Trick or Treat

Rylan is now at an age where he is really excited about holidays and all the activities and events that go along with it. Seeing him so excited makes it that much more fun for our family!

He loved helping us dig the seeds out of our pumpkins,

and helping us choose faces to carve.

This was Rylan's favorite pumpkin face. He loved the swirly eyes.

He also enjoyed dressing in Halloween gear, especially when Ayla wore her orange shirt and khaki pants too.

He was beyond stoked about trick-or-treating and was the cutest little pirate. Argh matey!

Ayla was the sweetest little bumblebee.

My two cuties!

We went to a friend's party on Halloween and it was so fun seeing all the little munchkins dressed up. Here I am with my friend Angie and little Nikolaus (Pooh Bear).

Rylan with his buddies Blake and Alexander.

Later that evening, my friend Jaime brought baby Tyler over to play. These two are only six days apart. So cute!

Happy Halloween!

Smurf

Rylan absolutely loves making holiday cookies, so for Halloween, we decided to make sugar cookies with lots of frosting and sprinkles.

He is the best little helper in the kitchen!

Rylan A.K.A. Smurf
I was using food coloring to make different colored frosting. Rylan decided to grab the blue bottle and shove it in his mouth. It all happened so fast, there was nothing I could do. The lid popped off and blue food coloring was everywhere...all over his face and shirt. As you can see, his tongue turned blue, hence the name Smurf. I didn't think it would ever come off.

"Aren't I such a good pastry chef? I'm so proud of myself!"

And now for the best part about baking...eating (while sporting his new, blue mustache)!!!

FYI: If you or anyone you know ever encounters an accident with food coloring, shaving cream does the trick. Takes it right off!

Meeting Jan Brett

Jan Brett, a well known author of children's books, was recently in town. She had a book signing event promoting her new book, The Three Little Dassies. I am a huge fan of hers and just love her books (The Mitten, Gingerbread Baby, and many more) and was so excited to meet her in person!

Her new book is an African version of The Three Little Pigs. Her inspiration for the book came during her travels to Africa. She shared many stories about her trip and how the book all came together. She also gave an art lesson on how to draw a dassie. This picture shows the beginnings of the drawing.

And, here's the finished product. Jan Brett illustrates all her own books too. She is an amazing artist!

Rylan's cousins came to the book signing too.

Too busy watching everything to pose for a picture.

After waiting in line for almost two hours, we finally got our books signed by Jan Brett.
Well worth the wait!

I ♥ Rice Cereal

We started Ayla on rice cereal between five and six months old. She loves it! Ayla has never been one to whine or fuss, but she does do this cute little grunting noise to let you know she wants something. She will grunt to let me know if I'm not feeding her fast enough, or if I have to get up from the table to grab something. When she's hungry, she means business!

She likes to wind down her feeding time by sucking on her thumb. So cute!

And, sometimes a short little snooze to follow too.

Even big brother has enjoyed feeding his sister. He does a great job and Ayla loves it when Rylan helps out!

Bring on the veggies, fruits, and baby biscuits!

Birthday At The Pumpkin Patch

Rylan's birthday was mid-week this year, so we threw his party with family and friends the weekend before. So, to celebrate his actual birthday we had a family day at Green Bluff.

Rylan loved the white pumpkins.

He also loved riding in the pumpkin cart.

Ayla got to pick her own little pumpkin.

Ry tested them out before deciding which ones to get.

Lots of keepers.

Our sweet little pumpkin in the pumpkin patch.

Oink, oink!

Daddy, the locomotive engineer, taking Rylan for a ride.

Mommy made Rylan breakfast for dinner on his birthday, as requested. Sausage, eggs, and blueberry pancakes are his favorite.

His good buddy, Blake, and his family came over for birthday cake and ice cream.

Happy 3rd Birthday Rylan! These last three years have been the best of our lives! So glad God gave you to us!

Party Time

We celebrated Rylan's 3rd birthday in October by having a party at Jump and Bounce, a place with huge inflatable bouncy equipment, slides, etc. Basically, it is like heaven on earth for kids and we had the place all to ourselves! We invited all of Rylan's close buddies and they had a great time playing! Amidst the chaos of all the kids and toddlers running around at play, I did manage to get a few pictures of some of the guests.

This slide is probably Rylan's favorite play spot in the whole joint. It looks as though his friends would agree.

Even baby Griffen found some fun things to play with.

Jada had fun exploring the castle.

Cousin Ava

Rachel and baby Seyler

"Little" Blake-Rylan has three friends named Blake who were all at the party (Blake, "Little" Blake, and "Big" Blake).

Liza holding baby Logan

Brian and little Claire

Ayla and Cousin Kiyana had a great view of the party from their car seats. They were very entertained.

After playtime, we all gathered in the party room for pizza, cake and ice cream.

Devri and Cooper, Rowen, Bennett

Jada, Ty, Auntie Jenna, Ava, and Kariya

Lots of friends equals...

lots of fun!!!

Chocolate cake for the birthday boy!

Happy Birthday Rylan!

The Birthday Chair

Showing off his new toys to friends Blake, Rowen, and Kellan.

He got so many fun presents!

Mommy and Daddy got Rylan a new Plasma car. He's been cruising the neighborhood on his new ride.

Grandma got him a wagon (which he absolutely loves) complete with fold up seat backs, seatbelts, and cupholders. Ry thinks he's pretty cool when I can cart him and his neighbor friends around in the wagon while they sport their juices boxes and snacks.

And, a couple Tonka trucks from Mimi and Papa which he has played with every day since his birthday.

Thank you to all our friends and family for making Rylan's birthday such a special day. We are so fortunate to have you in our lives!