Chef Ryder

Ryder was helping me in the kitchen last night, and it was the most fun preparing dinner I have ever had. I look forward to many more dinner preparations with my little kitchen helper. Like mother, like son.

Spoon Time

Ryder started using a spoon last night. He seemed to like the new independance it gave him, as well as making the pace himself, and was very happy with new dinner time "toy". I think he did great. It's a good thing bath time comes after dinner.

Fun and Games

As many of you know, us Remmerts are total game-a-holics. Card games, dice games, board games, puzzles, etc., we really do love them all. Tyson and I usually play one game a day. We also love to gamble and bet, so this helps us get our fix. A few of the things we play for daily, is that the loser will do the dishes, or empty the dishwasher, or fold the laundry, or make dinner, or change the next diaper, or give the winner a massage, etc. The possibilities are endless to the things we play games for.

This weekend my sister is putting together game day. With the weather rainy and cool, I consider this the perfect way to spend the day. We are definitely in! I cant wait!

Do a Little Dance

Ryder loves music! When he hears music of any sort, he starts dancing. Each and every time the dance is different. Sometimes its a bounce, or a twirl, other times its like the hula or a head bob. I think it may have something to do with the type of music he listens to. He loves the great composers on Little Einsteins, and the fun music buttons on his toys. He also loves to clap when dancing, and this weekend he saw us snapping, so now that is his favorite way to accompany his great dance moves. Watching Ryder do a little dance and try snapping those cute little chubby fingers, is just enough to put a smile on any ones face.

I had a short video clip of Ryder dancing, but I am having trouble uploading it. I will continue to try, because it is just the cutiest thing to watch.

Back to School

Today is Tyson's first day back at school.
I'm so proud of him for wanting to further his education.
I'm nervous for him to do something different and something that is out of his comfort zone.
I'm happy that he is doing something for him.
I hope he gets good teachers and loves his classes.
Good luck babe! I love you, and know you will do great!

Relaxation

On Friday, when I posted that we had no plans this weekend, I forgot to mention that I had my Semi-Annual Girls Burke Williams Day today. Me and some of my girlfriends look forward to this for a few months. We started doing this about 6 years ago, as a Christmas gift to eachother. So, instead of buying eachother gifts we now just all meet up for spa treatments, relaxation, lunch and most of all uninterupted girl time.

I just got back from the spa and lunch with my best girlfriends, and feel nice and relaxed! I am so happy we started this tradition, and wish we got to do it more often. Cant wait for the next time!

This Weekend

As the weekend arrives and the work week comes to a close, I realize we don't have plans this weekend. It is very rare that us Remmerts go a weekend without a thing on the calendar. So I ask you this...What shall we do?

Perhaps, a relaxing movie, or cards and games.
Perhaps we will clean our rooms and get organized (one of my new years resolutions).
Perhaps we will just take the weekend day by day and enjoy our time together while we make our own schedules.
Whatever comes our way, I am already looking forward to it.

What are your ideas for what the Remmerts should do?

Matron of Honor

When I got home from work yesterday, Tyson gave me a package to open, that had arrived for me, earlier that day. How exciting...who doesn't love special packages! I opened it to find two cards and a beautiful pink bag with Summer embroidered on it. The first card was this...

I cant believe it my Sister officially asked me to be her Matron of Honor. I was assuming this would happen, but this was just such a special way to ask. Along, with the card, was a cute poem titled "Matron of Honor Survival Kit", which was accompanied by the pretty pink Summer bag.

Here is the beautiful and very cute Matron of Honor Survival Kit card.

Since the words are so tiny in this photo, I have re-typed them here for you to see:

This Matron of Honor Survival Kit was made just for you,
So you can be cared for all the day through,
Lotion to keep your hands from getting dry,
A packet of tissues in case you should cry,
Hairspray to keep your hair in place,
A few safety pins for the "just in case".
Some Advil to take away your pains,
A Shout-Wipe to clean up any accidental stains,
Perfume to keep you smelling sweet,
Deodorant to prevent sweating from any heat,
Band-Aids in case your shoes hurt you on that special day,
You can take them off once Daniel whisks me away!
I hope this kit helps you and brings you some glee,
It's just an early thank you from the Bride-To-Be!

To My Sister Chelsea
Thank you for thinking of me and sending this package my way,
Yes I would be honored to stand by you on your special day!
During your engagement so much to be done,
with endless decisions most of them fun.
Now all that remains is for dreams to come true,
your vows to be shared and saying "I do".
Chelsea this is your time from beginning to end,
with promises made, your two hearts will blend.
A time filled with smiles and brimming with tears,
we celebrate this time with you as your wedding day nears.
Wishing you love and joy.

I am going to be the best Matron of Honor ever!

Male Bonding

This past weekend the men in our family got together and went shooting. My Dad took them out to a little place near where I grew up (in the middle of the dessert). Not a soul around, and yes we did live there at one time. They shot clay pigeons and targets and had a great time.
The boys before shooting. Picture from left to right...Jim (Brother), Greg (Dad), Evan (Jim's Girlfriend Kelly's Brother), Dean (Kelly's Dad), Tyson (Hubby), Daniel (Soon-To-Be Brother-In-Law) and Andy (our friend).
They all had a blast...no pun intended. This was their arsenal...

The guys took a quick break to please all us girls at home and take a group photo.
They had so much fun, they are already planning the next trip.

Tornado Warning!!!

So, today we received a tornado warning and extreme weather alert. I know its just rain, and us Southern Californians are considered sissy's when it comes to any type of weather, but this weather we are experiencing is pretty extreme... I don't care where you live. Oh, and did I mention we dont have basements in California, so what do we do when the tornado arrives? I have no idea!

These are pictures of our street...or maybe a better term would be river. It also happened to be trash day...oh what fun!

Rain

Its raining, its pouring, the old man is snoring, went to bed, bumped his head and couldn't get up in the morning.

This kind of weather is quite different for us native southern Californians.

Getting to know Summer

A-Attached or Single? Attached

B-Best Friend? Tyson!

C-Cake or Pie? Cake, but I think ice-cream is even better!

D-Day of Choice? Saturday – No work, and can look forward to one more day off with the family.

E-Essential Item? Chap Stick or Lip Gloss are a must!

F-Favorite Color? Purple – Even grape is my favorite flavor…I love all things purple!

G-Gummy bears or worms? Gummy Sour Worms, oh so colorful, and just the perfect hint of sweet and sour.

H-Hometown? Trabuco Canyon, CA – I love this place!

I-Favorite Indulgence? Ice-Cream, or Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

J-January or July? July

K-Kids? Yes, please. hehehe - 2 boys

L-Life isn’t complete without? My Family

M-Marriage date? November 4, 2006

N-Number of brothers and sisters? 1 brother, 1 sister (lots more that have been recently acquired). :)

O-Oranges or apples? Oranges – I love all fruit, but the juicy fruits gets the most points from me.

P-Phobias or fears? Spiders and Cats – both are always up to no-good.

Q-Quote? “You have to leave your comfort zone every once in a while to grow as a human being” or “When faced with two options, choose the one that will make the best story”. My friend Erin

R-Reason to smile? Ryder

S-Season of choice? I live for Autumn. Ryder was born in the Fall, and Tyson and I were married in Autumn! I love when the weather starts to cool down.

T-Tag 3 people: I hate having to choose people to do this…if you want to, that is great, if not, don’t sweat it. 

U-Unknown facts about me? I have to have a color coded closet (even though most is black). I love being organized, and planning!
-I love Palua Dean!
-I cant wait for the day that I get to be a stay at home mom!
-I once drank a milk shake out of a dirty football cleat found in the boys locker room. I was voted most likely to take a dare in High School.
-I love France, and pretty much all things French.
-I have had the same 5 girlfriends since elementry school.
-I ride a quad.

V-Vegetable? I love all squash.

W-Worst habit? One soda a day or else I get a headache.

X-X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasounds. I loved seeing my little boy, make faces, and move around.

Y-Your favorite food? Italian

Z-Zodiac sign? Taurus

Hot Turkey - Cold Rain

Tyson and I recently bought a turkey fryer, and found a frozen turkey last week while cleaning out the freezer. These two things led to a very yummy thought. Lets have the family over for some fried turkey!

So, yesterday (Sunday) we had the family over for food, fun, games, and turkey. The weather was very nice, and beautiful in the morning, and since turkeys get fried outside, we figured it was a perfect thing to do. As the family started arriving, so did the clouds, followed by some rain.

Even though the rain came, everything turned out great! The turkey was delicious and moist, and so was my husband who stayed out in the rain for two hours frying the turkey for us. I think we were probably the only people in California frying a turkey in the rain yesterday.

Boys & BooBoo's

Ryder after a hard fall onto his fire truck seat.

Ryder has taken many spills in the days since he has started walking, but more lately than ever. In the past week our poor child has endured many bad falls, bumps, bruises, scrapes and even a bee sting.

I always hear the same thing...boys will be boys, and if you have a boy you need to get use to lots of accidents. I cant compare because I don't have girls, but right now it seems like this statement is true. I hope I get better at handling all the falls, and booboo's because right now it just kills me to see my baby hurt.

New Flair!

This is my new flower ring that my sister gave me at Christmas. I love rings in general and have long fingers, so this large flower ring is my new fave and fits so well! I now have a special piece of bling to jazz up my ensembles. Thanks Chels!

Ryder is 15 Months Old Today!

Ryder in December 2009, 14 months old.

Ryder in November 2008, 4 weeks old.

Today is Ryder's 15 month birthday, and in celebration, I want to document all the great stuff that he is up to. It seems like Ryder is learning so much at such a fast pace. We have been able to understand him more this week than ever before, and I think he understands more too. He has his own words that he says for Daddy, Mama (though he says this very little), plug, this, that, dog, bird, cow, bath, shoes, toes, truck, hot, milk, Jack (neighbors dog) and blanket. I'm sure there are some that I am missing, but this is all I can think of at the moment.

More importantly he is understanding so much more! Some of the words we have tested him on and that he knows (including the above list) are: belly, nose, mouth, eyes, ears, hair, teeth, hands, fingers, toes, shoes, diaper, plug, blanket, hot fire (holds his hands out at the fire, but does not get close), bath, toys, basket, car, truck, jump, pat, up, down, dog, bird, moon, cow, chicken, ball, grandpa, yaya, grandma, papa, and other family members names, etc.

The best is watching him during Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Disney's Little Einsteins. He loves to pat, pat, pat, to help the rocket take off like they do on the show, and dance to the Mickey Mouse Hot Dog dance. If you ask him to bring you something, he usually picks up the right item and brings it over to you. He likes to put all his toys in his basket, and go for rides outside in his blue car. If you say time for a bath, he darts up the stairs to the bathroom in such excitement...he sure loves his baths. Ryder is enjoying strawberry's, blueberry's, cantaloupe, applesauce, bananas, actually all fruit, chicken, cottage cheese, sour cream, cereal, crackers, cheese, etc. He is a great eater, and not very picky, unless there is a french fry in sight, then that becomes the only food he will eat (we have learned our fry lesson). Everyday brings something new to us all.

First Date Night in 2010

One of Tyson's Christmas presents to me, was two tickets to see the new Cirque du Soleil show, KOOZA. The tickets were for January 13th, at 8pm, in Irvine. One of the best parts of this gift was that we also got to enjoy a dinner out sans children. We had a great dinner, and the show was very entertaining and funny too! I love Cirque du Soleil!

New Year's Resolutions

I have a confession...I have never made a New Year's resolution before. Once 2010 started, my husband actually prompted me to do so by asking me what my resolutions are for this year. I didn't really know how to answer him, because this all to normal question, actually caught me off guard. After thinking about it for a week or so, I have decided on a couple resolutions:

1. Be healthier as a family, by eating right and exercising!

2. Be my husbands girlfriend.

3. Implement family Sundays (with no TV).

4. Organize my life (bills, photos, clothes, etc.).

5. Bake/Cook more!

2010 Begins

I know I am a little late with the posts, but just like everyone else, we have been very busy. Tyson, Ryder and I spent New Year's Eve in Glamis with our nephew Trevor, camping in our travel trailer. We had a great time. Highlights of the trip were burning the dead Christmas trees(pictures to come soon), relaxing in the nice warm Southern California sun, setting up our video monitor system in the trailer (so I can spend more time outside while Ryder is sleeping), and watching the boys ride (I did not ride this trip due to the lack of supervision it would have provided for Ryder). Trips to Glamis are always lots of work too, so here are some of the interesting parts of this trip as well, we ran out of water on day 4 of 5 due to a pressure leak in one of our water valves (it got fixed though), the truck and trailer got stuck upon arrival (but by the time we left it was fine), Glamis was extremely crowded (Tyson said we are never going back during a holiday weekend), Tyson's bike acted up most of the week, I forgot the turkey fryer and the turkey was just a little to large to cook in a trailer oven, and Ryder still did not like being in the sand. All in all it was still a fun trip.

Reading this next year, might remind us that Glamis over New Year's is probably not a good idea, unless we get there 2 weeks in advance (not likely).

Happy New Year!