30 Years

July 29, 1978 - July 29, 2008
Happy Anniversary Mom and Bob! We love you, and look forward to Mom getting better, and being able to celebrate!

Look Alike Meter for Brayden at (almost) 5

We found some pictures of each of us at 5 years old, so I was able to do this sooner than I had expected. I am kind of surprised at the results (not that I think that this is exactly scientific!)- that Brayden only looks like his Daddy by such a small margin compared to the percentage that it says that Rhylan favors me. We have always had people comment on how much Brayden looks like Jason--- maybe he does have some of my genetic make up afterall?!?!

Happy Birthday "D"

A group of girl's got together last night to celebrate "D"s 25th (hahaha) birthday. We had a great time! There is a new dueling piano bar that opened, a week or so ago, in town- the night started off slowly with a bunch of problems with slow and inaccurate service, but by the end of the night, none of that mattered; the snafus of the evening subsided, and all that was left was fun! (And in their defense, the place did just open last week, and it is the first place of this kind in our area, so I am sure there are a lot of kinks to work out. Not to mention it was a packed house. I would certainly go back, and can't wait to do so!)

The mom's taking the stage

"Stop! In the name of love"

The birthday girl shaking it, a little bit

Kick line at the table

Just having fun!

Happy "25th" Birthday "D", a big thank you to "T" for planning everything, and thank you to everyone else for making it such a fun night (I needed that!).

Guess Who's Coming for Dinner?

Yep, that's right! It's Nico, the cat that thinks he's a dog.... or human.....

What A Pain In The........

..... EAR!!!

Brayden was really complaining about his ear hurting today, so we ended up at Convenient Care tonight. Poor kid has a raging case of swimmer's ear AND an inner ear infection (probably from the gunk from the swimmer's ear draining). He has never had an ear infection in his almost 5 years.

He is pretty bummed, no swimming for 5 days- Go figure since he is going to Swim Camp again this week!

So now I have 2 kiddos with ear infections, and a fridge full of yummy smelling antibiotics. Joy.

Who Does Rhylan Look Like at One?

I saw this on a couple of other blogs, and figured I would give it a try. Instead of using pictures of us now, I thought it would be fun to do it with pictures of Jason and myself at Rhylan's age.

I want to do this with a picture of Brayden and each of us at his age too, but that will have to wait until we each go back to our hometowns to grab our picturs. Something to look forward to, right?!

I don't know how accurate it is..... What do you think?

Wastin' Away Again in Margaritaville!!!!

After taking last year off due to the birth of a baby in our home, we got back to continuing the Jimmy Buffett concert weekend "event" this year! This has been a tradition for many years now, heading up to one of the greatest outdoor venues in the country, with a group of friends, for some of the most outrageous people watching, and insane amount of fun!

This year Brayden insisted that he wanted to go to the concert. When I told him "no way", he responded with "Why Mommy, I like Buffett, and I wanna go with you!" I explained that it is not a place for kiddos and that he doesn't even know the songs. He responded with "Yes I do Mommy!", and proceeded to sing several of them to me, combined with even having the gestures down pat for "Fins", and then informing me that he really can have a "Cheeseburger in Paradise when I take him on our cruise when he turns 7". (That is a different story entirely, but he has informed us that he and I- no Daddy or brother allowed- are going on a cruise together...... um, that is about as likely as taking my 4 year old to a concert!!)

He and Rhylan did join in some of the fun before the group left to head up there. Our up and coming ParrotHeads!

Rhylan with my lifelong friend, his Godmother, Susan.

Brayden sporting the "Lost Shaker of Salt" shades.

Buffett or Bust!!!!

Jason and I enjoying the drive up to the concert- and the fact that WE were actually getting to spend time together, as a couple, doing something enjoyable. It has been a while since our chaotic lives have allowed for that, and it was a much needed mini vacation for us. (Susan's mom even came to our hotel to babysit the kids, and we spent the night elsewhere, and even got to sleep until almost 11 this morning!!)

If you are not familiar with the experience of a Jimmy Buffett concert, the only way I can think to describe the atmosphere is "over the top". Half of the fun is the tailgating all day before the show. People go to extremes to promote the laidback, fun, carefree atmosphere. Everything from decorating vehicles to look like pirate ships, dressing in grass skirts and coconut bras (men usually!), setting up Tiki Bars, swimming pools, you name it. Our group actually brought our own Potty set up this year to avoid the lines and nastiness of the Porta Potties - While also making a few extra dollars, or acquiring some extra drinks- which we really did not need in any way, shape, or form! (I don't know if you can see it in the picture below of Jason coming out of the potty, but the sign says: "1 Beer or $ Per Potty".)

One more group shot before heading into the concert.

We had a wonderful weekend! Buffett may say "Come Monday, It'll Be Alright", I say I wish it were still Saturday- Monday and reality are going to come all too quickly for us!

Skillet Cookie Delight

One of our favorite hang outs in my hometown is Old Chicago- fun atmosphere, great pizza/calzones, 110 beers, and the most amazing skillet cookie on Earth. What else could a person want?!?!

I am not a sweets eater, in the least, and even I can't resist a slice of this ooey, gooey, warm, wonderful, yumminess. For those of you that are unfamiliar with a Skillet Cookie, it is a thick, homemade chocolate chip cookie, served piping hot in a pizza pan. All I can say is "YUM"!

We met my sister, brother in law, and Dadthere the other night, and introduced the boys to our little sinful splurge--- I would say that they were huge fans as well!

Another Boy and His Bear

I thought it would only be fair to snap a shot of Rhylan cuddled up with his Snuggy as well. When I was still pregnant, Brayden decided that his baby brother must also have a Snuggy, and promptly picked one out for him. Seems that Mr. R is on the right track to becoming as emotionally committed to his Snuggy as his older sibling is to Snuggy Sr.

This is how I walked in to find him this morning when I went in to wake him for Brayden's swimming lessons (I wish I could be this sacked out at 9:45 a.m.!)

And, a quick glimpse from a few minutes ago. You can see that Snuggy is securely being held in place by Rhylan's entire body being on top of him- with one hand oh so gently holding Snuggy's satin ribbing, while the thumb is shoved in the mouth. Auntie Booey, if you are reading this, I know your heart is just beaming at the sight!!!

Beating the Heat

Nothing quite beats the heat like a Popsicle on a hot summer day! Brayden had some friends over last night, and after pigging out on pizza for dinner, that was the request from everyone! (Thank you "N" for bringing the pizza! Wish that "O" and "A" could have been here for dessert!) Brayden is such a good big brother, he even thought to share with the baby. You can see how much he LOVED it.........

And, you can see how ticked off he got every time Brayden decided to take a bite of his own Popsicle!

I know it is mean to find humor in my baby being in such misery, but it was pretty funny- he would immediately turn off the tears, and gladly open his mouth, as soon as his brother finished taking a bite, and he even so much as thought that the "frozen wonderfulness" might be getting close to once again crossing his lips!

Ahhhhh, summer nights, Popsicles, and friends running in the back yard.... What could be more perfect?!?!

A Boy and His Bear

Brayden and his best friend "Snuggy" after a long, fun day. (I wonder when they get too big for their lovey's?) I think it is so sweet that at almost 5 he is still so attached to his Snuggy Bear, and his yellow baby blanket- has to sleep with both every night.

Couldn't we all use a "Snuggy" in our life- something to give us unconditional comfort and make everything ok in the world?

Camper of the Week

Brayden went to day camp this week. He absolutely LOVED it, and has begged to go again. Yesterday was the last day for the week, and he was so proud of himself for being awarded Camper of the Week. I don't know exactly what that means, but when I asked one of my friends (whose children have gone to this camp every week of the summer for many years, and her daughter got it earlier this summer), she said it was a pretty big deal at the camp; it means that he stood out to the counselors for being a good listener, using manners, being kind, and so forth. We are pretty proud of our little camper!!

Our summer is quite hectic, but we have figured out a way for him to go to one more session, and he is so excited. Hopefully next year things will be calmed down, and he can go even more!

Stats

Rhylan had his One Year Well Baby visit with the doctor yesterday. It seems our "little peanut" of a baby is catching/has caught up!
He came in at 31 inches, and 20 lbs. 11 0z.
(Which puts him in the 83rd percentile for height, and 18th for weight. That is the highest percentile he has ever been for either! Big change from a year ago when he was 19.5 inches (34th percentile), 5 lbs. 6 oz (2nd percentile).)

Now, for a little bragging: He is doing very well, and the doctor is very happy with his growth and development. She has continued to keep him on the charts with his actual birth date, not age adjustment for being nearly 6 weeks early- which is what is typically done for early babies in their first 2 years. He was "showing off" for her- waiving, blowing kisses, said 3 (out of his 7 or 8 word vocabulary) words for her, and flirting in typical Rhylan fashion.

And no, he isn't walking (can't count how many times I have been asked!)- which is totally normal at this age. He cruises the furniture, and gets where he needs to go quite quickly with crawling. How many teeth you ask? Still nothing there either! The doctor seemed a bit surprised, but not alarmed. She said that she is "sure" that he will be walking and have teeth at his next appointment, in three months. We'll see, I am starting to think that we need to start looking into baby dentures!

Iddy Bitty Baseball

Brayden started Baseball this weekend. He has been quite excited for a very long time to play baseball- "Just Like Daddy". He even wore his special hat that he got from the team that Daddy coaches (took this year off due to my hectic summer), grabbed his own bat, glove, and ball---- and even loaded himself in the car to wait to leave! I think it is pretty evident how excited he was by the fact that he put himself in the FRONT SEAT of the car, not in the back in his booster. Silly kid!

I am not the baseball guru around here, but that looks like pretty decent form for a 4 year old to me!

Throwing out a pitch

Fielding

Meet the Future Mrs. Atkisson

I am pretty sure it is true love, these two cuties couldn't keep themselves off of each other all day!

4th (for real) of July 2008

We spent the afternoon of the 4th with some more friends, at an annual 4th of July party. (Thanks for hosting yet another wonderful year, D and P! We always look forward to your party!)

Following the party, we had some friends come back to our house, and joined some other neighbors, to watch the fireworks from our yard. The past two years they have set off the fireworks only about 3 blocks from our house- last year the view was "ok", this year it was GREAT! They must have moved where they were launching, or the wind carried them differently. Here are a couple of shots taken from our yard. (I don't know if I am more impressed with them in person, or the fact that I actually caught decent pictures- we all know about my photographic shortcomings!)

On the plus side to having them so close to home- we were already in the house, kids in bed, and our pajamas on, when we decided to take these pictures after having our (usually quiet, residential) street become a grid locked traffic jam for over 2 hours! There really is no good way to get in and out of the area where they had the display, so our street became a main artery for the traffic. The pictures don't even come close to doing it justice! It was much nicer to be curled up on the couch, relaxing, than having to deal with being in one of those vehicles!