First Boat Ride of the Season

Although the forecast had called for rain and overcast weather all weekend, it was a beautiful, sunny weekend at the lake so took full advantage of finally getting to spend more time outdoors. Grandpa Steve picked up a newer fishing boat this weekend so we took it out a couple times for our first boat ride of the season. Ryan loved it on Saturday but was not nearly such a fan on Sunday. The good news is that he didn't mind the life jacket, although I'm sure that battle awaits us in a couple months. He is growing up so rapidly, and it's amazing to see the transformation from week to week. He says "more" now when he eats and is very interested in trying to repeat words. Rarely does he say the actual word, but he's usually pretty close on the syllables and inflection. He has also started to run and pick his nose. Not at the same time, but I'm sure that will be next.

getting shoulder rides from Grandpa who he calls Papa

playing with his car carrier which was a
birthday gift from the Collins family

playing with his best friend Callie

driving, and riding on, Grandpa's new boat


Todd on his first trip to the Ozarks
Somebody looks an awful lot like his daddy!

Another momentous occasion for our family -
the first televised Royals game of the season.
(Thank you Koons for Ryan's awesome jersey!)

Low-key Weekend

We had a nice low-key weekend at the lake, and Ryan was thrilled to get to see his grandma and grandpa again since they were out of town last week enjoying their spring break. He did lots and lots of playing with them and was a really sweet boy. I gave him a little trim this weekend to clean up the long hair over his ears and his near rat tail in back! Ryan continues to be an active little boy who doesn't care to sit still so we cheat by changing his diapers and clothes while he's preoccupied drinking his bottle, or cutting his hair while he's busy eating crackers.

Sporting his "Grandpa's little fishing buddy" hat that they
brought him from the Bass Pro Shop and carrying
around his hammer that Jack passed down to him.
He carries that hammer with him everywhere,
all the time when we're at the lake.

getting his first hair cut,
although it was more of a light trim

helping himself to an apple in the fridge
while we were making dinner

Making some music while pointing his finger -
just like Grandma Jane does!

Loving on Callie - she's so patient and good with him.
We're very lucky to have the best dog in the world!

Trip to the Park

It was gorgeous out today and now that it's still light out when I pick Ryan up after work, we took full advantage by heading to Loose Park. Following a little exercise for Callie and me, I took Ryan to the playground at the park and he absolutely loved it. Of course, we weren't the only ones with this idea so it was jam-packed with kids and parents like us who have been cooped up all winter. He pretty much just walked around and climbed on the toys, but was in awe watching the older kids play. Callie hung out on the sidelines watching us play and did such a good job of behaving amidst all the kids running and screaming around her. She got lots of attention and many pets from several of the kids though - including her number one fan, Ryan. We finished up the trip on the swing, and Ryan couldn't get enough of it. He had a smile on his face the whole time and just giggled and giggled all the while. I regret not bundling him up and going to the park this winter. He's grown up so much since we went swinging last fall that it was like a new experience for him.

Weekend in KC

We decided to stay in town this weekend and made the most of our time here with friends. Friday our child care was closed so Ryan and I had a good day going to Target, Chick Fil-A and swimming at Matt Ross Center. The last time we went to the pool over Christmas he could stand but not walk so it was fun to see him traipse through the water and move about this time. It was also his first outing to eat fast food and play in a "play place." He didn't think anything special of the chicken nuggets but loved crawling up and down the jungle gym at the play area. He's always been a climber so we've taught him how to get down off things on his tummy and he does it correctly almost everytime now. It's amazing to watch him just scoot right off our bed, land on his feet and take off, given that the bed is as tall as he is. That night we joined the Jacksons and Mudd sisters at Tanner's to watch KU clinch the Big 12 championship. They were very accommodating to the fact we brought a baby to a bar, and we're glad we got to hang out with them and see a great game.

At Tanner's with Lindsey Jackson and Melissa Mudd

Saturday, we went to the Brookside St. Patty's Day Warm-up Parade. Ryan didn't seem to notice there was a parade going on but Todd and I enjoyed ourselves and saw several friends there. Afterwards, our friends (and neighbors) the Marcanos, who have a 3 month-old, came over and we had a nice, lazy evening just hanging out.

Not worry, they didn't see anything in appropriate to get those beads.

Since we're not home too often on the weekends, Sunday was our day to clean the house, get the porch cleaned up to use again and run errands. Nothing exciting, but necessary none-the-less.

Monday we had dinner over at the Cromwells and Callie got to join us. Their kids are 4 and 6 and were eager to give Callie and Ryan lots of attention. They're expecting a baby sibling (who they've lovingly named Baby Woo Woo) in September so they were especially helpful with Baby Ryan and he had a ball trying to keep up with them. Ryan has also become an even bigger fan of Callie these days and will pet her if you ask him to. He'll of course then dive on her and stick his little pointers in her eyes, but it starts out sweet and cute.

Thank goodness for Isaac who kept a helpful eye on Ryan
as he tried to get into everything at their house and
put anything within reach into his mouth.

Caroline loving on Callie

Playing with Friends

Last weekend brought several opportunities for Ryan to play with friends. We enjoyed a gorgeous weekend at the lake and took advantage of the weather by having a camp fire and playing outside. Riggins were at the lake so we watched the KU v. MU game and had dinner together while Ryan, Cade and Jake played.

playing with Grandpa Steve's radio control truck

Sunday we returned to KC to meet up with a group of friends from Todd's Washburn Rural and KU days. The Wanamakers were in town so we met up with them, the Gingriches and Seymours for brunch at the Gingrich's new home in Olathe. The kids played hard and made the most of their time together as did we.

Caroline Wanamaker (18 mo.), Ryan (12 mo.), Jasper Gingrich (4), Emerson Gingrich (2)

After brunch, we headed to Hudson Walter's 3rd birthday party at Little Monkey Bizness. Ryan's never been to a play place like that so it was interesting to watch him check everything out. He didn't think much of the bouncy house but loved climbing on everything and going down the kiddy slides. It was so cute to see him sitting in a big boy chair and eating cake. He's usually one of the youngest ones at get togethers, but tries so hard to keep up and loves watching the big kids.

playing with Ben Allen at the birthday party

Going down the slide head first - how else would it be done?