Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sorry for the delay in posting! I have been a BUSY BUSY guy! We had a short and sweet trip to Denver to see Mims, Pa, the Kubiks and Granats for Christmas. It was a fun time but too short! Mims had a huge dinner party on Christmas Eve and I had a BLAST. I spent 90% of my night pushing stuff around on the floor and my cousin Lauren hung with me the whole time. She is so cool! I love that she was spending so much time with me and I was literally squealing with delight as we went around the house. Also, it was fun to have Luke around foor his first Christmas. He is still pretty little, but is smiling a lot and can't wait to be crusing around on the floor with Lauren and I. I got some great toys, books, puzzles and clothes and am very excited about my new bike! Also, my Mimi Shirley sent me my dad's old piggy bank and he is soooo cool! I have him on my shelf and I waive to him every morning when I get up.

New Toys

Mom and Dad have been working on Christmas gifts for our friends and family and I sincerely hope that no one got me anything expensive because I seem to be happiest with an empty water bottle OR (even better) an empty cardboard box! This one was especially great... fit my head, and I could pull it on and off all on my own. Honestly I really liked it ON best!

O Christmas Tree

I have been bugging Mom and Dad for a Christmas tree... I know we had one last year but I barely remember it. I have mostly just heard the other kids at school talking about theirs. Apparently MOST people get them up around Thanksgiving... My parents can be slackers I guess! Anyway, when Dad got home from work we bundled up, grabbed the doggies for their opinions and hiked out along the creek looking for a tree. We found a great one and I am excited to see it all decorated and lit up!

1. Dad cutting down our tree (Just kidding!!), 2. Me looking for a tree, 3. Dad chopping it down, 4. Papa and the tree

Rollin, Rollin, Rollin!

I had my 12 month checkup this week and am happy to report that I am on track! All is well, I am still a little peanut (10% percentile in weight!!), but totally healthy and developmentally crusing right along. Mom kept asking all kinds of questions... something about dairy, something about nut butters and then something about how many words I have. Whatever!! Blah, blah, blah... they stripped me naked and made me sit on a cold scale but after that I got to push a water bottle all over the floor so I was happy as a clam!

Dining in Style

When I am eating I insist on only dressing with THE most cutting edge fashion! I am sure it has something to do with being born in Aspen... anyway, I thought you would enjoy these photos of my latest 'hot' outfit. (Well, my friend Paris Hilton said it was Hot, but I think it was 'Coool!')

Nothing to See Here

One of my specialties is getting into messy trouble. And quick...! Mom and Dad insist on going to the bathroom a few times each day and when they finally cave in and run to go, well, I go to WORK. They have caught me in the act a few times, but luckily they have only been able to capture my handy work with the camera twice. First, having my way with a roll of TP (I also enjoy pulling them off the roll, but they ARE best while free on the ground!). Second.... nothing like a big box of dry pasta all over the ground! It took mom a LONG time to clean that one up.

It's My Birthday and I'll Blog if I Want to!

Well! It's official! I am a whole 1 year old TODAY and as a full-blown kiddo I have decided to take over the blog from my mom. I am just going to consider it my birthday gift...

Mom and Dad threw a birthday party for the this last weekend and it was really fun! I had some great friends show up and Mims and Pa & Aunt Mags and Uncle Andrew represented the family. Mom really forced me to do the whole deal~ cake, candles, gifts, etc etc etc. I tried to be a good sport about it but come on Mom... I am a busy guy. I have a LOT going on!

Anyway since Mom's camera was down Aunt Mags was the sole photographer and...well...it's a long story, let's just say 'photos to come!'

Mom wants me to thank everyone for their love and support and says she'll make sure I stay on top of the blog to keep you all updated.... (haha, I love letting her THINK she runs the show...)

Down time

In between flights to and from KC we had some time hanging out in the terminal of Aspen/Denver/KC airports. Got some cute pics!

1. Cracker?, 2. Wearing Dad's hat, 3. Tickle Monster coming for you, 4. Playing with iTouch, 5. More PDA with Mom

Kansas City!

We went to KC to visit Grandpa Bill and Grandma Kay this last weekend and had a wonderful time. The weather was horrible (cold, raining, sleeting, blowing) but it was a wonderful excuse to hang out inside and have some down-time together. We made it out for a few activities: trip to the bike shop, family dinner with Kay's kids (and THEIR kids) and breakfast at 'You Say Tomato' in downtown KC. Overall it was a relaxing time for everyone to catch up~ I am not sure who enjoyed it more, Ryder or Grandpa Bill!

1. Checking out a new set of wheels, 2. Not quite big enough yet!, 3. Breakfast at YST, 4. Food time! 5. About to head home to Colorado

What's so funny?

Ryder spends 90% of his play time chasing various rolling objects around our house. The musical ball, tennis balls, tennis ball containers, dog bones, and this blue ball that is from another toy. Today he was pushing it around and then throwing it (I guess trying to make it bounce??)and CRACKING up....

Here is one of the two videos:

Leavin' on a Jet Plane!

The recent trip to KC was an interesting test of Ryder's flying/traveling tolerance. He is crawling like a mad man, but does NOT like to be restricted for any period of time. We were worried about what would happen with him on the airplane! The last time we flew Ryder was about 6 months old and a lot easier to keep still. Much to our relief he was able to handle it pretty well! We mad sure to board the plane as late as we could so he would be squirming (or "squidging" as we call it) but once the engines fired up he would calm down and by the time the plane took off he was usually asleep. Whew!

Nighty Night!

So much for sleeping babies on their backs! Ever since we stopped swaddling him Ryder has been sleeping on his side or on his tummy. More and more frequently being curled up is somehow included in the equation...

Swinging good time!

We have been trying to get out and enjoy the sunny semi-warm weather while it lasts. Rocky Mountain winter is headed our way and eash sunny day is precious! Here are a few shots from a trip to the park recently

Kiss Kiss!

Ryder's latest trick is KISSING! For some reason it is more of a wide-open-mouth, slobbery, almost French-type kiss! It is pretty funny (if you can handle the slobber) and he will, usually, do it on command. Here is Ryder and Andy in the middle of some PDA

Going for a drive with Dad

Ryder is having a great time with his toys! This one was a loaner from Aunt Kate. He still can't touch the ground to push himself but he can balance well enough to go for a drive with Dad

Tooth Monster

We are up to a grand total of 6! Two up top and four on the bottom... good thing because this kid likes to EAT!

A deeper understanding...

It is so interesting watching Ryder's development move along so quickly! The other night we were having some quiet time before bed and Hatch decided to join us on the couch. He was resting right up against me and I said to Ryder "Do you want to give hatch a pet Goodnight??" and he DID! He reached right out and pet him for a couple of minutes... I know we are biased but it was heartmelting... sweet boy!

Snow, Snow, go away!

We got our first official big snow of the winter season last week! Over a foot of snow at the house so we took the opportunity to put Ryder in his snowsuit and check it out. Unfortunately.... Ryder had a new tooth and no nap so it didn't go over well!! haha- Good thing I had my camera there to capture his mysery... (We hope he doesn't truly feel this way about snow... we live in the wrong neighborhood for that!)

Boo (Part 2!)

Here are a couple additional photos from Halloween time:

1&2. Checking out the pumpkin guts

3. Ummmm, what is this thing?

4. Andy's artwork!

5. Going for the Binkie exchange at the Church Fall Fun Fest Party