Happy Birthday

Ryan turned 5 years old last weekend. He had a wonderful fun-filled day.

We had a special breakfast for Ryan so he could open gifts from us and grandpa/grandma. Ryan chose aebleskiver (a danish pancake dipped in applesauce then sugar) and orange julius'. So that is what we made.

I don't think he was deprived of gifts

Sunday evening Ryan had a birthday party with all his friends. I let Ryan make all the decision for this party. He chose a Monster Truck theme, at a park, pizza to eat and wanted a monster truck obstacle course.

Some of his friends - Ryan, Aiden, Cainan, Treyton and Cole

obstacle course - I was the mastermind but Ben built it all

Ryan and Aiden at the starting line

On Monday night, Ryan's Great Great Aunt Elcina and Bob came down to hand deliver his birthday gift. They got him a set of golf clubs in hopes of having a little golf buddy. Ryan loves the clubs. We spent over an hour hitting golf balls last night. Anyone who doesn't already know, Ryan wants to be a farmer and a golfer when he grows up.

A walk down memory lane......

Ryan William

Aug 30, 2004

10lbs 12oz

21.5 inches

1st birthday
2nd birthday

3rd birthday

4th birthday

It is still hard to believe I have a 5 year old. Very bittersweet for me.

First Day of School

WAH WAH! My baby started Kindergarten this week. How in the world can he be old enough for K??

Wednesday - we went to the school and visited his classroom, meet his teacher and took Ry on a little tour. That visit really helped Ry with his nerves.

Thursday - I woke Ryan up at 7am. He was pumped about getting on the bus. I was NOT pumped about the bus situation. I was most nervous about the bus to classroom transition. I wanted to drive him to school or follow the bus so bad. I knew he needed to do this on his own plus Ben wouldn't have let me take him. Guess what?? He made it to school! He really liked it too. He said his favorite part of the day was recess. **Oh geez, that is shocking** So he leaves the house at 7:40 and get home at 4:15. That is a long day for a little guy. He was pretty tired.

Jake wanted to go to school with Ryan

My baby is leaving and he didn't even wave goodbye to me

Today - Again, woke him up at 7am. He jumped out of bed and headed downstairs. He was ready to go to school. He asked me probably 5 times, "is it time for the bus to come?" So day #2 was a success also.

I get to go eat lunch with him on Monday. They asked a few parents to join the kids during lunch to help them in the lunch line and dump their trays after lunch. So it is my turn on Monday. I am looking forward to visiting his class. On Tuesday we are going to parents night.

Everyone keeps asking me what I am going to do now that Ryan is in school all day. Well yesterday and today I worked on last minute adoption documents that needed to go to Russia this weekend. That took up most of my time. I will eventually go back to work but not until we get Veronika home, in school and somewhat adjusted. I may do some part time work in the mean time if something comes along. I have lots of little projects to work on until Veronika comes home - painting the pump house and garage, decorating and organizing Veronika's bedroom, finish some scrapbooking, getting all my photos albums up to date, stuff like that. AND I am going to volunteer in Ryan's classroom as much as possible.

It was a big week at our house. Looking forward to the weekend. Our weekends are going to be even more important to us now that Ry is in school. Quality family time! I miss him so much during the day. Yes, I cried a couple times. At least Ryan is enjoying kindergarten as far, that makes it easier on me.

Lake Kabetogama

We went on an awesome vacation last week. We went up to the boundary waters of Minnesota and Canada. We stayed at Northern Lights Resort on Lake Kabetogama in Vogageurs National Park. It is the kind of vacation where everybody was happy. Ben did lots of fishing, Ryan and I did lots of swimming, plus a few family activities. There was so much to do at the resort...check out their website. I took a tote of Ryan's toys but never had to take them out of the truck.....that is an A++++ thing in my book.

Guess I should tell you who was with us on our trip. Might be easier to identify the people in the photos. Brad, Donna, Lynn, Michael, Colt and ourselves shared a cabin for the week. My dad and Mardi were also up there but at a different resort.

FISHING

One of Ben's many fish of the week. His biggest fish was a 26 inch walleye. Didn't have the camera but he did take a cell phone picture but don't have it on the computer.

Ry's walleye

Perch

Northern

Almost asleep

While fishing one night we had a visitor.... A BLACK BEAR. It was getting dark so I couldn't get a good photo.

LODGE

OUR CABIN

Lynn, Brad and Ryan roasting marshmellows

WATER FUN - this is where Ryan and I spent most of our time.

Big Slide

Rolling Log - Uncle Michael was trying to toss Ry off so he wouldn't lose a $10 wager

Trying to run across

The LAUNCH - was the coolest thing. Poor Ryan was pretty scared to do this but he did TWICE.

Ryan made a little girlfriend, Kendall. She is just a couple months younger than Ry. They swam together often.

There goes LYNN! Brave women.

ELLSWORTH ROCK GARDEN TOUR

Our resort took the women on a boat over to visit a rock garden. Wasn't what I expected, much more impressive. A man spent 21 years (1944-1965) creating this masterpiece.

Can you tell what this is?

DUCKS

We had 5 ducks at the resort who seemed to love Ry.

I love this photo of Colt and the ducks

KETTLE FALLS BOAT TOUR

On the last day of our trip we took a national park boat ride over to Kettle Falls. It was a 2 hour ride over and an hour and half back. It was a nice relaxing ride. A park ranger narrarated the ride so we were able to learn a lot about the park and the people who lived in the area many many years ago.

We saw several eagles

Hiking up to the hotel

Kettle Falls Hotel built around 1910 - still in operation - we ate lunch here

An old style dam

Us with Brad and Donna above the dam
Ryan slept the entire boat ride back