Merry Christmas

Ryan is a little too young still to understand the concept of the whole Christmas idea which is good since Steve is gone. Ryan enjoyed sitting on all the boxes more than anything.
Ryan got a monkey with a leash that is the monkey's tail so when we go shopping he can walk around and we can keep tabs on him.

Aunt Meredith bought him a BMW tricycle!! He is a little too small for it right now but in six months he will defiently be using it.

All the dogs love Ryan because he supplies them with an endless amount of treats all day long.

Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Vacation started @ 3:45 a.m. Our plane left Columbia early in the morning but got to Ohio @ 8:00 a.m.!!! The gate agent thought he was being helpful by letting us board early but who wants to entertain their 18 month old for another 20 minutes?? Mimi had bought Ryan a winter coat and hat for the cold Ohio weather. Ryan was not too enthusiastic to wear it.

My mom put up a small tree this year with all the ornaments that we collected as children. Ryan enjoyed taking them on and off the tree.

Aunt Lee gave Ryan a present on Chirstmas Eve and Ryan had more fun with the tissue paper then playing with his truck.

X-Mas Picture

Can anyone else get their 18 month old to sit still for a picture? I took Ryan to the mall to have a Christmas picture taken and what to you know they were running on "baby time" (about an hour late). Of course we scheduled our appointment around what would be best for Ryan. Needless to say we haven't tried again so I thought I would try to get a picture myself. I got two cute pics right before he fell asleep one night. Ryan was in his Christmas PJ's but not what I imagined for his outfit. So yesterday I asked my neighbor if we could come by and try to get one in front of her tree with real clothes on (yes, we have no tree since we are going home). That didn't work as you can see.

It was very warm here on Wednesday (about 75) so I took outside for him to play.

Office X-Mas Party

I have been working three days a week at a dental office here in Sumter since last January. It is perfect with being part time and only about ten minutes from home. There are six of us besides our two dentists: Dr. Gee Rabon and Dr. Melissa Minger. We really have fun together, especially outside the office. Dr. Rabon thought it would be fun to spend the day at his cabin for our Christmas party. We ate, rode four wheelers, and played ping-pong. We didn't get to spend as much time as we would have liked so we are heading back in February to stay the night!! (Yes, I already have a babysitter lined up.........STEVE.)
Lynn,(far left)Vickie, Dr. Minger, Sherri, Deb, April, (middle) me, and Dr. Rabon

April & Dr. Minger

Me and Sherri (the other hygienist)

Ryan's BFF

This isn't the first time we have talked about Ryan's best friend Gavin, but I want everyone to know how thankful I am to have Debra and Gavin (o.k., Brett too but your never home) next door. When the boys first started playing together they ignored one another, now they hug each other, share toys, and steal each other's sippy cups. It breaks my heart to think we will move one day and they will have a long distance relationship. It will work right?

Thanksgiving with G-Ron & Mimi

My parents flew in from Ohio for Thanksgiving to keep us company. We picked them up from the airport and headed straight to Panera for lunch. I always bring food for Ryan but this day he sure enjoyed G-Ron's (grandpa Ron) chocolate frosted brownie. I don't think my dad thought he would be giving most of his brownie to Ryan!!!

Ryan was in such a great mood that after Panera we headed to the mall in Columbia to do some shopping. We rented Ryan a stroller because I didn't bring his not knowing if there would be enough room in the car with their suitcases. There is a Merry-Go-Round in the middle of the mall so G-Ron bought Ryan a token so they could go on a ride.

On Thanksgiving we decided it wasn't worth cooking for three people so we got dressed and headed to Columbia for a late lunch at Cracker Barrel. Ryan got to try turkey, cranberries, gravy, corn, mac & cheese, grilled cheese, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie!!!

On Friday we drove to Charlotte to go shopping at the huge mall there. Of course Ryan was drawn to the Christmas trees that were all over Neiman Marcus.

G-Ron is escorting Ryan away from the tree before an employee would ask him to leave

Yes, another day at another mall!!! We went to our mall here is town (which is horrible) and tried to get Ryan's Christmas pictures taken. Sears was running behind and Ryan was acting up so we left. This picture was us killing time and letting Ryan try on shoes that light up when he walks.