Happy

Birthday

Ryanne!!!

It's Hard to Believe...

That this little baby

has become this big girl!

It is so amazing to me that in 2 days she will be celebrating her first birthday.

My Monkey

Today we were getting ready to go on a walk. I had put the stroller out by the front door and I was getting some bags and Stanley's leash. Apparently we were not moving fast enough for Ry, as she decided that she needed to climb up into her stroller by herself and wait patiently.

Are we leaving soon?

Climbing back down...

Here's how I did it...

It's easy!

Books

Ryanne has begun to display an interest in books recently. I have always read to her, but it usually ended up with me reading out loud to myself as she scooted off to play somewhere. Now, she often disappears to her bookshelves and pulls the books off and "reads" them to herself, or she grabs one and brings it to me, crawls in my lap, and actually listens as I read it to her!

Birthday Presents

I gave Ryanne her presents from dad and me a few days early so she could play with them this weekend. The wooden blocks were an especially big hit. I built tall towers, and she knocked them down. Over and over and over.

Cell Phone Update

I am getting a new one. It arrives in a week or so. In the meantime, leave me a voice message and I'll call you back. Or call me at work. Or email me.

I lost my cell phone. So don't try to call me.

Blowing Kisses

Ryanne's latest trick!

Walla Walla Wine Wine Woman Woman

Those of you who live in the Northwest have no doubt seen/heard the Pemco "We're a lot like you" ads. And strongly identified with them. I'm talking to you, sandals-and-socks-guy. I'm tagging Mark as Inclement BBQ'er Man and myself as a former Tri-Cities Select Sports Hostage with a touch of smug hybrid driver. Or maybe more than just a touch. If you want to find yourself, go to werealotlikeyou.com.

Early Birthday

I got a new easy chair for my birthday

This is how it is really supposed to be used guys

And finally...an action shot. After weeks of taking a few steps and then crawling the rest of the way, Ryanne has finally decided to really walk. She's still not very good at it but she's getting better.

Soooo...what are YOU in for?

Stirring....

Tasting....Nope, not quite done

Apparently I work in a dangerous part of town. Last week, we were working when all of a sudden we heard brakes squealing, a "whump," and my boss yell "oh my God!!!" We all ran to the window to see that a bicyclist had been hit by a car and was lying in the street. He ended up being fine. Then, on Friday, we heard horns honking, loud noises, and our building started shaking like there was an earthquake. Of course we all ran to the windows again, and saw destruction. A crane had been driving downhill on 15th street about 4 blocks up from where I work when its brakes went out. It rolled all the way down the hill gaining momentum until it finally ran into the cement barricade at the 705 off ramp and came to a sudden, shuddering halt. The most miraculous part was that the driver, who stayed in the cab until he saw the barrier approaching, at which point he bailed (can you blame him?) managed to keep enough control to avoid pedestrians, oncoming traffic, and the monorail which I swear runs non-stop all day. The crane jumped the curb at about Commerce Street and took out a signpost, a tree, and an enormous stoplight. When it came to rest the boom was pointed up the freeway instead of straight into the corner building. I would not have wanted to be drinking my coffee in that Tully's on the corner when that crane came thundering by. Anyway, here are the pictures I took from our conference room. They are from my camera so they aren't that great, but you get the idea. It took three trucks winching in different directions to get that crane off the barricade. I'm pretty sure none of us got any work done. We just sat around and watched Bill's Swinging 60's, Bill's Pickin' & Grinnin' and Gene's boring no-name tow truck get that sucker down.

Saturday night we went to Seattle to have another party for Mark. Thanks Ikes for letting us use your home! We (Ryanne and I) met some new people, and all of us got to reconnect with old friends. Lots of Mark's friends showed up to wish him well.
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We learned a trick from the Ikes, too. Instead of buying their daughter toys, they buy her things they want, such as kitchen utensils. Then, when she has grown bored with playing with the "toys", they have new stuff.
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I wonder if Ryanne wants a Cuisinart.

Kitty Bathtime

So (long story) L.Mo. fell into an unflushed toilet and Mark decided it was time for both kitties to have showers.

We will not forgive you for this.

Not for a long, long time.