Germann Roads in Chandler.  With the Great Depression of 1929, the family found themselves impoverished and couldn't pay the back taxes.  The family farm, which Audrey's grandfather, David Washington Stall had homesteaded since 1910, was lost because they could not pay the $400 tax bill to save the land.

Audrey's father then went to work for the Robinson family, who ran the San Marcos Hotel, and the Stalls lived on the Robinson farm on the corner of Pecos and McQueen Roads.  Audrey attended Cleveland Elementary School and Chandler High School, which accommodated 7th through 12th grades, graduating from high school in 1945.  When she was 15, while attending high school, she worked for Joe and Alice Woods at the Rowena movie theater on Boston Street.  In 1944 the Woods built a new theater, The Parkway, and Audrey continued to work for them.  The restaurant, El Zocalo, is now in that location and if you're having dinner on the patio, you are sitting on the site of the old theater!

During her high school years, Audrey was a cheerleader and was very active in any civic and extra-curricular activity
that came her way, a tradition that she continued throughout her entire life.  During this time, the Stall family lived in a small house on Buffalo Street across from the San Marcos.  The home no longer stands and it has been replaced by condominiums.  Years earlier, her dad, Pop Stall, worked as a trim carpenter during the construction and finish work of the San Marcos Hotel.

Upon graduation from high school, Audrey attended nursing school in Tucson at St. Mary's Hospital.  After becoming a surgical nurse, she came back home and worked for Southside District Hospital in Mesa, on the same piece of land where she was born 21 years earlier.  Robert David Ryan came into her life in the Fall of 1948.  He invited Audrey to a dance at the San Marcos Hotel on October 4th and they danced all night, after which they both went home and told their moms, "This is the one!"  Bob proposed on February 14, 1949 and they were married two months later on Easter Sunday, April 17th.  They settled into their new home and new life just south of Chandler, while operating their cotton farm and raising four very active boys.  Audrey gave so much of her time, talent, and love to the community, with a special fondness in her heart for PEO, Chandler Service Club, Boy Scouts of America, Chandler Public Library, Chandler Regional Hospital, the Chandler Historical Society, and Chandler United Methodist Church.

In spite of all that she accomplished in her life, she still had time for, and cherished, her family.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who called her Gammie, were blessed to have her in their lives.  As Eddie Basha put it, "Audrey was the crown jewel of Chandler."

Audrey is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Klyle, her husband Bob, and her son, Robert David Ryan, Jr. Surviving her are William Charles (Sharon), Philip Rodney (Lori), Michael Scott (Dianne), and Penny Brooks, grandchildren Lisa Whyte, David Ryan, Jared Ryan, Andrew Ryan, Jacoba Cook, Jeffrey Ryan, Sarah Ryan, Hallie Ryan, Adrianne Burton, Audra Ryan, Matthew Nissen, Dillon Ryan, Jacob Ryan, and Austin Ryan. She is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Audrey's life is planned for Monday, February 27th at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue.  Visitation will be at 5:00 p.m., service at 6:00, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Chandler Historical Society, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler, AZ 85225/P. O. Box 926, Chandler, AZ 85244 or Chandler United Methodist Church, 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, AZ 85249.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/2012/02/23/20120223chandler-audrey-ryan-dies.html

Ice Skating

The girls had a field trip to Polar Ice with their class the other day.  It was a really cute outing.  I was so grateful that Mimi kept Ryder because it was so challenging trying to skate with two 5-year-olds and I can't imagine if I had that crazy kid with us too.  The girls had so much fun with their preschool friends and it was great to see kids that were in other classes since they combined all the PreK.

 There was a good amount of falling going on.  They learned quickly to fall forward so they didn't hurt their bum every time it hit the ice.

 Sitting in the hockey boxes.

 They were over the ice skating pretty quickly and decided it would be more fun to sit in the bleachers and watch the moms skate around.  Nicci, Karen, & I got our money's worth out of it :)