The Sights of Christmas

Merry Christmas! Here are some pictures of the events leading up to the big day:

2011 Christmas card

Meeting Santa at our realtor's office

Kyle as a wiseman in his school program

Ryan the angel at the program

Meeting Santa at the program

Spring Valley snow day

Gigi and Kyle on the firetruck

The boys on the truck

Ryan's stats

At Ryan's one year checkup on Thursday, he had the following stats:

Weight: 21 lbs. 4 oz. (27th%)
Height: 32 in. (92nd%)
Head: 46 cm (47th%)

Ryan and Kyle were similar weights at one year (Kyle was slightly bigger at 21 lbs. 12 oz.), but Ryan is a good bit taller (Kyle was 29.5 in.).

Ryan had to get lots of shots and cried after them, but did really well with his follow-up blood test. He didn't even flinch with that. I find it so funny how they draw blood out of the arm just like adults! No longer a heel prick!

Flashback Friday - Volume 26: Halloween 2011

I'm finally posting Halloween pictures as we enter December. Kyle was Elmo for Halloween night and a cowboy (Woody!) for the neighborhood party. Ryan was the blue monster, which people said looked like Cookie Monster.

Our two monsters

Sitting on the firetruck

Cowboy Kyle on the firetruck

Flashback Friday - Volume 25: Down on the Farm

About a month ago, the Neville family headed up to Reagan, TX to visit the Laird's farm for the day. We enjoyed good food and conversation and were able to see their home away from home. We had fun driving around the property and feeding the horses. The kids had fun running and playing soccer in the wide open spaces.

The Neville girls and their kids

The Gray Family (with Russ and I sticking our stomachs out)

Mommy and Ryan

Nanna and Poppie and their 7 grandkids

Piling in the Suburban

Front Porch sittin'

Feeding the horse

Margaret (with a horse head) and Julia

Twelve Months - Happy 1st Birthday Ryan!

It's hard to believe one year has passed since Ryan joined our family. He is sweet and crazy at the same time. I call him a lover and a fighter...one minute he is puckering up and smacking his lips to give me a kiss, and the next minute he is hitting my face!

At one year old, Ryan:
- Pushes every movable item around our house
- Tries to keep up with Kyle, and he will fight right back with him
- Races to the stairs to climb up (or down!) them - and he is quick!
- Is getting two new teeth on the bottom
- Says "down", "uh-oh" and "all done"; I might've also heard "ba" for ball
- Is beginning to stand on his own a little longer...walking may be right around the corner...or not - Has his moments of frustration where he clinches his fists and screams, but he gets over it quickly and is happy again

Here are some pictures from Ryan's birthday party we had on Sunday and his final monthly pictures with Mr. Elephant!

Getting ready to open gifts

Cousins gathered around to help out

The Very Hungry Caterpillar cupcake cake

Ryan and his smash cake

Too busy to sit

Wild boy wanting the camera!

A&M Visit

This past weekend we headed to College Station for a "Friends of Chemical Engineering" dinner on Friday night and some tailgating Saturday morning. Russ was asked to attend the dinner to represent his company, which sponsored two scholarships to students in honor of a former employee. Aunt Kelly came in town to watch the kids while we attended the dinner. Kelly took the kids to McDonalds and Gattitown for some fun. The boys had fun staying up late playing games - Kyle on the race car video games and Ryan on the dance revolution. Saturday we headed to campus early to catch all the pre-game fun they had set up. Kyle played a couple of games and watched the Corp of Cadets, Parsons Mounted Cavalry, and Aggie band march through campus, as well as the football team. He had fun "low-fiving" the players. He really enjoyed the action and did his own marching along campus. He wore his Aggie jersey I bought him for 4 days straight...I'd say he likes it! Afterwards we met Kelly and her friend at a tailgate for some great barbecue before we headed home at game time. It was a fun little getaway!

Pumpkin Painting

Last weekend Aunt Kelly came over to paint pumpkins with the boys. It was a fun activity to do and enjoy the beautiful weather outside. We considered this our "pumpkin patch" since we didn't make it there this year. We have 4 pumpkins on our doorstep, of which 2 are cute and painted. Thanks for coming Aunt Kelly!

Eleven Months

Yesterday Ryan turned 11 months old. I can't believe he will be one next month! Time sure has flown!

At 11 months old:

- Ryan is finally crawling! He made his move on October 10th and loves to get around the house on his own now.

- Pulls up on everything.

- Loves to walk with his walker or us.

- Loves to feed himself. He likes everything and still loves to try new foods.

- Clinches his fists and shakes his hands when he is frustrated.

- Is making lots of sounds to imitate what we are saying.

- Is such a little lovey and hugs my neck so tight - and he's still a momma's boy!

- He is such a sweet boy and happy boy!

We're pretty sure Ryan said his first words today, "all done". He was eating lunch and I told Russ it sounded like Ryan said all done, and Russ said that is what he thought he heard, too. Sure enough, his turkey and cheese was gone!

A weekend of birthday parties

A couple of weekends ago, Kyle had a busy time with two birthday parties. He had a lot of fun and we were able to enjoy the beautiful October weather outside!

Saturday was Jack's 4th birthday party. Russ and Kyle met Jack and his family at the pool this summer. Jack lives down the street and he will be in Kyle's grade at Nottingham. The party theme was firetrucks and we got to ride a real (retired) firetruck around the neighborhood. After the ride, the fireman showed the kids all the parts of the firetruck and even set the hose up to the hydrant and turned it on. Thankfully Kyle was not interested in running through the gush of water and getting soaked!

Sunday afternoon was Lucia's 3rd birthday party. Lucia and her family are friends from Kyle's school. We went to Bendwood park and the kids had fun running around and playing on the many playgrounds they have.

Nanna Times

A few weekends ago, Nanna came over to watch the boys while Russ and I got out to do some antiquing and to pick up a table we had bought. She brought over a book that the boys loved hearing...at the end of it you can hear crickets chirping. The boys are very interested in the story as you can see below. Thanks for the help Nanna!

Ten Months

Ryan is 10 months (and 5 days as I've abandoned this post once again)....

At 10 months old, Ryan:

• Is a momma's boy - he loves to be held or be right by my side at all times. If I walk through the room, he sees me and cries and lifts his arms up to be held



• Still won't crawl, but he loves to take steps with us and stand while holding onto something



• Has 5 teeth with a couple more on the way (I hope they come soon...he is cranky!!)



• Loves trying new foods...his new favorite is raisins



• Likes being outside - stroller rides and rides in his swing are among his favorites



• Gives a high-pitched scream when he wants to get out of his high chair or wants other attention



• Likes books, cars, and balls



• Still enjoys school and his teacher Mrs. Lili who sends the cutest pictures and videos of Ryan eating, playing with friends, and doing art projects =)

All smiles

Pulling up on the crib railing