Little Things: November 2006

11.30.2006

Ryan might be a Blonde

Nothing against blondes; I used to be one, both naturally and fake, but we've all had at least one of those moments where we find ourselves doing or saying something so rediculous that have to pause for a moment while everyone around us laughs. Like the time in high school when Jolea came walking out of the locker room for basketball practice while holding her shorts in her hand. That's right--she had on her shirt and her basketball shoes but somehow forgot to put her shorts on. Or how about the time "someone" forgot to wear a bra to a baby blessing? Granted there are some girls who don't see the need to fasten up, but this was not one of those girls or times. She realized she wasn't wearing a bra on the way into the chapel. Then there was the time that Lyndee ran smack dab into the sliding glass door on her own house boat. She thought it was open apparently. Well, last night Ryan had his own blonde moment. On our way home from work yesterday, we made a pit stop at the grocery store to do some quick shopping. Ryan turned the car off and got out. I got out and as I walked around to meet him he was holding his laptop computer walking into Kohlers. I just started laughing. I asked him why he needed his laptop in the grocery store. He just stopped and looked down and started laughing too. It was pretty funny. I should have let him actually get into the store with it and waited to see how long it would take him to realize he was carrying around his computer. I'm still chuckling.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Two years ago today...

...still happy and in love...with a little one on the way.

11.29.2006

...I took the liberty of stealing this off of Jolea's blog...a little snipit of their roadtrip to Gram's

Winter Wonderland

It's official. The first good snow has hit. Ryan woke up around 4 am this morning to let some of the trapped heat in our room escape into the rest of the house and he happend to look outside as the first real downfall was silently layering itself upon the ground. I love snow. I love how it looks on the pines, on the rooftops and mountains, with the Christmas lights glowing underneath it all. But I hate, and I mean hate, driving in it. I was reminded of that this today during our morning commute. There is nothing worse than icy roads mixed with Utah drivers (and even my born & bred Utah husband would agree with that after the craziness we encountered on the highways once reentering Utah from our Thanksgiving road trip). It's no wonder it took 10 minutes to get through the morning traffic report on the radio this morning....On a better note, the Loveless' went to the production of Savior of the World last night at the conference center. It was really good. Our good friend Britt played the part of Mary Magdelene and did a wonderful job. Her voice is as beautiful as she is. Note to self: There is no where to eat after 10 pm in Salt Lake (unless you do bars,Village Inn, Denny's, or JB's). It was Wendy's drive through for us. Also, Temple Square turns off the Christmas lights at 10 pm. Don't plan on looking at lights after this production.

11.28.2006

Thanksgiving couldn't have ended on a better note than this. The Loveless Family counted this win over the UTES among their blessings this year. Go Cougs! Viva Las Vegas!

SOME OF OUR FAVORITE LITTLE THINGS

HASSMAN FAMILY TURKEY BOWL, DEMING, N.M.

11.27.2006

WE SURVIVED
Thanksgiving 2006 was a great time...if you don't count the 32 hours we spent on the road.

The good news is that I didn't have my baby, only some slight swelling in my feet on the way home. Other good news is that Ryan can finally sleep at night knowing he doesn't have

to pay hospital fees for delivering out of network. We are exhausted, but it's the good kind--the tired that hits after you've worn yourself out doing something you love and we loved being with my family for a few days in New Mexico. Every sibling and spouse and child was there this time. All 30 something of us

including my mom and grandma. We ate lots of good food, played cards til' all hours of the morning, had a football game in the backyard and a cartwheel contest in the front.

There was some sort of video game going at all times and usually a child crying in the background somewhere. We ate authentic Mexican food at our favorite Mexican restaurant (not so good for Ryan); we visited with Aunt Jo and her boys, Aunt Betty, and the Keelers. We even fit in a baby blessing and had a family picture taken with all of us. We visted the cemetary and paid our respects to Dad and Grandpa and made a stop out at the Hyatt ranch. The best part was just being together, even admist all the chaos, the

crying, the fighting, the dirty dipers and lost socks. Gram's floor

was just how I remembered it being anytime we went there--a massive sea of blankets, pillows, and air mattresses. It was baptism by fire for the new spouses--Ryan, Brandon & Justin. Even though I enjoyed the serenity of our little home last night, a part of me missed all the chaos. I have the greatest family in the world.

11.21.2006

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I am sending out warm & happy Thanksgiving wishes now as I probably won't be blogging for the next few days. If all checks out at the doc's today, we will be on the road to New Mexico by tonight. I was doing up some figures today and with just the immediate family and my grandma (Gram), there will be 28 of us. Whoa. I think it's been over 5 or 6 years since we have all been together. This could get very interesting. To all our friends and family, hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for--

11.20.2006

Mailbox Gifts

I don't know why it is, but it is always so exciting to me to get a package in the mail, even if I know that it is coming (like when I order it). Why is that? This weekend I got two mailbox gifts and it felt like Christmas. There's just something about opening the mailbox and finding something more than envelopes and coupons.

CONGRATULATIONS COUGS!
Mountain West Conference Champs
BEAT UTAH THIS WEEK!

11.16.2006

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY INDEED

A big thanks to all who called and shared in the B-day festivities! It was a good day and a great birthday! Until next year, here's to 27 big ones!

11.15.2006

I'm 27 today. My mom already made her annual birthday call and this year I got an email from her too! She always recounts where she was on this day "x" number of years ago. And while the story never changes, I always love hearing it. She was shaving her legs in the bathtub, in labor with me, and my dad was a mess trying to figure out how to get her to stop shaving and to the hospital. So 27 years ago at about 7:30 in the morning, that is how my mom was preparing to bring me into the world. I just want to say to her "Thanks" and I don't blame you for wanting to make sure that your legs were shaved before you gave birth. I feel the same way about it and I'm sure Dr. Hossley was grateful to you as well.

11.14.2006

Dad-in-Training

I think Ryan will be a fun dad. He tries to put on a tough act, but he melts like butter around the little ones. Between him, the two uncles down the street, and the crazy cousins just up the road, our little guy is going to have a good time. Good thing he will have his mom and aunties to keep things in line.

11.13.2006

Showered Again

Aunt Kathy, Grandma J., & Mommy having a good time!

Baby Loveless was given a most excellent party on Saturday! I think he knew he was having a party because he was jumping around all morning prior to the shin-dig. The Loveless family sure did spoil our little one. A big thanks to JoAnn, Stacey, & Renee for being such great hostesses and to the Loveless', Johnsens, Hogans, and Aunt Kathy for all the great gifts and advice. We love you all!

Diapers...Kathy read our minds.

Baby's "Great" Aunts...Claudanne, Jolynn & Jill.

He got quite the wardrobe.

The hostesses...Stacey & Sarah.

11.10.2006

FRIENDSHIP

"No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow."

Alice Walker

Last night we witnessed another Cougar victory. I have to say that I believe I have been converted. I don't know how it happend really. I guess marrying into the Loveless family, if you can't beat 'em, you just join them. However, I draw the line when it comes to a few things like putting catsup on my burritos and eggs. Anyway, back to the BYU game...last night I was reminded of how good of friends Ryan and I are. We enjoy being together, both with other people and by ourselves. He gives me my space, I try and give him his. We don't like all of the same things, but we like enough of the same things--and the uncommon things are what keeps it interesting and what requires each of us to sacrifice. That's how it works. I don't want to skin a deer and he doesn't want to see the Nutcracker again. Okay, fine. We can respect that. It's just good to know that you will enjoy the company you've secured for eternity.

11.09.2006

Sisters. Yes, we're just sisters.
Our story is not heroic, not even
memorable. But when I need
support I sense you quietly by me.
I always will.
Helen Thomson

INTRODUCING...THE MILLERS No, I'm not dead. No, I haven't had the baby early. I've just been sick. Yup--down and out since last week pretty much. I felt it all coming on last Wednesday. I left work a little early as I felt weak and feverish and my nose was running like a leaky faucet. Thursday I didn't make it into work and Thursday afternoon we had to head off to Rexburg for the wedding festivities on Friday. The wedding was beautiful and Carrie was gorgeous. Jolea and I were happy to play the part of her stylists (note: always work with fake eyelashes sometime before the day of the wedding). After the sealing in Rexburg and the reception 2 1/2 hours down the road in Twin Falls, I was one tired prego by the end of the night and what's worse is I only fed this beast of the flu I'm afraid. Needless to say, I've had a few days of recovery at home and I am back on the job, not entirely rid of the nastiness, but a good dose of stir crazy will get me back in the office after 3 days on the couch. Granted, I had lots of time to catch up on all the missed episodes of Oprah and I've never known more about what was going on with the Congressional elections, but there is only so much down time I can take! Here's a few pics from last weekend's wedding spectacular. Carrie & the Princesses(clockwise) Ashtyn, Jordyn, Avery, & Sarah

The bouquet had almost as many admirers as the bride (good work Michelle!)

First Dance

Mom & the sisters

Carrie shares a dance with Jim

Fat, happy, and ready to call it a night!

11.01.2006

Halloween Spectacular!

Halloween 2006 went off without a hitch! Jolea dressed up her 3 little ones and brought them to Ryan's work to trick-or-treat yesterday afternoon. They were so stinkin' cute, especially the little witch. She certainly did catch on quickly to the idea of filling her princess pumpkin with candy! Seth was a scary little green alien/ghost and Easton decided at the last minute to opt for the puppy costume from 2 years ago with cowboy boots over the Batman costume. Although the puppy wear was a little snug, Jolea knew it wasn't a battle worth fighting. They made out like bandits and after a trip to the mall for wedding attire, we made our way back to Jolea's for a Halloween dinner and movie. Of course her house was fabulously haunted and eery with glowing pumpkins and witches, a caldron, and scary music! Jolea was dressed up as my twin kitty and I was wishing I would have adorned the costume once more.

The pregnant kitty--yes, those are milkers on my belly!