This page is all about me, Ryan. I grew up, like Nat, in Utah County (not more than a couple miles from my wife actually). I have two brother, one older and one younger, and an older sister. My parents were both P.E. teachers when I was young so my family played a lot of sports. I have wonderful memories of playing catch with my dad for hours on end to help me become a great pitcher in little league. I also loved playing football and even coached with my dad as an adult. When I was 2 years old I was diagnosed with chronic asthma. I spent a lot of time in the hospital as a child. My parents were wonderful and stayed the night with me and when they couldn't be there my mom gave me a teddy bear which played "The Teddy Bear's Picnic". He is in a lot of pictures with me as a child. He now belongs to Olivia.
Some of my favorite past times are sports, painting, reading, spending time with my family and most importantly, playing with my daughter. I already told you about how much the family I grew up in loves sports and I was lucky to find a girl to marry who also loves them. Our Saturdays in the fall are almost 100% dedicated to college football. I have even got my little girl picking her favorite teams before she was 3. Sports are a big part of our family time together.Painting is probably my next favorite pasttime. I started to love to paint about 4 years ago while working at a youth crisis shelter. There are some very talented painters in my family as well, which also makes it more of a passion. Both my grandma and uncle were fantastic painters and when my uncle died my aunt sent me some of his brushes and paints, which are very special to me. When I paint I am able to tune out the world and just relax. Olivia loves to paint with me. It is one of the things we do together just as a daddy, daughter activity.
Like my wife, family time is the most important pasttime for me. Whether we are doing puzzles, playing board games, being rambuncious at the park, or having movie night at home I enjoy nothing more than being with my wife and daughter. I love that we are all each other's best friends and wouldn't trade anything for a night spent with my two favorite girls.
