Happy 3rd Birthday, Ryker!

I tucked my 3 year old into bed tonight. Three year old. Wow. Exactly 3 years ago today he was cuddled up on my chest, sleeping peacefully, as I sat in my hospital bed and marveled at the miracle in my arms. Today, though he didn't fit on my chest, he still curled up on my lap and I still marveled at the miracle in my arms. It blows me away how fast Ryker is growing up. He looked up at me while I got all teary during my evening prayer with him. He said, "Mommy, you are so sad." I said, "No, buddy, I am happy sad." and smiled at him. He smiled back and said, "Oh, you are not sad anymore, you are so happy!" What a sensitive little guy. It warms my heart to see how Ryker is developing. He is so compassionate and caring. He is discovering what feelings are and he is so sensitive to that...which is great when your mama wears her heart on her sleeve. He is so witty. He has his Daddy's quick humor. When Jevon wanted to be in control of the new race track we got Ryker for his birthday, Ryker told Jevon that he was driving him crazy. Hilarious! There are so many moments like that that make me so happy to see Ryker growing up. He is so much fun to be around...even when he is testing my patience and not exactly obeying. I have to catch myself, at times, burying my smile so that he doesn't see me laughing while I correct him. I love that little Rykerman, those dimples, the curly hair, the smiling eyes, the infectious giggle, the warm hugs, the gentle hands grabbing my face to say, "I love you. You are my best friend!" What isn't to love about these things? I am excited to see what the tomorrows ahead hold for Ryker. I can't wait to see God's plan for him unfold! There is still a part of me that is sad because I know the days of childhood are fleeting. Yes I look forward to seeing the man that Ryker becomes but I love the little boy that he is right now. So, this birthday, like all birthdays, is a happy sad one. What an amazing year this has been, no, 3 years this has been. What a fantastic 3 year old we have been blessed with. Happy birthday to, you, Ryker! Mommy and Daddy love you with all our hearts!

Almost 3!

For quite a while, whenever people ask me how old I am I have responded that I am almost 3. This weekend that will change because it won't be "almost" anymore. I spent my last days of "almost 3" doing what I do best...having lots of fun! I have had lots of time with my friends, great Daddy time, took in a tennis match, and even playing games indoors when it is rainy. My best buddy and I had one last hoorah before his family headed for Illinois. Though our weekly playtimes will be a thing of the past, we're determined to find ways to have fun, long-distance style. Skype, road trip, and sleepovers are going to be a new part of our normal. Sounds like fun! 

Lainie and I in the leaves.

Baseball with Daddy at the real diamond!

Tackle!

Cutest little skeletons, ever!

Tennis match

Jumping with Daddy

Apple'd out!

Autumn arrived (and has taken a vacation for the week it seems as we're now back to 80 degree weather--which you won't hear me complaining about one bit because I threw on my shorts today and we played all day at the park!) and we wasted no time getting into fall. We headed up to Grandma's house and had an apple filled weekend.
First, we saw lots of family at the annual Relief Sale. I chowed down on pulled pork, apple fritters, and some candy of course. It was cold an rainy, but that didn't dampen our spirits. The next morning we really dove in to apple madness. Grandma has a few apple trees that produced lots and lots of apples. She took lots of them to the cider press on Friday and brought home 18 gallons of fresh apple cider (yummy!). What could we possibly do with 18 gallons of cider? Glad you asked...it's a Brenneman family tradition to make apple butter. Apparently it started a long time ago but it had been far too long since our family had done it (Daddy was in high school last time they got together to make it). The way the Brennemans do apple butter is awesome! First, Grandma has an old copper kettle that my Grandpa Roger got from his Mom and Dad, who got it from their parents, and we're not sure if it goes back further but we are certain that the copper kettle is at least 100 years old. Then you start a huge fire (thanks Daddy for getting the blaze a roarin' while I was still a snorin'). You pour 15 gallons of cider in the kettle and simmer it until it reduces by half. In the mean time, you get a bunch of your family members together and they collect apples. Mommy and Brielle were climbing up in the trees to get the apples down. Grace and I picked up a couple, but enjoyed swinging and eating donuts to doing work. Then you get more family together to cut, core, peel, and slice the apples...all 10 gallons of them! Then, you pour those in the reduced cider and you stir, and stir, and stir, and stir (lots of people have to help with this part because it takes close to 8 hours). Then you add sugar and cinnamon and you pour it into jars and/or eat it. Delicious! Of course some of the most important steps were chit chatting, laughing, playing, and taking pictures!

We had a great time visiting with our family. I loved playing with my cousins! Our apple time didn't end there though, once we got home we decided we should put our apples to use. So, Mommy and Daddy and I made apple sauce! Mom and Dad took care of the cleaning and cooking and I put my super strong muscles to use by cranking the apple sauce out. I loved making the apple sauce and eating it was pretty fun, too!

With my third birthday approaching, I have been dipping my toe in the potty training waters (literally and figuratively), so to speak. I have had a hand full of successful trips to the big boy potty. I went one day of trying big boy underwear, but I just wasn't ready to give up my Elmo pampers. I am getting there, though. Here are pictures of me, in big boy attire, feeling pretty "super" as I do Tae Bo with Billy Blanks. Mom would like me to note that she was not doing Tae Bo. I went to the DVD case and asked to watch Billy. Once he was in I just couldn't sit still and I had to have my "Billy stick" as I call it. So, Mom and I got the blood flowing while doing a little Tae Bo cardio together. Deklan thought we were crazy!

Thank you for checking in on me. Enjoy the beautiful weather! Get those shorts out for the last couple of times. See you soon!