Year in Pictures

Goodbye 2009...Hello 2010!!!

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October




November




December


Happy New Year from the Ryan family!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...Ryan Family Style

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the Ryan house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse the cats;

The stockings were hung by the chimney on the wall with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums cookies danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief pajamas, and I in my cap shorts,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap game of Wii,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed couch to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen blown snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Through the front door St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot mud and dirt;
A bundle couple of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all two of the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose through the front door he went;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Wordless Wednesday

 

O Christmas Tree...

O Christmas tree....how (this is where it ends for us). Here's why: We put up our Christmas tree a while ago..the Monday after Thanksgiving, to be exact. It was a wonderful evening that started with two crabby kids and Garth Brooks singing Christmas tunes, that ended with two joyful children, two proud parents, and the bellowing of O Christmas Tree at the top of our lungs. (AJ even got in on the action, letting out occasional squeals of delight). Justin and I could not come to an agreement on the lyrics of this favorite Christmas song, however. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm right with "O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree...how evergreen your branches." I think I have to let him have this one with "O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches." It just sounds better.

In other exciting Christmas news..

Santa Claus is comin' to town. That's right, you heard it here first, from the Ryan family. Santa Claus was kind enough to make a stop in town to visit all the little kiddies. The Ryan kids, of course, were in on the action.

Kendra was a bit shy at first. She walked in, hiding behind my legs, and her chest was glued to my knees. After I pried her off, daddy had to offer a little extra comfort before the shyness would wear off.

Finally, after a little bribery by Santa's elf with a sack full of treats and some encouragement from a little friend, Kendra worked up the courage to visit with Santa and talk about all the things she wants him to bring her....and trust me, the list is much longer than Santa's budget will allow.

Alexis was more interested in Santa's beard, the tree, and the other people there than she was in Santa...but at least she didn't cry.

All in all, the Ryan kids had a great time with Santa! I hope they've all been good this year!

Snow Monster

Snow much fun!

Kendra and I played in the snow today. It was SO MUCH fun! We're just sorry the snow was too dry to have a snow ball fight, or build a good snowman. Here's our footage* from the day, and a few pictures for your viewing pleasure!

 

*Video won't load, if ANYONE can tell me how to load a video, I would be SO grateful!