Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

My baby is three today, and is NOT a baby anymore, but I just had to say it one last time ;(

Ryan, you graced our home three years ago and when you arrived backwards (delivered frank breech) we should have known that you would change our lives forever! It has been quite a journey with the severity of your food allergies. We have learned so much from you and wouldn't trade the experience for anything!

I still remember your first birthday when you couldn't tolerate cake, so we served you birthday oatmeal, here's a picture of you enjoying it!













Here are some of our favorite memories of your first three years.

































You have grown into such an amazing child and you are a joy to be around! We love your energy and endless smile and your giggle still melts my heart! You are very bright and we love to see you learn new things.

We celebrated Ryan's birthday last night before Grandpa O. left. We had quite a feast with a turkey dinner, homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cinnamon marshmallow rolls, and apple crisp for dessert. Happy Birthday Ryan!!

Fall Fun

Happy Fall Y'all! We had our annual visit to the pumpkin patch. It was a good time as always, we enjoyed the hay maze, a hayride and the bouncehouses. Here are some pictures of the fun.

My boys are very into Star Wars this year and are still trying to decide what they want to be. Ryan is trying to choose between being a lightsaber carrying Thomas the Tank Engine or a lightsaber carrying Spiderman while wearing a Peter Pan hat?? Needless to say, it should be an interesting Halloween :)

A Child's Prayer

Dylan is sporting a new look these days. He lost his "official" first tooth. You'll notice both of his bottom front baby teeth are missing but the first one was pulled by the dentist about 1.5 years ago do to an injury (ironically caused by his brother Jake).

His tooth was loose for weeks. Well one day he and Jake were horsing around and low-and-behold out came the tooth! That night during Dylan's prayer he said "Thank you for letting me lose my tooth and thank you Jake for punching me so my tooth could fall out." If only he were always so appreciate of this form of "brotherly love".

Out With The Old.....In With The New

These pictures say it all don't they.....when the garbage disposal broke and the faucet developed a "major" leak I knew it was time to get a shiny new sink too! Thank goodness I have a wonderful Father-in-law who visits twice a year and graciously completes our "honey-do" lists since John works so many long hours. This one was a real challenge too because we had to change the plumbing to accommodate the deeper sink & garbage disposal switch to the other side. Thanks Jim for a job well done!

Here's a picture of Grandpa and Ryan enjoying their morning orange juice & periodical/newspaper reading ;)

Farewell Friends....

Today we said so long to our good friends the Norton Family, who are moving to Australia. Jenny has enriched my life in so many ways....book club, inspiring me to become addicted to jogging(!) and teaching me the proper use of the word "fabulous". My kids will miss having friends close enough to walk to their house and our monthly kids nights out! Best wishes to you in the land down under, we will be anxiously waiting your return!

Firefighter Training

We took the boys to the Fire Station today for their annual open house. It was a great time! The boys got to explore a fire truck, ambulance, spray out a house that was on fire and witness a vehicle extrication with the "jaws of life". They also brought home a bag of goodies (stickers, pencils, rulers, coloring books, fire hats, etc.)! Here are some pictures of the fun.