Ryan's Special Day

Birthday's in my home growing up were very special days. Days that we had more privileges than normal. So, I've continued that tradition with my kids. On Ryan's birthday, he didn't have to clean anything. We went to the store, and he was able to pick out any cereal, and candy he wanted by the check stand. On the way out of the store I gave him some change for the toy vending machine. When we were at the memorial day party, I let only him swim (only for a little while). He didn't have any particular bedtime. For his party, he gets to pick the menu, and what kind of cake he wants. It just makes a kid feel extra special to have privileges that they don't normally get, and it happens only one day a year. Happy Birthday Ry Guy!

What's With the Weather?

Last week it was over 100 degrees. This is our backyard yesterday.

Ultrasound

They moved the due date back to the 13th of September. This picture is a little fuzzy, but it gives you a pretty clear shot...if you know what I mean.

Father & Son Outing

Last night Brooke and Ryan went on their first father and son outing. They saw the same two bears that we saw last week, but this time the bears were together. Brooke said that when he woke up this morning, one of the bears was standing outside our car, where he and Ryan were sleeping. Freakiness. Ryan came home just as enthused as when he had left. He had a fun camp out with his dad. The Rangers plan on moving the bears to another much farther location in the mountains.

Brooke and Ryan's Birthday

Brooke's cousin Billy and his family, Angie, Ryan, and Sierra, came from out of state to celebrate their daughter Ryan's birthday. It just so happens that her birthday is the same day as Brooke's. So they invited us along with them for the celebration. Ryan's first birthday wish was to go to the beach. We went to the same beach that we've been going to the past couple of times, but it was freezing cold. Crazy enough the kids still played in the water. Especially Caitlyn, and Billy's Ryan. Nutty kids! Andrew was leaning over and eating the sand. I said to him, "Andy, don't eat the sand!" Then Ry Guy replied,"Maybe he wants to eat a sandwich." Funny kid. We checked out the tide pools, and found a couple of decent sized crabs. One of which Billy caught, and planned to cook, but then let him go. We even caught a glimpse of a whale again. After that we headed to a beach with a fire pit, and started a bon fire to warm up, and eat dinner. Even with the cold it was a great day.

On their actual birthday, we went to Ryan's second birthday wish. Disneyland. The first ride everyone but Andy and I went on, was Space Mountain. When Ryan got off the ride he told Brooke, "I hate that ride!" He was afraid to go on rides for a while,but ended up liking Splash Mountain, and Thunder Mountain the best. Since I couldn't hit the big rides, me and Andy went on the easy rides together. Kira and Caitlyn's favorite was Space Mountain, even though they were scared after the first time going on it. Brooke and Ryan had a most wonderful birthday. We all enjoyed it.

Mother Nature at It's Best

Crazy story about this day at the beach. I was talking to my mom the next day, and asked what she did over the weekend. It turns out she was at the same beach as us. She was only 50 yards to our left, by the tide pools. We never once saw each other. What a jip. In the first picture, you'll see some of us looking at the Whale in the distance. Click on the picture for a better view.

Jellyfish sandwich anyone?

The kids had fun burying Taub.

"I want to be buried too."

When you don't want to swim in the cold ocean water, the next best thing is the warm sand.

Just chillin'.

Surf's-Up!

Ange went crazy in the sand. He was covered from head to toe, and was still happy as a clam.

This was funny. Raegan saw a seagull and said, "I'm going to go catch the ducky." Pretty cute stuff.

Hot dogs, and Smores, and Bears, Oh My!

Tonight, we went on a half-camping trip. We had the fun of a campfire dinner/dessert, and came home to sleep in our beds. All of us except Taylor and Aubree. They decided to tough it out. Tough it out, you ask? Well, when we arrived to the campground, there was a newly weaned cub walking through the camp that we were at. It frightened the kids a little. Grown ups too, but we still enjoyed our foil dinners, roasted hot dogs, and smores. You're killing me smalls. Brooke set up the fire, and kept it going for all of us. Tay cooked the food, or more like heated it up. Mike babysat Andy. The kids ran back and forth from the tent to the fire. The ladies watched, and helped kids as needed. All-in-all it was a fun half-camping experience.

Kid's Say and Do the Darndest Things

Yesterday, Ryan was my early morning alarm clock. It was something like this, "MOM! Andrew is poopy, and his diaper is off!" So, I jump out of bed, and hurried upstairs. I'm expecting smelly wall and bed art. To my relief, Andrew was standing in his bed, diaper on, pajama's still on, and not poopy at all. Where in the world would Ryan get that kind of prankster idea. Hmmmm.

Also yesterday, Kira sometimes switches the laundry for me. Last night she was in the laundry room, so I went to check up on her. She was on top of the washer throwing wet clothes onto the floor (I know, cute already, but it gets better). On the floor, standing in front of the dryer was Andrew. He was picking the wet clothes up off of the floor, and putting it into the dryer. No kidding. I wish I had it filmed. My one year old already doing chores, and without being asked. Kira is such a good example.