Jill turned 4 this year. She loves school, her friends, and being a big sister. She has lots of questions and we don't always know how to answer them. For example, "Does Heavenly Father have to use the bathroom?" She is truly an Arizona girl. One cold December morning, she asked us for "that thing you wear when you are cold and you want to get warm." She wanted her coat. She has decided to be in the army when she grows up because she "already has army pants." She has a very big heart and has turned in to a very sweet girl. She loves her swimming lessons and her music class.
Sydney is a happy 7 year old. She loves 2nd grade and recently won an award in her class for exuding the Ryan Royal values--we aren't sure what those are, but we are very proud. She loves swimming and all things animal, and is currently organizing an animal babysitting business--which her mother is hoping she forgets about very quickly. All she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth and an i-phone (thats not too much to ask for!) She continues to practice the piano and in her "spare time" enjoys riding her razor scooter and playing with friends.
As you can tell from Leah's picture, she is always getting in to trouble. She has to do whatever her big sisters are doing. She loves slides, swings, bikes, chasing cars, making her hair sticky, making messes and taking care of her dollies. She adores her older sisters but does not like to share with them. She is so much fun and we are all crazy about her. She loves to make us laugh. If she could spend all day outside, she would, especially if it's raining.
We are very happy that Christian still has a job at Countrywide--its been a crazy and stress-filled year. He will officially be working for Bank of America in April, when the merger is complete. He spends a lot of time on Saturdays working out in the yard. He has done a great job at making our landscaping look great! He is back working in the Elders Quorum Presidency, but most of his time at church is spent walking the halls with Leah.
As for me, I do the regular mom stuff, which I enjoy most of the time. In creating this blog, I just realized that I am not in any of our 2008 pictures. I love my calling as a primary teacher (next year I will teach Sydney's class.) I have been working with the PTO, my official title is Box Tops/Labels for Education Chairperson. I think I have the longest title of anyone working in the PTO. Every month I organize a contest to encourage people to turn in their box tops and then I count what was turned in--I am having a lot of fun with it. FYI it helps raise money for the school. Last Thursday I spent 4 hours popping popcorn for the entire elementary school --1,000 kids. I don't think I will be doing that contest again. My goal this coming year is to cook at least one meal that everyone in the family likes and I would like to be in at least one of our 2009 pictures.
In November, Christian and I just reached our 10 year wedding anniversary. I can't believe its been that long!
Any guesses?
Sydney at her piano recital with her piano teacher.
