while dad's away...

i spent a week sweating in georgia. most of the following transpired while i was gone...

isaac the beefcake with his friend kenzie at legoland

with cousin avery at quail botanical's "dino dig"

with grammy at legoland

curbside kids: kickin' it with uncle derek

papa's neighbors called the police to report a water ration violation

more fun with grammy

grauntie delivered a new set of clubs that barbara bought. ryder serves as his caddy. fore!

ryder and grauntie on father's day

the cousins at addie's one year bday party. michael fell off the right side of this pic and ryder is making a break for it as well. come to think of it, addie is the only one who seems to have a clue as to what is going on. it was her party i guess.

ryder caught grandpa herold up on all the latest gossip

isaac looks thoroughly creeped out by whatever is going on behind the camera

tonight we took a family trip (walk) to the jazz festival at stagecoach park. it was a brilliant evening, warm and comfy, isaac danced and played while ryder chewed on stuff.

once in a lifetime

sometimes i wonder what would happen if i woke up one day and everything about my life had somehow changed overnight without me knowing it. perhaps i live in a different state or an apartment instead of our condo, maybe my boys are not boys but girls named clarice and berta, or instead of a hot italian for a wife i have a slobbish german. some parts of the scenario are obviously worse than others, but i feel like a profound confusion would surround the whole deal.

getting back from atlanta this weekend was the closest i have ever come to this twilight zonish experience. somehow while i was gone, ryder aged like three months in the span of a week. all the things he had just started to do when i left (babble, roll across the room, crane his neck) he now does with one hand tied behind his back. i told annie the duct tape was a little much, but she wanted him to show off his skills.

the video below is a clear demonstration of what i am talking about, shot this past thursday when he turned six months. don't even ask me how that happened while i wasn't looking.

dad of the year goes to...

top 11 reasons we are handing the blue ribbon to stew:

1.  he gets up with isaac in the morning and gets him ready for the day.

2.  he gives baths to the boys every night.  

3.  he comes home after work and jumps into the chaos that we call fun. 

4.  he plays.

5.  he makes the bed. 

6.  he is authentic (none of that fake crap).

7.  he cleans the house (my favorite)!

8.  he listens and has good words of wisdom (only shared when asked).

9.  he is a fabulous husband (i am not easy to live with and i know it).

10.  he is compassionate and loving.

11.  he truly makes us his top priority and we know it. 

6 months old...

favorite pastime: watching isaac

favorite food: milk

favorite toy: hand

face given when not getting enough attention

and the fun continues

the boys, waiting for the doctor.

legoland

it's hard to share these great water guns.

family shot. 

isaac's last swim lesson.  dad got in.

everyone celebrated the end of the 6 weeks of swimming lessons.

june? really?

the boys spending some quality time with grammy and grauntie

rockabye and goodnight

sarah came to visit from minnesota. i don't think she put ryder down the entire time she was here.

happy and drooly

annie went up to norcal to celebrate our friends dan and kimberly's recent wedding. i stayed at home with the boys. i hacked it, but only b/c i had so much help from our moms.

dance party!