End of the Year Update

Sorry this is sort of late but the end of 2008 was quiet eventful and hectic. Due to this we decided to do our family update/Christmas card on the blog for all those you keep up.

Ryan started his new job the beginning of 2008 and has done extremely well. He enjoys his new line of work. He works with Auto CAD at a structural engineering firm about 40 miles south of us. The only downfall is the long commute. He is still able to spend time with Laralee in the morning and make it home most days before prayer, scriptures and bed. He was attending a technical school for a few quarters but they stopped offering the classes he needs and will be getting his certification from another source.

Laralee turned 1yr. in June and is a delight to have. She has developed quite a personality and tries to communicate with us pretty well. Her smile is able to light up a room. She has also become the ward greeter at church. We sit right by the door and she says "hi" to each individual person that walks through the door. She has learned to fold her arms and bow her head for prayer and if she feels like it she will say amen at the end of the prayer. Laralee loves cows and dogs. She and Daisy have become friends and Daisy is very patient with Laralee pulling her tail or climbing on her back. Laralee has learned to be a wonderful little helper putting things away or getting things that we need. She can even get past the child locks in the kitchen. She is going to be a great big sister.

Which brings me to our next update....We learned in Sept. that we are expecting #2 May 26. We are very excited and a little surprised how quickly it happened. We are waiting to find out what we are having so you'll all have to wait till May. (Sorry Mark!)

We have enjoyed living back in Georgia and being close to family. We have been able to see many of our family members for baptisms, vacations and holidays. I was lucky to visit family twice out in Utah and loved seeing Laralee with her cousins, aunts, uncles and Nonnie.

For Christmas this year we did something a little different. Ryan and his friends from high school planned a mission trip to Juarez Mexico. We left Christmas day and took 3 days to get to El Peso Texas and crossed the border into Mexico on Sunday afternoon where we spent 3 1/2 days. The trip was wonderful and I will post more about it along with pictures and video. Due to the time required to prepare for our trip, everything else was put on hold. Which is why Laralee had to wait to open her present from Santa and why I'm finally posting this to the blog.

Thank you for all the Christmas cards and pictures. It is so wonderful to have wonderful friends and family. We hope all the best for you in 2009!! We love you all.

Ryan, Kaytee, Laralee, Daisy and Baby

Prayers for Sydney

I just received this email from my SIL about my niece, Bailey's, friend from school. Sydney has been a great friend and security to Bailey and it breaks my heart to hear about her. Please read the following and keep Sydney and her family in your prayers!

hey to all of our family and friends.
I am writing this email to ask you all to remember a little girl named Sydney Rhoton in your prayers.
Sydney has been Bailey's best friend for the last 2 years. last year while they were in Kindergarten, Sydney kept getting sick and after lots of testing, they found out that she has advanced Lymphoma. Over Christmas break this year, she has been going through lots of rigorous testing to find out just how advanced it is and to also find out if it Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's. they will find out on the 5th of January just how bad it is but after getting a 3 hour scan of her whole body, the radiologist was in tears which means it's probably not good but radiologists can't give diagnoses so Sydney and her family have to wait for the oncologist to return from vacation to get answers. along with the cancer Sydney also has an immune deficiency which keeps them from being able to do any sort of radiation or Chemo, but she is currently scheduled for a bone marrow transplant as soon as they know just what they are up against.
Sydney is the sweetest little girl and has been an amazing friend to Bailey. I am truly blessed & grateful that my daughter has been able to find such an amazing angel to be her friend. please remember her and her family in your prayers, they need all of the help they can get.
I have also attached a picture of Sydney so you can see just how precious she is. the picture is of Bailey, Sydney & their other friend Emilee on a field trip last year, Sydney is the cute little, short haired brunette on the left.

With Love,

Annie Thompson

**IN CASE YOU DIDN'T NOTICE**

{I know it's small}

Thanksgiving Extravaganza '08

We had Thanksgiving this year at Ryan's brothers house with 28ish other family and friends. 4 tables, 30 chairs, 1 deep fried turkey, a huge ham and a dozen side dishes later we were all full and happy. All the food was good (especially the pumpkin pie if I do say so myself..not to rub it in Kristine). We had 10 of Laralee's cousins here to play and they all had way too much fun. Our little pioneers set up quite an amazing camp and trudged through the woods in the pouring rain, dragging my poor dog along. We roasted marshmallows in the gas fireplace, watched movies, got hair cuts, shopped on "Black Friday" and visited all week. It's really quiet and empty here today. Laralee and I will miss everyone. Thanks to those that drove so far to spend it with us. We love you all and hopefully we can get together again soon.

Louisville (pronounced /ˈluːǝvǝl/)

We took a little pre-Thanksgiving trip to KY 2weeks ago to see my cousins art show. This was her big senior show and she was really nervous. She did AWESOME and her paintings were AMAZING. We had so much fun visiting with Alycia, Larry and Susan (even though it was freezing and snowed one day). Laralee just loved all the attention she got from them. Hopefully we will be back up there in May for her graduation.

{The Artist}

{The Art Work}

{Larry, Alycia and Susan}

Laralee was such a little trooper on our trip. After getting lost on our way there...don't ask how since we used to live there, no naps and sharing a room with 4 gabby adults she was pooped. We played out in the halls for most of the show and by the end this is what she was doing. We didn't encourage it at all. How tired do you have to be to think a dirty tile floor is a good place to sleep.

{Saying good bye at the hotel}

************

After Larry and Susan left for AZ we visited our friends Nathan, Lindsay and baby Connor. Laralee loved watching Connor on the floor and listen to Nathan play his guitar. We had fun visiting and eating Graeter's ice cream. (thanks Ryan and Nathan, you two are the best husbands!!) Plus we got a sneak peek to see how Laralee would be around a new baby, she actually did pretty good.

{Hugs and Kisses}

{Laralee jamming with Nathan}