Christmas-a month of fun activities.

This is going to be a big picture dump for the month of December. It was a very busy month for many reasons; finishing up my long-term position teaching 7th grade Humanities (since last May), peak-season for B, and of course holiday festivities.

Working full time already makes me feel like I'm running at 100 percent 24/7 but add in tying up the loose ends on projects I've been having the kiddos work on in a certain time restraint had a new kind of pressure. We made it and I think I successfully transitioned them for when their teacher returned yesterday. It was also a bittersweet day for me yesterday. I am thankful for the ability to have a flexible job with substitute teaching while R is young but not to return with my students I've become so close with yesterday was hard. Having my own classes to be in charge of has further proven my love for my job. On most days I feel so lucky to be around such smart, fun & silly middle schoolers. They teach me so much and give me so much joy.

R is such a silly, active little man. He sure keeps me on my toes. We went to a couple gatherings while friends were in town. Both houses we went to were quite large houses with tons of amazing toys. All of the other kids are playing contained with the toys, but not my child. He rather run around to explore every nook & cranny. He would also rather play with expensive stereo systems or wall outlets than toys. I came home both of these nights so tired from running around constantly. Makes me appreciate my small R-proof house when I get home.

Here are many different photos from this month's activities.

B & R at downtown Couve's tree lighting

Picking out our tree at Joe's

Smelling the tree; R does this when he knows he is not supposed to touch something.
Where to run next???
Christmas party at Fay & Coop's new downtown pad. I felt like I was at a cool party on Sex & the City!
Zoo Lights at Washington Park zoo. If you haven't been; its a must. So much cooler than I would of imagined & if you are a zoo member it is free. Just get there early because it becomes a zoo=).


In front of the cool water scene
Boa on a tree branch

Looking at the big fishes

Fooling around with Grandma L
Presents! Love all the pretty wrapping papers.
Attempt at a family picture Xmas Eve
New trumpet from Uncle C

Uncle C & his girlfriend J
Mini mom & me
Opening his new tool chest, thanks Doleski's
New Strider from mama & dada- We forgot to give it to him until half-way through Xmas! He already had so many things to play with!
B's mom came down with the flu; so she had to cancel her huge, amazing X-mas party last minute. So we went Christmas Story-esk and had Chinese for Christmas dinner.
Playing with his new blocks
Hope you all had a great holiday season & cheers to 2012! Wowzer!

17 months

17 months is here. Working full time teaching has made time even fly by even quicker. Ryden shows us everyday that he is ALL boy. He still runs with all engines firing most of the day. He loves to dance, jump off things=(, and climb things ( then jump off).

His favorite shows are Sesame Street & Wiggles. We watch one show before bath time to wind down. I'm so thankful we have found something to help him sit for 20 minutes because it is HARD chasing this kid all day long!

He also likes to help you with tasks. One day Brian was cleaning up a hair ball Carl left on the carpet. Ryden grabbed a baby wipe and went to sit next to Brian. He started wiping the carpet too! Whenever I come home from the grocery store he loves to take the food out of the bags and carry it to the kitchen to be put away. He also loves to put his dirty clothes in the hamper.

He has also discovered light switches & wants to be the one to turn them on/off. He has also came up with creative ways to make stairs to reach the light switches himself!

Playing with pots & pans.
Afternoon ride in Cozy Coup

It's always nice to get out alone with this guy.
Making his stair to.....
the light switch!!!

Baby Trump

So I've decided to let Ryden's hair go rogue these days. I'm actually almost tempted to let it just grow long and flowing; I think the hippie chic look would fit him.

Well we have been battling yet another nasty virus for the past week so I decided to blow dry his golden locks. I didn't want him to get chilly. Well, whenever I apply the hair dryer to his hair it takes on a mind of its own. This is what it decided to do tonight.....

I call it the "Trump-do". What do you think??? It also kind of reminds me of the lollipop gang hairdo from The Wizard of Oz. What's your vote???

Free Fallin...

I think we have a dare devil on our hands.

16 months

This kids keeps us moving. He is extremely "active". I know most boys are but he does NOT stop from sunrise until bedtime. The only time he is not moving is when he is strapped in his car seat or high chair. His favorite way to get from point A to B is running. His coordination isn't aligned yet with how fast he wants to go so we have lots of bruises.

-With all his running he is burning those calories so he is only tipping the scales at 22 lbs.

-Is using his signs more to communicate; please, thank you, milk, & more.

-He can show you where his eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, ears, hands, bell-e, and feet are located.

-Still chatting up a storm. Some new words are; Carl (our cat), says "hi" & "bye", papa, uncle, car, up, more & bath.

-When he is upset or not feeling well the show "Wiggles" calms him. The four guys kind of creep me out but I'm happy we found something that he likes to watch. Gives me at least 5 minutes to do a chore.

-He doesn't want to sit during evening book time anymore so I sing to him instead most of the time.

-Still a good eater but eats better earlier in the day.

G-ma & R sporting their Halloween duds.
Our silly monkey
Mama and her monkey.

Trick or Treat!

Lil man got yet another virus, this time it was hand, foot & mouth. It was not a fun week for anyone involved; especially R! His horse voice from the sores in this throat broke my heart.
Helping "unfold" my laundry.

Surprises & " I do's".

We went up to Seattle a couple of weekends ago for my dear friend K's wedding to her soulmate. It was a great weekend & was my second night away from R. It was so nice to be able to have my full attention directed towards the friends we do not get to see all that often and have a real adult night out.

We also were able to surprise B's bf AJ at his birthday brunch at Salty's in West Seattle which was coincidently was the area of Seattle we were staying in. I had been telling B for months to call AJ to say we would be up there for his birthday weekend & make plans to meet up. Well my hubby is a typical procrastinating man. Yes, it is a stereotype but is fitting for most of the men in my life. If your man is not like this, let it be known he is probably the exception to the rule. Well, in a positive light it ended up benefiting us that B hadn't contact AJ so we could surprise him. Everyone was sitting at the table when we arrived & AJ was pleasantly surprised that we made it up. It is always nice to give someone a much deserved special surprise.

Here are some photo memories of our weekend full of two special events!

B & AJ
E, S, A & B
E squared
I love this beautiful pic, look at that sun setting!
WWU girls!
Love these girls.
Sorry T, you got caught checking those scores!
Childhood friends, so glad S married this goof ball.
Cake time & it was soooo good!
B thinking he is really funny!
Girls & Mrs. Brown
Sangalli's & Trinhs
Two of the best ladies I know.