Just to see you smile...

In order to get four children to smile...

All at the same time...

It's important to be dedicated to the task.  

Do whatever it takes.

At all costs.

No inhibitions.  

Even if it means standing on your head.

Literally.

In the end, it's worth it.  

Cousins = built in best friends!

As time passes, I am more and more amazed at the gift and grateful to the Lord, for giving us these cousins, so specially close in age (the first three being only eight weeks apart- april, may and june!)-   for giving them the opportunity to grow up with each other, make memories together, hurt each others feelings and practice forgiveness, laugh, be silly and LOVE one another so deeply.  It's a gift on such a large scale that it's really mind boggling.  Praise the Lord for his immeasurable goodness!!

Ryan Family Mountain Trip 2010

The problem with getting slack on a blog that features a pregnant family member, is that it's kinda BLATANTLY obvious how far behind I am when I'm posting pictures of Christa with Ryan Elizabeth still in the oven when she's been out, and in the world, for four weeks.  I was thinking it was three, but it's definitely four.

Sowwy folks.

Anyway.  Please forgive.

And continue to love us (well, me-  this blog is maintained by a singular entity, in case there was any question there) anyway.  :)

{{ Here's the snaps from annual Ryan Family Mountain Trip. }}

We just all happened to wearing the same thing one day,
so it was like, "Hey! Let's be natural and snap a pic!"

We're growing.  Exponentially.
Guess that's what happens when you start with five.



The firstborn son and his girls.  Yeah, they're presh.



Second in the lineup, the only daughter, finishin' up bakin' her only daughter (well, so far!)



The middle child and his fam (us).
(side note: I will forever cherish this picture, as it is the last one taken before I severely messed up my grill.  More to come on that in a later post...)



The fourth child.  And his bride.  They're getting married in March.  We're pumped.  (exponentially!)



And the baby boy.  Who's always good for a laugh.  :)



And of course, we have the sweethearts that started it all.
They celebrated their 35 year wedding anniversary on September 9th.  What an example they are to us!



And as much as they love their children, these grand babies have taken things to a whole new level!





We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many who love us and so many whom we love!
More mountain pics to come.  :) Of course.
You didn't think that was ALL did you?!

Celebrating Five Years!!

On May 22, 2010, we celebrated our Five Year anniversary!
(And this post is the last in the summer in reverse blog series :) we are finally caught up! :)  )

We went out for Sushi and had a great time reminiscing about all the times (the good ones and the ones we've learned from (yes, there have been plenty of those!)  :) !) that we've had over the last five years together.

And in honor of five years, I thought I'd crack open the wedding album and share some pics from our big day :)
These are literally FROM the wedding album seeing as how we didn't use digital photography to capture our wedding.  That seems so weird to me now, it was only five years ago, and things have changed so much!  I PRAISE THE LORD for advancements in digital technology in the last five years!! :)

My last minute as Jessica Hunter :) 

The wedding party!  

To see what five years looks like, all you have to do is look at Becca and Jonathan.  

Goodness Gracious!!

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan

Our first steps into the last five years we've spent together...

Praise the Lord for his goodness, mercy, and grace to us!  

We are so undeservedly blessed!!

The Mountains with Nana and Papa

Benson and I got to go to Tryon, NC and enjoy the cooler weather with Nana and Papa.
Benjamin had to stay behind and work, so he was missed, but we enjoyed our time with them!
Here's some pics from the fun times :)







This takes the phrase, "on the water," to a whole new level!

























Thanks for a wonderful time, Nana and Papa!!  We loved getting spend time with you!

Hannah and Addie Grace's birthday party pics

Hannah turned three in April and Addie Grace turned two in May.
We celebrated with a pool party!



The cousins had fun being together :)



And as always, they were all very helpful in the blowing out of the candles...



Addie Grace was quite the little dress-up doll...



And Hannah loved her new umbrella...



Entertainment was provided by Uncle B, the clown



Three!!







This might be my favorite pic from the whole party.  She looks a celebrity who is glaring at the paparazzi  saying, "how DARE you take a picture of me!"  :)
Too cute :)



they found a frog...



And Uncle B got blasted by water...



How can you get back at an eight month pregnant sister?!
When the baby gets here:  it's on! :)



Hollywood Hannah :)



We love these girls to pieces!  :)