Monday Picture

Playground

Is it a day that ends in "Y"? Then there is a good chance we either took a family walk or went to the playground.  The weather has been absolutely amazing this week.  Highs in the low 80s have driven us to spend as much time as possible outside.  Earlier this week we decided to enjoy the mild evening with a picnic dinner and playground fun.

Slide Races

Sammy girl chasing tennis balls

Things to Remember: Morning

This morning Mike came into my bedroom bright and early.  He wanted to snuggle, so snuggle we did.  After about 10 minutes he heard Ryan stirring so he excitedly ran into Ryan's room.  He climbed into Ryan's crib where the two of them played and giggled for the next 15 minutes as I laid in bed listening to the sounds of two happy little boys.

Ryan Patrick

When Ryan was a newborn he was the calmest, sweetest baby I had ever encountered.  He rarely cried, he slept extremely well and was pretty much up for anything.  He spent hours in the Ergo happily snuggled into my chest.  People warned me that they had similar experiences and to "just wait."  I did the classic parent thing and thought "nope, not my baby.  My baby is going to be sweet forever."  Turns out Ryan must have been spending those early months just taking it all in, learning how things work and how they can be manipulated.  Around 9 months we started to see the change.  He was somewhat mobile and was into as much mischief as possible, now at nearly 18 months I am terrified for what is to come.  He is fearless and smart.  He is adorable and a schemer.  The other night during dinner he was sweetly sharing his water with me while simultaneously sneaking food to Sammy - I didn't even catch on right away because he was creating a diversion!?!?!  The other night during bath time he wanted to get in the tub.  Brad and I were both preoccupied helping Mike and doing other things and before we knew it Ryan has dived head first into the bathtub fully clothed.  He looked a little dazed for a second then started splashing around happily. Where his brother is so good at following rules and helping I'm thinking this guy is in the "it is easier to ask for forgiveness" side of things.  He sure is lucky he is so stinking cute.

Monday Picture

8 Years

Eight years ago today, in a beautiful garden, on the side of a mountain, I married the love of my life.  Now that may sound cliche, and sappy (and it is and should be), but he really is.  I have loved him for over half my life so mathematics would indicate he truly is the love of my life.  The past eight years have been an adventure.  I can't wait to see what comes next!

Recap

Sorry I've been a bit sparse in my updates lately.  Things have been a little crazy for us over the past few weeks.  Between the 4th of July holiday weekend, quarter end close at work, my mom visiting, my mom breaking her shoulder and my dad unexpectedly visiting blogging hasn't been at the top of my priority list.  But we have done so many great things that I wanted to be sure to mention them.

First up: Fourth of July weekend.  My mom flew in late Wednesday night and was woken up bright and early by these two goofballs.   Brad and I "enjoyed" a 4 mile run without having to push the double jogging stroller.

We spent the afternoon at a BBQ learning the finer points of Bocce ball.

Then in the evening made our way to Arnold for some fireworks.

On Friday we decided to trek downtown for the annual air show that takes place under the arch.

 On Saturday we did a 5 mile mud run with some friends (we were pretty proud of ourselves for finishing in 54:30)

Mike even got to play in the "Lil Muckers" area.

Then on Sunday (before I had to go to work - boo), Brad and I went on a sunrise hot air balloon ride which ended in a semi-crash landing.

Monday Picture

Monday Picture

Hot air balloon ride!!!

Muckfest

More to come soon, but we did it!!!

Bocce Balls

DA!! DA!!!

St. Louis air show

Plates

Grandma is in the house and apparently weirdness is genetic. 

The Weekend

Last weekend was busy.  Saturday started out with yet another family run (4.8 miles this time).  After our run we headed home to start prepping for our annual SLU Ortho Intern BBQ.  This year we had 60 people show up...yes 60!?!?!  We decided to provide all the food and asked the guests to bring drinks.  It worked out pretty well.  In years past, Brad has spent a big chunk of time manning the grill and missing the party so this year we decided to do things a little differently.  We ordered 15 rotisserie chickens from Sam's Club and bought about 16 pounds of pork loins.  The pork was thrown on the smoker and the chickens were cut up.  It worked perfectly!  We kept everything warm in the over and pulled out trays of meat as we needed them.

Ryan is helping me make cornbread.  Mamas really do have to do EVERYTHING one handed (or at least while holding a baby).  And yes, i am still in my workout clothes

Ryan and the chickens

 While Brad and Ryan were off picking up the chickens and getting ice, I heard a funny noise and ran outside to see this...

No big deal, just 1/2 of one of our trees fell down, onto the fence, 2 hours before 60 people are due to show up to our house.  We chose to ignore it.

 And then the BBQ started and it was great and people ate lots of food and met new friends and played beer pong.

 Then Sunday morning came way too early and two little boys woke up way too early and I was happy we had run Saturday morning because it was not going to happen on Sunday.  After cleaning the house and making a run to QT for a frozen coffee and donuts (hangover cures if you will) we we set out on our Sunday errands (grocery shopping and the procurement of a new chainsaw because our old one was not up to the task).  We returned home, ate lunch, Ryan went down for a nap and we set off to deal with the tree.

My cute little helper who was great at dragging branches into the pile.

 After a couple of hours of tree fun, we headed out to another BBQ that one of the pediatric attendings was throwing.  After a few hours there the tiredness of the Warlick family set in and we came home and had a family movie night.

Ryan snuck up behind Brad and started rubbing his back and then cuddling.  It was really cute.

Monday Picture