Crazy Summer....

We took our first swim lessons this summer- with his little girlfriend Caroline-they did so great. I was glad that he's learning the basics so early so hopefully next summer he will really be able to swim pretty well...


We are so thankful to get to play a lot with our friends...Ryder and Isaac are best buddies and I guess they are just going to have to fight over beautiful Caroline...here they are all holding hands after a day at the pool

We didn't really anticipate this summer being quite as hectic as it has been- we decided at the last minute to get some work done to our house before baby comes so we literally made a few phone calls and within 5 days had moved out of all 4 bedrooms in our house and camped out at my parents for 2 weeks. (was supposed to only be a week but you know how that goes). In the midst of all this, Ashley Mac's has been completely slammed this summer. It's a good problem to have but is stressful none the less. Anyways, Ryder was in complete heaven living with my parents and brothers....he helped cook every night and did random things like help my dad chop wood..needless to say he was asking to go back to "Cookie's house" the first morning he woke up back at our house. I was thinking the same thing as the free meals and free babysitting were quite enjoyable.



Hanging out at Ashley Mac's while momma attempts to work.....I couldn't find him for a second and I went out in the hall to find him hiding here between the sugar and the flour (and eating some kind of paper)! he LOVES to go visit and run around up there and flirt with all our employees(:

Another pool day with friends....

An extra special play date with some of our dear friends from LA. Unfortunately, the Glazes moved when Ryder was just born so he hasn't gotten to grow up with their precious girls. But we look at pictures of them a lot and after spending a few days with them while they were in town this summer he now talks about flying on a plane to visit Graham and Piper....and he will randomly mention them when I ask who is friends are...so sweet(:

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo!!!...

....Ryder turned TWO!!!!!! He had a blast at his little train party at Ashley Mac's. Hopefully all the customers that came in during our chaos will still come back and see us! And the best part was I think I spent maybe 2-3 hrs total planning it. That was especially nice considering I've been working a ton and have had limited time lately.

I ordered invites and cupcake toppers from my original catering partner, Susan. She has a great stationary business now- check it out if you ever need anything for your kids! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ohsuzyqdesigns.

Cupcakes are from..of course..Ashley Mac's(:

and I borrowed the big train which provided great entertainment for all the kiddo's...thanks Lake!!

Oh, and his little shirt I ordered off Etsy...I had never gotten anything off of there and was so pleased!


















****another new post below****

Birthday and Belly Pics

<
Ryder turned the big 2 today! So thankful for our precious boy. We had a little "choo choo train" party today at Ashley Mac's..more pics to come but here is one at the end when I guess he needed to rest right in the middle of the train tracks!



Thank goodness the nausea is gone now.....so I finally got around to a belly pic today. Glad I'm over half way- almost 6 months- Hopefully the second half will go by faster. Oh, and we have a name- Caleb Jackson McMakin, calling him Jackson. They are both names that were on our "list" from 2006 when we first started trying to get pregnant...and Jackson is my great great grandfather's name.
Can't wait for this little guy to get here!

Family Vacation

We got to spend over a week at the beach for the 4th with both of our families. My parents and two of my brothers got to come for 5 days and then Andy's parents and sis got to come for the end of the week. It was such a great time with everyone...Ryder is certainly not hurting for attention!

He LOVES the beach...loves the sand....he was on the beach for at least 4-5 hrs everyday....good thing he tans easily!

The only bummer of the trip was that Ryder figured out how to crawl out of his pak n play...so he was difficult to get to sleep most nights. One night we had to take him out in the car at 11:45pm to drive around to make him fall asleep! So, by the end, we were ready to get home and back on a normal schedule.

Excuse all the pics....but my mom took over 250 so it was hard to pick!

It's a..........

This is about as exciting as I get......no, I can't wait 10 months like some of my adventurous friends to find out the gender of my baby....but I did wait a whole whopping 4 hours after my ultrasound. Andy and I both found out together along with our family and a few friends as we cut into a cake.....the ultrasound tech called our pastry chef to tell her.....and she then made the cake according to the gender. It was a really fun way to find out!