Who let this dog out?!

WOOF WOOF! Meet Max, our new black Labrador puppy. He was welcomed home today by our family and neighbors after leaving his human mommy (a nurse at our hospital) and dog parents. We love him already! We named him Max after exhaustive discussion including such i interesting suggestions as "Chicken McNugget" (this from Rebecca because he might be her new favorite thing!) Anyway, more pix to come, just wanted to post one for the inquiring minds!

Here comes Peter Cottontail...

Yesterday, our good friends and neighbors invited us to go see the Easter Bunny! We were so excited!!! After runninng to the mall, we were dismayed to learn that the Easter Bunny had overslept!! (hmm... makes Mommy wonder what kind of lowlife takes an Easster Bunny gig and then oversleeps the Friday before...) Not only that, but there were to be no digital images of said rabbit as personally captured pictures steal the Easter Bunny's soul (and apparently dig into his profit margin).

Not faint of heart, we waited for the big moment of the Bunny's arrival. Finally she came hopping (er- waddling) down the mall corridor! Rebecca was thrilled, Patrick was confused, and Rebecca's buddy Karlee fled in terror. The people before us in line had been to see this marvel FIVE times in order to obtain the perfect image! They were so busy with the photographer, Rebecca got to sneak in and give the bunny her picture, Patrick got to play peek-a-boo and mom got out without spending $40 on pictures... Everyone was happy.

Down the trail from the Cottontail was a little indoor playground... The kids got to play... Here are the pix ( well, I had to take a picture of SOMETHING!)

BREAKING NEWS: THE RILEY FAMILY HAS A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE... CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR NEWS OR CALL IN PERSON!!!!

Peoria visit

So we went to Peoria for the week, Patrick's first plane ride, visit with all of the grandparents. It was great fun and we were spoiled by all! We went out to eat so many times I lost count, were spoiled rotten by the Easter Bunny and enjoyed some great company! Unfortunately, mom did not take a single picture!!! So if you have any, please forward to them! :)

Say Cheese~

So you already saw the new header. Use the poll to leave me your opinion!

These are from Patrick's one year old portrait at Portrait Innovations. The nice flexible people there allowed us two photo shoots in one day so we had more than just a picture of a hunched over crying baby. Anyway, I used Adobe to doctor up some of our favorite images, and here you go...

Still working on the #&$^ video. Should have it done sometime before his next birthday!

Happy Birthday Patrick!

So today our little man turned one! I have not yet blogged because it has been a busy, fun-filled day filled with only things that a one year old likes... Which means no cleaning, errands, or adult duties (that includes blogging) unless the baby was sleeping.

We spent the hours chasing balloons and little cars that move by themselves.... And isn't that amazing, you just pull it back and zoom! hours of fun! We were serenaded endlessly by singing dogs (thanks to that invention, our little girl can croon like Barry Manilow), loved the sparkly party hats of special stuffed animals, and opened presents one by one to have plenty of time to enjoy the gifts and the tissue paper. We rode in cars powered by our sister, had lots of good laughs nad generally had a ball. Oh, and we also had a lot of balls!

When it came time for cake- he wasn't shy- both hands in it and eventually face first- all the better to enjoy the frosting! Topped off by a dinner of popcorn (a family tradition around here on Sunday) and it's off to bed for two worn-out kids!

And although we couldn't be with our family today, we appreciate all the calls and packages that made our little man's day today so special! Thanks for all you did! We are so blessed to have the happiest of kids andbe able to enjoy our time together with our family. I could not think of a better way to spend such a special day! I'm posting teaser pictures today and hope to work on a video by the end of the week- some of the fun you have to see to believe!

So until tomorrow when it's all just a memory... Peace and love to all! Hope that you are having a "wheel" good time where you are too!

Day late, dollar short...

Just wanted to post a leap year post. Unfortunately, I got struck by some intestinal ailments and didn't quite get the job done. We have experts in germ warfare residing in our home and they hit me with their best shot! :) Enough about me.

Leap year- that 366th day every four years- got me to thinking- my life was very different four years ago... In four special ways...

1) Birth of Rebecca

2) Eric finishes school

3) Buying our first house

4) Birth of Patrick

After all those milestones, it leads me to wonder where I will be four years from now... Only God knows for sure!