Saturday, August 22, 2009

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

Monday, August 17, 2009

Ryan's 1st Haircut

Aunt Wendy gave Ryan his first haircut today. Ryan handled it great! He situated himself on my lap and never cried. He would occasionally whip his head back and forth as Wendy pulled up on the hair to make the snip (as if to wonder who was pulling on him - or maybe to see something he hadn't yet seen) - but she was swift and got him all trimmed up in no time!

I miss the curls he had when his hair was longer - and somehow I think the trim made him look less like a "baby" and more like a "boy".

Double Click the photo below and it will take you to the photo album from his momentus day.


Ryan's 1st Haircut

Sunday, August 16, 2009

July 20 - August 16, 2009

It seems that so much has been keeping us busy - but when I actually look at a calendar, it doesn't seem like it should be too overwhelming. Why does it seem that there is NO time?!!

Jeff has had a lot of travel in the last month. I actually haven't had any at all - which has really been nice.

In the last month we had a BBQ at Scott Robertson's house, a BBQ Carnival at the Lexus Western Area, a birthday party for Joe at the Vinci's, a visit from our friend Jamey Skurtovich (from Atlanta), a birthday dinner for my cousin Jennifer, dinner at the Coorey's in beautiful Temecula, and a visit to Disneyland for Aunt Dorothy's birthday.

Dylan finished Summer School - finishing English with a C & B each semester. He's all caught up with credits now and is in a much better position for his Senior year.

Dylan made his first long-distance drive to his grandparents house in Tehachapi - 135 miles one-way. He stayed there for a week. He only got lost twice on the way out there. (I tried to get him to listen to me when I was giving driving directions) I give him credit, though, for calling for directions. He got to visit with his Dad and his half-brother while he was there. He went fishing twice - and also had a chance to golf. He also helped his Grandpa build part of his model train track.


Ryan is very vocal. He can say "ba-ba", "da-da", "Dill" (Dylan), "ice" and "don't".

He shakes his head for "no".

When you ask him how big he is - he throws up his arms into the air as we say "sooooo big".

He can give you "five".

He can throw a ball.

He can take about 5 steps - but isn't quite walking.

He can clap.

He knows his nose.

He knows his mouth - and when you ask him where his mouth is, he makes a sound like an Indian (ahhhhhhhhhh - as he pats his mouth)




He likes to look for trucks that drive up the hill into Gordon Highlands.

He asks "whats this"

He reaches up (or out) and claps his hands when he wants something.

Our visit with the Coorey's was very nice. It was the first time that we have been up to their Temecula home. It was such a great time. Their view is amazing - and it was such a relaxing visit. We really like the Cooreys! I wish I had a picture (I don't).. but Jennifer had this tunnel, made out of tent-like material, that she brought out for Ryan to try out. Ryan was like a crazy man crawling viciously in and out of the tunnel - screaming happily as he got to each end. It kept us entertained for most of the evening. His laugh was so contagious.

Dylan and I met up with Uncle Jim, Aunt Dorothy & Jenni at Disneyland on the 16th (for Aunt Dorothy's birthday). We only rode a few rides while we were there. Ryan came down with a cold or flu and was not feeling good at all....runny nose, watery eyes, high fever.... For as sick as he was, he really hung in there. Poor guy.

Anyways - I posted my favorite photos from the last month: I love the one of Ryan asleep on the piano!!
- Dylan was watching Ryan while I was getting ready for Disneyland. They were playing (er, pounding recklessly) the piano together and all the sudden it got real quiet. I came downstairs to see how it was going. I didn't see Ryan. When I asked Dylan where he was, he pointed to the piano (out of my sight). As I looked around the corner, there Ryan was - sleeping in the sitting position, slouched over onto the piano keys - mouth open.

I was fearful that he was going to try to roll over and that he would fall right off the bench - but of course had to run around the house to grab the camera first!!

The sound of the shutter woke Ryan - and I saved him from that painful looking position he was in. As he lifted his head, he revealed the piano key indentations on his left cheek. It took 40 minutes for the indents to go away.

In other random news...I found a great used toy for Ryan on Craig's List. It's a Little Tikes Swing Along Castle Climber. One side has a swing - just his size - and the other side is for climbing and sliding. There's a spinning wheel on one side of the platform and a telescope on the other. The deal finder that I am - located this little gem for only $60! So far Ryan enjoys it. He still needs a lot of supervision - but it will be a great toy for a while.