I thought I would add a picture of the beautiful bride and all the girls! Doesn't the bride the look great?!

This past week we went to Southern California for Ryan's sister's wedding. My mom happened to have access to a condo right on the beach at Oceanside which was only 3-4 miles away from where Ryan's sister lived which worked out perfect for us! My mom and aunt let us come and stay with them for the week and were able to watch Dane during all of the wedding activities. I couldn't thank them enough for all that they did for us this past week. I just thought that I would attach a couple of pictures from the week and some funny stories.

Dane loves fruit smoothies, especially when he can drink them from our cups instead of his. This is how he looked after he was done.


The first day at the beach Dane was soaking in the new scenery and loving every moment! He was kicking a ball around the house and then came into the kitchen where we all were standing and talking. All of the sudden we hear a loud THUMP and Dane is flat on the the ground (not crying). My aunt starts laughing so hard when she realizes that he isn't hurt because she had been watching him. In the kitchen there was a full length mirror that covered the whole wall. Dane booked it for his ball not realizing that he is actually going after the reflection of the ball. He went head first into the mirror which sent him flying back. We even looked and there was a face print on the mirror. It reminded me of a bird flying into a window and the mark it leaves after only this mark had much more slobber mixed in with it.
Anyways, I couldn't believe he did that and that he brushed it off as if nothing had happened. I (being the Psychology major that I am) wondered if he would do it again. So I experimented- I pointed out the ball to him as he was facing the mirror and told him to get the ball... Sure enough!.. SMACK!!! he did it again. DOn't worry, there was no harm done.
Dane got over the freezing ocean water fast so he enjoyed going up to the roof of the condo where there was a hot tub.
This was Dane's favorite thing to do all day every day! He just stood on the balcony yelling "ga" at all the cars that passed, barking at the dogs, and waving to people walking by. Poor kid didn't get many waves back.
This sign was up in the restaurant that we ate at the first night that we were in California. Can you believe we still ate there? I thought this picture needed to be sent into the Jay Leno show.
Just too cute, ready to crack a smile

Dane's new uncle, Ryan, put this hat on Dane and he actually left it on even though it was almost as big as him.
We took this picture in Carlsbad at a yummy Italian restaurant the night before the big wedding. Both families were there mingling and we all had a great time getting to know each other.

This picture was taken on the back porch of Ryan's parents hotel suite. The view was absolutely gorgeous!
This is the spot where Ryan's sister got married. It is a little jetty on the beach in Carlsbad, Ca. This is Ryan's family and the happy couple next to me are the bride and groom.
Another picture from the jetty. The view was so beautiful at this time of day.
Me and my little man
Stealin me a kiss after our long walk on the beach.
Ryan was so excited to get back to the condo and eat his food and Drink his Coke. Well, as he was walking onto the balcony he didn't realize the screen was shut until it was too late. I heard a big crunch and when I looked, this is what I saw. He ran into the screen, his drink was smashed and half of his drink was on his shirt. I am so glad that his sister was there to see it to. We could not stop laughing...
Back home to the heat! Dane is OBSESSED with cars so we decided to rent the movie Cars and watch it with him. He enjoyed most of it and so did Ryan. The whole time he kept yelling "ga" "ga".

CONGRATS to RYAN and KIM!!

Dane is a little "slap happy" in this video clip.

Today we went to the mall to let Dane run around in the play area. Before heading for the play area we were sitting up in the food court splitting a cookie from Paradise Bakery (my newest addiction). We sat down to these obnoxious kids who were pulling pranks on people. They placed a dollar bill on a fishing line that was draped over a section of the frame that came down from the ceiling. They would rest the money on the floor and when people would walk by and try to pick up the money they would hurry and yank it so the people couldn't grab it and the person would then look really dumb. (they actually ended up getting a crowd watching them as they continued to do it). As we were eating our cookie we were watching all of the these people bend over to pick up the dollar bill and from nowhere the money would be soaring through the air. Everyone tried to pick it up from old people to parents to children to little gang banger teeny boppers (even Dane tried a couple of times but was never quick enough). I felt bad for the people but could not help but chuckle as I watched everyone fall for the trick and not even come close to getting a hold on the money. Ryan and I decided to leave and head for the play area which meant we had to pass the kids little trick. As we were walking by, Ryan was holding Dane and he and I were talking when all of the sudden Dane reaches out to the side and grabs a hold of the fishing line (It kind of reminded me of Mr. Miagi catching the fly with chopsticks without breaking a sweat in 'Karate Kid'). First of all, how could a kid this young and moving this rapidly see the small fishing line in mid air- and second, how on earth did he get his grubby little fingers wrapped around it when nobody else was able to??? Since Dane had a hold of the string, and Ryan kept walking because he did not realize it at first- Dane yanked onto the string without letting go which got the people watching to cheer and giggle because the "cool" teenagers weren't as quick as the 1 year old. The kid holding onto the string then pulled it which slid the dollar up right into Dane's hand...unfortunately for Dane- one more strong yank and the only dollar he had ever earned was gone in an instant.

Today I took Dane in for his 15 month check-up. He is in the 10% for weight, 50-75% for head, and 97% for height.

Dane's latest thing is saying "yeah!" If I ask him if he wants raisons the answer is "yeah!" if I ask him if he loves me he shouts "yeah! yeah!" it is so funny. I am pretty sure that he understands (for the most part) when to say it because sometimes I will offer him something and he will shake his head NO when he doesn't want it. ANYWAYS.... While we were at his appointment the doctor was asking us about is progress with words and understanding other things. She then asks "When you give Dane commands does he follow them and do what you ask?" and as she was finishing the question Dane turns around and looks right at her and yells "yeah!!!" It was sooo funny!! The dr. was very impressed with his quick answer. What can I say, we have raised such an obedient boy.(wink,wink)

The night before last I just DID NOT feel like cooking (like most nights I guess). Well Ryan said that he would whip something up to which I didn't even consider arguing. Let me tell you, Ryan has some mad skills in the kitchen. Look how yummy this meal looks!! He made a stuffed burrito in a spinach tortilla (sounds gross but definately was NOT gross). Then he fried it (YUMMY!) put some cheese on top and popped it in the oven until the cheese was completely melted. This was soooo good!! Sometimes I forget just how lucky I am...

THEN,

Last night Ryan agreed to put Dane to bed so that I could go out with the girls to see "Mama Mia". I don't know how the other girls really felt about it but I LOVED it!! I love those cheesy kind of movies and can never get Ryan to take me musicals. I never really cared for the young blonde girl in the movie but totally fell in love with her in this movie. Thanks girls (Abbie, Kim P., Kim W., Joanna, and Alyssa) and thanks Ryan for a FUN, CAREFREE night!
Me, Kim P., Abbie
Kim and me