July 2013

 We've done a lot since Patrick's birthday in early July.  Of course not all of it got captured in photos.  We went to Brookfield Zoo, Ryan and I hit Six Flags, we visited multiple parks, the boys finished swim lessons, and Ryan did summer camp, a picnic here and there, as well as a birthday (and tree-house building) party also rounded out our festivities.  For those events I did manage to photograph, enjoy!



Patrick is enjoying his basketball hoop. 

 I was fouled!!!!!!

We made a trip out to Santa's Village in Dundee and had an awesome time - until naptime came upon us.  The boys loved the rides and we plan on making one more trip there before they close in October.

Anticipating "the whip"

Other than sign-language and Your Baby Can Read videos, we don't put movies in for the boys.  As a special treat one particularly hot day, we got Cars from the library.  Both boys enjoyed the movie, watching it on the rotated couch, while eating popcorn.

Fall doesn't officially start until the end of September, but the first day of school kind of puts summer to an unoffical end.  Here's Ryan before heading off to his first (afternoon) day of E.C. at Hooper.

Patrick turns 2!

What a wonderful holiday weekend we had!  We got to see 3 of Aunt Lila's kids (cousins Scott, Lori, and Kenny) along with their families (Zack, Kristen, Olivia, Kayla, Kendall, and Kate) as well as most of the Lendman crew (minus the Slains and Chris and Christy), plus I got to see some Dixon friends (Olivia, Kelly, Shaun, Brittlyn, Hannah, Kevin, Kate, Annie, and Linda).  A great time was had at Shirley and Terry's for the 4th, at Meemee and Papa Bernie's on the 5th, and then again there for Patrick's 2nd party on the 6th.  Unfortunately I left my camera at home, so the photos below are some taken off our Ipad. 

Little ice cream cake went to waste, believe it or not, more ended up in his tummy than on his face!

 Mama Pat, Papa Joe with Uncles Doug and Mark and Papa Bernie in the background while we sing.

How many kids can you fit in the kiddie pool?  Patrick, Cousins Adam and Ava, and friends Brittlyn and Hannah!

Big Brother Ryan was excited for Patrick's party.

No longer a baby!

Daytona Beach Vacation 2013

Since our Thanksgiving vacation to Wisconsin Dells was cancelled due to Gizmo getting sick, it had been a LONG time since we'd had a vacation.  May 11 could not come soon enough!  One son was an angel on the airplane so that of course means the other one was the devil.  But once we were there, we had a fabulous time.  10 minutes after we got home, Ryan was already asking to go back to the Horizons. 

*Note, pictures aren't in any particular order, so captions may be redundant.


For those of you who don't have time to view all 20, consider yourselves lucky, this first is the best one!  Upon the recommendation of a couple from the area who we met at another sprayground, we went to this place a little more inland.  It had both a park and a sprayground.  This picture turned out great of the boys, and it didn't take too many takes to get it!

Dean supervises as the boys take turns pushing the lawnmower around the (very chilly, too chilly for Patrick, Ryan, and Dean) pool.

Papa Bernie doing his favorite thing on vacation, reading by the pool, with the ocean waves at his back.

As a day date, Dean and I went to this Zipline Park.  It was a great time!  There were about 18 stations, some of them were obstacles in the air and we did about 8 ziplines.  Totally fun!

This was the first sprayground we visited.  Surprisingly, both boys loved it!

These next 3 are from the sprayground mentioned in the first picture.  Ryan liked this one better, which of course means Patrick wasn't as crazy about it.  I think Patrick may have gotten too much sun/fresh air from the previous day's adventure though.

The one and only time either child wore sunglasses the entire week.

Family friends of ours live year-round in neighboring Ormond Beach.  Miss Bonnie made a bunch of cookies for us, which Ryan especially loved.  You can see here, he's trying to lick the frosting off his face.

Running on the beach.  Patrick has the funniest run.  He tucks his shoulders in and juts his elbows out.  He reminds us of Popeye.

Family pictures.

Mr. Rich is a stellar fiddle player.  Ryan got his own personal concert and was amazed.

 

Hope May 2014 comes around quicker!  Thanks Meemee and Papa Bernie for a wonderful time!

Rainy Day, Frankenstein, and a picnic

I think the title says it all! 

Ryan was thrilled to wear his "Man with the Yellow Hat" coat and boots (from his Halloween costume) on some of these rainy spring days.  He passed on wearing the hat though. 

While in the childcare at the gym I belong to, Patrick tripped and fell into an open door.  Fortunately we were just a parking lot away from the Immediate Care facility.  4 stitches later, here's my Frankenstein, it didn't phase him a bit.

After one particularly rough arrival home from school, I distracted Ryan with one of his favorite activities, a picnic lunch.  He insisted on setting up the mat on the hill in our backyard, so we pretty much ate all at the base of the mat and in each others laps!  But the bad mood subsided!

cute pictures

Loaded some pictures from camera to computer recently and thought I'd share some favorites with you.

Brotherly love above and below.  Patrick says "alk" and he and Ryan clasp hands and walk around the house.  Glad I got a good picture of this experience because the game has taken a turn.  About 10 feet into the "alk" they drop hands and it becomes "chase" and usually ends in hitting and pushing (by them) and yelling and threats (by the parents).  Oh well, it was cute while it lasted and I have it photographed in the good phase.  Below the boys are enjoying a show.  Patrick was antsy that day and switched positions at least 7 times - all of which had him laying on or very near Ryan.  Big brother was good and didn't fuss at all.

Fun with Crayola Color Wonder Fingerpaint and Paper.

 Playing in the bean bin.

 Proud mommy moment:  Ryan's thank you note to Dean's parents for the Edible Arrangment they sent for Easter.  Click on picture for a closer view, it reads:  Nana and Papa Dale thank you for the fruit.  Love Ryan & Pat (a logo on the board didn't leave space for the "rick").  Not too shabby for a 4 year old!

Best $3 garage sale purchase ever, the John Deere tractor.  I feel like I stole it from that garage sale.  If I knew where I bought it, I'd go to them and pay them more!  I have countless pictures and memories of Ryan with this toy.  He still is pretty attached to it, though he let go long enough for me to snap this picture of Patrick pushing it. 

 Ryan at the bat.