China Vacation!

We were lucky enough to travel to China to see the sites and visit Mike's parents, who are serving a mission in Hong Kong.  It was amazing.  We saw a bit of the history of Mainland China, a bit of the nature, and of course the city of Hong Kong.  In mainland, we traveled to Beijing, Xian, and Yangshuo which is near Guilin.  I would go back to the last one in a heart beat.  It was beautiful! Here are some of the photos of what we saw.

Back to school after a nice long break

I don't know if I'm ready to come back, but either way  its starting.

Christmas 2011

Mikey and I went to Idaho for christmas and had a great time. We mostly hung out with the family, sure at the drive-in, dude end ranch, and home, wrestled, went to the malad bball games, and watched christmas movies. We head our christmas party at the malad bowl, the bowling alley. I also got my hair done at hair by lisa. Its so hard to find anyone in vancouver as good as her or my friend lindsey stop I try to get my hair done whenever I'm home. It was a really fun trip. I loved being there with my family and if course tut, our naked cat.

Before coming home we went and saw christmas light in ireland rio get us in the christmas mood. It was fun. You just drive through the raceway to see the different  displays while listening to christmas music.

Sunny California

Bone Marrow Registry - Check It Out

So I'm back after a little hiatus from blogging.  Today we celebrated our nephew's birthday at Chucky Cheese (woowoo!).  We had a good time celebrating with this little guy.  He's such a trooper and has been through a lot this last year.  See here. Not too long ago I challenged my few readers to check out the bone marrow registry website to see how they can help people like Alex.  See the post here.
So for Alex, on his birthday I want to show you, step by step, what it is like when you get on that registry.

First, you sign up online.  In a few weeks you'll receive your own packet in the mail.



Next, open it up and read the instructions.  Basically what you'll do is open up a swab kit and swab the inside corners of your mouth.
 
  


Next, you'll put your swabs, which hold your unique DNA, into the card.  Don't forget the barcode labels. (PS - Check out Mikey's model face above. He makes those swabs look good.)



Finally seal the card with the biohazard sticker and insert it in the envelope.  If I remember right, I don't think you even have to worry about paying for postage.  Mail it off and wait for a confirmation.


I hope you take a moment to really consider doing this.  So much research and progression has occured in this process so that it isn't necessarily as invasive as it used to be.  If you have any reservations, know that getting on the registry doesn't mean you will become a donor.  It just means that they will have your DNA available to see if you are a potential donor.  Thanks so much for reading this and let me know if you have questions.

Walk Like An Egyptian

Happy Halloween!

  

Love, the Rhyasen's

Averie Meets Her Donor

In August Mike's brother James got married to Jenell and we were so excited because we got a new sister and four new nieces and nephews. One of Jenell's kids, Avarie, recently fought leukemia.  She underwent a bone marrow transplant just over a year ago. This last weekend Jenell and their family had the opportunity to meet Avarie's donor.  When someone is chosen as a donor it is very confidential.  The only information either party get is the person's age and sex. They have a choice to meet each other a year after the procedure. Luckily their donor allowed it.  It wasn't until a couple of weeks ago that Jenell and Avarie found out that her donor is named Kyle from Dallas, TX and that he is a cowboy. You can check out their story here.

 


Read more by clicking here.


Thank you Kyle for helping Avarie get through all that she overcame.

While I'm at Work

Occasionally I have to work Saturdays.  This give Mike some time to himself. Sometimes I wonder what he does all day. Well, today I found out he had a good time at the mini mart and had his eye on these pretty items.  Thank goodness I didn't come home to find them on our night stands.

 

The Newest Update on Alex

Out nephew, Alex has been such a trooper as he has been battling leukemia. This week he is getting ready for his bone marrow transplant so your prayers and thoughts are so important and appreciated right now. We don't know who is donor is but we are so grateful for her and her willingness to bless his life. We love this little guy and his strength has been so inspiring as he's been fighting through this disease. His mom, dad, and brother have also been amazing through this process.

Some of our friends have asked us how to get on the bone marrow donor registry. If your interested, its really easy.  First you go to the website here. Then you create a profile, answer a few short questions, and provide your demographics. Once you complete the questions, they send you a swab kit within the week. You follow the instructions, swab the insides of your cheeks, send the samples back, and you're done.  There is more information and FAQ's on the website that I found really helpful. They also address myths and facts about the donation process (which is less invasive than I realized).  I know this may be a lot to ask but I encourage all of you to check it out. So many people are benefiting from those who chose to become a donor.

 

Peaches and Cream

Peaches:

Cream:

Deliciousness:

 Recipe:
Ingredients
2 cups canned peaches, drained (Save juice)
4 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs
3/4 cup oil
2 cups milk


Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
1 T peach juice
1 tsp almond extract


Topping:
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon


Dice drained peaches to size of peas.  Set aside.  In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  In separate bowl combine eggs and oil.  Then whisk in milk.  Combine egg and flour mixtures.  Then fold in diced peaches.


For filling, beat cream cheese, sugar, peach juice, and almond extract.  Fill greased muffin tins half full of batter.  Drop 1 tsp of the filling into each muffin up of the batter.  Top with 1 1/2 tsp more batter.


for topping, mix cinnamon and sugar.  sprinkle over muffins.  Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Serve warm.  Makes 24 muffins.

Wish We Could Be There....

Mike's friends are running this great project to get people to BYU's first game on November 12th.  Check out there project by clicking the links below.  I love it! Go Cougs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHxiivb8njI&playnext=1&videos=CIYhIeV17aE&feature=mfu_in_order

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3ypAMMP0UE&playnext=1&videos=KmowwuLSq7s&feature=mfu_in_order

Yay for Family!

Steph moved to Washington and I am so so so happy to have her close by.  She'll be busy with school but it is so nice to know we are only a short drive away from each other.  We went to see her not to long ago.  Here's some pics.

 The drive on the way to see my sister.

Steph showed us around Poulsbo - so cute!

We were there for the blackberry fest so we made sure to enjoy some blackberry pie and vanilla ice cream.

The Dixby Cup

Our brother-in-laws Jeromy and Joel have had a long-time running golf tournament at each of the Rhyasen reunions.  Since Joel wasn't at the last reunion, they made special arrangements for the golf tournament to be held at a different time and place this year. They held it at Chamber's Bay in Tacoma and Mike got to join in on the fun for the big event.  Mike did a great job, coming in second place. It was such a nice day and the guys were troopers, golfing 5 hours in the sun.  I, on the other hand was perfectly happy with the girls and kids just hanging out at the park, eating ice cream, and enjoying the weather.

\

One of the views from the golf course.

The Puget Sound

 At one of the beaches where the kids played in the sand and the girls hung out in the shade.

A view of the course - check it out in the 2015 U.S. Open.

 

The guys before the big tourni.

At the Ice Cream Parlor in Steilacoom, WA

Joel came home with the cup and as you can see he couldn't have been happier.

1 Year

August 14th we celebrated our first year by going to Bend, OR.   We slept in, relaxed, soaked  in a jacuzzi, and ate way too much.  We rode a lift up Mt. Bachelor and enjoyed the nice weather wherever we went. 

It was great to reflect on a wonderful year together.

This Summer So Far

Mike and I have had an awesome summer so far.  We've gone to the beach for the Rhyasen family reunion (made a yummy stop at the Tillamook cheese factory), we celebrated my birthday with plenty of yummy desserts, we saw fireworks with the Raia's for the 4th of July, we visited the Ape caves and the Vancouver Saturday Market, and we had my mom and sister visit (and went blueberry picking.  We have some other fun things planned so we can make the best of the rest of the summer.  More details to come.


Here's some photos of what we've done so far:

As for other news, our nephew Alex is doing well as he battles his Leukemia.  He has been undergoing chemo therapy and has handled it like a champ.  We're hoping to find out the next steps in his treatment plan soon.  Thanks again for all of the support and prayers.  The family really appreciates it.
Much Love!