Dillon and Christie

Our sweet family and life adventures.

Happy Birthday Ryan!

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Ryan with his beautiful wife Melanie. (Sorry, I stole this pic from your blog Mel. You can sue me for my millions later–when I get out of debt, k?)


This year is my “year of birthday blog posts” for my immediate family. I just wanted to document some special things this year about each of my siblings and parents and of course my own little family.

So today is my big brother Ryan’s birthday! My brother Ryan is one of the funniest and funnest people I know. If you hang out with him for very long, you’ll be laughing.

Some favorite memories of Ryan are:

When I was little little, I remember either in Texas or Wyoming there was a place he’d go fishing at, and us younger siblings would take turns going with him. I was so excited when it was finally my turn. We got to the pond, and it was all dried out! I think it was a man-made pond and they drained it. And the fish were flopping around in the mud, and Ryan was bummed out. Anyways, I am glad I remember this because I really looked up to him and really wanted to spend time doing something with him.

Of course there is the time I tried to talk to him after school. He was watching TV and I knew he wasn’t listening, he was just saying, “Uh-huh” at the right times. So I started to say something like this: “And there were elephants that came in our school and clowns and people started screaming and running around. It was crazy.” He said, “Uh-huh.” That’s when I wacked him and pointed out I KNEW he wasn’t listening! But again, it was just funny!

He was SURE that he made the phrase “Not” popular. He also wondered if there could be such a thing as “fartitis”. ‘Nough said on that one:).

Many times, I remember him being sassy to my mom, when he was older and much bigger than her, but he could ALWAYS make her laugh. What was funnier, was my mom would slam him against the fridge trying to be serious and be mad at him, but she’d bust out laughing at something he said or a face he pulled. Even if he was in trouble, he could always make any of us laugh, really. When we went to therapy after my parents divorce, I remember sitting in the waiting room and he pointed out the mirror that helps the people at the desk see things better. I remember that we all started to pretend we were on camera, and the mirror was the camera, so we all would cross our arms at the same time, or switch what foot was crossed over the other, to entertain those watching us on the camera:). It was one of the first times I remember laughing after my dad left. I am thankful for Ryan for bringing laughter to our lives, all the time!

I also remember when he got home from his mission. I remember that when he walked off the plane, I was so happy to see him after that two long years. We weren’t the closest, but I remember thinking that I wonder if it was even a tiny bit like what we’ll feel when we see Heavenly Father and Jesus again, because it was SO neat to see him again after he was gone for that long. After his mission was also the first times we actually had long chats into the night together. I really love talking with him.

When I had post-partum depression after Devon was born and we were building our home–probably one of the hardest times in my whole life–he was there for me. He knew what I was feeling and talked with me and helped me sort out my thoughts and feelings. It was just really nice knowing that someone was there for me who knew what I was going through.

Ryan has a contagious laugh, a great personality, a wonderful little family. He is a great brother, father, and example. I love you brother! Happy Birthday!!!

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