Cookies

While in Kansas Gweener experienced several firsts in her short life. She fell down the stairs for the first (and second, and third) time; rode a go-kart, wore goggles...but most importantly, had her first cookie (well, I think, I'm not sure what Jen does when my back is turned, and I don't totally trust her:).
She found the cookie drawer at her grandparents' house and every afternoon you would hear the pitter-patter of her feet running into the kitchen, a drawer sliding open, the crinkling of a plastic bag, drawer sliding shut, and little feet running away (repeating every couple of minutes). I'm pretty sure that drawer has changed her life, since she has a Nazi of a mom who doesn't give her treats like that at home. I guess that's just one more reason for her to love getting out of town.

Go-Karts Are Fun...

Or ARE they?

Where the Buffalo Roam

(Ryan likes to make sure I'm aware that the state song of Kansas is "Home on the Range." So he'll probably appreciate me informing anyone who reads this blog of that little known fact.)

(ps - I took the above photo from the Christensen's driveway.)
We spent a week in Kansas over the 4th. It was awesome. Gwen got to see some of her cousins and she was actually old enough to play with them - and they were very, very kind and patient with her shenanigans.


She got into the usual "toys."

We did tons of swimming, which led to epic afternoon naps on her part, so I also spent quite a lot of time in the pool laying out, which was verrrrry nice.


Ryan enjoyed throwing those gun powder poppers at Gwen's feet to sharpen her reflexes, he's an excellent father.


But, she's easy and was deliriously happy the whole week. And apparently Ryan was really tired?

Tiny Helper

Gwen gets a kick out of unsorting my laundry and unfolding piles of stacked t-shirts and towels. But she's the best laundry helper I've ever had, sorry Sunshine.

Mom Visit

My mom came for a visit last week, giving me and Ryan some much needed freedom to do whatever we wanted...which turned out to be staying at home almost all of those nights, reading and going to bed early, haha. She took Gwenifred to the pier park, on walks in town, to the beach to chase her ball while getting blasted in a sandstorm, and various other adventures. Also on her vacation, she got to cook me dinner and do most of the grocery shopping. She claims to have had a wonderful time, maybe her trip to see my sister after her baby in July will be more relaxing.
Before we left to take her to the airport I realized that I hadn't taken any pictures so we sat on the porch for a photo shoot in which Gwen could not sit still. So, here are the results - these photos may not be blog-worthy, but they're all I ended up with.

Memorial Weekend

We went back to the river for the long weekend.






(I think that Gwen's not afraid of anyone because she's spent so much time with scary Uncle Gentry.)

P-Dine fo Rizzle

In May, the McDonalds stopped by our place. Shellie and I took the babes to the beach while the boys surfed. I only have pics of their bath, but they really liked the beach too.

Avery took over to get the sand off of Gwen.

Then that evening there was Pepperdine reunion, of sorts.