Ryanisms

1. Ryan was going potty and then playing around with his "boys". He said, "That's a ball, Mom. What kind of ball is it?". Answer: a grown-up one.

2. "mom, Jesus died on the cross so we can have his magic."

3. We were saying our prayers and at the end of his standard, learned prayer he said (and I will never forget for the rest of my life), "God, thank you for loving my mommy." Jesus loves me so much I can't get over it.

4. "Mom, you go cook my dinner and I will watch Alvin and the Chipmunks." really?!? Just like that?!? You just get to command dinner and a movie?

5. "Mom, I need some cards." He had to take something that starts with a W to school and he chose his wallet.

6. "Target is my favorite store." Agree. It comforts me.

7. He has a new exercise.

8.

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Camera-phone Christmas

A brief look back at the fun we had over the Christmas break.

We have just about eaten all of San Antonio HEBs and restaurants.



Rogers Ranch playground always pulls through. The Sturm boys joined us!



Ate at Bigz! We ate, kids played.



Check the balancing act he has going on here!


Nama and poppy got the boys a trampoline!!!!! This is hands down the best! The kids love it which means I love it!




Thanks Santa. One kind man.



Jenny woke up early and heading to our house so she wouldn't miss his expressions. She and I got coffee and had some good convo until the kids woke. We were a tad early.



Ah! My fav moment was watching Ryan see what Santa left behind.



Lots of gifts and spoiling at Mimi and PopPop's house. We played right-left-center to win our Christmas gifts! Lots of tamales, beans and wine.



Sammy became friends with the talking Elmo.



On the 26th, we went to Pericos for breakfast. It is a perfect place for coffee, migas and child entertainment. Miga consumption should be a slow, joyful one.




Made a chocolate cake with a chocolate ganache on top. (just wanted to say "ganache").


Now, this lady needs to go on a diet!

I'll have some good pics of the fun TWO weeks I had off. Happy New Years!!!

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Blog Worthy Mentions

The Arnold family will be here FRIDAY!!! I cannot wait to hug their necks!






Last Night's Ryan-prayer: Thank you God. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for the lessons when we learn them. Thank you for everybody being born. And then there's Jesus. Well, it's Christmas. Amen.

I'm off all next week!!!!


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Update on Ryanisms

Ryan is at such a fun age. I try to hang on to every word. But, right now my life doesn't allow for such brilliance. So, I must get these in the "book".

1. We often sing "hey, hey Paula. I want to marry you.". But, instead of saying paula, we'll run through all family members' names. Lately, Ryan's been saying "Hey, hey Mommy. I want to Joseph you."

2. The other night, Ryan thanked God for Mary being born. As we should. (and yes I wanted to smother him with kisses).

3. Ryan's in the gold room at his new school. When he walked in for the first time he asked, "Is this the golden room?" (in the most enthusiastic manner).

4. Ryan gets super congested so we have to give him nose medicine to help out the sinuses. The other morning, I asked how his nose was doing and he replied, "This side's alive and this side is not."

5. If I answer one of Ryan's trivia questions correctly, he'll say "Good Mom. You get to come to my Scooby Doo party." Or, if I let him play with my phone or iPad, I'll get the invitation. So kind.

6. He told Elphie that he would like a bald guy that turns into a dragon and a dog that toots three times.

7. Lately, he's been telling me, "Call me when you're finished."

Ugh I feel like there are so many more. I'll update again soon.




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We've Moved!!!!

We, as in the kids, have moved to a new school!!! We will miss our previous school but looking forward to what this school brings our boys.

Rod and I dropped off the kids this morning. Sammy road in Daddy's car and I road in Ryan's. ;). Ryan was beyond excited when we pulled up. My heart melted when I looked bak at his face.




Isn't this the cutest?!? It's the middle room where all the classroom doors open into. Each room has a back door that leads right into the age appropriate playgrounds.



Ryan ran right up into the loft. Samuel was just sort of, well, confused.



We are so excited for this new phase. A big plus, it's closer to our home and Rod's work!!!



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2011 Thanksgiving at the Tootles

Mimi and I decided not to have appetizers so that everyone's bellies would be nice and HUNGRY.  We did supply nuts.  Everyone waited so patiently for the hour of devour.  Whose the guy in the back?!?!  Guess he can join us.  (Don't you love this pic of Sammy?)

Dinner was awesome!  The Tootles' "must haves" mixed with the "Mays' "must haves" made the perfect plate!  Good blending of the families.

 I made Rod a cherry pie.  I Pinterested the heck out of this pie.  Note, the falling braid, cookie cutter pie crust on top!  I had FUN.  I'll make another one anytime.  Rod was so sick on Thanksgiving day.  Didn't even eat.  But, he did muster up enough tummy strength to tell me to save him the majority of the cherry pie.  So, I did just that.  And, he ate just that. 

These two were in deep conversation.  (for no one else's ears)  Special moment for me to see.  I love this picture. 

I can't let Ryan have the only great pic with Nama Dotty.  Ahhhh....

Great Thanksgiving!  It was the definition of a Thanksgiving day.  Kids loaded up on Pop Rocks, plastic burning in the oven, smoked filled house, warm temps outside, yummy wine and excellent company!  Thank you Tootles for blending our families together!  We mesh BEAUTIFULLY if I say so myself!

Sammy's 2nd Birthday Party

Sammy's 2nd birthday party was lots and lots of fun!!!!  Kiddie Park is a mini-amusement park for the youngsters.  My sisters and I went to Kiddie Park when we were young.  So, being there now is always nostalgic. 

What's funny is that the 1-2 year olds were all a bit overwhelmed by all the colors, rides, people, balloons, cakes....  The all looked a little like this at the party.

Yes, we, the Tootle family, got a picture with ALL FOUR OF US IN ONE PICTURE. 

 Kiddie Park brings out the youth in all of us.... He HAD to ride it b/c he "wanted Ryan on a horse."  hahaha.  I'm cracking up thinking back on this moment.   

This is Ryan's favorite ride.  He must have gone around over 30 times.  Remember, this one wants to be the "line leader" for anything and everything.  So, he felt pretty cool being at the front of the bus. 

Again, Sammy just took it all in...

A birthday boy should never have to feed himself.  EVER. 

 A little treat for the adults kids. 

No, it wasn't just Poppy that barreled his way on to the carousel....  Can you get over this?!?!  Yes, that is Nama Dotty behind one happy Nama!

 These boys love hanging out.  They are buds.  And, there's Sammy just watching the Ferris wheel go round and round.  (We're about an hour into the party, and still no rides for him).

My Samuel's cupcakes!!!  Etsy provided these lovely cupcake toppers.  I provided the delicious cupcakes and icing.  If ever looking for a delicious butter cream icing, use Rachel Ray's recipe!  Delicious.

Ryan, on the bus, again. 

We all had such a fun day at Kiddie Park celebrating Samuel.  Glad all ages had a good time! 

Family Thanksgiving at School!!!

This was such a fun, memorable day for me. Thank you Ryan for making it so special.


His class was a tribe of Indians. Ryan's Indian name was (excuse me, is) Lightening Snake. Ssssssssss.....



These are pillow cases turned into Indian attire. Love it!! I'll hang on to his for a while.








I had lots of fun with you, sweet boy!! You made me feel so special. I'm also thankful for having a job that would allow me attend such an event. Love that TOSA is all about "family first". Happy, happy thanksgiving. Just so much to be thankful for...a bit overwhelming.


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SAMMY'S TWO TODAY!!!

This little fella turned TWO today!  Hard to believe that he's not a baby anymore. 

We love you Sammy-sammerton, Sambulance, Samma-lamma-ding-dong!  You've really spiced up our lives with your energetic and joyful self! 

P.S.  I'm having a really hard time with this one growing up.  

School Halloween Parade!!!



Ryan's class takes their turn. This was hilarious because his "eyes" weren't lined up with his eyeballs so he was walking part blind.



Brothers become unified Minions.



Bad shot of a really fun and yummy spread



Even vomited guacamole is good guacamole.



Mummy-dogs!!! Gone in the first 30 mins of party



Not only my first spider web 7-layer dip, but my first 7-layer dip period!



2nd annual halloween kid pic!!!



The Sams! Sammy and Samantha will be good buddies



How great are these two?!?! I think they had more fun than the kids. Pop pop raided Mimi's craft room and turned himself into a pumpkin with no nose! ;)



Hudson was not only in Batman costume, he became Batman. All answers were how Batman would answer. "Hudson, it's time to eat." Hudson declares that Super heroes don't eat." And, he needed to be pushed at top force on the swing launcher.



Nama Dotty handed out the candy to the neighborhood kids thank you to my favorite hobo in town!!


Had a great Halloween!!! Excited for the holidays this year!!!!

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