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.