Our expectations for Halloween were not high. Every time Ryan saw his costume for the last two weeks, he'd say "no, No, NO!" Max and I tried wearing the hood on our heads. Sitting it out so he'd get used to it. Poor Cali even had to wear it twice. I created a back up costume from his normal clothes thinking that's what he'd wear (he'd have been a football coach...windpants, red shirt and Winnie the pooh in a football helmet.) But as usual, little man surprised us. Take a peek.

Before leaving for the neighborhood party, we carved pumpkins (Ryan colored his). He wanted a big truck on front.

Then we started in with his costume. It did not go great at first...

Then he figured out you get chocolate if you wore the hood, and he was in...he'd never really had chocolate candy before.

We headed to the neighborhood party and he looked so cute.

When you ask him what a Tiger says, he repeats "Grrrrr."

Most of the party was spent in the backyard by ourselves as he roamed from yard to yard to play on the different colored slides.




We caught Ryan chasing one of the twins through the bushes. It was very Jungle Cat.

Ry loved watching the big kids play. He then went on to trick-or-treat with Max for over an hour. By the end he figured out that the event is more than just seeing everyone's dogs. He was saying thank you after every candy gift. He didn't take off his costume for an hour once we were all home. Halloween 2010 was a success!

22.75

There is an obnoxious amount of cuteness that we're going to share here. So delete this email if you can't handle the sweetness.

Language skills have kicked into high gear. He's saying "I love you" now and starting to crack jokes. His favorite is to say "Please Dad" when I ask him "What do you say?" after he requests things. Today he said my name was "Ryan." He's stringing together Yoda-like sentences too. Other developments: His affectionate side is really coming out. He has chores he likes to help with and is so stinking smart that he recognizes places we're driving to, even in the dark!

Our most difficult challenge right now is trying to put steroid drops into his eyes. He has tear duct issues, we we're trying this treatment to avoid surgery. Only one more week until we end this course (Just what the Coach needs...a son on Steroids!) The great news is that for all the hassle, we now have a tear-free more comfortable boy. So it's worth it.

I'll spare you any more prose and let those big brown eyes do the rest. Hope everyone is having a great week wherever you are! About to go up and put in drops as Ryan sleeps...as we call it...the "Drop Fairy."

Love Court, Max & Ryan

This is the same bench Max and I had our photo taken on during our wedding. He was admiring Nami's Koi.

We busted out my Hot Wheels collection during Max's birthday. He loves them!

Nami and Papa brought Ryan this new train on their adventures in North Carolina. He loves saying "Choo Choo" as he drags it everywhere.

Very impressed to see that train come out of the package...


The look of determination on the job site.

Cali and Ryan are so cute together. Ryan loves chasing her, taunting her and cuddling. Only he will not call her Cali and only calls her "puppy."



Does he not look just like Max as a kid? Here he is in his the playhouse max scored for $12! (Just saw it online for $68!)
We met the Elzinga's at Robinettes for cider and donuts. Only the boys were WAY more interested in the big rig that hauled the horse trailer.

We were all troubled by the fact that it appeared both Ryan and Henry were well practiced at being arrested. "Spread um boys!"





We thought Ryan would enjoy a donut ....until we realized he enjoyed 4 of them. He had taken bites out of multiple and put each back in the box until he found the one he liked.

He loves to color now! Just like his momma.


Collision on the kitchen table. Our life is trucks, trucks and cars (he finally realized the difference last week!)

22 Months Old

Ryan is officially 22 months old tomorrow and is changing on a daily basis. Today he started asking questions in the form of a question ("Is that ucky poo? Very inquisitive.) We also busted him kissing the neighbor girl who is 17 mos old. It was hilarious. Ryan's now able to identify all is colors, letters, and we're starting numbers.

We've had a great time on a variety of outings you'll see below. Max's team has a tough last two games ahead, so we're looking forward to the season winding down. Work has been difficult lately for me too, but there is hope in sight and I think I'll finally get to go back to being the kind of mom and wife I strive to be.

All in all, we're headed into a great fall. Thanks for sharing our journey with us!

Love Court, Max + Ryan

HARVEST FESTIVAL

Ryan and I created our very own Scarecrow (you'll notice my signature college overalls.) For $7 you get all the makings, even the clothes. Just about everyone in Rockford has one it seems. I think that makes us officially Rockfordians.

Tuckered out after a Harvest festival adventure.

MICHIGAN vs MICHIGAN STATE

When my dad asked what we were doing for the holiday weekend, I assumed he was talking about the Michigan / Michigan State game. He meant Columbus day....He is a banker you know. They have more holidays than you can believe. Here is Staci (my college roommate) and me.

We hosted the Alguires and Holohans for the game. The kids outnumbered us: 8 of them, ages 12 - 1! Perfect weather allowed them to go crazy outside. So much fun.

Ryan asks for "NaNew" no less than 5 times a day. Here, he and Conner play trucks.

Ryan and Colin had a great time discussing every play after the game. We caught them have a CONVERSATION! So amazing and strange.

We busted Ryan taking a bite out of every apple in mommy's harvest table arrangement.

ARTPRIZE

One of the bests of living here is ArtPrize, the world's largest open art competition. It goes on for 3 weeks and featured over 1700 pieces of art across the city in almost 200 venues. Ryan loved all the publci pianos that dotted street corners. Anyone could sit down and play.

Ryan and Max took a break from the art to admire the fountain in Veteran's Park.

NAUGHTY TIME

We think the "Terrible Twos" may have started early. We've had a bit of naughty lately. And he's starting to try and whine. Don't worry. We're nipping it in the bud!

Rather than eating, Ryan loaded the "Yeahlow twuck" he stole from Levi's house with cheese!

LITTLE ANGEL

He still loves to vacuum!
He's getting more and more into coloring and chalk art. Today he was walking around the neighborhood like a rainbow.

Ryan was studying up on his truck books. He had them lined up beside each other and has figured out on his own that some of the pictures are repeated between the two books.

Ryan will cart his lawn mower to any neighbor's yard that may be mowing. Then he'll mimic them as the pass back and forth. The child identifies airplanes, lawn mowers, and sirens so well that sometime we'll be indoors and Max and I won't even notice them until Ryan shouts.

FOOTBALL

Max and Ryan before the Grand Rapids Christian game last Friday night.

Waiting for daddy before the game.

Papa and Ryan watching the Creston team loose to Max's team.

Ryan and buddy Brady enjoyed the game....and imitating the cheerleaders. (Sorry Max, he imitates the linebackers too.)

Wildcat stadium.