Life is GOOD!

Nothing much happening except that I have a new car!!! I think Stephen is just as excited as me. He can't wait to get into every day and play with it. I  started looking for something and 3 days later I bought! I was so overdue... and it is so sweet and is fully loaded (dvd player, sunroof, power everything)!  

Stephen, Ryder and Montana got their pictures taken. It was good considering it was really hot in the place and getting all three of them to look is challenging! 
Ryder is about to start walking... now his legs are in a walking position but his hands are on the floor- it is so comical. Ryder is still as lucky as ever and now gets the pleasure of both Grammy and Grandpop during the day. I am really excited for summer this year- Ryder is old enough to enjoy the pool- I don't have to constantly find shade. And that I have a car that I trust to enjoy road trips! Mother's Day weekend was great- we went to our camper. I got to spend the weekend with my mom which is always wonderful!!! I enjoy her company and also enjoy her help with my boys.. especially Ryder. Steve is so handy and I am so lucky. He is still working on our porch for our camper- actually is more like a pavilion.  He made steps this weekend so we can get up to the deck more easily. He is unbelievable!  Stephen can now ride his quad on the short trips we take. He just follows and waves to people when we pass them (like all the adults do- too cute).  He veers off road a bit to go fast..makes me so nervous!  Mom-Mom gave him a back pack that you can drink from... well he just thinks he is the coolest now! LIFE IS GOOD. Jake was watching Ryder alone for about 25 minutes. Ryder started choking on a penny... Jake knew what to do and started the Heimlic.  The penny came flying out of Ryder's mouth. I am so proud that Jake was paying attention to his gym teacher during the First AID/Safety lesson. Way to go Jake... I am so proud and so very thankful for your quick thinking. You saved my child's life!!! Let me say it one more time: LIFE IS GOOD!!! 

Ryder is 1

I can't believe my baby is 1..... where did that year go? He is such a sweet boy.  We threw a great party- it is a shame he won't remember.  Stephen told us he doesn't like when it is someone elses birthday- he wants presents. We were laughing so hard. So now he says, this is what Ryder and I got (as he is holding up a gift).  Too funny!! The day was absolutely beautiful! The weather was wonderful! The party started at 3 and lasted until 1am!! Needless to say, the keg was kicked by 9pm..... and the food was pretty much gone! I guess that is what happens when the party lasts for hours and hours.  We had a moon bounce (that was delivered Friday night- Aunt Krissy's present to Ryder), hot dog machine and popcorn machine, and a horse and pony (gift from the Whitesells)! I even rode the horse.  I am so thankful for  all of my family and friends for all of their help to make it a success!! Unfortunately, Stephen started to get sick around 9 that night and slept on the couch for the rest of the party.  But at least he got most of the day in... stupid stomach bug!!
Stephen started riding his bike a few weeks ago with no training wheels. He now is doing wheelies and skids.  I can see that I will be hiding my eyes as he gets older- he is so daring. Every night we take a walk around the block- Ryder in stroller or little tykes car and the dog of course.  It is such a nice half hour to spend with my boys.  The 4th marking period started-- Wahoo!!! Teachers love the 4th marking period- only 9 weeks to go until we are off for the summer. But, we aren't counting or anything. Here are a few pictures from Ryder's birthday.

Also, My baby girl is 8 today- HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTANA~

Beautiful Weather

 This weather is amazing! From the minute we get home we are outside playing! It is then a mad rush to do dinner and baths before bedtime.... but who cares- it all gets done.  Never knew if I told you how much I hate bedtime- I have to turn into this mean witch!!  Ryder is fighting me now.... I try to be mean and just lay him down. But then I go in to his crib because he is crying to be held- so I hold him. I think to myself- this won't last- so I am going to savor this moment!  I can't believe he is 11 1/2 months old.
I remember this time last year:  weekly doctors appointments, getting stress tests,  high blood pressure, going to triage, getting my belly measure to see how big this child was inside me, trying to fulfill the bizarre appetite, and getting the house ready for 1 more!  In one year, we have this little pretoddler- crawling the speed of lightening, crying/whining to voice his opinion and stand up to his older brother, and trying new and delicious foods (his favorite so far are goldfishes).  He even likes eggs (although I am not suppose to give them until 1- he is ok and likes them lol).  Stephen has become a great big brother- making sure he can taste all different food or he lets me know when he has a choking hazard ( that is what we call them and Stephen has become the choking hazard police!!)
Steve has been working really hard on our roof for the porch at the camper-- I do beleive we will have a few people under it when it rains up there- we can drink and be dry!!! He is sooo talented!

I guess it is safe to say that I almost forgot about Valentine's day for Stephen at school (I do always remember it is my parents anniversary though). I shopped for my kids and got them a few little things but totally forgot that Stephen takes in Valentine's.  So last Monday, I was at the store buying Valentine's. He enjoyed the day and made me an adorable heart and card (aren't they the best gifts ever!) We still want 1 or 2 good snow storms.... but for now, we will take the beautiful weather! Stephen is so funny these days- keeps asking Steve if he should be a daddy when he grows up.  Ryder is crawling all around.  He is pulling himself up and actually cracking up after he does it. Stephen thinks it's great and says "mom, let him stand alone".  He is also over baby food!! He wants the real deal so I have been giving him table food. He is a happy baby now! He is so adorable! He doesn't really care to sleep though!
President's Day is our annual weekend in NY snowmobiling- but not this year :-(  They have little snow and we are down 1 sled so we made the weekend a family weekend at our camper. It was cold, but we had lots of fun!! Steve took Stephen on the roof of the porch he is building. I ran to Walmart (I love Hazelton WALMART) and when I came back Stephen told me he was on the roof... he was so proud! Steve said he was a help by handing him shingles- aren't there Child Labor laws?? lol....
The other Stephen was in a very bad mood- he said "I am just in one of those moods".... don't ya wonder where they learn these things from!!

WE want SNOW!!!

We are a family who loves snow!!  Steve has a new toy called a Sno Runner- it looks a modped for the snow (guess I should thank my dad for finding it for him..lol)  we don't need anymore toys at our house- for the big kids or the little kids!!  We got to use it a little a couple of weekends ago when we had about 1 inch (of that white stuff we miss so much). Stephen rides right on the front... he is just like his daddy! Ryder is totally refusing baby food- he wants the  good stuff! SO we have been introducing him little by little to table food. Stephen finds this to be so funny!! Ryder is faster and faster each day. He barrels around the barricades I put up. We just got our gates down because he leaves the play room and just travels all over! Next week is Stephen's special week at school, he is so excited! Think SNOW- we are due for a little fun- right!!!

Happy New Year!

Wow 2012...crazy! It was a wonderful Christmas and New Years! We hosted our annual Christmas Eve party and laugh because people leave earlier and earlier each year- I guess because we now play the Santa role! Aunt Krissy slept over this year... it was alot of fun. Also, my parents and brothers came over to watch the kids open gifts and eat breakfast. Steve parents also stopped over to see what Santa brought! It was a great morning. Ryder was sick for his first Christmas....it was so sad.  He ended up having a double ear infection, a cold and was puking all week! At least I was off from work and didn't have to take time.  Stephen loved all of his toys and is very lucky to have a wonderful family that is so very generous.  Ryder is doing the "army" crawl way too good!  By my next post- he will be full blown crawling.  We had a little New Year's party with the neighbors... and it was a fun as always! It is funny how life changes throughout the years. We drank a decent amount but never do as much as we once did since we HAVE to function the next day.  Stephen loves LMAFO and is constantly singing it... I say to him just please don't sing it in school- catholic preschool that is!!! I will post updated pictures soon!!