Baby food? He's over it.

Don't get me wrong, Ryker will still pack away some pureed veggies if that is all that's available, but he's delighted with the ability to feed himself. He's eating less at dinner now, partially because he takes an hour to eat when I let him do it himself. Usually every other night (bath night), I let him fully take control. The other nights I feed him the messy stuff, because for some reason just wiping him down with a washcloth doesn't get him clean. I always end up finding sweet potatoes behind his ear or peas down his sleeve.

Spaghetti noodles are a favorite. He likes to whirl them around and then toss them accross the room. Then he looks around like he's surprised he cannot locate it. I think it's all an act. He knows what he's done, especially when he sees me cleaning up after he's eaten.

The peas are a little hard to get ahold of but he gets it done. I thought I could just give him a whole pea, but I was informed by someone older and wiser when it comes to babies that peas are a choking hazard unless you remove the hull. Take off that little shell and they are a perfect finger food.

Great with his sippy cup, but this one will take a little practice. He's usually soaked.

He gets the spoon in his mouth, but there's not much food on it by the time it gets there.

Attack of the slobbery Ryker

Memorial Day weekend Asa unsuspectingly sat down with Ryker to play.
Soon Ryker was all over him. Grabbing at the toys and trying to crawl up on him.

Asa though it was pretty funny and was laughing and talking to him the whole time.

Ryker goes in for the big slobbery kiss.

Asa returns the hug.

Happy Birthday Chacon!

It's hard to believe he was ever this cute little puppy by looking at him now. He's a monster of a lab with a giant blocky head. He's still as sweet as the day we got him though. I couldn't ask for a better dog. I can't believe it's been four years already.

Chacon doing what he loves to do best....out for a hunt in his native Montana.

Future donut maker? Let's hope not.

Ryker got this hat at Kid's Day. For those of you from good ol' Wibaux, remind you of anyone? Coincidentally, today is even Erbin's birthday. There's a lot I miss about Erbin and the good ol' days at the Tastee Hut. I hope that Ryker is lucky enough to have a job in high school that he can look back on as fondly. All this talk about the Tastee hut makes me want a mushroom cheeseburger with two kinds of cheese, mozzarella nuggets, and a cherry 7 up right now.

Checking out his sweet trophy his great, great aunt Joyce made him. Yes, she's twice as great!

Aidan, Ryker, and Vanessa at Kids Day at the fairgrounds.

McGruff the Crime Dog telling Ryker to stay out of trouble.

Sweet Crocs

These are the first shoes I've attempted to put him in. They didn't stay on long. He had them off and was chewing on them as soon as he sat down.

Oh Those Crazy Mutts

Ryker really likes the dogs but they are a bit big for him still. There is a little dog at his day care that is much more his size and he loves it. I'm trying to teach them not to lick his face and knock him over. Cosmos is less hyper so he's much more gentle. Plus he's not as interested in Ryker as Chacon is. He'll sit calmly while Ryker pokes at him. Chacon tries to turn it into a wresling match with the little man. We'll get there.

Watching Chacon eat his breakfast. I'm trying to get Ryker out to spend more time with them now that it is nice. Right now they are just way to excited whenever he comes out. I figure the more they see him in their territory, the more they will be bored with him like they are with me most of the time and not try to lick him to death whenever he sits in the grass.

This doesn't help their relationship either. I got Chacon to calmly sit down by him and Ryker went after his tail. That got Chacon jumping around again and thinking it was "crazy playtime."

Note to self-Don't load the dishwasher with Ryker around. He was taking the dishes out as fast as I could put them in.

Quite pleased with his new trouble making skills!

Yum-my

I'm so glad to see that Ryker shares my love for cereal. He's becoming quite the independent little eater. He's really good at using his fingers now instead of just squishing stuff with his whole hand. I know I didn't need to post 9 pictures of him eating Cheerios, but I just couldn't choose.

Breaking Ground

Our foundation is dug and we hope to begin construction August 1st for our new home.