Sliding Baby!

Thanks for the slide, Santa! We have no idea how you knew to get that for her since Riley can't write a letter yet and we didn't take her to see you this year. Man, you're good!

Christmas 2009

Standing on her table and chairs from Grandma and Papa Brozenic

Santa also brought Riley a tri-cycle to Grami and Papa McLean's house.

This was on Christmas Eve.

As expected, Riley had a wonderful Christmas! She got more than she could ever ask for. We all did! Christmas Eve started off a little shaky because of the weather. We had to cancel our annual Christmas Eve dinner with the McLean family. We ended up spending the evening at home waiting for Santa. I tried to get cute pictures of Riley in front of the tree and fireplace but she wouldn't sit still. We ended up with some cute pictures of her throwing a fit! We woke her up early on Christmas morning and, of course, she was in a great mood. I would say that Riley was a bit shocked when she saw her slide. She just stared at it as if it couldn't possibly be real. Once she realized it was really for her she went up and down the slide as many times as her little feet would let her. We did get her to open her presents from us and from Grandad and Mimi, which she enjoyed, but continued to squeeze in a trip down the slide between gifts. We packed it up shortly after that and headed to Grami and Papa McLean's house. The weather was pretty bad so it was nerve racking (for me) to drive over there. Riley got a tri-cycle from Santa there and TONS of other gifts. She got everything you could imagine! Clothes, shoes, toys, hair accessories.....the works! Dave and I also got some pretty great gifts from Santa. A new printer, luggage, and a TV for Dave's office (yes, he thinks he needs a TV in his office) along with lots of other great gifts. After several hours there we headed to Grandma and Papa Brozenic's house. Riley got toys to leave and Grandma and Papa's house and a new table a chair set for home. She loved the table and chairs! That will get a lot of use in our house. We had a wonderful meal while Riley napped (perfect timing) and then played the Twilight "Scene It" game which i should have won, but our nephew, Baline, took that victory. We got home around 5 and relaxed for the rest of the evening. It was a great day! Riley was in good spirits all day and had a great time with her grandparents and cousins. Another Christmas done! Thank you to all our family for everything you shared with us over this holiday. We feel like the luckiest people in the world to have so much family very close to us. We love you all and can't wait to do it all again next year! Thanks, also, to our family in Texas (Grandad and Mimi) and Oklahoma (The McFaddens) who sent great gifts for us! We miss you all and love you!

2nd Birthday Party

Riley had a wonderful birthday party and we want to thank everyone for all the great gifts! Riley had so much fun at her party that she slept for 3 1/2 hours after everyone left! That gave me a chance to put some of her toys together and clean up. Riley got a bunch of great toys and clothes. She even got a little cash to put towards her college fund. All in all, she cleaned up! Thanks to our WONDERFUL family for sharing the special day with us. We love you all so much!

Guess Who's Two?

Riley turned 2 on November 23rd. It's so hard to believe that I have a two year old! She has grown so much over the last few months. She knows the sound every animal makes. She is starting to count and she knows most colors. We had a small celebration on her birthday and then had a family birthday party for her the following Sunday. She actually opened the presents herself and seemed pretty excited about her toys. Especially if it was Barney or Dora. Here is a little video of her enjoying a cupcake her Aunt Leslie brought her on her birthday.

Happy Halloween!

Still had the puppy nose on while picking out bday presents. Daddy pulling Riley in the wagon

Taylor and Riley before trick or treating

Avery, Riley and Blaine

As you can see Riley was an adorable puppy for Halloween this year. She went Trick or Treating for the first time. I think she had a great time being pulled around in her wagon and seeing all the other kids. We worked on saying "Trick or Treat" but when the time came she was too excited and just said "Candy! Candy!". She always said thank you and even only took one piece of candy when she was given the option of picking her own. The weather was great so we didn't have to bundle her up. We even let her have a few pieces of candy when we got home. She LOVES candy! She has asked for candy about 50 times a day since then. It must be in her blood to crave it! Even though we don't ever let her have it she knows it yummy. Hopefully all our Halloween's will be this fun!

Cow says Moo

Pumpkim Patch

This was Riley's first reaction to the animals. She was terrified!

Still scared...

We took Riley to the Red Barn Pumpkin Patch this last weekend and overall she had a great time. She freaked out at first when she heard a rooster and latched on to Daddy as tight as she could. She wouldn't let go of him or let him or let him put her down. It took her about 30 minutes to warm up to the animals and then she enjoyed seeing them. She didn't want to pet them or get close to them, but she pointed each one out and especially liked the cow. She ran around the pumpkins and picked a few small ones out to take home. Hopefully next year she will be a bit more brave and get close to the animals.