9 Years on 9/9/09

Today is the ninth anniversary of our wedding day and it happens to fall on 9/9/09... how cool is that?

Unfortunately the day started at 2:00am with Tyler screaming. He ended up spending the rest of the night in our bed which means none of us got much sleep. This morning I held his face in my hands and said "I need to return you." He answered "you can't. God made me and didn't give you a receipt!" He didn't miss a beat. Trying hard not to laugh, I then told him "I need a boy who can sleep through the night in his own bed," to which he replied "I do lots of nights, just not this night." He's right on all counts... as usual! He can make me smile even when I'm mad at him.

This kid is just too smart for me and he knows it. This picture was taken last night, but this is the face I was looking at this morning. You can't stay mad for long.




Dan and I took some time off of work today for a nice lunch alone on the lake. It was so peaceful. Here is the view from the restaurant.

We then did a wine and beer tasting after a drive along the lake. Yummy! I discovered that pumpkin beer exists and I like it.

Much to Dan's dismay, I made him pose for this picture. My intention was to post a picture from our wedding, but my attempts to get an electronic version failed. So, here we are on September 9, 2009.

We've come a long way in nine years. I could never have dreamed this life, but I sure am grateful for it.

And now we're enjoying a bottle of wine we received on our wedding day. Cheers!

Labor Day Weekend

I can't believe what a beautiful weekend we're having. After such a cool and wet summer this doesn't seem possible. We're enjoying every minute so far... and there is still a whole day left! Woo Hoo!

This afternoon I wanted to test out the timer function on the camera. It worked! Unfortunately Ryan didn't understand the concept and kept turning around to look at me. Here's the one and only shot we got of him looking forward.

Yesterday we went to Corinne's first birthday party. She's only 2 months older than Ryan so I know it won't be long before we're celebrating the same milestone... I'm already a little sad.

Here is the beautiful birthday girl.

Tyler spent the entire time we were there in the pool. That means 3 1/2 hours with only one potty break. And, he did not spend the whole time glued to the ladder. I'm so proud of him!

See, no ladder in sight!

Last night Grandma and Grandpa C invited us to the Fireworks Extravaganza at the Genesee Country Village. It was quite the extravaganza... an hour long show where they narrated significant events in the history of our country and then had choreographed fireworks to music for every segment. It was quite a treat!

Here is Tyler preparing for the show with his glow stick.

And, Ryan enjoying being tossed in the air by Daddy. Isn't the sky cool??

I am so excited that my camera takes pictures of fireworks! I have no idea what I would ever want with fireworks pictures... but, I can take them!

My New Toy!

That's right, this time I got the new toy! I'm so excited...

Since I take pictures every day, I decided I might as well get some decent equipment... I'm now the proud owner of my first DSLR camera... and I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing! This thing is really complicated. Dan laughed when he saw the owners manual. It's really thick and the print is tiny!

I'm having a great time playing... I have to be more selective about the pictures I post because each file is 6 times as large as those from our regular camera. Unfortunately they don't look as good posted here as they do on the computer.

Tyler and Dan ditched me tonight and Ryan can't run so guess what... I have lots of pictures of Ry!

I was trying to focus on one subject and have everything else blurry. I liked this picture because of the drool coming out of his mouth.




Check this out. I love how it is in focus up close and then gets more cartoonish in the background... I'm going to have a ton of fun!

I think Ryan's expression in this one is funny. I can see Ava here. He's hanging out on the swing waiting for a push.

I did manage to get Tyler before he went racing out of the driveway.

This is from the morning. Tyler doesn't mind posing for this camera... I hope it lasts...

Family Day

Today was a very special day. Dan and I took a break from work to play with our boys. We had a blast.

After breakfast out, we headed to a local amusement park. August doesn't usually mean sweatshirts, but it did today and I think that was a blessing. Our usually hot baby was quite comfortable today...



Rides, rides, rides... we did them all. And, I discovered that I'm old. The tilt-a-whirl used to be my favorite ride. Well, I went on one today and thought I was going to be physically ill. What happened?? Luckily, grown-ups weren't allowed on the tea cups... it gave me a chance to recover.




Doesn't Dan look thrilled?? I think it was his turn on the tilt-a-whirl...


Ryan was a trouper as usual. He did get to go on the train, but he'll have to wait a few years for the tilt-a-whirl... maybe a few years longer than Tyler since neither Dan or I will be willing by then.

Here we are on the train.

And, Dan with Ty.

With Ryan around it seems that Tyler is so much older, but then you have a moment like this and you remember that he's still a baby. I never want to forget how it feels to be wrapped with a 4-year-old boy.

Then the next minute he's on this crazy ride! It shot straight up in the air and then dropped you, over and over. First, I couldn't believe he was willing to try it. Second, I couldn't believe he was big enough to be let on it. Third, I was lucky enough to go on it with him first and got to hear his glee first hand. Fourth, I couldn't believe he wanted to keep going on it, over and over... I made it twice, then it was over to Dan. It was funny watching Dan watch Tyler.

After we had made the rounds at the park, we treated ourselves to dinner at the Hard Rock. About twelve years ago we discovered Hard Rock Nachos in Florida with Sara. Ooooh, so yummy! Cheesy, salty, goodness! A couple of weeks ago Dan committed a marital sin and had Hard Rock Nachos without me on a business trip! Can you believe it! The nerve! It's ok now that I've had mine.

Ok, so I forgot that video doesn't correct itself when I hold the camera sideways... oops. Sorry. Ryan was having a great time at dinner. He was bopping along to the music. The kid has rhythm! Too funny! This isn't the best of it, but it's what I got. Check out Ryan Rockin' at the Hard Rock!

What a great day! And, the best part is we still have the whole weekend ahead of us...

Mr. Scoot

Let me introduce you to Mr. Scoot, aka "Ry Ry." In the last week he's really come a long way in terms of fulfilling his own wants. He sees something and gets it. We don't know how he does it exactly, but somehow he rotates his rear end in an odd circular motion and manages to move 3 to 4 feet at a time all while our backs are turned. He's a stealth mover... one minute he's safe and sound with a pile of age appropriate toys... the next minute he's across the room pulling at the laptop cord! It's almost like there is someone hiding in the closet who runs out, moves Ryan, and then hides again. Very strange!

Can you see the mischievousness in this little face??



We had another exciting accomplishment this week... It took three summers of trying, but Tyler finally went in our friends' pool! Here he is peeking through the ladder very proud of himself.

See, he was all the way in! And, after 3 years of trying to get him in, we couldn't get him out! Yay Tyler! ...maybe next time he'll let go of the ladder!

Ty has also ditched his "motorcycle" for a two-wheeler. He's doing great on it!

This has been a busy week... we went to the beach too! Here's Ryan with a favorite toy... an empty water bottle! I swear I'm going to give him a box full of toilet paper rolls and water bottles for Christmas. There is no point in spending money on this boy!

And, another first this week... Tyler is now a harmonica player. He is very good at it in his own opinion. What was I thinking... I voluntarily gave a 4-year-old a harmonica??

See, no point in having actual toys... here's Ryan on Sunday having a blast with the advertisements.

He was moving so fast that my camera couldn't keep up with him. Such fun!

Finally, we also got to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa C. Here's Tyler enjoying a ride on a horse drawn carriage!

Phew! It's been a busy week! I feel like both boys reached milestones this week. They're growing up way too fast... I've got to go hide that harmonica...

Simple Pleasures

Ten dollars, three boys and twenty-five cent rides equals a whole lot of fun!

Here is Tyler on his first ride of the day... he was so happy that he forgot he doesn't like to have his picture taken!




Ryan had his first ride today with Miss Jeanne. I think there are going to be a lot of carousel rides in our future.



I'm not a big fan of G-U-N-S, especially when they're pointed at other people... but what are you going to do?? Of course the boys loved it. I couldn't even make something up about the guns being something else because they had sound effects.

Ryan was incredibly hot. So hot that his hair stood on end! Poor kid... first you're all sweaty, then your mom does this to your hair and takes a picture! He looks thrilled, doesn't he?

After we finally got through all the rides and filled ourselves with fried dough (yummy), it was time for the parade. It was another first for Ryan. He had no idea what to make of all those fire trucks and the noise. Here he is checking out all of the action.

Tyler got to ride on a float with his friends and throw candy. Such fun!

All in all, it was another wonderful summer day... sweat and all. I can't wait for our next adventure.

A Day at the Fair

I really need a shower. As I sit here I am covered in a layer of salt and I feel absolutely disgusting... but it was so much fun!

Dan and I left work early to surprise Tyler with an afternoon at the county fair. We saw the animals, ate junk food, watched Tyler on the rides, and poor Dan suffered through three rounds on the tilt-a-whirl... he's not feeling so great at the moment. Tyler had a blast. I'll treasure my time on the Ferris wheel with him. He's too funny... excited and scared a the same time.

Here he is a little closer to the ground on the airplane ride.



And, popping a wheelie on the motorcycle.

And, Tyler and I with his after dinner treat! Daddy's favorite!

Poor Ryan didn't do very well at the fair. Unfortunately in my exuberance to make sure he was safe, I put on a bit too much sunscreen and he ended up rubbing it into his eyes :( He was miserable.

But, in his usual style, he bounced right back after a nice long bath at home. Is it wrong that my 9 month baby has a blue tongue?? A little cotton candy never hurt anyone, right? He deserved it after his day.

We can't wait until next year!