Jumping Off a Bridge

Christmas 2011!!!

2011-12-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

Looks like we're trying to be extra nice to score some good gifts with the big guy!

Welcome Louisa!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-09-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

And it finally happened, the deRijke's are capable of producing a baby girl, and we couldn't be more happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And on the next day, on my drive to work I caught this...

Life is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Getting ready for a big announcement

2011-09-28T07:11:00.000-07:00

We're getting ready for a big announcement (that you've probably all heard already). So we had a few things to take care of first.

Like:

Taking some pics:

And planting a garden:

Oh, and buying a van:

Pudding Face

2011-03-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

The kids got to spend some QT with their nana this Monday and Tuesday. Riley is getting ready for the tryouts for the new show America's Next Top Clown...

Picking Pics for a Poster

2011-03-07T07:59:00.001-08:00

We're working through some pics to make into a poster of the kids, here are the front runners...

Fun with Nana

2011-01-07T13:06:00.000-08:00

B seems to really like Nana, really like his lovey, or really like cooking with peanut butter, or all of the above...

Santa 2010

2010-12-09T06:02:00.001-08:00

Been A While (seems like a common theme)

2010-09-13T18:16:00.001-07:00

First Corndog!!!

2010-05-14T13:42:00.001-07:00

I mean, who doesn't love a corndog (or soydog if you will)...

Children of all ages...

2010-04-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

Here are some picks from the circus from sometime around mid February, the kids had the best time ever!!!...

seriously though, they really did have a good time...

got a little $40 snow cone lion...

And all shared some laughs...

who's the ring leader of this group...

Snow Man

2010-04-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

So during the "Blizzard of 2010" B and I made quite the snowman out in the yard. The snow was absolutely perfectly packable...

This sprinkler came in quite handy...

And they snowmen decided to stick around much longer than anyone anticipated...

This effort was much better than the earlier snowman from the first "snow storm" of the season...

But it wasn't from a lack of trying...

Urban Camping

2010-04-21T13:51:00.000-07:00

Sweet tent from Uncle Jeff (yes for Christmas, a little behind)...

Banana Phone

2010-04-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

yeah, banana phone...

Hey, hold on a second...

oh brother...

Buy me some peanuts...

2010-04-07T08:11:00.001-07:00

Monday I took Brayden to his first Braves game. Went to the stadium without tickets, and as it turns out, its good to procrastinate. Thanks to some Southern Hospitality (and probably a little Southern Comfort) we ended up scoring free tickets from a guy who was trying to sell them (and I had a pocket full of cash too). Were they great seats, no. Were they good seats, not really. Were they free, yep, so I change my answer to the previous 2 questions to YES. They were 3 rows from the top of the stadium behind home plate, but they were free so who's complaining.

We were in the stadium for Jason Heyward's first career HR, and brayden looks and me and goes "Thats loud". When we arrived at the stadium we went directly to the Tooner Field playground, where we spend the first 2 innings playing around.

After that we bought some drinks and crackerjacks I carried brayden the 900 steps to our seats. We managed to sit and watch about 2 innings, got to see Brian McCann hit a HR. Then B was done so back down we went (this time I was smart enough to search out an elevator (which was just as good as the game to B). Went and bought a souvenir Bat, and back to Tooner Field for a little more fun for the next 2 innings or so. Then we did a quick tour around the back half of the stadium and we were on our way. In total we were at the stadium for 6 innings, spent about $30 total (and zero on tickets), and had an absolutely great time.

Roofer

2010-03-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

So last night we were pulling into the driver and we had a roofer at the house giving us a quote for a new roof, Brayden sees him from the back seat and says "Hey Dad, tell that old man to get out of the way so we don't hit him with the car."

Then later he says "Hey old man, you have a ladder just like my daddy's."

Not real sure where that came from. At some point I'll get some more pics up on this thing.

Aquarium

2010-02-06T13:15:00.001-08:00

So we finally made it, as a family out to the aquarium today. Brayden was a little disappointed that the beluga whales were "asleep" (or in texas while the new dolphin exhibit is being constructed, either way). You should have seen his eyes "light up" when he got there though, watching the big fish right at the beginning.

Had some camera problems so we weren't able to quite "catch" the moment (I am just too funny).

Here is a better picture of brayden and mommy taking in the fisheys, or what mommy likes to call, dinners...

And here's is the first of several attempts at a pic of B through one of the tanks, stupid dinners...

ok, although blurry, this one worked out pretty well...

he used to captain a little ship called the minow, that was before they took his captain's license away...

(guess we need to adjust our red-eye settings on the camera)

brayden pointing out the rhincodon typus, or whale shark to you and I, to daddy...

then we realized we didn't have any pictures of Riley, so we took this one. You can tell we are at the aquarium by hair on my second chinny chin chin...

and here are mommy and brayden at the "pet the rays exhibit"...

(there was a special promotion going on today, all tattoo'd Amish lumberjacks get in free)

Here mommy shows brayden the proper 2 finger method of petting the rays...

And here, brayden has mistaken this exhibit for the "Feed the Rays" exhibit...

Brayden thought that was hilarious, he ran over and told me "I touched it". Such a fun day at the aquarium, and we managed to make it back home with all 40 fingers and 40 toes, barely.

Riley likes to....

2010-01-30T18:18:00.001-08:00

like a bowl full of jelly...

2010-01-24T19:00:00.001-08:00

So work is really picking up, and not a lot of time to update the blog, but I had to get these pics in of riley before we get too far out from christmas...

happiest kid ever.

Bumpidy Bump Bump Bumpidy Bump Bump

2010-01-07T20:03:00.000-08:00

I can't wait for B and R to wake up...

All I want for Christmas is ...

2009-12-20T18:00:00.000-08:00

My lower middle front left tooth!!!

(pic is not of actual tooth, just a random)

Halloween Madness

2009-12-13T18:11:00.000-08:00

It turns out our street is amazing when it comes to Halloween shenanigans. Brayden and our neighbor Patterson had THE best time ever running from house to house, squealing and giving each other high 5's...

We put B on a strict diet and workout regimen in the weeks leading up to halloween, but I think all the hard work really paid off...

Check out this dynamic duo...

oh yeah, daddy had a blast on halloween too...

we're not really sure what riley thought of the whole thing...

And here are a few other pics...

Bah, Humbug!!!

2009-12-10T18:41:00.000-08:00

Its been a while since my computer decided to crash on me, so I've lost the original files for basically every picture since Riley was born. Luckily I had loaded everything onto snapfish, and for the low low price of $40 per 500 pictures I can get all of my pictures back. Anyway, between the backlog of pics that I actually DO have, and busy season starting at work, its going to take a while to get caught up. But here is something to kick off the holiday season, I hope all is Merry and Bright...

Night Night...

2009-11-09T17:47:00.000-08:00

Stephanie and B were looking out the window tonight before bed to try and see the moon. Unfortunately it was nowhere to be found. Brayden told mommy "moon night night with lovey."

HA HA HA HA!!!!

2009-11-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

He made us work hard for it but finally...

Check me Out!!!

2009-11-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

Do you see this...

this isn't as easy as it appears...

I am totally sitting up on my own...

now I just need to learn to get here by myself. But I have started eating rice cereal!!!

Talking is Hilarious

2009-10-26T08:10:00.000-07:00

So Brayden is really starting to talk a lot these days and I wanted to make notes of a few of the funny things that he has said/done recently so I don't forget them (I'm sure I've already lost forever a thousand classic moments/quotes)...

We've all seen this trick before, but I think I may have found its origins (in children)...The other day brayden was playing in mommy's car and found a sherlock holmes style magnifying glass that I had never seen. So I said to brayden "hey, brayden, whats that in your hand?" he takes the magnifying glass and puts it in his other hand and shows me his now empty hand. So I say "no, whats in your other hand?", so he again transfers the magnifying glass to the original hand and looks at his hand and sees nothing and then shows me nothing is in his hand (not trying to deceive me, he just didn't have a clue what I was talking about). We did this about 4 or 5 times before I rephrased the question "hey dude, thats a sweet magnifying glass, where did you get it?"

If I wasn't laughing hard enough about that one, about 5 minutes later, brayden wanted to go across the street to patterson's house. (to preface this story, we went to a halloween supply store the week before and brayden was entranced with this spider that was hanging on the wall that would drop down and crawl back up upon command). So Brayden and I walk down the driveway and across the street to patterson's house which is all decked out in spooky gear, including tombstones, pumpkins and a 6 foot stuffed spider. When we got to the sidewalk in front of their house brayden started clapping. He clapped a few more times and then said "spiders broken, needs new batteries" (everything these days needs new batteries, whether it a) needs new batteries b) is turned off c) is something that doesn't take batteries at all but brayden thinks should have more functionality.). I tried to convince brayden that the 6 foot stuffed spider wasn't the same as the one we saw at the store for a few minutes, then gave in and agreed that the spider did in fact need new batteries.

stephanie was driving brayden around with the boys in my car the other day. brayden loves daddy's car because in it he has the ability to control the window all by himself. Stephanie said she was driving down monroe and got stopped at a red light. Brayden took the liberty of rolling down his window, and wave and say "hi" to a guy walking down the street with his son and dog. The guy was nice enough to wave back.

those are the stories that I can come up with at the moment, although I'm sure I think of more soon (and a thousand more will happen in the meantime). The only other thing I can think of is that B has started saying "hey dadda" and "hey momma", like he's going to make a big announcement, instead of just "dadda" and "momma".

good times.

Busy Times

2009-10-22T07:47:00.001-07:00

I've been really busy at work recently, so here are 2 fairly recent pics, one B and one R, at some point i'll try to fill in the gaps since the last blog...

and R...

having a good time

2009-10-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

was there anything better than sitting in your parents bed as a kid...

apparently there is, and riley found it...

or maybe he's just confused...

All about Riley PII

2009-10-05T08:06:00.000-07:00

so here are some more pics all about riley. big smile...

wow, too close...

so sleepy...

riley's silliest face...

cute as a button? no, no, cuter..

playing coy with the camera...

just one happy baby...

All about Riley

2009-10-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

riley is such a big boy, he's already filling out the bucket car seat...

showing you how he can puff out his cheeks...

a pretend smile...

a pretend frowny face...

and a real screaming face...

some light talking...

and the face of a baby with gas...

the last of b's birthday.....2.5 months later...

2009-10-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

check out this cake, TRAINS......

B seems to be in amazement, or he's just getting ready to blow, one of the two...

and cousin rece seems to give it his seal of approval...

this picture was like capturing big foot on film, you'd heard the rumors but didn't know if it was true or not, here are the piet, jazzy, and ...

***CONTENT REMOVED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES***

and oma having some toes for breakfast...

we left the cousins unsupervised for about 10 minutes and found them...

are they possibly the next hanso...jonas brothers....

how many kids does it take to turn on a piano...

a one and a two and a three...

mock, yeah, ing, yeah, bird, yeah...

rece doing some trick playing...

riley being his usual cuddly self...

and shockingly not amused by the bonnet...

much better...

Pretend that its July 19th...

2009-09-30T07:33:00.000-07:00

just pretend that its July 19th, because that's how far behind these pics are, and the next couple posts will be trying to play some catch up too.

have we mentioned how much of a better sleeper riley is than b...

brotherly love...

can almost fly...

Tribute to REM

2009-09-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

I've used there songs before in my montage videos, all I can say is that they just fit us...

Nightswimming...

and SuperB...

not to be outdone, riley shows his skills...

Super Happy Kid

2009-09-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

Riley just loves to give it up for even the slightest bit of attention. What a super happy kid...

my big boys

2009-09-04T08:41:00.000-07:00

so we tried B out in his new big boy underwear...

he was so proud...

and here is riley...

in his kimono...

time for your closeup...

this is how we should all sleep...

all the time...

riley

2009-09-03T08:38:00.000-07:00

we do take pics of riley too...

quite a few...

even when he wears night gowns...

2 lovies

2009-09-01T08:21:00.000-07:00

b really loves his lovies...

if there was a word stronger than love...

every once in a while he'll take out the thumb for a pic...

and you are left with a slobbery face...

but still cute...

yet, really really wet...

here's riley giving us his best male model pose...

i hear this look is really catching on in europe...

b totally pulls it off...

whatever he's eating must be pretty good...

and ticklish...

good eats...

ah lovie...

best buds

2009-08-31T08:15:00.000-07:00

ok, so riley is definitely not into the group photo thing yet...

but b is all over it...

accident waiting to happen...

return policy

2009-08-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

B, mommy and riley took a nice little trip down to tybee. I wasn't there so i'm not sure what all went on, so i'll just put up some pics.

did we get a receipt...

R just chilling and looking cute...

and B looking tall, oh and the forgotten baby....etta...

who wants cookies...

did you guys already start...

if you get hit in the back when you make a face...

toe heads...

wedding slide-show...

getting a picture of 5 kids all looking in the general direction of the camera is like getting a picture of the loch ness monster...

and stephanie managed to get 2...

(out of about 10)

night falling

2009-08-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

we're starting to get into a bit of a routine at night. riley seems to be going down pretty consistently around 8:30 and brayden, no matter what time we start, ends up asleep around 9 or 9:15 (if we start at 7:30 or 8:59).

he's out, wish i could sleep this sound...

and be this cute...

We've finally found a substitute movie for Marry Poppins in Shrek, he seems to really enjoy both of those. The other morning B really wanted to watch movie, but I was determined that we weren't going to watch tv (although getting both out the doors by myself in the morning is tough so we usually end up watching something). But anyway, brayden started by asking for his go-to, mary poppins. I told him no, so about 2 minutes later he came in to ask if we could watch shrek, which i denied. Another couple of minutes went by and brayden came in holding Bob the Builder Trucks, rejected, then Curious George, nope. how about Cars, no. Then back to poppins, and then shrek again. He's very determined. i'm weak. we watched poppins...

we've been taking a lot of showers lately (with B calls something that sounds closer to playground). but he still loves his baths...

and is still really hyper...

Brotherly Love

2009-08-19T06:29:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of brayden and riley from around brayden's birthday

B's giving it his all, but R just isn't having it...

B decides to try this thing solo (with lovey of course)...

We managed to sneak a few pics of riley earlier in the week (lighting didn't seem to work out too well)...

this just wouldn't be nearly as cute with my feet...

Coo Coo Kachoo Baby

2009-08-10T11:57:00.001-07:00

So not much exciting going on in this video, but a little sample of the happy baby coo'ing it up for the camera...

Paternity Leave

2009-08-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

I started my paternity leave this week. what have we been doing you ask? Just chillin...

Congrats to the Schembri's on the arrival of little Greta Claire, very cute little girl, maybe she can calm the boys down a little.

daddy and b's bathtime fun

2009-07-31T08:10:00.000-07:00

riley doesn't get to have all the bathtime fun, we saved a little for B too, slippery little sucker...

Bathtime Fun

2009-07-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

not sure if riley enjoyed it, but B had a great time with riley's first bath (june 6th)...

i call this the look of toleration...

b was such a good help...

he REALLY enjoyed it...

and clean...

Pics of Riley

2009-07-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

OK, so these pics are a little late (taken may 30th) because they change so fast, but here are a couple of pics of riley...

big smile...

sleepy...

I say Happpy, You say Birthday....

2009-07-16T08:08:00.000-07:00

Happy...Birthday...Happy...Birthday...Clap your hands....and stomp your feet.....Every time anyone has a birthday it reminds me of Alan Corey singing the Chuck-e-Cheese birthday song for the entire lunch room at Walton for everyone's birthday (which then reminds me of him playing the "grand-prize-game" using ketchup cups and the line of trash cans for all of the lunch room). Anyway, today we're celebrating brayden's 2nd birthday!!! i can hardly believe its been 2 years since stephanie and i were on our way to the hospital....and then on our way home...and then on our way to the hospital again only to bring home little (relatively speaking) brayden...

what big hands he had (and still has)...

and look at all that dark hair...

and who could forget his second mommy...

(shelby of course, who he now terrorizes)

fast forward a year...

who knew we'd be living a block from here...

and that b would still love cupcakes...

and of course cake...

a lot...

i mean he really likes cake...

and jump ahead one more year, or just stay where you are (today), happy birthday b...

yes, that is a banana nut muffin, it was breakfast, he'll get plenty of cake, don't worry. he doesn't quite get the candle thing at first...

so momma shows him how its done...

and...

he's got it...

Happy Birthday B, we love you

here are two other videos just for the fun of it...

and of course...

Backyard fun...

2009-07-14T12:39:00.001-07:00

so it may not be glamorous, but it certainly does the trick (entertaining an almost 2 year old). who knew this $10 investment (we've probably spent 10 times that much on water) would create such joy...

is that a Versaci bathing suite? or perhaps the summer 2009 gucci line...

it comes complete with its own patented ventilation system to beat that summer heat...

complete with slide, white water has nothing on us...

we even offer guided streaking tours...

all this excitement is just a bit much for riley to handle...

photo shoot

2009-07-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

mommy had both the boys for the afternoon (a few weeks ago) and decided to sneak in a little photo shoot...

as long as he has his lovey and thumb, b is fine with his brother...

showing some brotherly love...

and counting his toes, B tends to miss a few numbers, so we have to recount ourselves to make sure he still has 10...

momma, please save me...

if he was only always this calm and gentle...

hard to imagine it was B who was this small only about 23 months ago...

awesome...

can you hit this? comon, high five...

fine, i'll get it myself...

Brothers are the Best

2009-07-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

brayden loves giving riley his pacie, giving him lots of kisses, and turning on his rocking chair. he is finding out that having a brother is going to be a ton of fun...

and mommy and daddy are finding out that you need to keep a close eye on brother...

Still Busy...

2009-07-07T09:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, so things have still been really busy at work and on the home front, and I'm a little lost as to what has and hasn't been posted already, but here are a couple of pics from the week after riley's arrival at home...

Here's the newest member of the fam...

the fam at the hospital, first group shots...

nana taking her turn...

B checking out the view from our room...

he was all prepared to help deliver...

momma and riley getting ready to leave the hospital...

sleeping comfortably in his chair safe and sound at home...

so not all the pics are of the new one, a book i read suggested every house needs a fire extenguisher...

funny, you never wanted to sleep in there before Riley arrived...

to be continued...

Just a Quick Pic

2009-06-25T10:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Nana for posting this pic on facebook (and I stole it from there), here is a cute pic of the boys on the swing in our back yard. I have a million pics on the cameras at the house, but have just been too busy at work to get anything loaded, so this will have to do for now...

happy kid

2009-05-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

here's a quick pic i snapped of riley tonight, we're all doing great, and all a little tired, but crazy happy...

Its a Boy!!!!!

2009-05-23T20:50:00.000-07:00

He's Here........Weighing in at 8lbs 8oz's and 21 and 1/4 inches long, may I proudly introduce Riley Dennison. A head full of blond hair. He's been very alert so far, and we're already so bonded to him. Mommy did an unbelievable job. We got to the hospital a little after 6pm, and welcomed little Riley at 9:27pm.

Mini Family Reunion...

2009-05-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

with a convergence of family to Atlanta for the easter weekend, we decided to hold an impromptu mini-family reunion at piedmont park...

tree hugger...

and tree stander?...

twin shoulders...

and a chicken fight...

And one last easter celebration

2009-05-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

The rain held out just long enough for us to enjoy a nice afternoon at piedmont park. Opa and Oma supplied the easter baskets and rece and B supplied the laughs. as the easter egg hunt commenced rece and B headed out to collect their eggs. rece took all of the candy and B took all of the cars. it was a nice arrangement, with swaps and trades to make sure everyone was happy. Opa provided some solid entertainment by kicking a ball in the air, and uncle pj provided his own entertainment by whaling a ball that rece tried to head...fired off pj's foot at about 90mph.

climbing with Opa...

B hoarding the cars...

Easter baskets courtesy of Oma and Opa...

More Easter Fun...

2009-05-19T10:13:00.000-07:00

We had quite a few easter celebrations this year. Here are some pics from the fiesta at macie and wes' in cartersville...

B's first Ear Lowering

2009-05-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

Stephanie took B in to get his first haircut a couple of weeks ago. This place looks awesome. I wonder if I could fit into one of those cars...

If he has any kind of truck or car, B's going to be cool with it...

we ended up getting rid of the mullet and ended up with a bob...

Spinning...

2009-05-15T09:44:00.000-07:00

The Bunny Says...

2009-05-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

So brayden has a hand me down "see n' say" toy from H and M. By far my favorite animal is the bunny. This thing has the standard "The cow says mooooo", "The dog says woof woof woof", and so on. Now I understand there is a cultural difference when it comes to animal sounds, but I'm pretty sure thats not whats going on here. I really want to visit the land where "The bunny says Boing Boing Boing" (a big spring sound). Anyway, enough blabbing, on to the pics...

Here is mommy doing her best to 1) pull the thumb from B's mouth, 2) elicit a smile onto his face, and 3) keep a smile on her own face, talk about multitasking...

I wish I got as much enjoyment out of a stapler...

Its almost like a drug, its just so good man...

Best effort to do the impossible, get 4 cousins to sit still and be happy...

Ok, lets try 3 cousins...

Got some good ones in this set...

B pulling one of Opa's tricks here...

Impossible to pick just one...

Down to 2 cousins...

Everyone's favorite, bubbles...

Tougher than it looks...

Funny face...

You know, spot mon...

A little Practice

2009-05-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

With the expected arrival of little brother Riley just around the corner, B got some good practice when his cousin Etta stopped by for a visit...

We need to work on closed mouth...

so sweet, notice the hand on the back...

A little out of focus but...

this is the longest B has EVER been in a crib...

he seems to be surviving...

(s) He's a Maniac...

2009-05-12T11:03:00.000-07:00

Spring has Sprung (a while a go)

2009-05-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

So I just got around to pulling some of the pics off one of our cameras (still need to pull the other camera's pictures). I'm going to try and get all caught up here in the next week or so (only to fall behind again I'm sure once Riley gets here). Anyway, we're inside of 3 weeks from the arrival of Riley. But we did manage to finally move!!! I don't have any pics of the new house yet, doesn't seem like it'd be that tough does it, its been in the same spot since 1920, but I guess you can say the same thing about hitting a golf ball, its not moving, its just tough. Anyway, once we can do "something" with the other house, we'll be all set.

But here are some pics from a day off I had with B a while back...

I thought it'd be pretty nice to get B in front of a cherry blossom. Sounds easy enough right? wrong. If i can't get a picture of a house that's been sitting there for 90 years, imagine my luck trying to get B to sit still. Here are my pictures, in the order that I took them, we'll start out going left...

And then right...

On second thought, lets go left again...

No, i changed my mind, lets go right...

After all the running around, we went to the playground and got to watch the park transplant trees, I mean BIG TREES...

And finally took some time to play on the playground...

Stephanie is always asking me to take close ups, here you go...

playing with the wheel of destiny...

View from the top...

Taking my time, no need to rush into the slide...

Epic...

Nothing like a cold one after a long day...

Ahhhh.....

Picture This

2009-05-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

So I know its a pretty bad version of these pics, but here are a picture of the class pictures for brayden. I'll try to get a better copy up at some point, but in the mean time, this should be good enough. You know how a copy of a copy doesn't always turn out so great, well apparently neither does a picture of a picture taken from a blackberry. Oh well. Oh, also i've included a bonus pic of my latest pride and joy, the great wall of adair, crafted with mine very own hands. Not only is it absolutely beautiful, but saved us close to $500 (and my immense sense of pride, thanks for the assist piet)...

Days with Nana

2009-04-10T07:24:00.001-07:00

I don't have any new pics of B loaded onto my computer, and I don't really feel like leaving squeezable bacon up as the centerpiece for jumping for the weekend, so I'm going to borrow some pics that nana took of B. Nana has been gracious enough to watch B a couple of times over the last few weeks and has been keeping us up to date on their daily activities by sending us pics during the day. I wish they'd put webcams up at his school, of course, then we'd NEVER get anything done. Anyway, here are some pics courtesy of nana...

hasn't really figured out the bike thing yet...

Closer, but not quite...

Keep trying bud, you'll get it...

There we go...

And B's new favorite activity, checking out trucks on the internet. idea of the year award winner....Greg...

Playing fetch with Niko...

And, apparently jabbing niko with a stick?...

We really need to make it easier for America

2009-04-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

We really need to make it easier for American's to get fatter.....and here's the solution

I wonder if you have to shake it like Ketchup, or else it'll come out all watery...

Stuff People Buy...

2009-04-03T13:06:00.000-07:00

My friend had an idea for a new website, that was later stolen on a segment of the Colbert Report, called "Stuff People Buy". Besides the snuggie, I found 3 new additions that would surely make the cut on the SPB website.

the Touch a Brush

the Walk of Shame

and this one is just amazing... The Peekaru

Thanks to SI.com's HotClicks for the links to all three of these amazing products. Just goes to show you the ingenuity that made this country great.

Love those Naps

2009-04-02T10:52:00.000-07:00

Its so funny, its so hard to get B to take a nap(and go to sleep for that matter). Every once in a while you can really wear him out and he'll go down pretty quickly, or if he's in the car around 1-3pm its automatic. But one thing B really loves is waking up from a nap. He ALWAYS has the biggest smile on his face.

Here is a camera pic from last Friday's nap (should probably just keep an actual camera around)...

Piano with Oma

2009-04-01T12:42:00.000-07:00

Here are some recent pics of B, playing the piano with Oma...

Doe, a dear, a female dear...

Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of all ages...

2009-03-31T12:29:00.000-07:00

Last month we went to the circus with the deRijke clan. We didn't have high expectations that B would make it more than 5 minutes, but he absolutely LOVED it. We left right before the very end of the show, so we missed the elephants, but other than that, it was an absolutely perfect day. my favorite part was seeing seven, count them SEVEN motorcycles in the ball of death. I still don't know how they didn't kill themselves. how do you practice that? how do you even begin to ask the other 6 people to get in that ball with you?

Here is B admiring his cousin rece's $20 snowcone...

rece was nice enough to share...

in a trance (and yes, that is gross)...

the thumb definitely tastes better...

Rece really admired B's souvenir...

and B thought rece's was quite nice too (so they ended up swapping)...

and here are the boys checking out the action in the ring...

future's so bright...

2009-03-30T12:22:00.000-07:00

he's gotta wear daddy's shades...

Oh no...

can't believe daddy's letting me wear his glasses...AND his ring...

ok ok, no more pictures...

Where'd we go on the bike ride?

2009-03-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

to the park of course. we went over to john howell park in the highlands for a little change. They have some funky geometric equipment/structures (some leaning posts). We realized how much B really likes cars and trucks. Stephanie and I bought him a pack of matchbox cars and were able to enjoy one of the most peaceful meals out we've had in quite a while. These new trucks actually caused B to realize that we had bought him an old-school tonka truck (for christmas 3 months ago). It'd been sitting there collecting dust ever since.

Say hi...

Somebody appears to have left their truck on this bench, awesome...

Driving the truck...

playing with the worlds biggest beach volley ball...

down the tubes...

and slip sliding away...

Bike Ride

2009-03-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

Here are some recent pics of one of our bike outings. B loves his seat, much better view than he's going to get when we move him to the other child carrier when riley gets here...

He really loves to pretend to steer...

Pajama Party!!!!

2009-03-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

B had a pajama party a couple of weeks ago at school (i don't really remember why they had the party, I think it was for valentines day?!?! Valentines, pajamas, i don't know. i kind of get it for adults, maybe, but...). It was really fun to see all of the kids.

Here is B in his favorite PJs...

Down side of umbrellas

2009-03-26T06:40:00.000-07:00

So today I learned a valuable lesson about the downside of umbrellas. It turns out the downside of umbrellas is the down side of umbrellas (or the underside). Don't get me wrong, umbrellas are great. They do a fantastic job of blocking water that falls from above. As for the water that has already fallen.......not so much. I had a pretty interesting walk to work this morning in the monsoon that's ripping through atlanta. I saw a girl running to her car, with a plastic Kroger bag on her perfectly curled hair (reduce REUSE recycle). Then about 2 blocks later I had one of those movie moments where the car drives by and hits that puddle perfectly as i'm walking by it. Soaked my right side, all the way to my face. Well, to top it off, I crossed the street and another 2 blocks later another car got me again, this time on my left side, at least i'm evenly soaked at this point. Luckily I don't wear my work shoes to work, unfortunately I don't keep a spare pair of shoes at work. I came into work and headed straight to the bathroom, grabbed as many paper towels as I could, and headed straight to a stall. I rung out my socks in the toilet as much as I could, dried them and my pants off as much as I could, and am currently sitting at my desk waiting for my socks to dry out, good times...

if you can't make out the picture, it is (from left to right) my socksless legs in soaked work pants and dry work shoes, my absolutely soaking walking shoes, and my rung out-paper towel dried socks. I'm setting new records today for how far you can stretch your pants down to cover your bare ankles and how far you can stick your legs under a desk.

Kicking it Old School...

2009-03-25T13:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of B from a week or so ago, just relaxing in the back yard. There is nothing more B loves than to be outside. Its always a huge struggle to get him back in the house for dinner (there tend to be quite a few tears and promises of loveys and Bob the builder).

Just playing with bubbles...

Luckily the wind was soft, or he might have flown away...

Shockingly, i don't think the bubbles fell over...

At least not until he moved them over here...

But no big deal, there is plenty to do outside, like Frisbee...

Its not necessary to make this face when throwing the frisbee, but it helps (ala michael jordan's tongue)...

And when frisbee gets boring, there is always climbing the fig tree...

But its pretty tall...

so sometimes it just easier to play with some sticks...

Or to just run...

really fast...

Brusha Brusha Brusha

2009-03-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

We all know how important it is to maintain good oral hygiene, and B shares in these feelings. He absolutely loves brushing his teeth. In fact, we have about 6 or 7 tooth brushes (is that right, brushes). We've got firm, extra firm, soft, electric, and even one that plays the theme to indiana jones. I believe it to be one of the highest per capita toothbrush ratios in north america. If you break out a new brush he HAS to use it. If you hide it from him, he'll hunt relentlessly until he finds it.

So happy to brush...

But mostly I think he just likes drinking water off the brush (or straight out of the faucet)...

More or Less...

2009-03-17T03:54:00.000-07:00

Ok, so i posted the big news a few weeks ago that we were having a baby. I also posted that we were having a girl, pretty exciting stuff. If you missed that blog, here is a recap... When we were down in savannah over the holidays we had drew take us in and do a VERY early ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby. He said that we were looking for 3 lines. he found the three lines a few times, awesome, its a girl. right as we were wrapping up the exam drew says "wait...oh, nevermind, i thought i saw something but it was just the umbilical cord". we saw the three lines a couple of times, hello louisa. now i'm not sure how many lines you're supposed to look for on a boy, but its not 3, its either more or less (i'm assuming). well about two weeks and a HUGE shopping spree for dresses later, stephanie went in for one of her prenatal apts. I didn't even go because we already knew we had louisa on the way. well, stephanie calls me at work and before i can even ask her about the apt she tells me "its a boy". Apparently louisa found some lines, or lost some. I was totally shocked, i must have asked 5 or 6 times if she was kidding. but the doc made certain it was a boy, she even drew 4 arrows at the "proof". what are we going to tell everyone, stephanie had the perfect answer, tell everyone, louisa is fine, she just has a penis. so anyway, that is riley's story, more or less...

Another day at the park...

2009-03-09T15:39:00.000-07:00

yes, we do go to the park a lot, but its really fun for all.

brayden hasn't quite mastered the concept of swallowing yet, but he's pretty good at looking cute...

big stepper...

what, i'm just looking at the ducks...

my first bridge...

wave to the camera (its daddy, over there in the trees)...

can't wait til i'm about an inch taller...

hi again...

and here's my impression of jack...

Playground with Opa and Oma

2009-03-05T18:24:00.000-08:00

We got to try out a new playground with Opa and Oma, pretty awesome. Swing, check...

Castle looking tunnel, check...

Music chimes, check...

Hot pot, check...

they really should consider rearranging those letters...

hi...

seriously, did you guys see that sign, for some reason, i feel hungry...

the anticipation is killing me...

opa, you're strong (and apparently wear socks with sandals)...

my turn...

Ketchup

2009-03-04T18:05:00.001-08:00

Ok, busy season got to my so I really need to play catch up on whats been going on. Here are some pics from January at the park...

Checking out the ducks...

And now with mommy...

our little tree hugger...

dad, can you spot me???

still loves those sticks...

so you're telling me if i rub these together, it'll create fire, and if i hit them together it scares off bears? wow, sticks are awesome...

kiss for mommy...

stuck between a rock and.....well, a rock...

just trying out different things to sit on...

alright...

Momma's Out of Town

2009-02-24T06:44:00.001-08:00

We've been pretty sad that momma has been out of town, but my new truck helps...

But we've tried to stay busy by going to the park, and throwing the ball

(and pushing daddy's buttons at night)

Something to wet your pallet

2009-02-23T07:23:00.000-08:00

I've been really busy at work and have a bunch of backlogged pics and other activities just piling up. But here is a little something to wet your pallet 'til i can get back to the posting...

Click here for the link to the website.

Can I use this an still be considered a vegetarian??? Honeysuckle should really have thought of this first, we need to talk to the people in the R&D department.

Sandals with Socks...

2009-02-10T19:24:00.000-08:00

Just sitting around...

Trying out a couple of chairs...in my sandals and socks...

(for the record, these are CVS brand doggers, and not actually crocs)

Bring your green hat...

2009-02-09T19:19:00.000-08:00

We're going streaking through the quad...

Good Times...

perhaps we should consider going shopping for some clothes...

streaking really is exhausting...

Big Gulp

2009-02-08T19:14:00.001-08:00

Been too busy to actually write anything, so I'll just try and post some recent pics...

That was tasty...

College is only about 16 years off, yet he's already in training...

Really? I mean Really?

2009-02-02T10:22:00.000-08:00

Has anyone else seen the infomercial for the "Slanket". Click here for the website of this ground-breaking "invention". This blanket with sleeves, or Slanket, is the self proclaimed worlds most comfortable blanket. I didn't give it much thought after the first time I saw it until my friend at work offered it up to me in a new perspective. She said, have you ever seen the Slanket? I was like, wait, what is that? And she said, you know, the backwards robe?

classic.

(the website is pretty funny, it seems like they are pretty self aware of what they are selling) Also, if you're in the market, be sure to shop around, the competition is fierce:

Check out the infomercial above, and screen shots below...

Last minute valentines day gift? Nothing says I love you like matching his and hers huge backwards robes...

Great for sports...um, ok, I'll take your word for it....

luckily, not available in white....or with matching "sleep cap"

More....

2009-02-02T09:55:00.000-08:00

I mean, i was just absolutely in awe this morning when I walked passed the house that I took the picture of the leaves of last week and saw, conservatively, 20 -30 more bags of leaves!!!!! This guy must some sort of fetish or something. Where are they all coming from? Is he getting them from others yards? Should I leave him a note asking if he wants mine (i have plenty for him, a good 7-10 bags probably)? Does he have some sort of true passion for bagging leaves, or possibly he hired someone to pick them up for him because he has some sort of weird phobia? What is this leaf guys' deal, I really want to know...

(notice all of the bags on the left are the new arrivals)

He doesn't even have his license...

2009-01-27T12:50:00.000-08:00

I really need to step taking pics with my phone, it really doesn't take that good of pictures. Oh well, here is B getting ready to go to school. He's been doing great the last week or so at school. Being such a big boy when I leave him there, no tears, just a big hug and kiss and he's off on his way...

Thanks for the Chair Opa.....

2009-01-26T08:20:00.000-08:00

Its the perfect height...

Brayden's favorite new hobby is climbing on things, wait until he realizes he can move these chairs anywhere he wants (more pics to follow of B and his expeditions).

Also, snapped this pic on the way to work the other day. I can never complain about having to bag leaves again...

(ok, i'll still complain, but how are there that many bags for that small of a yard???)

What'd we do this weekend?

2009-01-19T08:13:00.000-08:00

Just chilled...

Apparently B has taken to sitting on anything that is not level surface to the ground, whether is be the 1 inch rise from our dinning room to the kitchen, or the 3 feet of our bar stool. Apparently, the fridge has the perfect rise. We're so delighted he finally learned to open the door to the fridge. There's nothing like A/C'ing the house in mid-january. We did learn, however, that B is a huge fan of raw mushrooms and cheese slices (and pretty much whatever else he can reach in the fridge). No major spills to report at this time, but I'm sure one's just around the corner.

Christmas in the ATL

2009-01-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

We wrapped up a week long christmas celebration b going over to uncle PJ and Aunt Casey's (and cousin Rece of course). A traditional night of unwrapping gifts, a disputed poem contest, a monster truck remote controlled car, and some rock band. The boys had a great time together, they are finally at an age where they are starting to really play together.

Here are daddy and B...

And B checking out Rece's sweep new tramp...

And Rece showing us how its done...

This pic is for mommy, so she can check out B's outfit one more time, he's getting a little big for those britches...

Don't ask, cause I'm not real sure...

Rece giving his cousin a sweet hug...

and then a wet willy...

They look sweet now, but this could be a troublesome duo in a few years...

I will follow him, wherever he may go...

(side note, when asked where curious george was, expecting him to answer on the blue chair, B answered TV, i promise he does not watch that much tv)

These baby gates are sweet dad, we should totally get some of these...

The force is strong in this one...

Time for some tag, you're it...

Stumps are base, called it...

You were out, no way, i was clearly safe...

Hat...

Three Little Lines

2009-01-06T11:10:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have yet to hear, drew did the ultrasound for us while we were down in savannah, and ITS A GIRL!!!!! The news elicited quite a few tears of joy (especially for Oma who's been really really wanted another granddaughter) and from Grandad who's been really really wanting to get the piano out of his house (don't get too excited just yet grandad, the piano for the first grandaughter is going to have to wait til we find a big enough house). We've picked out a name already too, Louisa Lindley.

Oh, and for those of you who have yet to hear the other news, we're pregnant.

A Very Savannah Christmas

2009-01-04T10:25:00.000-08:00

We went down to Savannah to spend Christmas with the Wade's, and their new addition, Etta Jane. It was a different kind of Christmas spent in shorts and t-shirts, not exactly a "white christmas", unless we had gone to the beach which we easily could have. But it was nice to break out the flip-flops from their winter hibernation. We took part in the savannah tradition of an Oyster Bake, and tried to make it to a Christmas eve service at an old church in town. Although our stay at the service was brief (we made it through 1 of the 3 pages in the pamplet, and missed out on the entire congregation taking communion), we made our presence known (B was marching in the balcony and the preacher asked if anyone else heard the reindeer on the roof). I got my first experience watch little etta jane solo, mano-y-babyo. I was guranteed a nice 2 hour nap, Guranteed. Well, not so much. About 5 minutes after everyone left, Etta decided to wake up from her little slumber. No big deal, I'll just walk her around for a few minutes. We bonded and checked out the christmas tree and looked out the window. Then the thunder came. Unfortunately this is not the type of thunder that accompanies the rain (or so I thought). Now I'm not scared to change diapers at all, but I've never actually changed a girl's diaper, and Etta is about a pound lighter than B ever was, so I was in unchartered territory with this change. So I got etta all cleaned and was reaching over to grab a new diaper for her when the rain that accompanies that thunder arrived. So i just went from a simple diaper change to a full on outfit change. Luckily about half way through the change mommy arrived back home to save the day. I am definitely out of practice with the little ones. Anyway, enough with the stories, lets see some pics...

Here is B, ready for Christmas Eve service, complete with traditional Bamboo Stick...

And another...

By the tanenbaum...

H & M preparing the reindeer food, looks pretty tasty...

B putting on his best fake smile to pose with the milk and cookies (I was not supposed to be in this picture, not sure how that was supposed to worked out, and it didn't obviously)...

The traditional opening of one gift on christmas eve...

a sweet new, environmentally friendly wooden truck...

Check out the wings on that princess/fairy...

And Here's B checking out the horse from nana...

After Presents it was off to forsyth park...

For a little Sliding, with a push from Mommy...

And he's on his way...

wooooah, too close...

And perhaps a nice little Jog to work off all those calories...

Perhaps he's been hanging out with Jack too much, here he is stalking a pigeon, unfortunately, we forgot our toppins...

Nice summe....winter stroll with mommy...

And What visit to savannah is complete without some spanish moss, I'd say it was perfect moss watching weather...

Here's the traditional oyster roast (no I don't eat oysters either, nothing with a heart beat, and nothing that resembles snot, these are rough guidelines, not firm)...

And Finally the festivus feats of strenght between niko and B...

Rece's BDay Celebration

2009-01-01T10:13:00.000-08:00

Rece had a nice little cel-o-bration at this awesome place called Jeronimo's, basically a warehouse filled with moonwalks. This place is not just great for kids, apparently PJ had to "try everything out" to make sure it was "safe" for the "kids", for 2 hours before everyone else arrived.

About to take on a huge slide...

And Here's rece, the pro jumper...

Cookie Cake, my second favorite (behind ice-cream cake)...

With a huff and a puff, i'll blow those candles out (and if I must, i'll spit on them)...

Now that's how you eat cake...

You can tell if the cake was good by the amout of chocolate on your face, as you can cleary see, this was some dang good cake...

Brayden's got about 6 more months to practice...

Foxy

2008-12-30T09:54:00.000-08:00

Opa and Oma came into town for a special night of Holiday celebration at the Fox, complete with Santa, Carolers, a Sing-along to the Fox's Pipe Organ, and a showing of The Polar Express. We weren't really sure how B would do, since the show didn't start until just around the time when we're usually eating dinner and getting ready for bed, but B did great and seemed to have a really fun time, complete with a dinner of hotdog and popcorn (he ate about a quarter of the bucket himself), and topped with a dessert of Kit-Kat (for the record, he usually eats much better than this).

Here is B sitting on Opa's lap eating some popcorn...

And Santa making a special appearance...

And B with Oma, he's wicked excited for santa...

And the group shot by stranger, I have a video of this if anyone is interested, apparently "just hit the button" doesn't always work...

Wait, did I have the Bailey's and B have the milk? Or was it....

Ok, thats better...

B was Passed around like the cell phone at christmas, but still in the holiday spirit (plus he had his lovey)...

What Happens When Daddys Gone...

2008-12-29T12:48:00.000-08:00

*all pics courtesy of mommy

Turkey Day at Opa and Oma's

2008-12-23T12:32:00.000-08:00

We did a little cel-o-brating over at Opa and Oma's this thanksgiving. It was a great time for all, and B had a great time looking up to his big cousing Rece.

Rece got a cookie, B got some finger sandwhiches...

About to cause some ruccus, could you describe the ruccus...

walk it out...

No, better run...

Man, you really can reach high...

Here is what Rece looks like with his Aunt...

And then Brayden with his Uncle...

I want a Red Rider BB Gun...

2008-12-23T09:46:00.000-08:00

So I took Brayden to see santa this morning. We were there bright and early at 9am, the very first in line to see santa when they opened at 10. Brayden was a serious trooper, being a great little boy fighting his little fever and staying in daddy's arms until around 9:45 when Opa and Oma showed up to help. Unfortunately toward the end of the hour of waiting in line to see santa brayden started to get a little uneasy.

I thought breaking out the lovey right before we put brayden on Santa's lap might help, not so much...

so then I got in the pic with him and that seemed to do the trick...

I asked for an official Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time, he told me i'd shoot my eye out and then did a chuck norris round house, and kicked me in my face.

If I had known i was going to be in the shot, I probably would have showered, well, probably not.

Taking Pics

2008-12-21T16:15:00.000-08:00

So I was taking some pics of the house today to put up on craigslist for our listing and Brayden absolutely HAD to have his picture taken. But as usual, he was right, the pics turned out pretty durn good.

If there's one thing this kid loves, i mean besides getting his picture taken, its his thumb...