Uncle Konnor & The Farm

My brother was back in town this week for work and got to stay with us! Rooke is a huge fan of Uncle Konnor. It's hard not to like a guy who will push you around the living room and kitchen in a cardboard box or giant tupperware tub . . . more than once (which is about all Rooke would be able to get out of me these days!). I haven't been able to convince Konnor to push me around, but I have really enjoyed having him around for other reasons! =)

Konnor got Rooke from his nap and was directed accordingly: "I need a truck blanket, go downstairs, sit sofa cuddle, read books".

While Konnor was here, we made our annual trip to The Farm! The first year we went, I was seven months pregnant with Rooke. This is Rooke from our trip last year. And this year, I am seven months along with our daughter! And the tradition continues . . .

10-months

21-months

He was very affectionate and tender as he cuddled this kitten.

Mmm . . . sharing a delicious cinnamon roll on a chilly Fall morning . . .

the tractor ride

the REAL tractor ride!

He's so strong!

I really wanted to find a small pumpkin - one that was "Rooke's size". Konnor and Ryan trekked to the ends of the pumpkin patch to search for me.

Victory - way to go, guys! They found FOUR "Rooke-sized" pumpkins!

It was a beautiful Fall morning and we were grateful to have Konnor with us for the family farm trip.

Just for Fun

Rooke and I ventured out to discover a new park. It was the perfect fall day (and a great opportunity to wear frog boots).

This puddle was screaming Rooke's name! One of his new things is to look at me and say, "You can ruuuuuun!", which means, "Can I run, Mom?!". We were walking through the park and he saw this puddle up ahead. When given the okay, he ran straight to it!

Rooke's buddy, James, turned two this month! He had a train party that Rooke thought was super cool. Especially the part when they played with a Thomas the Train pinata! You knew it was a party for two-year-olds when there was still candy on the floor after the pinata had been opened!

Surprise Visit

Earlier this week, Ryan called and said he had forgotten something and could I come meet him at the door. When I opened our door, my BROTHER was standing there!! Total surprise!!! I love surprises! He was just passing through, but we soaked up the short visit and are looking forward to seeing him again next week. Rooke was excited to share his snack at the little table:

I feel like every kid does this at some point in their life. Rooke stepped into Konnor's shoes on his own and slowly figured out how to scoot across the room wearing them. He was pretty proud of himself!

While we were watching the Oregon Ducks play in our living room, my dad was watching the game in London via Skype and our web cam!

One of our favorite things to do as a family is go out for breakfast. We tried out a new place per the recommendation from a friend and loved it! Seats by the window, eating waffles and sipping on coffe/chai?! It was a great way to start our Saturday.

30 years and counting . . .

Today is Ryan's 30th birthday!!! To honor and celebrate him on this day, I wanted to share how special and unique Ryan is. Here are thirty things that describe Ryan which you may or may not know about him! I could have easily done more. I'm crazy about this man and am blessed beyond any list I could come up with to be his life partner.

Ryan is a(n) . . .

disciple of Jesus Christ . . .

faithful groom . . .
intentional father . . .

expert napper . . .

humble leader for his family . . .

loving son . . .

committed to a life of health and exercise . . .

loyal friend . . .

Thai food eater . . .

admirer of the outdoors . . .

date-night designer . . .

fantasy football player . . .

bus crash survivor . . .

from the beginning, a patient husband (with a wife who thinks she always knows best!) . . .

coffee lover . . .

stud of a son-in-law . . .

good dresser . . . I mean, how handsome does he look in that suit?!

seasoned traveler (in Laos) and lover of all nations . . .

collector of music . . .

master negotiator . . . (bargaining for phones in China)

law student . . .

carrot cake consumer . . .

confident enough to laugh at himself . . .

sports fan . . .

risk taker . . .

book zealot . . .

passionate person (not just about his wife!) . . .

concerned for those without a voice . . .

thinker . . .

super hot guy . . .

I love you, Ryan. Happy Birthday!