Tyler, Alissa, Ryan & Payton

April 2009

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This has been a busy month for Payton. She is 8 months old. She is crawling, pulling up on things and cruising and her first tooth is coming in. Ryan is still so gentle with her and can make her laugh so easily. Ryan makes us laugh too. The stuff he comes up with is pretty funny. Talking on the phone to him is lots of fun. He will ask, "so how was your weekend?" every day. The other day Tyler was using Ryan as his little minion to purposely drive me crazy. I was sitting at the computer and Tyler sent him in to tell me to come help put the sheets on Ryan's bed. We went back and forth sending messages to each other through Ryan (tell daddy I'm busy right now... tell mommy to get off the computer...). Finally I was getting irritated with Tyler but Ryan sensed it and looked up at me and said, "Mommy, do you need your space?" I told Ryan YES! and thought to myself the 3 year old gets it why doesn't Tyler get it...I just need some space every once in a while! Out of the mouths of babes.

March 2009

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February 2009 - Best Friends

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February 14, 2009 - Happy Valentine's Day

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February 6, 2009 - 6 months old

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Payton 6 months old

January 2009

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January 10, 2009 - 5 Months Old

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Payton is 5 months old!

December 19, 2008 - Ryan turns three!

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Ryan turned three on December 19. Here are some pics from his birthday party at Bounce U.

December 6, 2008 - 4 months

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Payton is four months old!

November 27, 2008 - Thanksgiving

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Happy Thanksgiving!

November 23, 2008 - walk to park

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It actually got cold here and we had to bundle up the kids to take them to the park.

November 22, 2008 - Jeanie & Memaw visit

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Here are some pics from a recent visit from my grandmother ("Memaw") and aunt ("Neanie").

November 16, 2008 - "Love is all I need"

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November 2008 - 3 months old

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Payton is already three months old and I am back at work! It has been a tough transition going from being with Ryan and Payton all day to only seeing them for a few hours at night. Tyler has really stepped it up now that I am working again and as you can see in the pic above he is a great dad!

October 31, 2008 - Happy Halloween

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This year Ryan was Peter Pan for Halloween and Payton was Tinkerbell. Ryan loved Halloween this year once he discovered he got to fill his plastic pumpkin full of treats! Tyler stood on the street as Ryan walked up to every house by himself, knocked on the door and yelled "trick or treat! I want treats!!"

October 30, 2008

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October 29, 2008 - smile

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Payton has started smiling and talking a lot now. It is hard to catch it on camera so a pic of her smiling is priceless. She has finally broken the 10 pound mark. She is still wearing newborn clothes and she is almost 3 months. Ryan is almost 3 years old and is wearing 2T. I guess we shouldn't be surprised that our children are neither big nor tall.

October 28, 2008

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October 27, 2008 - Friends

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October 22, 2008

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October 14, 2008

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October 10, 2008 - Park

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These are pics of Ryan and his friend Jack at a park playing in the water. The weather has been amazing here lately, sunny with temps from 60 to 85 degrees.

October 6, 2008 - 2 Months

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Payton is 2 months old. She weighs 9 pounds 4 ounces and is 22.5 inches long now. Ryan is a busy, big brother. Here he is playing in the water while Payton and I watch from the shade. The pic below that is of Ryan and Payton with my wonderful aunt Jeanie who comes to visit for a few days at a time to help me keep my sanity!

September 24, 2008 - 7 weeks old

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Payton experienced her first of many hurricanes. So we survived Hurricane Ike. We lost some shingles and some fence and had a few trees blown down but otherwise no major damage. The worst part was going without power. The kids and I evacuated to San Antonio for a few days to stay with family. Things are finally getting back to normal around here. Payton is still a tiny, little thing. She just broke 9 pounds yesterday. She is starting to make more cooing sounds and smiles more but she still likes to howl when things aren't going her way. Ryan still adores her and comes to get me when she is crying as if to say "come on lady do your job...my baby sister is crying in there". Having two kids is a handful but also a lot of fun. Just trying to go to the grocery store feels like an extreme sport. I don't know how moms of three little ones do it.

September 10, 2008 - 5 weeks old

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Payton is 5 weeks old. Here is a pic of Payton with her girlfriends, Kyleigh and Kate and a pic of Ryan with his friends Olivia and Avery. I took the video the other day when Ryan started singing to Payton. So sweet.

September 3, 2008 - One month old

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Payton is one month old today! I can't believe it has already been one month since she was born. If she would let me sleep for more than two hours at a time I would want to keep her this age forever. She is so fun to snuggle with and still so tiny. Now Ryan seems so big and grown up to me. It's crazy how fast it goes. Still in awe that I have two healthy children - a boy and a girl. We are so blessed!

Here are some pics of Tyler's mother, grandmother, sister and his sister's little girl. They recently came to visit and meet Payton for the first time.

August 27, 2008 - Three weeks old

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Payton is three weeks old! Unfortunately, the reflux/colic have started but as we learned with Ryan, this too shall pass. Ryan is still as gentle and kind to her as the day we brought her home. He pats her head and calls her "Sweetie". He goes upstairs to check on her when she is sleeping and shares his blankie with her (although he takes it back within 30 seconds but she doesn't seem to mind especially since he usually lays it over her face). If only they could get along this well forever.

August 20, 2008 - 2 weeks old

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August 13, 2008 - 1 week old!

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Payton is 1 week old today. She is the most precious, amazing little thing. She is so tiny we had to go buy premie diapers and premie outfits because all the 0-3 month clothes are huge on her. She has a sweet disposition and really only cries when she is hungry. Ryan is still very gentle and sweet to her and doesn't seem to be jealous of her at all. Tyler doesn't remember Ryan ever being this small and seems a little intimidated by her. He's getting used to what calms Payton which is very different from what Ryan found soothing. I find it hard to let anyone else hold her and want to just snuggle with her all day. She has started smiling in her sleep and making little cooing noises at me. I never could have believed that I would ever love another child the way I love Ryan. God just made my heart grow bigger the day Payton was born. We are so blessed to have two healthy children and to have wonderful friends and family to be a part of their lives!

August 6, 2008 - Payton Elisabeth Arrives!

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Payton Elisabeth was born on August 6, 2008 at 7:35pm weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces.

August 2, 2008 - Countdown

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I am 38 weeks! I am being induced on August 8th, this coming Friday. We can't wait to meet baby Payton! Stay tuned for pics of our new addition.

June 2008

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Ryan playing in the backyard with the water hose.

June 2008

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Ryan playing in the backyard with the water hose.

Catching up

2008-04-28T16:28:00.000-07:00

Ryan is 28 months old and busy as ever. He is excited (for now) that he is getting a baby sister but surely doesn't know all that entails. He is here right now and won't let me finish typing so I'll try to post more later. He loves to type on the computer.

Easter 2008

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Spent Easter at home with just our family. Ryan was much better at hunting eggs this year. Tyler was bummed out that I filled the eggs with toys and boring candy that he doesn't like (hmm I wonder if that was on purpose). Ryan ran around most of the afternoon hopped up on smarties distributing his plastic easter eggs all over the house. (Still finding them in places.)

Miami 2008

2008-04-28T16:12:00.000-07:00

These are some pics from our trip to Miami, Florida over Spring Break. Ryan and I went with my mom, sister and her two girls. Ryan wanted to stay in the pool all day long. He wanted to get out and jump off the side over and over again. He even thought it was fun to dive in the pool. He wore us all out. Made note to self: if vacation involves pool and Ryan, make sure Tyler is invited!

Lake Tahoe 2008

2008-04-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics from our trip to Lake Tahoe. Ryan loved going sledding!

January 28, 2008 - Big Brother

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Ryan is going to be a big brother! We are excited to announce we are expecting our second child on August 16th. Please keep our new baby in your prayers.

December 2007 - Merry Christmas!

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Merry Christmas!

December 19, 2007 - Two Years Old!!

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Ryan is two years old today!! I can hardly believe it. Every month we feel like he gets to be more and more fun to be around. The other day we were in the mall and for the first time he picked something up and said, "I want it". Naturally I caved under the pressure and we are now the proud owners of a fluorescent, yellow nerf football.

Here are some pictures from Ryan's Elmo (which he pronounces "Melmo") birthday party. Lots of friends and family came to celebrate and we had a great time.

Ryan is such a blessing in our lives and we know he is our gift from God.

Halloween - October 2007

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Ryan was a dragon for Halloween this year. Surprisingly, he loved wearing his costume and luckily the weather cooperated this year and it was nice and cool. Most of the candy Ryan got was actually eaten by Tyler.

Pumpkin Patch - October 2007

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Here we are at the Pumpkin Patch at Dewberry Farms picking out our pumpkin for Halloween.

October 19, 2007 - 22 Months

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Ryan is 22 months old today.

September 2007 - 21 months

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Ryan is 21 months old! He is such a blast right now. He is talking up a storm. He repeats everything we say and can finally communicate with us without having to point and grunt. He still loves being outside and often asks to go to the pool right when he wakes up in the morning. He has learned to say "again" when Daddy gives him a good ride. He still loves to take baths although now he likes to belly flop into the bath tub. Ryan has a mind of his own now and voices it freely. He currently enjoys taking his shoes on and off and trying on other peoples' shoes (which is a blast when trying to get out the door - he'll have his shoes off and my shoes on within 30 seconds). Ryan loves cars or anything with wheels and he loves playing outside in his red, toy car. He is exhausting to keep up with but a lot of fun.

August 2007 - 20 months

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July 21, 2007 - 19 Months

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Ryan is 19 months old. He started montessori school this month. I'm not sure if the separation is harder on him or me. He can say all sorts of things now. Some of his favorites are: up, ready-set-go, eyes, mouth, nose, potty, blue, dog, shoe, Hammy (our hamster) and lots more. He'll try to repeat anything we say. He also enjoys running and spinning around which has lead to several nasty spills with matching bruises. Tyler just bought Ryan his first battery powered 4-wheeler. I'm hoping Ryan won't learn how to use it for at least a few more months.

June 23, 2007 - 18 Months!

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Ryan is 18 months old! He will be starting Montessori school next month. He's going to love having other kids to play with all day.

June 6, 2007 - Water hose

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Here is Ryan playing outside with the water hose.

May 28, 2007 - Memorial Day

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Happy Memorial Day! Here is Ryan with his great grandmother, Memaw.

May 27, 2007 - 17 months old

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Ryan is 17 months old! He is really starting to talk now and tries to repeat everything we say.

(Double click on picture to enlarge)

May 7, 2007 - Riding in the car

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April 19, 2007 - 16 months old

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Ryan is 16 months old!! Here are some pictures of him with his cousin, Maddie, and Tyler's mom, Jacque. Aren't they cute?!!!

April 8, 2007 - Easter

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Happy Easter!

March 23, 2007 - 15 months old!

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Ryan is 15 months old! He took his first steps last month! He has been talking a lot lately. We can understand some of what he says but the rest sounds like some African dialect complete with the clicking sounds and all. Ryan is very affectionate and loves to give kisses especially to the pretty, little girls next door. The weather has been really nice lately and Ryan likes to go outside and collect rocks and leaves (and try to put them in his mouth when Mommy's not looking). Ryan no longer wants to ride in the stroller, he prefers to push it himself. He is tons of fun and Mommy and Daddy love to make him laugh.

February 19, 2007 - 14 months old!

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Ryan is 14 months old today. He loves to go outside and push his little walking toy up and down the sidewalk. He's got all sorts of teeth coming in right now. He loves to give kisses and wave bye-bye.

February 9, 2007 - Baby Bear

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January 19, 2007 - 13 Months Old!

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Ryan is 13 months old today. He is into everything! He loves to open drawers and cabinets and take everything out. We're working on learning how to put everything back but it doesn't seem to be nearly as fun. He also loves to take baths and usually doesn't want to get out.

December 24, 2006 - Merry Christmas!

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Merry Christmas!

December 19, 2006 - Happy Birthday Ryan!!!

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Today Ryan is one year old! Here are pictures of Ryan eating his first birthday cake. What an amazing year it has been. A year ago I couldn't have imagined we'd be here, watching him eat cake by the handfuls. Our God is mighty and powerful. He is also a loving God. He is Father. And now as a parent with the incredible love I feel for Ryan, I have a better understanding of the amazing love God has for us, His children. Ryan has been such a blessing in our lives and we know that he is a gift from God. We pray that God continues to bless him with good health in the years to come.

December 14, 2006 - Golf Shorts

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November 23, 2006 - Thanksgiving

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Happy Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for. Ryan continues to do well. Each checkup with the cardiologist shows everything is normal. Ryan is a happy, chubby, energetic baby. He is keeping us busy chasing after him as he becomes more adventurous every day. He has blessed our lives more than we ever could have imagined.

November 21, 2006 - A day in the life

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November 20, 2006 - Back to Texas

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Here are some pictures from Kent and Julie's first visit back to Texas since moving to Montana. I have a feeling it wasn't the weather they were missing!

November 19, 2006 - 11 months old!

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Ryan is 11 months old today!!!

November 18, 2006 - Zoo

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Here is Ryan's first trip to the Zoo!

November 17, 2006 - Aggieland

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These are pictures of Ryan's first trip to Aggieland.

November 14, 2006 - Ryan and Mommy

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October 31, 2006 - Happy Halloween!

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Ryan was a zebra for halloween. His friend Macy was a pink leopard, Avery was a bumble bee, Jack was a Jack-o-lantern and Trey was a dinosaur.

November 14, 2006 - Trey and Ryan

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October 22, 2006 - Oyster Creek Park

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October 21, 2006 - Going for a walk

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October 20, 2006 - San Antonio

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Here is Ryan visiting his great grandmother, great uncle and great aunts in San Antonio.

October 19, 2006 - 10 Months Old!

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Ryan is 10 months old today!

October 10, 2006 - At the park

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October 9, 2006 - Dallas

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Here is Ryan with his cousin, Madison. They are already the best of friends.

October 3, 2006 - khaki and white overalls

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September 28, 2006 - Ryan and Jack

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September 27, 2006 - Blue

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September 26, 2006 - Red and white outfit

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September 21, 2006 - Basketball outfit

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September 19, 2006 - 9 months old!

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Ryan is 9 months old today!

September 18, 2006 - Playing

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September 15, 2006 - Blue eyed boy

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September 7, 2006 - Tummy

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September 6, 2006 - Mimi, Heather and the girls

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August 31, 2006 - Stowaway

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Tyler recently went out of town and as he was packing I put Ryan in his suitcase like a little stowaway. Tyler didn't get to take Ryan with him but I took a picture of Ryan in the suitcase and sent it with him on his trip.

August 28, 2006 - Jeanie and The Girls

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Here is Ryan with his "Great" Aunt, Jeanie, and his cousins Morgan and Emma. Ryan had just eaten carrots which explains the orange-faced grin.

August 25, 2006 - Little Boys

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Here are Ryan, Trey and Jack again. They don't exactly "play" together yet but they do at least acknowledge one another now.

August 23, 2006 - Red polo

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August 19, 2006 - 8 Months Old!

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Ryan is 8 months old today!

August 16, 2006 - Bottoms up

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August 13, 2006 - Ball

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August 11, 2006 - Red and white hat

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August 10, 2006 - Reading

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August 4, 2006 - Sleeping

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August 3, 2006 - Cardiology Follow-up

2006-08-03T16:34:00.000-07:00

Today was a big day for Ryan, he had an echocardiogram of his heart and then an appointment with the cardiologist. Tyler and I were ecstatic to learn that Ryan's heart is healing wonderfully. The doctors see no indication that Ryan will need any further surgery. His heart rate and rhythm look good as well. Ryan is doing so well they decided to stop his heart medication! As always, thank you for your prayers. We know God hears them.

August 1, 2006 - Cup

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July 31, 2006 - Boys

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Here is Ryan playing with his buddies Trey and Jack.

July 27, 2006 - First tooth

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Ryan is cutting his first tooth. Tyler noticed it after church on Sunday. I'm not so sure how Ryan feels about it but we are pretty excited. He's chewing on everything. Even his own feet (when he can catch them).

July 23, 2006 - Baby pool

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Finding some relief from the summer heat.