9 months

Dog Days of Summer

I let Ryker play outside every chance we get. He loves exploring as long as the two big lunks give him a little space and don't continuously knock him over. They are starting to get pretty used to each other. It seems as though he likes Cosmos better right now. He gets a little skidish when Chacon comes around. Maybe it's because Chacon comes in at 20 miles per hour and stops by ramming into us. He'll get there, but for right now, mellow, lazy Cosmos will have to be Ryker's best bud.

"Let me take a look at those ears."


Cosmos returns the favor.

He's always checking out the collar.

I think Cosmos missed the joke.

Ryker has a fascination with combs and brushes. He seems to know what they are for because he always puts them to his head. Maybe he'll be as cool as his uncle Cam and carry a comb in his back pocket his freshman year!

We went swimming and it was just too hot for clothes on the way home.

At the Circus with Adrianne. He seemed to enjoy some of the show.

But he mostly enjoyed watching Aiden and oh boy was it fun whenever he could get his hands on him. Sorry Aiden....you're young, your hair will grow back.

Work it.

Sweet new trucks

Ryker is really into cars right now. He even does the car sounds when he pushes them. That just started a couple weeks ago and was quite a surprise to me. I think he must have picked it up from day care. Even if it isn't a car, he'll push it along the ground like it is. That being said, my mission at Shipwreck Days (main street garage sale with blocks and blocks of stuff) this year was to find him some sweet trucks.

I'm pretty proud of this find. He loves it and it was only a dollar.

He got to the rocks and couldn't figure out how to get back on the move. He rammed it into the rocks a few times.

Just when I thought he was abandoning his truck.....

He turned around and headed back. Must have figured out what he needed to do, because when he got back, he instantly headed the other way away from the rocks.

Another of my fantastic finds.

My friends thought Ryker needed this hat. Yeah, it's cute, but I was on a mission to just buy toys. We have plenty of hats. Plus, I'm lucky he has clothes on when we leave the house. I'm too lazy to put a hat on him too.

I got him his very own camping chair there too. He's ready for Clayton and Susanna's party in September. Bay View State Park, here we come.

I took this picture because I had stepped away from him and when I was coming back I realized that his feet touch the step. What the heck? When did that happen? He's a monster!

Hangin' with the Zinda side

We had a great time in Bozeman. Went to Virginia City, had a great BBQ at Carrie and Nick's (Thanks guys), went to Music on Main, and did a lot of hanging out. Ryker was fabulous on his first plane ride. On the ride home though, he filled his diaper and the overflow ended up on my lap......and there was a lot of overflow. Ahhh, good times. I'd pick being covered in pee any day though over being the person with the screaming baby on the plane.

Too Cool for School.

(Yes, Ryker is brushing his hair)

We arrived in Bozeman and Grandma and Ryker were wearing matching outfits.

Ryker wanted my bottle instead of his own.

Looks like she's about to drop him, it may be time to hand the big guy off.

First concert, Music on Main in Bozeman. He rocked out to the Clinton's with some wild chicks!

Aunt Kara had a fun hammock on her deck, but he mostly just liked to hang on the rails and look out at the passing cars.

We went to Buffalo Wild Wings to show Ryker where his Dad wimped out of the Blazin' Challenge.

"Can we get some appetizers?"

Checking each other out.

"Dad, can I get one of my own?"

This was funny. Ryker actually made a sad face the whole time Grandma was telling him goodbye. Maybe really did know what was going on.

Off to the park to cheer him up.

"Underdog, Underdog! Come on, Underdog!"

He's getting very good at standing without hanging on.

Full Hatches and It's Only June!

It was raining Chums today at Hidden Falls. Good work Seth!

Bozeman, here we come!

Ryker and I will be spending the 4th in Bozeman. I am very excited, but I don't think Ryker

wants to go. I was packing us today and he kept unpacking us. Crazy kid. It will be his first plane ride. It should be interesting, but I'm sure it will go well. He's pretty easy to handle. The only thing I'm worried about is a massive blowout! He usually has one good duker a day and there's a good chance some of it is coming out. He also doesn't like to lay still when being changed anymore so that could get ugly. Where do you change a kid on a plane? I guess I could always make him sit in it the whole ride, but that could get smelly! I pitty the person that gets stuck next to us. Kara has a big weekend planned for us, but my main concern is a big, fat nap while Aunt Kara or Grandma Z babysits. I'm also looking forward to a couple of beers with some old friends.

I got Ryker this sweet hat to celebrate the 4th.........

He crushed it.

Story of my life right now. Even if I think it is unbreakable, this kid will try and more often than not, succeeds.