Memorial Weekend

We had an eventful Memorial Day Weekend. Of course our plan was to spend the entire weekend up in Show Low, Ryan plays softball and the kids all hang out and play outside. But the Lord had a different plan for us and we were asked by the Stake President to cut our vacation short so that Ryan could meet with him on Sunday morning. It took a lot of faith and obedience to decide to do just that.
But before we went home early we watched Rathen graduate from Show Low High School, rode horses, and hung out at the ball park.
Rathen's graduation was great. Especially since we only heard the names from Q on down. We timed it perfectly getting there just in time to hear Rathen's name called and then watching the kids throw their hats. My kind of graduation, short. We are so excited for Rathen to have graduated then on to the next big step his mission to North Carolina.
The next day, Friday, we went out to Ross' family's farm and watched them brand and castrate cattle. Very interesting to watch. We also got to ride the horses. My kids loved being outside and I think they could be ranchers, even when Kate was saying "Oooh poop , gross." After that we got family pictures taken, to be posted later. Then we headed to Mark's house. Mark, Laura, John, and Matt were all there so it was great for the kids and adults to hang out. We watched ASU win their softball game and just enjoyed each other's company.
Saturday started out with a ball game. The team lost, but expected that. They wanted to play D's. Later that day the phone call came to meet with the stake president. I was not happy about that.
We went home on Saturday night and met with the stake president on Sunday and Ryan was called as the second counselor in the bishopric. I was totally surprised although I kind of suspected a calling like that since we were asked to cut our vacation short. The funny thing is the former bishop was on vacation and the new first counselor was on vacation. So here I was feeling sorry for myself that my vacation was cut short when I was not the only one. Again a lot of faith and obedience was exercised and will continued to be exercised. But Ryan will do good and I only hope I can support him and not get too cranky about the calling.
Below are pictures from the ranch. The kids all had so much fun, including me.

Since we were home on Monday and the temperature only got up to 89 we went and hiked "A" mountain then played at the Tempe Splash Park. It was fun being home on Memorial Day. I don't remember the last time I was home but I enjoyed it. It was a great weekend full of surprises but one that will be remembered.

Below are pictures of "A" mountain and the splash park.

end of school

It is the last day of school and I think I am ready for June, July not so much but I know I can get through June. I am amazed at what my boys learned this year. Jack aced his math facts and became quite the little reader. He likes to go to the library and check out chapter books and then wants to read them. I love it and hope he always loves to read. Jack had a second grade play titled "Sounds a Little Fishy." He loved it. He would come home everyday singing and dancing. It was so fun to watch and I found out after the show that the school alternates every other year so I will get to see the same play when Jay is in second grade.
Jack with his teacher Mrs. Trujillo. Jack loved her and I really think she liked Jack.

Jack in his school play doing his little dance part.

Now on to Jay, let me just say he is the middle child and so pictures are a rarity. I should just apologize now to him. I know he will blame me for his troubles when he gets older because I failed at taking pictures. But with that being said. Jay did great in school. We were planning on holding him back, because his birthday is in June so he is young for his age, but he did so good in school we are sending him on to first grade. He just gave me his report card and had all P's for proficient or in Jay's world perfect. Jay had two of the best teachers ever, Mrs. Burton and Mrs. Long. I am so impressed at what they taught Jay. He is reading and writing like no other. Those two teachers taught him to love learning and really in kindergarten what else do you need to learn? He says when he grows up he wants to make robots, write and color books, and be an engineer. All great goals that I know he can accomplish.
Now it is on to summer. August 10th is just around the corner, not that I am looking forward to the start of school.

Things I have learned about myself

I have learned some things about myself these past few weeks and since I treat my blog as my journal I figured I would blog about them.
1. I really like to travel with my husband. Ryan is so easy going and fun. We do have different likes and dislikes but we have enough likes in common that it is fun. I had such a great time in San Francisco.
2. I really like staying in nice hotels, especially when this is my view and I am not paying for the room. When I am paying for the room then The Anaheim Plaza Hotel, aka the crap across the street, is good enough.

3. A good babysitter makes all the difference when I leave my children behind. I never worried about them. I admit I did worry about Rachelle and what my kids were doing to her but I knew that Jack, Jay and Kate were well taken care of.
4. I really like going to baseball games. Even when it's freezing and especially when I have a seat like this one below. I had to buy a scarf and beanie and had three layers of clothes on but it was so fun.

5. The people that I expect to be snobby usually aren't. I met the CEO of Loring Ward, the company that paid for the conference. When we were done talking to him and Ryan mentioned who is was I was so surprised. I never would have thought that he was a CEO he was so normal and down to earth. I also met another woman who had had a lot of plastic surgery. I of course thought fake but then when I was talking to her about her daughter she was so normal. She loves that little girl and it was very apparent talking to her. I know I shouldn't judge and I am working on it. Especially after this trip to San Fran people are very normal once you get to know them.
6. Disneyland is the happiest place on the earth but it is also a very stressful place. I swear I need a vacation after the vacation.
7. I really enjoy the sun. While in San Francisco it was cloudy a few days but man when that sun came out I was much happier. I went to the park across the street laid down in the sun and read a book. I could do that everyday when the sun shines and it's not 100 degrees.
8. I really like my gospel library app on my phone. It is so nice to have the Book of Mormon and the conference talks right on my phone. I always have my phone so I always have the app with me. I used it a lot on my trips.
9. I like traveling with other families. We went to Disneyland with the Platts and it makes it so much easier to travel. My kids are happy because they have friends. I am happy because I have friends. It is a win win for everyone.
10. I really like being home. As much fun as the past month was it is so nice to be home. I am looking forward to summer and hanging out with my kids more.

San Francisco

I have a new favorite city, San Francisco. I had never been and Ryan had a work conference there so I got the invite. It was wonderful. Three nights, four days of San Fran. I could have stayed longer.

We go there Tuesday around noon and checked in. Then we asked the concierge about tickets to Alcatraz. There was a 2:20 ferry so off we went walking through San Fran on our way to Alcatraz. What a great city. There was a farmer's market that was giving out samples, fresh apples, almonds, hummus,and my favorite almond brittle, YUMMY!!! We made it to the Alcatraz ferry a little early so we switched our tickets and headed over on the 1:45 ferry. When we got to The Rock, both Ryan and I said, "I am so glad I have never been to prison, nor do I ever want to." There is a great history to Alcatraz and it is very fascinating. I learned a lot about The Rock that day and would suggest Alcatraz to anyone going to San Fran.
Ryan and I on the island of Alcatraz. The prisoners said how hard it was to see San Francisco but to not be able to get there. There were some pretty good views of the city.

The next day Ryan was in meetings all day, so I went out and toured the city by myself. I walked through China Town, up some pretty steep hills and steps, found some good shopping, and just enjoyed myself. That night we went to a Giants game, they just happened to be playing the D-backs, of course the D-backs lost. But we had dinner there and then after dinner we walked along the field to get to our seats. I love big companies that can pay for things like this. The game was good but so cold. I had to buy a beanie and a scarf so I wouldn't freeze.

Ryan and I on the field at AT&T park.

On Thursday, Ryan had meetings in the morning so I went out and did a little more shopping, and then took my book to the park across the street and laid down to read and people watch. It was beautiful weather and so nice to be outside. Ryan was done with his conference by one so we had the entire afternoon and evening to hang out. We walked down to Fisherman's Wharf, took a boat ride out on the bay, ate dinner, hung out, and then took a cable car back to the hotel. It was so fun to be with Ryan. We don't get much one on one time but I loved being with him.

Ryan and I on the boat ride with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

San Francisco is such a beautiful city. I had so much fun and I am hoping next year I get to go with Ryan to this conference. I would love San Fran again but really any place would be nice.
Thanks to Rachelle for watching my kids all week. I never worried about them once.

Disneyland a second time

Disneyland a second time

Karrie told me they were planning a trip to Disneyland, so I invited myself and family along and crashed the Platt's party. It was the Platt kids and Jeremy's first time ever to Disneyland. I had so much fun watching them and making sure they were having fun and such. It was so enjoyable. The first day we did it all, even though it was way busier. We met Mickey, saw the Aladdin show, watched World of Color, rode the rides. I enjoyed myself so much. Ryan took Kate and Jay back to the hotel around three, got lunch and they all napped. Jack and I hung out with the Platts for awhile. Then around seven we went back to the hotel and ate. Once we were refreshed we headed back to the park and played until eleven. It was crazy. The next day we were back at it. The girls all had lunch with the princesses and the boys rode more rides. After that we had to leave cause Ryan and I were heading out the next day to San Francisco.
We had such a great time and I can't wait to go back. It really is the happiest place in the world.

The Ricedorffs with Mickey Mouse.

Jay, Hannah, Annie and Kate meeting Jessie. I love that the characters just roam around.


Dyan, Ryan, Abby, and Jack on Screamin. It was such a great picture, but I am too cheap to buy it, especially when I can take a picture of the picture. Abby loved this ride and I think I rode it with her three times.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you women out there.

I will be celebrating at Disneyland hopefully getting the present that I want. I want Ryan to take Kate to the bathroom every time she needs to go. I think that would be wonderful to not have to take her. I don't ask for much. I can't wait and know I will have a great time.
Mom- I hope you have a great day. Thank you for teaching me so well. Whenever I want to blow something off and I don't, I always complain, (not really a complaint) that you taught me to be responsible and to fulfill my obligations so I can't blow stuff off as much as I want to. I love you mom have a wonderful, awesome, radical, super, fun, relaxing day.