Ryan's the big 3-0!

Why, hello there. Actually, we are still alive and no I haven't completely given up blogging. Four months late on a post? I guess "better late than never" right?

This goofball turned 30 this year.

 If you know Ryan, you know that he does not like to be in the spotlight or center of attention, unless he's behind a piano, cello, bass, guitar... He prefers to keep things low-key. So I was completely torn when it came to his birthday. I wanted to do something big for him but I knew that he would rather just keep things small. I asked him if he wanted a party and he said he just wanted family. The only thing he asked for for his birthday was to go eat at Wolf Lodge. But since it was his 30th I wanted to do something more. So kinda last minute I decided to throw him a surprise party. I knew he wouldn't be keen on the idea but you only turn 30 once! Ryan wasn't really excited to be turning 30 so I did a "turning 30 blows" theme. (Angie and Gage- love her!)

Blowpops were my inspiration :)

Pinterest decor

The kiddos- Jory, Tavin Kidd, Reese, Ryder, Carson, Tristan Kidd

Can't you just see how much he loved it?! He warmed up though and ended up having a good time. There wasn't a ton of people there, mostly family, so I think that made things easier on him. :)

We played a few Minute to Win It games that involved blowing.

Then Ryan's favorite dessert- Apple Dumplings.

Love this picture of Gwen! Wish she didn't have her binky though. She was getting sick and then next day we found out she had hand, foot, and mouth disease. :(

He said he had no idea about the party so I guess it was a success since he was really surprised. At the very least I think everyone else had fun! More on his big birthday present later...

Election

So I gotta get out my two cents. I don't feel like any one person can have an opinion without someone taking offense and getting upset and angry so I'm writing it here so I don't have to listen to someone give me a tongue-lashing. I'm not a debater. I'm not quick and clever and I don't know the ins and outs of politics. But I do know I'm so sick of the all the crap! I'm sick of stupid people who don't understand or just don't care what will really happen to our country. I'm tired of being lied to. I'm tired of feeling like my vote doesn't really count. I'm sick of feeling completely helpless. I'm so sick of the hipocracy!! When Obama was elected for his first term, tons of African Americans voted for him just because he was black but now you're telling me that if someone were to vote for Romney for the sole purpose of being Mormon, that's irresponsible? That's not the only reason I voted for Romney but voting for him based on his beliefs rather than his skin color is a lot better judge of character! Because being a Mormon means something. It means high standards, real morals, a good work ethic, selflessness, integrity, honesty, commitment. I'm sick of people's ignorance!

If you can't tell, I'm in the "angry" stage of the grieving process from the results of the election. I was shocked at first, then so depressed. I had a really hard time keeping it together. All Wednesday morning I was really weepy. Now... I'm just pissed. I am so upset that the citizens of the awesome nation would chose such an arrogant, idiotic, socialist president. I had so much hope that Romney would win. I really thought Americans would see through Obama and choose a man that has real experience to pull us out of the mess we're in. Romney had the skills and experience to turn things around, I really believe that. You would think that the last four years would be proof enough what a joke Obama is. Look at what's happened with him in charge! It's optimistic to think that things, at the very least, will stay the same. But they are only going to get so much worse.

Honestly, I fear for my kids. I sorrow for my kids. What have we done to their future?? They won't know the real America and what being an American really meant. We are going to crash and burn, hard. I won't be surprised if we have another 9/11. Now, before I start getting over-dramatic, he is only in for another four more years. But look at the damage he's caused already. Now there's not a third term to reign him in and to at least attempt to keep some reasonable order. I honestly can say that I think the Second Coming will be in my lifetime. I haven't really thought that before, maybe the possibility, but now time has definitely sped up. This has been the first time in my life that I see the scriptures literally coming to pass. Throughout the whole election campaign I just kept thinking that these are the times of the "Kingmen" and the "Freemen". How sad that we actually voted to have our freedoms taken away! Check out Helaman 5:2-3. That's talking about us, now!

A lot of people (including Republicans and members of the church) are saying that we need to come together now and compromise and find common ground. Forget that! Every time there's a compromise the line just keeps getting moved and pushed farther from what's morally and ethically right. There's so much acceptance for sin and tolerance for evil. It's sickening! If you keep reading in Helaman 5 it goes on to teach how important missionary work is. I find that to be true more than ever. People need to know what's going to happen in order to see what's really going on in the world. I'm so grateful that I have the knowledge of what's to come and how it will end. 5:9: ...remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world. Even though there is evil all around there is still good. And even though this rant has been negative, I still find comfort in the gospel and knowledge that our Savior will come again. God is good and He will provide a way and He is in control. He will guide and direct us as long as we are faithful. He will uphold the righteous. God is good!

Two cents, done. :)

Oregon Coast

We spent our Crandall family reunion at the Oregon coast this year. It was a long drive so we started really early in the morning. We passed Tillamook on our way to the beach house so we met up with the rest of the family and decided to tour the cheese factory. Everyone knows how awesome Tillamook cheese and ice cream is but the best thing about the pitstop was the waffle cones! They smelled divine and tasted so good, so soft and chewy. Man, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. I would drive there again just for the waffle cones, they were THAT good!

I had no idea what to expect on this vacation. I had never been to the Oregon coast. They told me to pack swimsuits and sweaters which was really weird in my mind but once I got there it was pretty obvious why. We rented a house right on the beach and the first time I walked out I had to take a second to figure out that what I was looking at was real. It was so beautiful I almost thought I was in a movie or something! I wish I would've gotten some pictures of the house we stayed in because it was so perfect. Enough room for everyone (but we could've used one more bathroom) and the basement had a pool table, jukebox, and arcade games that kept the kids entertained for hours! That is, when we weren't at the beach. 

This beach was really cool to because it had singing sand which I had no idea existed. 

The next morning, we headed out to the tide pools. The boys loved looking for creatures and poking at the anemones. Gwen hated it and cried when I tried making her touch one.

There were tons of hermit crabs and starfish and Ry even found a sea roach. 

There was a gigantic sand dune that you could climb up. Carson climbed it at least three times I think.

It was a pretty good hike up. This was at the top (there's little Carkey).

And then it was naptime...

More beach fun the next couple of days...

Gwen loved just filling up her little bucket and dumping it out.

Ryder "catching some waves."

 Flying kites

Gorgeous sunsets

There was a trail that took you kind of around that huge sand dune and down to the other side.

Making a sand castle. There were tons of sand dollars and we even found a dead jelly fish.

Reese kept saying he was the "digginest dog."

We rented some surfboards and paddle boards.

Julie had the great idea of buried treasure. We hid ring pops in the sand and put an "x" on them and told Carson and Reese that pirates had been here. Man, Carson went crazy! He was sooo ecstatic when he found the treasure. I wish I would've gotten his reaction on video!

It was a great relaxing vacation and I'm really looking forward to going back again someday!