Busy Action packed weekend

We had a fun filled family weekend.  WE visited Kevins mom and had a BBQ over at our friends Pat & Kate's Saturday.  Then we headed downtown to the Science and Industry Museum Sunday with 4 adults, 1 baby and 2 toddlers in a 7 passenger SUV.  WE had a great time!  

Someone's Sleepy and did not nap.

With Grandma Thurston

First Swing Adventure

Will soon post pics from Sunday at the museum

My Love Chunks

This is my little guy first thing in the morning these days....waiting for mama to pick him up.

He is not really Chunky, but I love anything Chunky.  

This is the reaction I get when I do not pick him up immediatley upon entering the room

Trying to scale his dresser and stand.  He makes it up, but can't walk yet.  Thank Heavens

He is looking at the dog and cat.  Just adores them both

My precious one.

Just thought I would share a few cute pics.   He will be 7 months old this week.  One month nearer to 1.  Where does the time GO?  

We just love him to bits

Playdate and Fun

Love

  Ryder & Sophia

We had a fabulous time this Tuesday at our playdate.  My friend Jenny invited Ryder and I over along with another one of my friends Amanda and her 8 month old Sophia.  We ventured out there mid morning and ended up staying most the day.  Sorry Jenny...Next time stop feeding us food and beverages (Bloodies) and we might leave sooner.  LOL...  Thankyou!

It is so much fun to watch all the kids interact and play.  We are trying to teach them how to play "nice" and share toys.  Ryder is the youngest of the bunch, but kept up.   He was loving his new girlfriends Mia and Sophia (nice that ryhhmms). 

Ryder developed a small heat rash so I stripped his clothes off. 

Baby Blues and pacifiers!

It was so hard to get good pics of these guys.  They just kept moving.  Everytime we had a good shot they moved.  So cute

We took a stroll around Jenny's neighborhood.  It was a short one since Amanda was wearing some fancy sandals.  

Jenny and her babes Ava (mini-Jenny) and Mia

Mia and Sophia.  Jenny has soooo many toys.  The kids just loved them.  

We can't wait to get together again!  The kids did very well playing together despite Sophia & Ryder skipping their naps.  It was great to see my buds that I don't get to see that often due to the crazy busy schedules of life.  We are going to try and get together more often now that the weather is getting nice.   Maybe some of our other girls will join us next time.  Looking forward to Jamie being done with school this summer:).  

Thanks for hosting Jenny!  

On the Go

Ryder is getting more active by the day.  He sits up very well now.

He crawls....and gets into everything.  Chews on everything.  

We are slowly safety proofing the house.  

Hey Mom!   

Sorry buddy had to have a pic of the matching hat.

Ryder had his 6 month shots last week at 6.5 months.  He weighed 17 pounds and 1 ounce.  

He is 27.5 inches long (75%).  

He is long and lean.

Ryder is eating solids 2 times a day and liking everything thus far. 

He is back to sleeping better, but wakes up once a night sometimes.  

I am trying to enjoy this stage as he is growing so quick.  It is so fun to watch him explore and take it all in.  He is so proud of his new skills.  He is also standing himself up and hanging on furniture and his crib.  This has resulted in a few bruises on his forhead from the crib.  He is going to be fully mobile and walking soon I fear.  I feel like time is in fast forward.  

Still waiting for "mama and dada"  In the meantime we love his giggles and smiles.  

Ryder is the definition of Joy.  

Mother & Birthday Weekend

We arrived at my parents in Sterling, IL Friday night after 8pm.... a long day and ride in the car.  We ran into heavy traffic and construction on the way.  However we arrived safe and sound.  That is what really matters... right.  We spent the weekend with family.  Fun was had by all until something went terribly wrong Sunday while we were all at church.  My anxiety ridden Weimaraner decided to destroy my parents stairway rale to shredded wood along with a few other things.  Thankfully he did not get into dad' s custom rifles.  That could have ended deadly. Never a dull moment with Weimaraners and Jack Russells in the family.  Unfortunately, Chubs (my weim) decided to act out this time.  

The rest is history and a lesson learned after time spent processing what is valuable and not.  More on that later in another post.  

Ryder 

My Love

Mothers Day

Ryder and mommy

Grandma and Ryder

Ryder and Logan

watching the clouds and feeling grass

Ryder grabbed LB's face, looks like he is smothering him here

Ahhhhh...the birth of a life long relationship being best cousins and buds

Ryder stold LB's toy and nibbling it like an ear of corn

Someone decided to be funny and take a pic of Ryder and I sleeping.  Hmmmmm...I wonder who it was- Jesse?   Where is Ryder?

The boys playing with Uncle Jesse and his glasses

Grandpa testing out his new indian print rocking chair

Grandpa and Logan

Dad and Grandpa reading his Mushroom Guide book- learing the art of mushroom hunting

The precious Logan- Love this picture

Truly God's Gift 

Ryder and Auntie Erin

My dad roasted this for dinner on Saturday

One black bird

God is Good

Stellan was discharged from the hospital 1 week ago

Enjoy the picture below, as he is happily home with his brothers and sister. 

What Joy!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask, or imagine, according to his power"  Eph 3:20

Stellan 

"For Our Light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."  2 Corinthians 4:17

Enough Said

The weekend

We had a nice weekend, but it seemed exhausting.  Maybe because I am getting much less sleep these days with Ryder waking up twice a night.....ugh!  My body has worn down and I am fighting something.  It is NOT the piggy flu.  Hoping for a good nights rest tonight before the week starts up.

Friday some of my work buddies came by for a little visit.  I only got a few shots and did not get Tara and MJ.  Saturday Ryder and I went to Amanda's baby shower.  It was great to see all my friends and Ryder loved playing with all the other babies.  We are very excited about the newest edition of the group coming soon in July.  Amanda and Shaun are naming her Kenley.  

Jaime and Jake

Ryder and Jake

The Girls

Ryder and Sophia playing

My Guy

Sonny found a new spot to lounge

Elizabeth with Ryder

Ryder sitting in E's bag and loving her paperwork...to bad no one else does