Easter Bunny - Part II

Same Bunny, diffrent mall, same Ryder...just much smaller.

Easter 2009, Ryder was 5 months old here.

Easter Bunny

Yesterday, Ryder & I met up with Megan & Kayla, Jess & David at the mall in search of the Easter Bunny. I was afraid we would have a repeat of our Santa session this year, but Ryder was showing lots of interest in Mr. Easter Bunny, so I felt it was a good sign. He was so excited running through many kids photos before us, throwing eggs, laughing when he touched or hit the Easter Bunny, and even playing peak-a-boo with him. (I mentioned to my friends and Mom that I think Ryder may be hyperactive, but I was told not to worry, he is just being a boy). However, when it came to actually sitting on his lap, Ryder was not so sure of this man sized Easter Bunny. He did not cry, but was very unsure of him as he was holding his hands up for me to come get him. We got a few photos, none of them with a smile, but here is a peek at our Easter Bunny visit, 2010. Ryder is 17 months old.

Good Luck - Tyson!

Tyson is on his way to Vegas right now for a Blackjack Tournament at the Las Vegas Hilton. We get invited to lots of Tournaments, but cant always go becuase of work or kiddos, but this time we were able to make it work for him to play. Plus, its a free tournament, with a free room for 3 nights, and first place takes home $50,000. How could you pass that up? How great would it be if he won?!

As, an added bonus Tyson's friend Andy went with him, and he is meeting both of his brothers there! I know they are going to have a great time! Watch out Vegas, the boys are back in town!

Our Home away from Home

As promised in my previous post. This post is all about our wonderful travel trailer that we bought used last year and have created many fun memories with. We basically went out on a Sunday afternoon outing, and ended coming home with a trailer that same day. We weren't looking for one or even in the market to buy, but we fell in love with this trailer, and couldn't pass the deal up. It was quite an outing to say the least. For us its perfect, and takes "camping" to a whole new level!

May I introduce you to the Remmert East Wing...

Exterior (complete with beautiful views and sun shade)


Master Suite (complete with memory foam mattress, walk around bed, and lots of storage)


Living Room (complete with couch, lots of storage and fold out bed)


Dining Room (complete with the perfect game table, chandelier, and fold out bed)


Kitchen (complete with all the comforts of home including tons of storage)

Powder Room (complete with bath tub, shower and lots of storage)


Did I mention that it has lots of storage. :)

We love our trailer and look forward to many more trips and lots of fun memories. Anyone want to go camping?

Weekend Getaways!

Its so exciting just thinking about our Spring/Summer travel plans, because there is a lot going on. Here are some of our upcoming outings...

~Las Vegas Hilton for a Pai Gow Tournament
~Weekend getaway at a friends cabin in Lake Arrowhead
~Camping and relaxing on the Bluffs at San Onofre State Beach (I can already smell the ocean air)
~Camping and relaxing in Lee Vining (near Mammoth)
~Family Reunion in Lake Geneva, WI
~Visit family in Denver this July

We are looking forward to each and every trip, and each for their own special reasons. I will update you with more information as the trips get closer, and be sure to check back for pictures to come!

Come to think of it, I've never posted about our travel trailer yet. We bought it last year, and love it! It makes "camping" so much better! :) Trailer post coming soon!

Weekend in Review

- Ryder learned how to climb
- Bought a cell phone for Wyatt's birthday present
- Wrapped cell phone and other gifts for Wyatt
- Made goodie bags for party
- Laundry
- Made mashed potatoes, and bacon for our mashed potato bar
- Went to grocery store for chives, cheese and sour cream also for mashed potato bar
- Went to Costco to pick up Wyatt's cake and a few other things (I can never get out of there spending less than $100. Its a curse I tell you...or maybe just a bad habit.)
- Ryder is still climbing
- Bought and watched New Moon...I'm a big fan!
- Went to another grocery store for berries, milk and bananas
- Cooked corned beef and cabbage...its about a week late, but better late than never
- Took a trip to target, also a spending habit of mine
- Ryder went from 2 naps a day, down to 1 very long nap a day. Its kinda of nice, we can now venture out a bit more.
- Went to mall to make a return and buy some new summer shoes for Ryder
- Many, many, many other details that I don't want to take up anymore of your time with
- All in all it was a productive and fun weekend, The Remmert's had fun!

Tomorrow - We have a Teenager!

Tomorrow is the first day of Spring, and also Wyatt's 13th Birthday. He is officially a teenager now...Yikes! I cant believe I have been around since Wyatt was 8. It seems like just yesterday he was a little boy at the beach, playing in the sand. He was also a huge fan of Pokemon, and Kingdom Hearts back then. Time sure goes by fast.

To celebrate his birthday, his grandparents flew in from Colorado, and we are getting together with the family for a big pot-luck, birthday cake and lots of fun and games.

I asked Wyatt what he wanted for his birthday this year, and he responded with

"a spider monkey".

I was caught off guard a little bit with that request. Since I don't know where one would purchase a spider monkey and really have no desire to, I asked what else he wanted, and his request was simple...

"money, so I can save up for college".

I guess he definitely has his priorities straight. Asked what college he wants to go to and what he wants to study, he replied with

"Colorado State University and I want to become a Veterinarian".

He would be great at that!

Wyatt has been a great step-son, and a wonderful and loving big brother!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WYATT! I hope 13 is a wonderful year for you!

Photos- Here, There and Every Where!

I am usually a very organized person and always have been. Lately I feel a bit unorganized, particularly because our photos are everywhere and uploaded in random and un-named and un-dated folders. My goal is to organize the following:

-Costco.com Photos
-Shutterfly Photos
-Computer Hard Drive Photos
-Upload the Hard-Drive Photos to Costco.com
-Photos on the Camera

I think the reason these have all become so out of control is because its such a time consuming process. I feel that if they are not organized soon, I am going to forget the months they were taken in. It's not a fun job, but some one's gotta' do it. This will definitely take a while - wish me luck!

Swinging the Days Away

Ryder's Grandpa (who he calls bop-bop) recently hung a swing in the back yard. It is in a perfect spot, and Ryder absolutely loves it. He points at his swing from inside the house as a way of asking us to go out and play on his swing. He loves to look around while swinging to point out all the items he knows and loves...airplanes, clouds, moon, trees, birds, lizards, etc.

Ryder is thankful for the warm spring weather, because that means more time for swinging.

Happy St. Patty's Day

I think this looks like Tyson and I. hehehe

Here are the clovers I am growing in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

Warmth

Today it is 85 degrees in Orange County. We just wanted to send some warm weather wishes to all you not able to experience this warm weather yet. Give it time, I'm sure you will get your share of nice weather soon! In the meantime we are definitely enjoying this little summer time preview.

To celebrate we are hosting a Sunday bar tonight at our house. What better way to welcome the warm weather than with lots of Ice Cream and all the fixings?

Thank you Grandma Susan for my sunglasses. I love them!

It's Official!!!

We bought our tickets for the Remmert Family Reunion, in Lake Geneva (see previous post for details). We will be leaving Orange County on June 18th, for a whole new and exciting beautiful place! We look forward to spending lots of time catching up with family and hanging out together. We are returning very late on June 22nd. Yes, we will be there over Father's Day and Tyson's Birthday so I'm sure we will be planning something extra special. Is it too early to start packing? Can't wait!

Family Reunion

I'm in the process of purchasing our tickets for the 2010 Remmert Family Reunion. My husbands side of the family, the Remmert's really go all out with their reunions. I believe they are held every 2 years but it could be as often as every year. Since I'm still fairly new to the group, and since everyone lives so far away, I don't have all the details yet, but I can tell you it sure does sound fun.

The reunion will be held at in Lake Geneva, WI, and I hear it is lovely there. All of Tyson's family will be there, so it should make for a very fun trip. I still have not met some of his family, and they have not met Ryder, so it is very exciting! Since I have never been to Lake Geneva, or Wisconsin for that matter, I decided to do some research to find some pictures and find out more about this place. I can tell you that I am happily surprised with what I have found so far. Here are some interesting things I found that I want to share:


-Lake Geneva is a city in Walworth County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,148 at the 2000 census. A resort city located on Geneva Lake, it is southwest of Milwaukee, and popular with tourists from metropolitan Chicago and Milwaukee.

-Originally called "Muck-Suck" (Big Foot) for a Potawatomi chief,[3] the city was later named Geneva after the town of Geneva, New York, located on Seneca Lake, to which early settler John Brink saw a resemblance.

-Railroad access from Chicago made the area a popular summer retreat for the barons of wealth in lumber, cattle, oil, steel, cement, manufacturing, and durable goods (Morton Salt, Wrigley Chewing Gum, etc.), with mansions and large homes such as Stone Manor and Black Point built on the lake during the heyday of the roaring 20s.

-The city was then known as "The Newport of the West". The city is also known today as "The Hampton's of the Midwest".

-In the automobile era the city's fortunes at first declined and it became a haven for Al Capone and other mobsters.

-In 1954, Lake Geneva was named as one of the three finalists for the location of the new United States Air Force Academy, but ultimately lost out to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

-Hugh Hefner built a Playboy Club in Lake Geneva.

-Guns N' Roses lead singer, Axl Rose, also owned property on the southwest side of the lake from 1988 until 1998. The popular song "Paradise City" was written about the Playboy Club.

-The club was closed in 1981 and converted into the Americana Resort, and later to the present Grand Geneva Resort.

-Lake Geneva was also home to Dungeons and Dragons creator Gary Gygax until his death in 2008.

Happy March!

Daffodils from my Mom! I love them!

It may not officially be Spring yet, but all the signs are pointing to Spring.

Current signs of Spring:
-Birds chirping (check)
-Flowers blooming (check)
-Trees blooming (check)
-Kids playing outside more (check)
-Neighbor girls in swimsuits (check)
-Bright blue sky with bright white puffy clouds (check)

It's a wonderful time of year.

34th Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday, the family got together and celebrated my parents 34th Wedding Anniversary. What a wonderful reason to celebrate! We had a fun day, playing games, enjoying each others company, tasting yummy hors d'oeuvres, bowling, and experiencing Ferrell's Ice Cream Parlor last night.

I cant believe what an great accomplishment this is especially in these modern days of high divorce rates. I am so happy that my parents have beat the odds, and remain an inspiration to us all!