Birthday Boy

We celebrated Ryan's birthday at Didier Farms. Not sure who had more fun...Ryan or H &E. It was a great day for pumpkin picking and pumpkin donuts.

Just the two of us...

These boys really love each other. Ryan has the perfect little boy. Ethan will sit on Ryan's lap for hours and watch golf, tennis, football, soccer, hockey -- you name the sport and Ethan is there to sit with his daddy. For a few weeks now, Ethan has wanted to go fishing. Ryan picked up a few rods for the twins, and we ventured out to a little fishing spot near our house. Holland and I were on a little walk and I came back to see my boys like the photo above.

Back in May, Ryan took Ethan to a Cubbies game. We had been talking to Ethan about it for weeks. He was REALLY pumped up. Before the boys left, Ethan was all smiles. He knew he was going to do something special. They took the train to the game and on the way home, they got ice cream. It was probably the best day of Ethan's life. Days following the game, I would hearing Ethan singing. "Go, Cubbies, Go". He continues to pray for the Cubbies almost everyday. I love it!

Quantas cobra?

I woke up to nice weather and this view for a week....

I hung out with this hunka hunka burnin' love for a WHOLE week...no kids...no school...no work!

We drove 3 hours to get to Puerto Penasco, Mexico. The drive was interesting. I loved driving through this preserve. Cactus all over the place!

We played canasta caliente at the Mayan. This was after the boys golfed and the girls had massages and layed out. The favorite drink of the trip was the Strawberry Coloda. Yum!

We ate here a couple times. Cheap food and fantastic salsa.

Aww....sunset at the beach.

Shopping at the Old Port. I didn't think we got any great deals. Most of the shops will not negotiate...banditos!

p.s. They had Thrifty Ice Cream in Mexico. I love that stuff. I was able to get a scoop of chocolate malted crunch.

Everyone needs a little romance

Summer 2006

I got a pretty cool gift for Valentine's Day. I realize it was over a month ago, but every time I think about it, it makes me smile. I have to brag for just a moment. Ryan got tickets to see Coldplay this summer. Not only am I happy to go see a concert this summer, the tickets are on the anniversary of our first date. And our first date was to a Howard Johnson concert 10 years ago! It was a pretty cool date and I remember falling for him immediately. I am definitely married to a romantic. I am glad he remembered that date, because I never can.

Happy Birthday Hotstuff

I like having this 34 year old in my life...hope you had a great BIRTHDAY! Love you to pieces.

Get Away

We celebrated our 8th anniversary in Lake Delvan, Wisconsin. Ryan surprised me with a little get away. We spent the weekend eating, shopping, and resting. Below are lots of lovey, dovey

photos. And yes, we wear lots of stripes.

p.s. thanks for all your help with presents. I ended up getting him 8 gifts. He was spoiled rotten!

Daddy's Home!

(Here is a photo of our little Daddy Homecoming)

Ryan was out of town for an entire week. We all missed him so much! The kids asked for him everyday. I told them he went on a plane to go to work. Anytime they heard a plane fly overhead, they would say "Daddy, plane, work".

There are definite plus and minuses when husbands go out of town.

Some of the pluses:

Sprawling out on my KING size bed

Not having to make any REAL dinners

COMPLETE control over the remote

Catching up on MY tv shows (i.e. greys, john & kate plus eight, HGTV)

Some of the minuses:
No one with to watch "Hereos" (our new fave)
No cuddling
No one to make dinner for
No one to take out the trash

Celebrate Good Times, Come on

The weekend started off with a little getaway. We took the train into the city and stayed at a great hotel overlooking the lake. It was in walking distance to everything (movies, restaurant, and Michigan Ave (shopping, people!).


We celebrated our anniversary and Ryan's 33rd birthday. Now that we have 3 events in such a short time (anniversary and 2 birthdays) we tend to squish everything together. I remember one year when we took a cruise for our anniversary AND we went to San Francisco to watch a 49ers game for Ryan's birthday. Those times are long gone. Now our lives are filled with true responsibility - Children. We would not have it any other way!


So, my favorite shopping friend (she coined that term) stayed at my house to watch the twinnies for the night. My kids did not even flinch when we left the house. Holland was obsessed with Miss Dub (she calls her "E"). She loves babies! And Ethan is pretty easy going these days. So we were off to a night alone. YAY!



Yesterday, we celebrated Ryan's birthday. I feel bad that it was a little low-key. Ryan does not seem to mind. We ate dinner and cake with some friends at church and that was that. And who doesn't appreciate a yummy Marzipan Cake form a delicious bakery?

Happy Birthday Ryan!

7 Years

Ryan & Rachel

Married September 30th, 2000

So many things have happened in the last 7 years. We have traveled the world, watched a million TV shows together, and survived the 1st year of having twins. I am so lucky to have this man in my life. He never forgets to tell me he loves me. He takes me to amazing places (I will have to tell you about my honeymoon). He rather hang with me than anyone else. He loves to cuddle. He makes me so happy.

Happy Anniversary Sweetie!

Off to our Honeymoon!

Who's Your Daddy?

The dad of my kids is the absolute best. When the twins were just 6 weeks old, Ryan would watch them every weekend while I went out with my friends. I sure needed the break and I think he liked being alone with them because it gave him time to bond with them. It was amazing to see the shift he made after we had the twins...he seems so much more sweet and gentle. It melts myheart...


Here are the 3 reasons Ryan is such a GREAT dad...

1. Makes them feel special (daddy/daughter & daddy/son dates)
2. Bathes and reads them bed time stories every night
3. Loves to hear the funny things they day or do...he is the only one I can really gush over my kids with

WE LOVE OUR DADDY!




My dad is also the best! He is always a listening ear. He is never judgemental over the silly things I say, and he is the voice of reason in a crazy world. I am so glad to have a father who loves me, my husband, and grand kids so much.



Here are 3 Reasons why my dad is a GREAT dad...


1. He always has a stash of chocolate and diet soda in the house
2. He calls me "Princess"...this makes me feel like his favorite daughter
3. He is up for anything. When he came out to visit me, he went with mom and me to get pedicures just so he could be around us.




HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!