Celebrity Look Alike...a poem

On a good day, Ryan resembles Brad Pitt just a bit.

On a bad day, a bit more Larry King, poor thing.

Looking like Chord Overstreet is pretty sweet.

 

Looking like Donald Trump, however, is the dumps.

Ryan can out-Bieber even Justin's smile.

Or pucker like Owen Wilson for a while.

Andy Richter makes us laugh.

Ryan looks like an Oompa-Loompa after his bath.

But what do you expect from a mother...

..who, unfortunately, sometimes looks like the 4th Hanson brother.

Zip Up!

Zip up, folks...

 ...it's chilly out there!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The Good: It's warming up!

The Bad: Last night was the thickest fog I've ever had the unfortunate luck to have to drive through. I had a late meeting at camp and was [literally] blind sided by the fog as I left the rolling hills and winding curves of the IA/SD border. At one point Adam called to ask where I was and the only reference I had was that my trip counter had ticked off 13 miles since the last town. I got home after 11:00 and I had to pull over to take a "gag in a snowbank" break since I was totally motion-sick from staring at the rushing 2 feet I could see in front of my bumper.

The Ugly: I'm sparing you an actual photo, but let me paint you a word picture. Everyday when I drive to and from work, there is a stretch of road less than a mile long that has not one, not two, but FIVE deer carcasses in varying states of decay, ranging from a Bambie-esque fawn who looks like she's taking a snooze to a four-months-deceased doe whose four legs (more specifically, only the half above the knees) are sticking out of the snowbank into the air like they just don't care.  If you think that's a little too graphic, try seeing it every day. For reals.

Like Father LIke Son

 Ryan thought about wearing a tie, but thought it would be too matchy-matchy.

Valentines: Past and Present

Valentine's Day 2009

This was the day I had a positive pregnancy test and broke the news to Adam (in his Valentine's Day card) that we were going to have a baby!

Valentine's Day 2010

Cupid in the flesh!

Valentine's Day 2011

Still breakin' hearts!

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

 

Valentine's Day Cards

Ryan's daycare does a Valentine's exchange and since he isn't much help in picking out cards (he may have picked out My Little Pony cards based on the horse images), I picked out cards that fit his current interest. Walmart had basketball cards that fold up into a mini hoop and ball and Ryan had fun trying them out. Parents might not appreciate the NASA-like folding instructions, but I figure if they just look at it once and throw it away, it's not different than just a regular card they'd do the same thing to.  Ryan will be giving out balloons in his cards since I couldn't figure out a good candy to give to 1-year-olds. Ironic, I know, being "that parent" that doesn't give out candy, but I didn't think the popping candy our company markets for classroom exchanges was going to work for 1-year-olds and it's hard for me to buy other brands! I hope Ryan has fun at his first Valentine's party!

Grandpa Can Dance!

Ryan would have been so proud of his grandpa as we won the Dea-ncing with the Stars event on Saturday night! It was a great show: fun, well-run, impressively produced, and all for a great cause.  We ordered DVDs, so after it arrives, if anyone wants to see the amazing performance, let me know!

Dea-ncing with the Stars: Saturday night!

(Click image to enlarge.)

Dea Lieu is a Dordt college graduate who is awaiting a kidney transplant so he can continue his mission in Ivory Coast. Information on his mission and health can be found here.

Tomorrow night, a local "Dea-ncing with the Stars" event is being held at the BJ Haan Auditorium on the campus of Dordt College to raise money for Dea's live-saving transplant. This should be a very fun evening and I encourage everyone to attend. If you're familiar with the Sioux County area, you might even see some familiar faces! :) I am confident this is going to be an incredible event, so be prepared to have fun (and bring your cell phone to vote for you-know-who!) If you are not able to attend this event, please consider donating to this worthy cause through one of the methods listed here.

Friday Family Night

Since it's been a rare occasion for all three of us to be together lately, we took the opportunity to have a family night on Friday.  First, we went to the Beach House for supper. All of our food was excellent! Ryan was not very patient waiting for his supper and insisted we dot each bite of hamburger or french fry with ketchup. He's a big fan of ketchup. He made a funny "co-ooold" face after giving him a taste of a milkshake, but of course wanted more.

After going home, we had about a half hour to play so I opened up some large washable crayons and we tried to give Ryan a quick tutorial in coloring. He was more interested in eating/holding all the crayons than coloring the picture, but his interest in scribbling somehow magically resurfaced in time to give the piano bench a few rouge-colored highlights. We'll try the crayons again another day.

We also blew up one of the balloons Ryan is giving out with his Valentine's Day cards. He wanted to squeeze it, bite it, and lean on it. This ended in a BANG but Ryan wasn't really upset at all when he popped it. Cheap fun while it lasted.

Finally, we had a little fun playing with a newly-emptied box...sure solved the problem of not being able to touch his toes!

After that it was bath time, book time, bed time (then blog time)! I loved family night and hope we can schedule some more soon!

Tummy Time

Where's Ryan's tummy?

 Here it is!

Since he usually wears white onesie undershirts, Ryan's tummy is not always "accessible". But, after a Ryan vs. water faucet incident resulted in us ditching the undershirt and sticking on a sweatshirt, his bare belly was suddenly available and he enjoyed poking it and trying to see his belly button (not an easy task).

Roar! I'm a Lion!

Sequence of a Runaway

1. Grab an accomplice and make a run for it.

2. Scamper down the hallway.

 3. Make a pit stop at the crib.

4. Hide behind the chair.

5. Caught! Does this mean I have to put some pants on?