My-Rylee-Girl

Friday, January 15, 2010

Happy 7th Birthday Alyssa

Wow, I cannot believe Alyssa is 7 today. She was the first Grand kid in the family and it starts making me feel a bit old when I hear about her in school, and how she is reading and writing so well. I still think of Alyssa as this little 2 year old asking Matt for more peanut butter, while she was sitting on Grandma's kitchen counter. Instead of asking for more, she would say, "I want two!" But anyways, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALYSSA!!! We wish we could be there today!!!

Alyssa holding Rylee (Rye was 6 weeks old)

Alyssa at Disney World in October

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Connor and Nolan

I stole these cute pictures from Erica's blog, well because I don't have any pictures of the two of these boys together, so thank you Erica. The boys are so close together that they are always going to be able to be best friends, same with Megan and Rylee! We have already started thinking of all the fun things we can do as families, but it would be even more fun if somehow we could arrange to live by each other!! Until that happens, we will be able to survive seeing each other once a year, hopefully twice, and enjoying every minute we have together.

Throwing Rocks with Papa

While we were taking family pictures, Rylee and Papa found a great little puddle to throw rocks in and really had a fun time together. I just love these candid shots that Erica took.

Friday, January 08, 2010

A Few More From Family Pictures

Here are a few more of the great shots that Erica captured on our picture day, if you
cannot tell by the kids cheeks it was a bit cold.

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Nolan's 1 Year Check Up

Nolan had his one year check up this afternoon and he is doing terrific. It is funny to go to the check up for me because I have no questions now, but when it was Rylee I had a sheet of them. I am a bit more experienced now then I was then, but also Nolan is just such a happy, healthy baby. He weighed in at 24.5 pounds today (70th percentile) and he was 30 inches (60th percentile). Looking back at Rylee's one year statistics, she was 19 pounds (18th percentile) and 28 inches (17th percentile), so it is easy to say he is on track to be a bigger kid than our cute little Rye Rye!
Doctor Mumford was excited to see Nolan's ear infections had cleared up and that he was back to his happy self. He said while examing Nolan, "Well Nolan you sure are big through the mid section," and I just had to laugh at the size of Nolan's belly all afternoon! He said Nolan is meeting all developmental milestones and had him practice taking steps, and Nolan took about 4 for him. His guess was Nolan would be totting around much more by the end of the month!
We are so lucky to have such a happy, strong, and healthy little boy.

Grandpa Rick Campout

One night Grandpa invited the four older grandkids, three 3 year olds and a 2 year old, over to have a campout in his front room. They had an absolute blast. This campout was the real deal, it had tin foil dinners, a fire, scary stories, a tent, sleeping bags, and treats. Rylee told me she had "lots of fun" at the campout and wanted to do it again, hopefully next time they can do it again!

Uncle Gary

We were lucky to get to stay with Matt's Aunt and Uncle while we were in Texas, and the kids had a blast. I am not sure who had more fun, but Rylee and Uncle Gary had a blast together. She clung to him instantly and was his little shadow for the three nights we spent out there. Every time he left the room she would want to follow him or she would ask me where he went. They played blocks together, went on walks, and cooked breakfast. One morning I looked over and Gary was holding Nolan, had Rylee on the counter, and was making French Toast!
While I did not get a picture of Aunt Kari with the kiddo's, she was great with Nolan and would help feed, change, and play with him.
We are lucky to have pretty much another set of amazing Grandparents for our kids to grow up with.

Rylee and Uncle Gary

Rylee and Uncle Gary playing blocks

Everyone helping cook French Toast

Rylee requested a Mickey Mouse French Toast, so

Uncle Gary did his best to make her happy!

Paleontologists

On Monday afternoon the kids all went outside to play with Grandpa. They were digging in the dirt and when Grandpa asked what they were doing, Cousin Megan informed him they were playing Paleontologist. The kids were all wearing their superman/supergirl capes that Grandma had made them and were digging in the dirt together. Rylee played in the sand box for close to an hour without ever leaving it, she had an absolute blast. I guess I need to let her play in the dirt a little bit more!

Grandma and Grandpa's Present

Months ago we decided to get some paintings done for Grandma and Grandpa of all their kids when they were little, and they loved them. The paintings turned out great, and I thought this picture was so cute of all the kids holding their paintings.

Texas Christmas

We opened presents on the 26th with the entire family, and it was so fun. The kids had a blast opening all their presents from everyone. Everyone put so much thought into all of the presents, it was really a fun day. Rylee and the other cousins opened presents first and she really got a lot of really fun and sweet presents. Nolan went down for a nap right as we started opening, so it was nice because she got to open and then we got to open presents with Nolan while she was napping. Daddy and I got some really nice gifts too, but of course we only have pictures of the kiddo's, isn't that how it always seems to workout. Sadly though we only ended up with one shot of Nolan opening presents, but he got lots of fun things too. He got some pajamas, a few books, a tool set, a fridge magnet set, a cute sweater, a train, and a few others things I am sure I am forgetting right now.

Our Little Cowgirl

Grandma and Grandpa got Rylee all ready for her long stay in Texas with her very own Cowgirl hat and boots for Christmas. They are pink, which is perfect for a little cowgirl. She loved them and tried them on the minute she opened them. She sported them around town a few times while we were in Texas and got several compliments on them. When Daddy was little he had a pair that he wore every where and Grandma still has them, and you can tell by looking at the boots that he loved them.

Family Pictures

The first thing we did when we arrived in Texas was take family pictures. Our family photographer, Aunt Erica, did a terrific job. This is just one of the many shots she took, but check out how great she did. She got all 17 1/2 (Jeff and Lisa are expecting) of us looking at the camera and even looking presentable! When I get a CD of all the pics I will show you some more of her work!

Special Time With Granna and Double G

Rylee and Nolan got to spend a lot of special time with Granna and Double G this trip, and they had to much fun with them. Granna and Double G have a cute little puppy, Liesl, and Nolan enjoyed getting to know her and even Rylee loves to pet and play with Liesl. We are so lucky to have had so much fun time with them to create great memories for our kids!

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

More Christmas

Rylee had a blast opening everyone's presents this year. Last year she was really excited to open presents but then would want to play with what she opened, but this year she tore through presents faster than we could keep up with her. She got a Cinderella's Castle Doll House, Tinkerbell Figurines (from Nolan), a Leapster 2 (from G'ma and Papa), a leapster game, a few board games, a Tinkerbell Shirt, and a few other things.
Nolan was not very interested in opening things, but wanted to play with everything once Rylee opened them. He got a few shake and go cars, a train, Tonka Trucks (from G'ma and Papa), a Learning Easle (from G'ma and Papa), a Spin Around Town, some small cars, and an outfit. He enjoyed an apple while we opened presents!
We made Grandma and Papa a scrapbook of our trip to Disney World and they loved it, and Rylee loved looking through it with them and naming everyone.