Welcome Christmas

I love Christmas time! Everyone seems to a little happier. This Christmas we are starting some new family traditions.

1-Looking at Christmas lights....we just drove around while Ryan sat in the back seat yelling, "More Ites! More Ites!"

2- Make sugar cookies. Our ginger bread men didn't turn out so good but Ryan was excellent at the stars.

3-12 days of Christmas. We weren't very sneaky and David & Constance figured out it was us, but it's been fun.

4- Listening to LOTS of Christmas music.

I'm sure there are more but those are the ones I can remember right now.

SNOW

Ryan's first encounter with snow.
I've tried to get him to walk in the snow before....but he had his snow suit on so all he would do is cry and want me to pick him up. Without his snow suit on he LOVES the snow. Thankfully, he will actually wear little mittens. (He likes them because they have a dinosaur on them.)






















Below:
Big Cheese because we were playing peek-a-boo!



























Above: These pictures are from a few days ago. Jade came over to play. Ryan, being the gracious host that he is, got into our pantry and took out everything that he could reach and then piled it on Jade.

At first, she said, "Thank you," and "More." But when it was becoming difficult to see out she got a little worried look.

18 Months!

Just try and get a picture of an 18 month old while he's laying down and holding still!

We did lots of tickling on the bed today.




RIGHT: Ryan at 18 months old.










BELOW: Ryan at 1 month. Wow! He's changed.



I can't believe that Ryan is 18 months old! Time has flown with this little guy. And we sure love him. He's talking lots now and loves helping in the kitchen and going down the "big" slide.

Beautiful Day

Today was so beautiful outside. Ryan could have been without the hat, but since he was willing to wear it...we kept it on.



Recently Ryan has discovered the joy of going down the big slide! He pretty much shoots off the bottom! it is so much fun to watch. The picture doesn't show the end result of Ryan shooting into the "wood chips" (rubber).

We went to Zion's this last week. (We as in, me, Ryan, my Dad(Edpa), and Ashlyn.) Here's a few pictures from our adventure.


This one was just taken yesterday and I am just posting it because I like it.

Busy Week

This past week has been busy. First, we had our Trunk or Treat last Friday. Ryan wouldn't get down for the treat or tricking but when it came time for chili he got down. Mike was a black ninja, Ryan a cowboy...he would only wear a vest (and even that was difficult!).
I was nothing....It's not like me not to dress up but I couldn't think of anything.
Next, Halloween Night! Ryan is excited because he gets a bag. He actually started to get down at some houses and was knocking and so excited to pick a candy out and put it in his bag. Then, we came to a house with a man dressed as a leprechaun who was dancing around yelling, "Happy Halloween!" Ryan tried to climb up me! It took several houses and a few dogs later to get back down again.
Sunday afternoon shake. Ryan really knows how to cheese it up now.
Sunday afternoon walk with Daddy. It was such a perfect day and we hardly saw anyone out.

Picture of Ryan and Mike on a bridge...I know you can't actually see them.

Mike teaching Ryan to stick fight.
On Wednesday, Ryan & I went to the zoo with Constance and Jade. Isn't Jade such a doll?
Ryan was excited to get on this Lion and ride. He's never wanted to do that before.
This isn't new though. Ryan likes to climb on everything. He was really enjoying the fences around the zoo to climb on. The kids had a good time at the zoo. Both came home and took 3 hour naps after!

Joy Moments

Joy comes in moments!

I recently read a book called, "Teaching Children Joy."
I've now made it a habit to recognize joyful moments in my life. Most have to do with either Mike or Ryan. Playing in the leaves with Ryan today was one of those joy moments!

Shoes

Yesterday was a big day for Ryan. For the first time ever he wore real shoes!

He cried for about 10 minutes outside trying to get them off but Mommy prevailed in finding something interesting enough for him....A STICK to push around. (He pretends it's a truck or maybe a leaf blower?)

Here he is bring me things to hold...mostly seeds of one of the trees in front of our place.

It was such a good day yesterday!

Just Because...

Here's a random picture of today. Ryan loves fruit leather and I left a whole roll a little too close to the edge of the table.

And here's a picture of Ryan and Edpa from this weekend. As soon as Ryan sees his Edpa, he goes running to him. I am thankful for the break as Ryan has been especially clingy lately.

Family Pictures

We got new family pictures done. I can't believe how much Ryan has changed in the last year and a half! He is growing up so quick. Here are some favorites from the family pictures plus some of just Ryan.

The above look is now a classic Ryan grin. What a silly little boy!