The Leader of the Pack

We had a happy Father's Day Sunday, celebrating a man who is an incredible daddy to our three precious children.  

Ryan loves his kids so much, he offered them each a Belgian chocolate.  This is true love, people.

Ryan's been a good father from day one.  But starting a family while in law school, full time, and working off and on jobs was a big load to carry.  I'll never fully understand the sacrifices he made to keep his wife and kids a priority during those three-and-a-half years of working towards becoming an attorney, but he dealt with the tension and struggle of the balancing act with strength and conviction. 

Watching Ryan father our kids over the last year, without law school staring him in the face every day, has blessed me beyond words.  He's amazing.  He's fun.  He gets the kids laughing and giggling.  He's energetic.  He paints nails.  He plays racers.  He changes diapers.  He encourages me to get out for some alone time.  He keeps life at home exciting for all of us.  And I hadn't seen this side of him to the fullest extent until this past year.  He comes home from work each day completely ready to help, serve, love, and care for his family.  

And adjusting to life with a newborn this third time around has also been totally different without law school in the picture.  Classes started for him two days after Rooke was born.  We got four days with him at home after Gretchen joined us.  With Bridgette, we were grateful to have a full week of paternity leave and remain thankful for a job that allows him to be home with us most evenings without extra work or responsibilities to think of.  His devotion to helping and serving me as much as he could after Bridgette was born has made the move from two to three feel like a breeze.  

Ryan fits the role of father well.  He instructs and disciplines with love.  He teaches by example.  He prays.  He leads our family to keep Christ at the center.  The kids LOVE him.  They respect him.  And they make sure to see him off to work every day with waves, hugs, kisses, more hugs, "I love you" in sign-language, and window-watching until his red car is completely out of sight.  Even threats of soggy cereal can't pull them away from this morning ritual.  He wouldn't have it any other way.  

Cute Kids

Special Visitors to Dover

We've been going here and there and everywhere the past week with our very special visitors . . . Grammy Deb and G-Daddy!  Ryan's parents came for a 10-day visit and we packed our days with fun sight-seeing adventures.  Unfortunately, I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted to, but Kevin made up for what I missed so I'll try to get more from him to post later.  We've said goodbye to G-Daddy already, but are looking forward to having Grammy Deb stay for another three weeks - hooray! 

We took an overnight trip South to see the Dover Castle and spend a little time on the coast.  Unfortunately, we got rained out on day two at our seaside stop, but enjoyed the get-away together and were thankful for good weather on the first day when we wandered all over the castle grounds. 

Ready.  Aim.  FIRE!

Our tea break

Bridgette gets the award for super-star-traveler.  She spent a lot of time in her carseat/stroller and was an absolute trooper.  She also slept great in the hotel!

Walking down to get a closer view of the ferries going to and from France.  I stayed up with the sleeping baby in her stroller, but they also got a good look at the white cliffs (which we off to the left) from down there.

Sleeping with G-Daddy

Friends

While Ryan was on a men's retreat with guys from church, the kids and I got to spend the day at my parents' house.  Sweet friends were visiting from Brussels and invited us to celebrate their son's third birthday with them!  It was a full day of fun, especially for Rooke and his friend, Shelby.  They get along so well, which makes this mommy happy!  I literally didn't speak to him much that entire day because he and Shelby were so busy playing together (and bossing each other around!).  

The "kid table" for the birthday dinner

The "adult table".

My parents have a great backyard for running, and running. . . 

. . .  and running!

And Bridgette did a great job of looking cute all day!

We Heart London

Ryan and I were blessed with a little date time in the city! Bridgette got to tag along, which made for at least one extra coffee shop snack stop, which we were ok with. :) Pho for lunch (I've been craving since being pregnant with B), browsing through the national portrait gallery, and a little Jubilee celebrating were on the agenda It was a great day. Thanks for making it possible, KayeK!

Snapshots of May

As May wraps up, I thought I'd share some more moments captured with my phone . . .

She smiles so easily now!

They wanted to "wear the Eiffel Tower" after being inspired by a picture of their cousin, Evelynn

we're drinking lots of green smoothies for lunch these days

 on a walk through our village . . . we avoided that field.

Hello Sunshine.  We missed you!

 I could have done without the tantrum that proceeded the cuddles, but getting to rock her to sleep was a special way to end a long day

Her sense of fashion knows no bounds

Ryan's glass.  My iced coffee.  =)

He asked Daddy to take a nap with him.  They ended up together in Gretchen's bed.

While sitting outside, "Mommy, will you do paint nails with me?"

 Making some cookies, just the two of us - she tasted everything

Sunday afternoon spent with friends + funny plastic dog toys in the backyard =  

three tired Payne kiddos on the way home