Road Trips!

Weekend... Here goes... Going to be catching up time, but get home Friday night & Chad says, "Let's go... Why not????" Talking about a camping trip with some friends to try and kick off the summer.... We had already decided too much going on & were going to stay home & get things around here in order.... but there's plenty of time for that, right?

So we head south, getting to the camp site about 11:00ish... Riley sleeps the whole way, gets up to enjoy the campfire for a few and then falls asleep in my arms. Very nice! So we're off to a good start. While I had baby duties, Chad & friend Scott, were setting up the tent, which took seconds. Chad comes to me to tell me "tents ready." First thing I thought was WOW that was fast!!! Had to be since we forgot it!!! HA! OOOPPPS! That's what you get for packing in 20 minutes. Really funny thing is we were sitting outside this morning as we usually do when the weather is nice, enjoying our first cup of coffee and Chad went to the truck to get something. He discovered then the tent had been packed... Just in the wrong vehicle! Needless to say, the trip was incredibly fun & Riley loved every minute of it!!! She is not fearful of anything... Which has it's pros and cons! It rained early in the morning but honestly not for long, cleared up and then the day was incredible, sunny & warm! (oh, we ended up sleeping on the blow up matress in the back of the wagon, which really worked out well...) We came home Saturday evening, after stopping for a bite to eat on the way home.... Riley is not good at eating out, or at least we don't have it mastered. She had control over the spoon and decided to WING some mash potatoes two isles over... I wasn't sure what to do in a moment like that so I played like I didn't see a thing. Riley's at that age where she wants her independence which includes feeding herself, which makes for a really messy meal, pretty much every meal! Any suggestions on foods which don't make messes? There are only a few pictures of the camping trip since, of course we thought so much ahead, the camera was not fully charged, it lasted not long. Will get more posted once we get them off Amanda's camera!

Sunday, headed out to my good friend Missy's for her middle son's high school graduation... A pool party, which was about an hour away. Zachary has always had a special place in my heart... I think it's the middle child thing!!! We have to stick together! Riley loved playing in the baby pool but as you can see the look in her eye says, wow, I want to be in the big one!!!! Ri was trying to convince Lyndee, Missy's neighbor's daughter to jump right in also, but Lyndee was playing shy... Maybe next time!

Studying....

Just for fun, thought we would try something new tonight... Absolutely no success, but a good photo opp! Depending on what is being served, we often go from dinner to bath, not passing go. As you can see by Riley's face, tonight was one of those nights!

As you can see by the book and page, Riley was studying for her near future!!!
Riley really was getting into the book! Inquiring minds want to know~

What have we been doing lately?

Lately, with the weather cooperating, we have been outside! Riley is loving it! She is outdoorsy & rugged, from hikes with Mommy in the backpack to sliding on her slide from Sean & Sara to ant searching. When inside she transforms into a girlie girl, really liking playing dress up! We have the best of both in our little lady!!! Riley is definitely moving and grooving, which for me, will make the summer all more exciting!!! (and exhausting!!!) Can't wait for June 16th, our first official day of summer!!!

The last picture from above is Riley's friend Maggie, with the big beautiful blue eyes! She came to visit over the weekend for a Memorial weekend BBQ!

Playtime....

Here are just a few pictures & yes a video!! of our trip last weekend to Aunt Beth's and Uncle Rob's house... Baron and Riley are really taking a liking to each other... Slowly but surely!

Chad has experimented and finally figured out how to add videos and put together slide shows! So here we go... move over technology we are finally, maybe up to speed!

Riley and Daddy Day!

Officially, Friday, May 15, was Daddy daughter day! Maybe not every year on that exact day, but this year for sure! Riley & Chad started their day by roadtripping south, to see Tori & Jay at their restaurant. After a delicious meal & both having full bellies, they then ventured to the city to the zoo. Chad described it as a fabulous time, both really enjoying the incredible day! I asked Chad, what did she really like best? He said, "Well, she really loved the elephants and the penguins & puffins, oh, wait, she really loved the hippos and the fish, um, she really liked the goats at the petting zoo!" I changed my approach.... Was there anything she did not like? And Chad said, "No, not really! She loved it all!" I have to admit, while I was at work & jealous, there is no better feeling than knowing that Riley is having a great time with her Daddy! (& let me add a great Thanks to Tori & Jay for making sure Baby Girl was fed well!)

Easter '09

As you will see, Riley was all about heading down the road in search for those little eggs filled with special treats!!!! Not sure why she didn't want to stick around, maybe she simply thought the stash she was searching for initially was going to be swooped up in no time by Jade, Hayden & Dekota! Grandma or should I say the GREAT Grandma Butcher made a guest appearance at Gigi & Papa's house this year which was incredible! I asked her for some juice on Mom (Gigi) with really no luck. Appearently she was as sweet and innocent then as she is now! HA! The food was great, as always, & unfortunately, I was a little under the weather. Ughhh.... I have read, and confirmed, that parents of little people have a tendency to become sick more often, due to the little one's being the bearer of little icky germs of all sorts! It's been almost all week now and still not 100%. (Hopefully by the weekend!) Riley, Jade, Hayden & Dekota painted Easter Eggs early Saturday and Had them ready just in time for the Easter Bunny's special deliveries! The Chris' & Gwyn arrived early afternoon and as you can see, Blueberries are delish! She is getting so big and I think this time of year it is appropriate to say, Bright Eyed & Bushy Tailed! You forget how quickly they go from being so innocent and taking in all the things around, to striving for independance and heading off on their own! (I make Riley sound like she's off to college!) It's crazy how much the Wade side is growing with new babies and a husband added to the bunch! The more the merrier I say! Because of Grandma being in town, our time with the Grandma & Grandpa Louderman was short, but I can say we all really enjoyed the church service, including Grandma's very fun out fit and liveliness, Grandpa's rockin' out on the guitar & CJ's lack of shoes & new doooo! (Love it!) Riley had to take a few breaks from service but was really into all of the music! Unfortuantely, Grandma & Grandpa didn't get their initial hugs & love from Ri because a few minutes before we arrived she, with no better way to say it, threw up. Lots. Yucky. She was rushed from car to tub, then hugs! But she recovered pretty quickly & the weekend turned out to be a great one!

I almost forgot to mention, I did get my Yatzee game in with Grandma, sort of?! She kept score for the game which started with four and ended with Hayden & I. Does that count?

Also, on the early morning of Saturday, April 11, 2009, Gigi & Grandma slaved away at the beautiful fruity center piece which we all certainly enjoyed. So, no that was not purchased people, it was made with love!

200lbs, Fuzzy, Buck Toothed & Big Eared

And that my friends is exactly as she interpreted it!

It completely makes sense.... He's a 200lb beast, which she has never seen before, furry from head to toe. Sure, smiling, if rabbits can, but nonetheless, creepy. Think about it, I am pretty sure if we were unaware and that description effected us, we would react the same! Ha! Riley wanted nothing to do with the big fuzzy monster and truly was startled from the start! Noah had the same feelings for Mr. Cottontail! So maybe it's an age thing.... The little Mags didn't seem to mind a bit though! She is obviously braver than her two older friends! As always, it was incredible, the little time we had with our friends! Both young and old! Tara made the arrangements with a friend of hers to do the bunny suit thing, so we had a private visit with the Easter Bunny! How nice was that! Thanks Tara!

Someone save us!!!

Maybe next year & a little further explanation?!

A little better with the Mommies there to protect!

Miss Maggie Ann Palmer & Mr. Peter Cottontail

Mommy & Riley, Post Easter Bunny

The Middelkamp's
Noah Benjamin, Sean & Sara
(Visiting from Canada)

Baron is the the big 0-1!

This weekend we traveled across the river to Baron's house for the big party! There were lots of family who traveled south for the event and it is always great to see everyone! Baron was a bigger fan of the frosting, versus the cake but nonetheless, the little man took his time to savor every bite of frosting! And if that wasn't enough, he topped off the course with his first sucker! Beth and Rob did a nice job as always playing hostess and host! We love spending time with all of the family and it's so nice to watch the kids grow together! Griffin, Candon & Taylyn are so great with the little ones! You can see how much the babes look up to them, figuratively & literally!

Baron's Mom did a great job on his cake! It really looked adorable! She even specialized the party even further by making individualized cakes for all the younger guests, very thoughtful!

The ball pit Baron got had some static cling issues, hence the great hair!

These are just a few to samples of Baron's Special Day!