Saturday, January 31, 2009

A BOY or a GIRL

So everyone keeps asking us what we want...beside the obvious healthy baby....we would really both like another boy. I checked out the Chinese Birth Calender and it says we should have a boy..so we are hoping for a BOY BOY BOY!!!!!

Much to everyone's chagrin, we will not be finding out what we are having prior to the birth. There are very few WONDERFUL surprises and we are going to enjoy it!!

Friday, January 30, 2009

Upcoming DRAFT

Just an update to let you know that we have drafted a new member of TEAM RIGGLE.

HE or SHE should make their initial appearance in September 2009.

We are completely thrilled and cannot wait to have another little red head in the fold.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

New Years Day Hiking

We finally got to check out a place we have been wanting to go hiking on New Years Day. Willie's parents were still here so we loaded up the whole crew and headed out. While it was a bit cool, after a few miles we were all nice and toasty. This was Muppet's first hike with us and she behaved wonderfully. Matthew enjoyed riding in his backpack, especially since Nana & Gramps kept him stocked up on animal crackers. While we did not make it all the way down into the canyon, 6 miles, we had a blast and are now planning an overnight camping/hiking trip.





The whole crew....

Thursday, January 1, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing each of you a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Here is a picture trail of our 2008, what a wonderful year it has been. I have often said that Willie and I had life figured out (or so we thought) until this little man entered our lives. We continue to be thankful for this happy and healthy boy. It is an absolute joy to experience all his triumphs on a daily basis. Who knew such simple things could be such an adventure. It is true that children keep you young, at least mentally...maybe not so much physically.


Matthew got to meet his great-grandfather in January. I am still amazed by the capacity for love from that man, he had over 10 great-grandchildren and he was as enthusiastic as a first-time parent to meet my little man.


Matthew got to begin experiencing the joys of solid food in February. After realizing what a mess the "biter biscuits" created, we began a nightly ritual which we termed "naked biscuit eating".


Matthew took swim lessons in early spring, and like his namesake, he took to the water like a fish.



This is probably our favorite family pick yet, it was not posed and turned out so cute. Our amazing photographer Julie knows just how to capture the moment.... Her website is http://www.chanterellephotography.com/


Matthew loves loves loves the bath. No matter where we are, what kind of mood he is in and how bad he feels, throw him in a tub of water a he is a happy little fish!


June was a month of exploration, we explored our new home, new town and of course the underside of the coffee table.


July 2007: Our annual trip to Texas. This may be the experience that started the tractor affliction???


August 18, 2007 : Happy First Birthday
Completely enjoying his strawberry cake.....


Trying on Dad's boots for the first time, this has lead to the adventure of de-shoeing the closets, fun for Matthew, not so much for Mom.


In October, helping Mom with the leaves and man were there a lot of them. Again the smirk that was a near constant on his sweet face for a few months.


In November, trying to stay warm during a camping trip...brrrrr.


On Christmas Eve, opening gifts and discovering that he now had his very own tools...Willie's tools are relieved.