The Decorating Begins...

We have our very own photographer now!

Decorating the little tree in Ry's room

Backyard Camp-Out

We really wanted to take Ryland camping, but thought it would be best if we did a trial run at home.  Saturday night was our camp-out!  Ry was so excited to put up the tents, blow up the air mattresses and get all the flashlights ready.  After we had camp setup, we played some football and bocce ball.  We had some friends come over and dined on hot dogs and brats!  Ryland and Wes ran all over the place with the flashlights looking for bugs and lizards.  We started a fire and roasted some marshmallows.  Ry wasn't a fan of the s'mores, but was just fine eating the chocolate!  After our friends left, we read some bedtime stories by the fireside and got ready for bed.  Ry fell right asleep (after moving his air mattress into our tent).  It was ridiculously windy that night - crazy windy.  The tarps and tents were so loud with all the wind that we eventually gave up and headed inside.  It's just way too tempting when your comfortable bed is only steps away...  The next morning when Ry woke up he came into our room looking all confused. "What happened?  Why no camping?  Where is my tent?

We had a great time and enjoyed our little adventure!

Camp Stone

Ry loved his own tent!  I have a feeling that this will be in the living room soon!

A little football

Love how that in mid-November we can camp and still be in shorts!

Right before bed...we're trying to grow his hair out a little to see how it looks - don't mind that he looks like a hot mess!

Love this pic!  I love how Dust is dressed as "Typical Dustin" from the waist up and as an old man with the pajama pants and slippers from the waist down!  In the words of Ry "Don't Be Jealous"!

Our pretty girl.  She just couldn't sleep outside (was a growling, scared fool) and was the first one to give up and go find her bed inside!  I guess she's slightly spoiled...aren't animals supposed to sleep outside??

Thanksgiving Feast w/ Ryland's Kindergarten Class

Today Ryland told his teacher that he was thankful for his dog and for cookies!

I know, I know...I like pictures...what can I say?

I'll never forget a time (many, many years ago) right after we got married when my father-in-law came to visit.  We were so young, poor and living in a tiny apartment in DC.  We didn't have a large decorating budget, but what we did have was tons of framed pictures of us all over the apartment.  When my father-in-law was touring our pad he said "Wow...you really like yourselves, huh?!!!  There's pictures of you guys everywhere!"  It was like a small museum of Cort & Dust...what can I say...I like pictures.  We have TONS of framed pics of family and friends all over our house.

And now, without further adieu...here are a few more of our family!  (Ry is constantly asking why he isn't in EVERY picture that we have in the house and gets a sad look...it breaks me...so I'm adding tons of pictures of him and us all together everywhere!)  So thankful that I have a great friend Amy (amyrobersonphotography.blogspot.com) that humors me!

Ryland with his Uncle Tyler & Auntie Leah

My brother, Tyler with his wife, Leah and my soon to be nephew!!

Right before this shot Ry got in trouble and I was trying to tickle him to make him smile for the pic.  Love Dustin's face on this one...

Organic?

Dear Healthy & Organic Breakfast,

Although it seems like I have, I haven't forgotten about you...I promise! I know we had an exclusive agreement at the beginning and I've fallen off the wagon from time to time. It's just that he loves chocolate doughnuts too much for me to say no all the time. Could you please send some literature on your 12 step recovery program? No rush, I probably won't be ready for that kind of commitment until after the Holidays.

Sincerely,

A guilty, but not too guilty Mom in Texas

New Friends

Ry finally asked me this week if he could go play with the other kids in our cul-de-sac.  After I said "sure", he asked if he could bring Sadie with him to say hello to everyone.  I was speechless and had a huge grin on my face!  Is it in a man's DNA to use a dog as an ice-breaker when trying to talk to the ladies?  The next 30 minutes of my life were just awesome.  As I stood in the study, watching Ry through the window (kind of stalker-like) my heart was just so happy for him.  He took Sadie out to say hi, showed off her tricks, came running back to grab some treats for her and let the other kids take her on short walks around the sidewalk.  It was adorable and hilarious all at the same time.  Finally Sadie had her fill and wanted to come back in.  I then watched Ry interact with the kids...kids I've really only waved to in the past.  They all introduced themselves and quizzed Ry on their names.  They created a quick game to help him remember all of the names and I'm standing inside just smiling the biggest smile wishing Dustin was home to witness this!  They taught Ry how to play Duck, Duck, Goose.  HILARIOUS!  He didn't know you were supposed to run around the circle and when it was his turn, he just took off running down the sidewalk!  They played all kinds of little games that I haven't even thought about since I was 10.  I thought about playing with all my neighbors growing up and it just made me happy.  A simple joy that Ryland hasn't experienced yet since being home.

It's just so cute, I love listening to kids talk to each other...it's just plain funny.

The next day when Ry came home from school, he went outside to "check the mail" about 10 times until the kids started trickling out to play.  As soon as he saw them he ran around the house yelling "My friends, my friends!  Mama, can I go outside with my friends?"

He knows the rules and has been great so far.  Constantly running back in to ask me questions or to say thank you!  You could see the joy in his face...he was so happy.

Happy Halloween!

Even though it's a week late...here is a few pics from Ryland's first Halloween!  On Halloweeen we setup camp at on our neighbor's driveway and had so much fun passing out candy and watching the Rangers in the World Series!  Another house on our cul-de-sac was outside with the TV watching the game, too!  Only in Texas!!!  One of the million reasons why we love it here!

Pumpkin carving @ Oma & Opa's place

Finished products

The fam w/ Ry's pumpkin - he did a great job and "carved" alot of the face on his own!

On Halloween night, hula-hooping as a trick-or-treating warm-up!  

The whole fam got dressed up!  Ryland was a pro at trick-or-treating!  Said "trick-or-treat" and "thank you" everytime.  To every single person we passed, he also said "Happy Halloween" or "Let's Go Rangers!"

Our fave little guy!