The zoo

Today we decided to go to the Albuquerque zoo because when I got in town it was nice and cool out and really cloudy.  Of course by the time we got to the zoo the sun was out in full force and it was HOT.

Overall I think that Ryan had a good time.

Giving him a toothbrush to distract from the fact that he's wearing a hat.

Looking at the ducks

Can you guess what this is?

here's some help:

Ya, I didn't know either

Walking with daddy.  I'm thinking that I need to start putting pants on Ryan.

Looking at the birds

A ginormous tortoise...it's a lot larger than it looks in the picture

Though it looks like Roo is trying to push him in...he's trying to keep him from running in

It was interesting to see the fish and ducks fight for food

Ryan feeding a giraffe.  For $1.50

A momma and her baby

Us taking a train around the zoo

Afterwards Roo saw a tree that looked like it was growing marijuana.  So naturally he tried it out.  It wasn't.

Here is a picture of Ryan walking at our neighbors...and me looking really Asian (according to a friend).

By the way...this is my third post today (I went a little crazy)...so scroll down.

My driving tip

I have made the drive to Albuquerque A LOT of times now...and last time was the easiest.  I've learned that the secret is to leave really early (about 6) so that Ryan will sleep for most of the drive.  When he does wake up I give him a New Mexico flag and roll the window down.  AWESOME.

P.S.  After hearing my voice in this video I've concluded that I'll never have a job on the radio.

Water table fun

Thankfully I found my camera (though I was secretly hoping to get to play "Supermarket Sweep" at Costco when I visit my parents and get a new one...they needs pics of the Grandkid).  Today Ryan tried out a new water table that I bought him.  He LOVED it.

The purple thing is a water wheel...which he just keeps knocking down.

trying to figure it out

He loves pouring water on the ground

and sometimes on his face

It was all fun until he decided that he wanted to get into it.

Letting me know that he was done

Here's some video of him playing:

Friday foto: Roo working hard

I have to admit that I'm not exactly sure what the rules are of taking pictures in airplanes...but I'm assuming since this is on our computer it's totally fine.  If I am breaking some national security rule...I just ask to be placed in solitary.  Maybe just for a week so I can catch up on some sleep.  Thanks.

Roo has been able to go on many fun hard, work filled trips.  He really loves his job...and with views like this from his desk I can totally see why!

Maybe I can get him to post and write more about where this picture was taken.

This will have to do

Since coming home from our last trip from Albuquerque I can't seem to find our camera...so these pictures from my phone will have to suffice until I either find the camera or we get a new one.  In my defense, I have a feeling that Ryan might have put it away for me.  I'm finding random things everywhere.  His favorite places to put things away our the shredder and his diaper genie.  Thankfully he hasn't started putting things in the trash can yet.

Having fun at the Y.  For the past couple of days now every time that I've gone in to pick him up he's been playing with a little toy vacuum.  I looked on-line about getting him one and the cheapest one I found was $30.  So needless to say he doesn't have one at home. 

 I guess if I was a really good Mom I would have bought him this one:

It's only $140.  Did I mention that it's a T-O-Y??  It is a Dyson though.

Playing at the mall.  Just about everyday we walk around the mall because 1: it's air conditioned  2: the most number of people that I've ever seen in it are 20...so we can walk around freely   3.  There's not a million flies in it  4:  There's a lovely old mall walker who tells him every time she passes us how cute he is.  I've come to wonder about her memory and if she remembers talking to us a couple minutes before, but either way...it's nice to hear how handsome he is.

Ryan checking out the food court.  Which I think our food court pretty much sums up our mall.  Yep

I came across this video as I was messing around on YouTube. It's from a play called "The Book of Mormon". The play is written by the creators of South Park...which if you've ever seen an episode (which I haven't...my parents wouldn't let me watch it) you'd know that each episode they make fun of a new group of people. I was kind-of worried when I first watched it...I can only imagine some of the things that they could write about, and maybe I shouldn't admit this...but I kind-of like the song. Hope I don't offend anyone...and if I do..I'll include a link to the official LDS web site so people can check out and see what we really believe.

I really wish Supernanny was in my ward

I have to admit that church with Ryan isn't that much fun.  Today I was even prepared with snacks, milk, and a book (and my IPod which I had to turn on about 40 minutes into the service).  Now that he is walking he wants to walk everywhere, and I'm still not quite sure what is appropriate kid etiquette in church.  Should I allow him to walk around as long as he's not trying to go on the podium (which of course he did), or is that just teaching him bad habits?  And before I get on my tangent...I just want to give a shout out to the wonderful parents who have more then 1 kid...you guys are AMAZING!!   

When I took him out in the foyer of course he wanted to walk around (and mainly play in the water fountain), but again I don't want him to think that we can act up and then go out in the foyer to play around.  Or maybe he's too young and doesn't know what is going on...and I'm totally over thinking it.

Regardless...I was really tempted to leave after sacrament because I didn't want to be a distraction to everyone else in class (and maybe I was ready for a nap) but I figured that if everyone else can do it, so can I.  I am so thankful that I did.  We had some wonderful lessons, and I know that even if I spent most of my time walking in and out of class that I am getting blessings by being there.  And who can ever have enough blessings?  Not this lady.  

Friday foto: Hotness

I'm pretty sure that Roo is going to be highly unhappy that this picture is up here...but that's what happens when I have hardly any pictures on the computer at home.  Maybe he'll do next weeks Friday foto.

This picture was taken at Hill where he did his casual status before Pilot Training.  Even though he used to want to be a fighter pilot, I'm sure that he'd say he's super excited doing what he's doing.  I have to say that it doesn't matter to me either way...as long as he gets to wear his flight suit.  Hottie!!

Pics from this weekend

We've had a fun time in Abq. this weekend...here are some pics.

Thanks to Groupon we had a nice tour of the city at a discount price.  I wasn't too sure about how cool it would be--but it was actually a lot of fun.  We got to see some really neat parts of the city.  We learned that there are a lot of movie crews that film here due to the rebate that New Mexico gives them.  We saw some of the places that were used in movies like "Transformers" and "Wild Hogs".  Sorry that the pics are so blurry...I didn't realize that the lens was all dirty.  That's what I get for letting Ryan play with the camera.

 The boys.  It was rather hot out, but it felt bearable once the trolley was moving.

 A unique home

 Ryan is starting to walk a lot more.  We bought him some sandals yesterday, but he's having a hard time walking in them.  I guess since Roo walks in the mall barefoot (GROSS!!), Ryan can too.

 Even though Ryan is still mostly on a hunger strike, he's added french fries and Doritos to his menu

Here's some video of him walking to our room.

Friday foto: This explains it

Every year at Christmas it's a discussion between Roo and I about putting up a tree.  He can't imagine Christmas without it, and I don't see what the big deal about having one is.  As I was looking through pictures I realized that this was grilled into me at an early age.  Obviously you can tell by this picture that Christmas trees weren't a big priority in our household.  Really Mom and Dad?!?  What was up with this?

Happy Birthday Mom!!

I think that last year I over did it by doing a post a day during your birthday week with some of my favorite memories.  I was going to pick some funny pictures of you that I like...but I figure that having people laugh at you because of a perm wouldn't be much of a birthday present--so I just thought that I'd say how much I love you.  I am so grateful for the relationship that we have...and all of the craziness (most of it on your end) that it took to get here was totally worth it.

P.S.  Your gift should be there shortly

P.S.S.  Only one picture for us to laugh at, and to laugh at us as a whole.  You know it's bad when your Mom  (My Grandma) dresses nicer than us!

Reason #317 I'm glad to be going home

...and it doesn't have to do with getting free stuff at Costco (that's reason #316).  It's to have my Mom compliment me.  I have been working out A LOT.  Most of it was to get ready for Vegas, and while I'm not yet where I want to be, I have definitely made some progress.  But the thing is that nobody has mentioned it.  There haven't been any, "have you been working out?" or "have you lost weight?".  I'm not saying this to make people feel bad about not saying anything (I probably wouldn't have taken a compliment gracefully anyways)...unless you're Roo..then shame on you!!  My Mom though always says that I'm skinny...pretty sure she'd even say it here:

So yes, I am flying 1400 miles to hear that my legs look great.

Here are some more pics of Ryan

I think he was telling me that he was ready to get back to the house.

What a stinker!!

The only time that we make actual contact with a spoon.  Lately he has not been eating anything except Gogurt and milk...it's super frustrating!!

Playing around with Daddy's helmet

Enjoying the pool that Nana and Papa bought when they were here.

Daddy being funny and making it look like Ryan is peeing

Roo was really paranoid that I make sure to not show any privates (he's still traumatized about the indecent picture of himself that is out there).  I told him that there's a difference between being 14 months and naked and 5 years old in panty hose.  That is why I couldn't include video...sorry.

Ryan letting us know that he was done

The only thing that is growing in our yard

Sharing a water (thanks Mom for teaching him how to use a straw!)

random phone pics

Here are some pictures from Roo's phone

Ryan LOVES standing in the front seat and turning on the windshield wipers

Roo's flying buddy threw Ryan a birthday party (since we were bad parents and didn't)

complete with a candle in ice-cream

not too sure what was going on

Ryan on the carousel at the mall

A random crash Roo drove by one of the times that he dropped us off at the airport

Before seeing a movie in the hood of Denver

Cute cousins

SO excited for Vegas!!

he's getting so big!!