New Years Eve: In The Desert With A Rhino

Another desert trip! The Dodds and the Gomez's joined up with us.

Jeff borrowed a Rhino from his friend Jerry so that Ryan and I could see if we liked the side-by-side experience. We all rode into Randsburg to have lunch at the White House Saloon. I drove - Robyn so bravely rode along - and Kadence and Ryan hung on for dear life in the back seat. Just Kidding. Ryan and Kadence had a great time. Actually, they were able to fall asleep while being bounced, windblown and dusted. I was amazed.

It was nice to be able to go along on a ride. I haven't been able to do that in a couple of years. I think this may be a new addition in the future.

It was a great weekend. Happy New Year to all!

Christmas 2009

Christmas is such a great time of year - and one that is so special to share with little ones. This was Ryan's second Christmas - and yet he still doesn't "quite" get what's going on with all of the presents.

We got to spend Christmas over a few days:
- We spend Christmas Eve at Jeff's parents
- We spent Christmas Morning at home
- We spent Christmas Day at Jeff's parents
- We spent Christmas Evening with my family
- We hosted dinner at our house for my family

Dylan was excited to get a stereo system for his truck. Ryan's big gift was his Step 2 climber. I was excited by my toaster oven - and Jeff got a variety of gourmet popcorn gifts (popper, specialty corn, seasonings, etc).

Ryan was enamored by the "lytes". He loved to see all of the Christmas lights and decorations.

Thoroughbred Christmas Lights

Nestled in a neighborhood in Alta Loma is a collection of million dollar homes with the most amazing display of lights and decorations you have ever seen. It is TRULY amazing!

Families pack the streets – kids in wagons, walking, scootering, strollering - all while being treated to caroling, tamales and hot chocolate along the way.

We were joined by our friends – the Dodds, The Tansley’s and the Roolvinks. I suspect that this may be a new Christmas tradition. What an experience!

The Death of Power Wheels

One ride on the "real" quad - and Ryan will no longer sit in the Power Wheels.

R.I.P. - 11/14/09 - 12/6/09
The Power Wheels was only 23 days old.

You Can Deep Fry ANYTHING

After borrowing a Turkey fryer from our friends, the Vinci's - we had to get our own. We sampled both Turkey and Prime Rib. (The Prime rib was tricky - not sure we'd do that one again)

Ryan tried to convince me he would turn out the best - but I didn't take him up on it. (Although he is quite the little HAM)

:)

Randsburg

After spending Thanksgiving Day with Jeff's family, we withheld tradition and did a desert trip. We met up with the Coorey's (Pete, Jennifer, Amanda & Jessica) - and headed out to a location that we had never been before.

Close to the camp location (10 miles or so) is an old mining town called Randsburg - a living ghost town on the Western end of the Mojave desert. Jennifer, the twins, Ryan and I drove into town - and Pete, Jeff and Dylan rode their motorcycles in. The town caters to the off-road crowd. There are more bikes than there are cars. We had lunch, then did a little sight seeing.

The weather ended up getting pretty chilly -there was even snow on the local foothills - so we went home a day early. There's no use spending a night in the desert FREEZING - when you can just pack it all up and drive home!

Ryan's First Quad

Inspired by our trip to Ocotillo Wells last weekend, we wanted to get Ryan something that he could safely motor around on. Today we bought him a Power Wheels quad. We tested it out on our cul-de-sac.

Ryan infectiously laughed as he figured out how to keep the button pushed to keep the quad going. Getting Ryan OFF the quad might as well have been the end of the world. I guess it's safe to say that he "likes" his new toy.

Ocotillo Wells - November 6-8, 2009

It's been just over a year since we've been to the desert as a family. Dylan didn't do any racing this season. Besides a couple impromptu rides this year, there has been very little riding. It was nice to get away.

Jeff and I took a day off of work -and Dylan a day off of school - so that we could leave on Friday morning. This would give us 2 nights and 3 days in Ocotillo Wells. The weather was in the low 80s during the day and in the 50s at night. It was a little warmer than we would have liked. But I guess I'd much rather have a little heat than wind.

It was our first time trying to figure out sleeping arrangements with Ryan in the motor home. We brought his port-a-crib and set it up the first night. It worked - BUT - it was really tight to maneuver around him. The dogs didn't care, though - they would pass through the narrow space between the crib and the wall all night long. Perhaps the best part of having the crib up was that Parker was discouraged from passing through and hopping up on our bed to sleep - so he slept on the lower bunk bed. It was nice to have leg room!!

The second night we decided to test putting RYAN in the bunk house (sorry Parker). We put up railing across the bunk space and latched the netting . It worked out great. I didn't have as much leg room the second night.

Ryan enjoyed the desert. He was very inquisitive about everything. He really enjoyed being able to roam around and be free in the dirt. I think Ryan's favorite part was playing with Bailey - Steve Dodd's beagle. Ryan just followed her around everywhere!!

Dylan went on a few rides. It's kind of a bummer not being able to be out riding with him, but I'm too slow for him anyways. I try to go out and take pictures when I can.

Overall, it was a fun weekend. We're already planning our next trip during Thanksgiving!

Ryan Surgery Update 11/2

It's been 10 months since Ryan's surgery at CHLA.
It's been 5 months since we figured out how to cure the diaper rash post surgery.
We've had regular office visits with Dr. Sherman since birth.

Today was yet another routine visit with Dr. Sherman - however it was a benchmark visit. Two milestones were met today:
1.) A successful rectal exam (first ever)
2.) The scar tissue has finally softened since surgery

We don't go back now for 6 months. Progress is good.

Halloween 2009

Halloween was on a Saturday this year. This is significant because Jeff is usually working late for "month end close" on Halloween. This year Jeff got to be part of the Morgan Ranch festivities.



Grandma Norton bravely volunteered to pass out candy while Jeff and I took Ryan Trick-or-Treating on our street.

Ryan definitely knew that something "special" was going on. As usual, he took everything in and immersed himself in the festivities. I don't think he ever quite understood why so many weirdo's were coming up to the door.



We went through 40 bags of candy and had to shut our doors early. Next year I need to plan on at least 60 bags. Hey, maybe we'll suck it up and get the full size bars like the rest of the neighborhood.

Dylan's First Accident

The phone call that no parent wants to get. "I've been in an accident"
- I actually missed the call. All 8 of them.

I was in my 3rd day of Jury Duty in Pomona. The Judge released us on a 15 minute break at 3:00. I scrolled through my emails, missed calls - and saw that I had a text message from Jeff. It read, "Dylan's been in an accident. Call me."

I didn't know WHO to call first. I called Jeff (he's in Vegas). After I got the initial information (that Dylan is okay), I called Dylan. Dylan explained to me what happened. He was going to his friend Malory's house. It was raining. He was looking at his iPod, he hit the brakes, went into a skid, and wrecked.

Basically, once Dylan hit the brakes he hydroplaned. As he steered left, the car flew right. He went up a driveway approachment - bounced off a brick pillar and landed the car on it's left side - shattering the driver and passenger side windows and breaking the rear left tire off of the car. He unbuckled himself and climbed out the passenger side of the car and called 9-1-1.

As the images of this accident replay in my mind, I am so amazed that Dylan handled this all on his own. What a traumatizing event.

Dylan is not injured. No one was with Dylan. Dylan didn't hit anyone. He was not involved in an accident with another vehicle. There is some property damage to the brick pillar and the car is totaled.

Wow, right?
So now we wait to see what State Farm has to say. In the meantime, Dylan is back in the Suburban.

Homecoming 2009

Tonight was Homecoming for GHS. Most kids don't actually "go" to the dance, but they get all dressed up, go to a nice dinner and stay on the Party Bus until 12:30.

Dylan went with his friend Stephanie. There were about 20 couples who met up at Miranda Villa's house for pictures. They loaded the bus, headed to Buca Di Beppo (in Claremont) for dinner then had their fun on the bus.

Dylan came home at about 1:30. He says he had a great time.

LA County Fair 2009

We took Ryan to the LA County Fair today. We walked through the exhibition buildings and we visited the animals (A fair MUST). I think Ryan was more content people watching from his stroller than he was inside the petting zoo.

Jeff and I usually come out of the exhibition buildings loaded with the latest, greatest gadget- but this year it was a blanket and a discovery toy for Ryan. (Funny how priorities change)

I did, however, get to experience the most painful 12 minute massage in my life. It started off so nice - I'm not sure why it turned into such torture. I'm still recovering from the beating I received.

The good news, is that Jeff and I now have nice shiny wedding rings thanks to a free cleaning! At least we can say that our rings were cleaned at least once this year!!

The shocking food items from the fair this year were chocolate dipped bacon and meat lovers ice cream. We had neither.

Ryan's One-Year Photos

We went yesterday to have Ryan's one-year photos taken at The Picture People in Rancho Cucamonga. It was planned out perfectly. The appointment was at 3p. This allowed time for Ryan to take his nap and have his lunch before heading down. Nothing was going to derail the sitting - and the opportunity to bring home wonderful photos of Ryan!

Unlike previous sittings, Ryan wasn't "hamming" it up for the camera. Although there were a couple of good photos, most had the expression of "ehhhh, get me out of here". I couldn't blame it on not having a nap or that he was hungry. He just didn't care to be there in that environment. I was totally bummed, but I did the right thing and I requested that we be scheduled for a re-shoot.

Today our appointment was at 2p. This time we had Dylan, Grandma and Grandpa to help out with the picture taking! Today's appointment went much better - and we were able to select from enough photos to make our selection.

The Picture People has an instant gratification approach. You can pretty much walk out of there with all your prints in an hour. So while we waited to view our pictures, I took Ryan over to the fountains to let him play with the water. (He LOVES water) Once Ryan decided that he no longer wanted to stand, I figured I would just let him get wet and figure out how to get him into new clothes. After all, we were at a MALL. Lucky for us there was a Gymboree next door to the photo studio. (How convenient, yet, strategically placed adjacent to the fountains)







After we selected our photos, we feasted at Lucille's BBQ - one of our favorites!! (I hate to admit we ate there yesterday, too)

Ryan's First Birthday

Ryan's first birthday was celebrated on Saturday, August 22 - at our home - amongst 51 friends and family members.

The week was a busy one because Jeff had been in Boise, Idaho for a drag race the weekend prior and I was in San Francisco for a Ford Dealer meeting on the 19th and the 20th. Being gone left little time for party execution.

We catered the party with Grilled Chicken, Potato Salad, Rice, Beans & Tortillas from Juan Pollo. Of course we added watermelon (a Ryan favorite) to the menu. And by miracle, I was able to have a cake made by Peggy with only 24 hours notice! (Peggy is who made our wedding cake - it is my absolute favorite!)

As with any 1st birthday party, I think that the party was really an adult gathering in honor of Ryan. Ryan really didn't know it was his day. He did get to eat most of his personal cake. If that doesn't make it "your day" I don't know what does!! I ended up opening all of his gifts for Ryan. He expressed particular interest in the boxes and bags!!

Thanks to all who were able to come - it was so nice to have everyone here for Ryan.
- Pete, Jennifer, Amanda & Jessica Coorey
- Andrew, Carrie, Keira & Brooklyn Tansley
- Uncle Bob & Aunt Marilyn Gogolin
- Fabi, Andrew, Tim & Cody Harris
- Keira (from daycare)
- Aunt Wendy
- Grandma Priscilla & Grandpa Mike
- Aimee & Ava Roolvink
- Jessica Stewart
- Karin Toomay & Steve Dodds (with granddaughter Cadence)
- Danny Dodds & Girlfriend Tricia
- Uncle Jim & Aunt Ann Kominski
- Cousins Meredith & Lane Levin
- Uncle Ken & Aunt Nancy
- Nana Joan
- Cousin Adam Norton
- Nanci & Lenny Ruest (& Monk)
- Uncle Jim, Aunt Dorothy, Cousins Jenny & Justin
- Dom, Michelle, Audrey, Joe, Anthony & Michael Vinci
- Uncle Dennis & Aunt Nadia
- Grandma Natalie
- Aaron & Janelle White

Double click on photo below to see all pictures from the party. (When you get to the pictures on the Picasa website - click on "slideshow")

Ryan's First Birthday Party