Weekend outdoors

We live up the weekends, Ryker style.  Having a high energy kiddo, I understand now why my mom use to keep me so busy with dance lessons, swim team, and soccer.  Ryker is so energetic, he can run a mile without stopping...seriously.  Don't believe me, make a trip to see us and he will take you for a run.

Saturday was spent exploring a park.  On the drive there Kiplin fell asleep, so I stayed in the car (and napped) while Paul and Ryker were out running.

As soon as Kiplin woke up, we were off to enjoy the 79 degree weather.  K had his first feel of sand...and he loved it.  Can't wait to take him to the beach now.

Paul brought out our "bin of fun" and looked like such a goof doing so.

Kiplin is a huge fan of sand, but he cannot stand the grass.  So our lovely hot pink sheet served as a nice barrier from the dreaded grass.

Ryker enjoyed the playset...

 and did some jumping too.

and Kiplin was busy swinging, and showing off his 4 big teeth.

Then on Sunday we headed off to explore the trails.  I used the self timer on my camera, so we could have a family picture : ).  Notice Ryker's outfit...I asked P if he could change R's shirt before we left so he wasn't dressed in all red.  P was confused on why this was necessary, and so I realized how neurotic I sounded...it doesn't really matters if he is wearing all red, especially given that we were just going out to explore trails.  So  here he is, in all red.  Evidence that he does dress himself, and that I let him do it.

and I love this one too...

Then we came across a gravel hill.  P and R were funny to watch going up and down it.  Ryker suddenly became "too sexy for his shirt"

Eventually both boys were tired, so we headed back. 

Cowboy hat and summer time

Ryker and Paul went to the theater to see Toy Story 3 together, just a daddy and son date.  Ryker has been crazy about wearing a cowboy hat "just like Woody does" lately. 

His outfit choices just crack me up, alligator flip-flops, basketball shorts, and a cowboy hat.  He is also a fan of squirt guns, and squirt gun fights.

Sometimes he even shares his beloved hat and his squirt gun with his little brother...which speaks volumes for home much he loves this little guy.

We are loving summer, and soaking up every minute of if.

Ryk is becoming a master at hop-scotch, though around here hop-scotch is also known as "one-foot-two-feet" as chanted by Ryker while hoping.  College students around our place are also hoping in on the "one-foot-two-feet" fun.  Ryker thinks it is just so fun when people stop and hop-scotch with him on the way to their cars.

One foot...

Two feet....

We are also busy bubble blowing...which leaves Kiplin doing that amazing baby belly giggle that I just want to bottle up in a jar so I can hear it forever.

and to gross Paul out, we are busy running around barefoot, making sure that our toes and feet get as grimy as possible throughout the day....because it is summertime and summertime is for sweaty, dirty, barefoot running.

3

Some days I want to be 3.  I want to wake in the morning by 6:30am with a huge grin on my face, just so excited for the "super-mega-fun-day" that awaits.  A day packed with "super-mega-fun" things like Duplos, Playdoh, trains, and cars.  Instead I crawl out of bed, wipe away sleepy eyes, put on the teapot to prepare tea (caffeinated!) and try to be just as eager for this lovely day that awaits.  I try to follow lead.  Ryker's lead.  So that I can provide for him his "super-mega-fun-day," despite the lack of sleep and extreme exhaustion that would otherwise have me zipping back into my cozy, pillow top bed.  Today's adventures so far consisted of dressing up as Woody this morning, just because...Ryker is super excited to go to the theater to see Toy Story 3.

  
and later we played trains.  And since Kiplin crawls now, he played too.  Ryk is such a great big brother that he didn't even complain about the yellow train that kept disappearing from the track, or that Kiplin decided to plant himself right in Ryker's favorite spot to be when playing trains.

Later we went on a walk to "search for treasures."  We found success as we left with an empty little yellow sand bucket and came home with a rock filled treasure bucket. 

not sure what the rest of the day holds, but it will be fabulous.  Off for more adventures, compliments of my 3 year old. 

Family picture adventure

Monday we drove 55 minutes to get family pictures taken, because our lovely city has nothing to offer photography wise for the penny pinching yet photo picky people.  Family pictures were a success, despite the amateur photographer.  All the boys were well behaved, and we were out the door, pictures in hand in 60 minutes.  I will always schedule pictures to occur on a Monday.  Our pictures can be viewed here.  So now we can wait an entire year before we brave the ordeal again.  Because we are the type of parents who reward with activity not food, Ryker's gentlemen like behavior earned him "a trip to a park that I have never been at before."  Our handy dandy GPS led us to our prized destination.  This outing yielded Ryker's first ride on a carousel where he had to choose the fastest horse to ride.

and because I am doing my best to raise boys with exceptional manners, I thought I would add in a picture of my success.  Clearly there is still some work to do.  This, however, is one of my favorite pictures.

Then we found that prized park, and the boys had a blast. Before they ran wild I took a moment to snap a photo of my guys, because they just looked so cute all matching in their polo shirts - which is a drastic change from the everyday basketball shorts and t-shirts.  Yes I officially have the greatest little family.  And notice the short hair that Paul is sporting, which is a drastic change from the hair that required a headband to contain.

and because I am always behind the camera I thought I would take a moment for a picture with the boys, however they were less than thrilled.  I promise they weren't as miserable as they appear. 













Kiplin had his first ride down the slide, choo-choo style.  And I was there to make sure that it was a success, wouldn't want to worry their protective daddy.  Banging on the musical toys at the park was a big hit for little K, and his little belly giggle that resulted was the high of my day.  Baby laughter is the sweetest sound.

Later we ditched the park to walk across the river on "the bridge that floats" per Ryker's request.  So we loaded up the stroller.  How sweet are these two little guys?  Brotherly love...

a view from the front of the stroller complete with little baby feet (one of my favorite little things in life)...

and a view from the back of the single-that-we-make-work-as-a-double-stroller, because we roll white trash style.  Yes our diaper bag basket serves as a child seat...good thing our 3 year old is tiny.

On our bridge walk we conversed with a lonely grandpa (we seem to attract them), Ryker did some jumping, and checked out a little look out point with some hesitation... 

Finally we all burnt off enough energy to brave the hour long drive back home.  

Brotherly love