Apple Farm

After Kevin got off work Saturday, we packed the car and headed to a small town next to DeKalb to meet my parents for apples. We did not have too much time, so we decided to buy the apples pre-picked and Ryder played in the kiddie area with grandpa. He did not stop until he got back in the car and immediately fell asleep. There was a petting zoo and we did not get pics of this on my camera. The goats tried to eat our clothes, and the fat sheep knocked Ryder off his feet as they waddled by to get more food!

The Fam

Grandpa pulled Ryder around on this wagon without sides or a seat belt. He held on tight.

Loved the sand and trucks.

He did not like the silo filled with corn and kids screaming.

Loved slide time

and pushing the cart

There was this cool hay maze made of hay bales. He walked through with Kevin and dad. The diaper change after was full of suprises...hay, sand, dirt, pee etc...

After we headed to a great Mexican restaraunt in town and pigged out. We had a good time!

We look forward to the Pumpkin Patch next.

Tots and Toys

Wondering if anyone has any good suggestions for toys for tots or 1 year olds???

My child only wants to play with household items or animal toys.

Daily favorite-the dogs' water bowl

My cell phone always seems to make its way into his little hands.

An old phone, sonny's mouse, milk warmer basket, and oh yes the bulb syringe we use to get out all the nasty buggers. He even held it to his nose and tried it on himself.

The cat likes to watch Ryder eat as Payton sits waiting for Ryder to hand him his food.

4 Years!!!!!

I can't believe that 4 years have passed since I said "I do." In some ways not much seems different, and in other ways life has changed a lot. I am very grateful for my husband and the past 4 years. I chose a few of many pics from the day.

Arriving at Hilton to get ready.

Mom & Kate trying to get me tied up. It took forever!

sooooo happy!

My wonderful bunch of girls.

Mom & Dad

Not sure why I was looking down...maybe nervous

Vow time...

The Kiss

Mr. & Mrs. Thurston

We were so ready to party when ceremony was done....but we had to take zillions of pics

The Group

First Dance

We had lots of fun all night. I hope to celebrate many more years ahead. I was going to write a few other thoughts, but guess who decided to wake-up early from naptime:)

Happy Anniversary, I love You Kevin!

Loving fall except....

We love this time of year for multiple reasons....leaves turning, beautiful weather, warm drinks, football, chilli, anniversary....you get the idea. What we do not like, is the allergens in the air. For some reason every September I get headaches, eye pressure, and sneeze a lot. Ryder and I have been under the weather fighting head colds the past week. It is not fun. He whines much more than usual. He wants to be held a lot more. Last night he even woke-up at 3 am crying and wanting to play. So we are trying to focus on all the positive aspects of fall as we get over our colds.

teething with his cold

Still the cutest little bugger.

Randomness

So we have been busy as usual. Last weekend started out with a visit with our friend Jess. We shopped, walked, and had lunch at Sonic. Ryder was pooped after trying some Sonic fries.

He took a short catnap and regained his energy to push his stroller around the backyard. Exhausted, but determined to keep pushing.

The rest of our weeekend was filled with a trip south to visit family.

Jesse and cutest nephew Logan

The boys were absolutely hilarious together. They had a great time playing and have started fighting over toys. I will have my hands full in October when I have them both for a few days. I look forward to them creating many great memories.

My sister in law took alot more pics, so maybe more to come.

This week we are trying to get back to our routine and catch-up on house work. Ryder is nursing his first cold. He is still playing with toys and enjoying himself.

A Big Thank you

Last weekend my Best Friend Carissa rescued me from all the hard and busy work of motherhood, housewifery, and my job for a Girls Getaway in Lake Geneva, WI. We had a great, peaceful, relaxing time. She surprised me with a basket full of awesome things all in lavender, like a yankee candle, scarf, card, girlie, book, martini mix, cute shirt....etc. To top it off she had already scheduled us massages for that day. We ate awesome meals and just relaxed. No dirty diapers to change, faces to feed....husbands to nag.

Our room view

coolest outdoor firepit...everyone crowded around this spot after dinner

Dinner at Chophouse our first night. Awesome filets

at the little bar before dinner

Lobby

Italian Restaurant the 2nd night

We decided this should be a yearly tradition. Maybe next year we will grab a few more friends. We also went into town and ate at Popeye's for lunch, after window shopping at all the cute little stores.

I am so blessed to have such great friends. I told Carissa that I appreciate all she has done for me. She is always blessing or giving to me in some form or fashion. I know what goes around comes around. I told her eventually I will find a way to repay her. She replied that I already give in other ways besides monetary. I told her my luck...I will probably get stuck changing her diapers when she is 80 and bossing me around.

Love ya girl!

Why God Made Friends God made the world with a heart full of love, Then He looked down from Heaven above, And saw that we all need a helping hand, Someone to share with, who'll understand. He made special people to see us through The glad times and the sad times, too; A person on whom we can always depend, Someone we can call a friend. God made friends so we'll carry a part Of His perfect love in all our hearts.

Also a big thankyou to my parents who watched our little guy for the weekend. They seemed to enjoy it as much as Ryder. Next time I want a few pics.

A Quick 10 Months!

Last week my sweet baby boy passed the 10 month mark. In just 2 short months we will be entering toddlerhood. With each stage we have found new challenges and delights. With each day we both grow deeper in love with our sweet blessing from above. He continues to teach us as we teach him. Ryder is full of passion for adventure and exploration. I hope to keep up with him as he continues to study every corner and drawer of the house. Sometimes this includes a sweep of the mouth to remove whatever he has pulled off the floor.

Grinding his teeth.

Emptying the drawers in the kitchen

Hamming it up for the camera

Ryder is trying to walk these days. He can wobble across the room without assistance sometimes, but others times he falls flat on his face. Soon he will be running through the hall. We caught him in the other room last week hugging the dog. We were unable to get a shot of this since our dog moves so quick.

Daddy is looking forward to watching the bear games with Ryder this year. I just hope Ryder does not get addicted to it like Kevin.