Getting a Handle on Daddy...

Friday nights often consist of walks and dancing at Lake Sumter Landing.
And puppies! Everywhere, puppies. Wyatt especially loves this.

Ryan has dicovered she needs no stroller for this event.

Daddy's more fun. And he has built in handles, like the passenger seat of a car!

(Check out his weird looking ears in the bottom pic.)

Other than ocassionally encountering a territorial, gerriatric line dance group

(true story) we always have a great fun.

Random Family Stuff...

After dropping Atticus off to school I was walking through the garage and saw this:It made me think of some other fun pictures from the past few weeks.

Yippee...Ryan is finally almost 15 pounds!

(As verified by our favorite Winn Dixie greengrocer, Gene.)

I found this random shot on my camera. I thought Atticus did a pretty great job of capturing our obsessions simultaneously: Atticus's transformers, my keyboard, and Wyatt's 2 favorite books.

A few Saturdays ago Atticus did some accessorizing. He used boxers, briefs, AND boxer-briefs...So diplomatic.

Safety first for Ryan at Lowe's.

I'll take naked-vacuumer over naked-napper any day.

Family Olympics, Summer 2008

All eyes were on Florida last night as "Family Olympics, 2008 - Wildwood" kicked off at Boone stadium. The opening events were simply the beginning of a 2-week celebration of culture and competition some call...the Summer Olympics.

The players: Atticus Jonah, Gabriel Wyatt, Ryan Sierra

The Officials: Daddy and Mommy

Atticus rocked the standing long jump with a whopping 52".
But it was Ryan who took the gold when height to jump ratio was considered.

Turns out white girls CAN jump!

Some groupies joined up part way through.

Reagan MacKenzie and Samantha Lee were tremendous assets to Team Boone.

The sprint was the favorite event of all five athletes.
The girls especially loved that the finish tape was hot pink.

NBC news crew scheduled to record the games were held up with flat tires.

Luckily we had out little digital camera.

(It reminds Paris of the old silent movies.)

The pole climbing event was harrowing.

And, of course, tree swinging.

Wyatt got perfect 10's.

The invasion of two monkeys into Olympic Stadium was something all in attendance are sure to remember for the rest of their lives.

We can only hope the Olympians in China have as good a time as we did.

(Doubtful.)

The First Supper...

After showing absolutely NO interest in baby cereals we finally got Ryan's attention with butternut squash. We think the part where she sucks her thumb is particularly cute.

Everywhere we go people comment on how cute her thumb-sucking is.

Between that and those baby blues she steals the show!

5 Months, and life's Good!

Ryan is thoroughly delightful lately. It's hard to imagine she's the same girl who was colicky for awhile. This clip is a great depiction of her general demeanor.

Thinking on her Feet...

Ryan is enchanted by her feet lately.

It might be these ADORABLE flip flops. (Just what is it about baby shoes that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside anyway?)

Or the fact that when I put her into her sling she folds up with her feet up to her chin.

Or maybe she's just bored.

Whatever the reason, I'm grateful. When we found ourselves at the water park with no pacifier she got resourceful. Look closely...that's her TOE she's gumming.

She was so popular, too. Everywhere we went peoplesaid, "Oh, look at those beautiful eyes! She's so perfect. So beautiful." I agree.

Fireworks and Friends...

Ryan's 1st 4th was a hit.

We had a delightful cookout at Nana and Granddad's followed by fireworks.

Here Ryan and Cayd Russ sport the colors.

Brother and Bryton had fun, but didn't like the fireworks.

Cayd busting a move. We need to get these two a "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet!

Grosing Out Brother...

Driving with the kids:

Ryan: Aah-choo!

Wyatt: Beh-Doo (Bless You)

Pause

Wyatt: Eeeeeewwwww!

Ryan Sierra at 3 Months...

This is my baby blankie, given to me in 1976. I love this blankie.

So when it was time to make Ryan her blankie we opted for a similar color scheme...May our similar blankies tie us together in love!

She does look precious in it. She is so beautiful.

World's Best OB!

Ryan can't have a blog without a picture and shoutout to the man who helped her into the world.

Despite the ominous-sounding name, Dr. Hannubal is the best. We had a fantastic birth experience with him at the helm. He adores Ryan (as well he should) and has such a gentle, loving spirit.

We're starting a Dr. Hannubal fan club if anyone is interested. Ryan's the President.

Ryan's Blessing...

I feel absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude today. Paris blessed Ryan, but we felt the most blessed.

Ryan is beautiful. Her blessing was touching. She was blessed, among other things, that at a young age she would be able to understand Heavenly Father's plan for her. I was comforted, as her mother, to hear these words. Would that everyone could have such an assurance; that we each have a specific, personalized plan and that we could UNDERSTAND it!

Ryan has such a wonderful father. Her Daddy is loving and adores her. He's a gentle man with a big heart. He loves our family, and we love him.

There was quite a turnout. We're going to assume the entire group of stake visitors was there for Ryan's blessing. (Wink, wink.)

Participating in the blessing were L to R: Don Widmann, President Doug Carter, Granddad, Daddy, Uncle Sam and Rick Teets.

There was a big stake turnout. Due to the large numbers our family of 5 squeezed into 3 chairs. This gave me an opportunity to really look at the kids all lined up. It's awe-inspiring how we can have equally perfect love for three totally different personalities. Ryan either slept, admired her admirers, or reminded us that she has an opinion - quite loudly. Atticus spent the hour quietly humming the Transformers theme song and flirting with anyone who would pay attention to him. Wyatt, on the other hand could care less about the crowd. He occasionally took a break from stringing beads to gaze up at Daddy or make sure Granddad was still on the stand.

Dude, Where's My Carseat?

We tried to get some sweet photos of Ryan and this is what we got. She may not be cut out for still-shot modelling, but she might have a future in the movies.

She looks like a slacker from "Dude Where's My Car?"

Cliffhanger with Sylvester Stalone.

Or the opening scene from Mission Impossible 2.

"You Talkin' ta me? Are YOU talkin' ta ME?!

Or Jaba the hut from Star Wars.