Ryan's 2.5 year photos

After a not-so-hot 2 year photo shoot, Ryan redeemed himself today :) I am very pleased with these photos as they definitely show his personality and even a hint of strawberry blonde. Oh where oh where have the last 2.5 years gone!

OCNJ Part 2

We are back to Philly after a wonderful week - vacation weeks go by so fast, don't they? Oma and Opa Rodman took Ryan on some rides while Mike and I played mini-golf on Wednesday night. The two of us were also able to get away for seafood at The Inlet in Somers Point on Thursday night. Ryan made a friend named Topher (after his dad Christopher) and they had fun driving their tractors and trucks on the beach and going on some rides together at night. I got an unexpected call from a college roommate named Tammy who lives in North Carolina with her husband and two boys - they arrived in Ocean City late Thursday and we were able to meet each others sons for the first time last night. I am ready to go back to the beach again already!

OCNJ Part 1

So far so good here in Ocean City, New Jersey! We drove here Saturday in the rain but that was quite alright for us as there was no traffic and we were able to arrive ahead of schedule. Ryan napped while we unpacked and the weather cleared as he was waking up so it was full speed ahead to the boardwalk for Mack and Manco's and rides. Ryan was pooped to say the least and we learned our lesson on Sunday - he had a mini-meltdown on the boardwalk that we are attributing to lack of sleep since we have had to wake him up almost every morning and after every nap. Ryan loves the sand and water and especially enjoys running his truck up and down the beach.

Grandma and Grandpa Schwarz came to visit for the day yesterday (and yes, mommy and daddy got about 10 minutes alone in the water together - woo-hoo!) and Oma and Opa Rodman will be here tomorrow morning through Thursday evening.

We have quickly realized (with a 2 year old that absolutely, positively does not stop) we are probably going to need a vacation from this vacation!!!

4th of July Weekend 2010

I just had to include a picture of Ryan playing the piano at my parents' house last week - he gets plenty of practice every time he is there!

No major plans over the weekend - although Mike and I did get a dinner alone on Sunday night while Ryan spent the night at Grandparents Schwarz while his Great-Grandparents Hoffmaster were visiting. We did some playing in the backyard on Saturday (Ryan is obsessed with the hose) and spent Monday at Mike's parents' with my family as well. Check out the rare right-handed shovel pic :)

The heat is getting ridiculous around here but we are doing our best to stay cool - hopefully it won't be quite this hot next week down the shore as we are heading to good old OCNJ this Saturday for a week!

"Cousinly" Love

Ryan's cousin Lucas, my mom, and sister recently spent a few days visiting us followed by our monthly visit to Lancaster so the boys have spent a lot of time with each other lately. They are more aware of one another than ever - screaming the other's name the moment they wake up, etc.! We took Lucas to the Morris Arboretum to see the train exhibit, the Tree House Cafe in Chestnut Hill to play, and of course Mike's parents' to swim. The boys also enjoyed the sprinkler and pool in my parents' backyard.

Dutch Wonderland

It's been 20+ years since I have been there and after driving past this amusement park so many times waiting to go back, the time has finally arrived! Mike, Ryan and I along with Aunt Jenny, Uncle Nate and cousin Lucas took my parents to see the boys on rides on Friday as part of their Mother's and Father's Day present. The weather was great and Ryan had no fear - I think his favorite rides were the "whip" and giant slide. I did have to hold my breath and close my eyes a couple of times, I'm not going to lie.... We even caught a Thomas show at Dutch Wonderland :) We left mid-day so Ryan (and daddy) could take their naps and returned late afternoon to enjoy the waterpark portion called Duke's Lagoon. Ryan did not get to bed until 10PM - the latest EVER for him!!!

We look forward to taking Mike's parents to see Thomas at the Strasburg Railroad in September for their Mother's and Father's Day gifts.

Happy Father's Day, Mike!