Let's go ride a bike!

Today was Nate's very first real bike ride!
We got a hand-me-down seat from the Verlo's and Ryan screwed it on his bike today. We were a little worried Nate wouldn't want to wear his helmet so we've had it inside as a "toy" for the last few days so he could put it on for fun but once we put him in the seat he was reaching for it like he knew the bike and the helmet belonged together!
(I'm sure he'll fight us on the helmet when he gets older)

Their first ride was over to Red Hill Park but Ryan said he needs new brakes on the bike cause they squeaked so loud he resorted to jumping off and walking the bike down any hills instead of piercing everyone's ears with the shriek of the tires!
Nate wants to
Pump, you up!

The Joys of Staying Home

I'd never seen my son fall alseep anywhere except in someone's arm, his crib or the carseat before. It's nice to have a life that isnt so scheduled between places to go all the time. One morning Nate woke up way too early so he was all snuggley on the couch while watching some cartoons - next thing I know he was out! This picture makes me laugh - look how giant his feet look!

Hurricane Lane is coming!

As of this morning, Hurricane Lane was upgraded to a dangerous category 3 hurricane. I was a stoked when I heard about a hurricane with our name and I have to admit I was hoping it would be a big one. So far no damage has been done by this hurricane but it's heading towards Mexico as we speak. Of course I would never want our hurricane to kill anyone but here's hoping for some big headlines!

Mr. Mouse meet Mr. Nathan

Today Me and Nate went with his Nana to Disneyland. Nate had never come face to face with the famous mouse before and ever since Mickey Mouse Clubhouse started on the Disney channel, he's been really into Mickey. One of his favorite songs is "Hot Dog" that they sing at the end of every episode - he grabs his Mickey doll and bounces it looking at us as to say, "Come on, sing the song." and we have to sing "Hot dog, hot dog, hot digggity dog" a few times while he bounces Mickey (or any other toy that he decides needs to dance) and it makes him happy.
We started out in California Adventure and had to hit up the Mission Tortilla Factory tour first to get our fresh hot tortilla (YUM!) Then as we headed towards the Hollywood area, there HE was, the man (scratch that) the mouse, MICKEY. He had Minnie and Pluto with him so there was quite a line that I waited in as my mom walked Nate around. Halfway thru the line the character attendant shouted out that Mickey and friends would be leaving in 5 minutes (Boo) then as I was 2 groups away from Mickey he shouted a 2 minute warning (Yes, we'd make it) then as the group in front of us moved on, Mickey turned to the attendant and pointed at his watch to leave (Nooo!) But then Mickey looked over at Nate and grabbed him to give him a last hug - it was nice, but Nate... he was a little freaked out. He didn't cry but you can tell he wasn't thrilled.
Then we hit up Nate's favorite show Turtle Talk with Crush. It was a good one, Dori showed up and we talked some whale. Then we checked out the Playhouse Disney show which was "ok" Nate isn't familiar with Bear in the Big Blue House so he thought the giant bear was a little odd, as well as the big gorilla that came out during Stanley. But then they cranked on the bubbles and boy did that make Nate happy. They should just do that for the whole show.
After some lunch we let Nate run thru the water area and get soaked - he LOVES that place!
Yuck!
Here you see Nate asleep on the way home (as usual) with his new Mickey Mouse that his Nana got for him.

Today I took Nate to get his pictures taken. I wanted to get a good shot of him in his suit from Joel's wedding before he totally grew out of it. I think his pictures came out great, especially since he fussed or cried between every shot - but we had a good photographer who was willing to be extra silly with him, I hate it when they make me do all the work. I'm willing to put as much effort as I can into getting those smiles but I appreciate the professional help. Here's another one with the sucker we got at the party, he loved the sucker but he kept licking it with his whole face and coming up with a green nose. Here's the whole session if anyone wants to see the not-so-great shots and funny faces: http://www.picturepeople.com/viewalbum.aspx?AlbumKey=20060911-0355-52429 my password is "nathan"
At the Gardens they had a special 9/11 tribute going on, there was 30 tons of wreckage and a messed up fire engine recovered from the World Trade Center debris. There were lots of local fire and police guys there taking pictures and talking to everyone. Here's Ry and N8 in front of the fire engine.

Happy Birthday to US!

Saturday was so much fun as me and Ryan celebrated saying "Aloha" to our 20's and "Aloha" to our 30's (you know what I mean).
Our parents threw us a Hawaiian theme party and Ryan's folks' house was all decked out like a luau. We bought these obnoxiously bright orange matchy outfits on our honeymoon 5 years ago and they still fit!
Here's Nate making a crazy face with his Nana.
The party consisted of super yummy Hawaiian food like teriyaki chicken, sweet meatballs and a sausage & pineapple dish - yum! There was even and impromptu hula show that the girls put on for us (several times).
Here's Nate trying to get in on the practice dancing.
Although the main event had to be the Limbo contest. For the kids the odds were kinda stacked in the smaller kids favor so the winner was chosen by a drawing: McKenna! The competition was fierce for the grown ups. You can't see my head here but when you're holding 32 lbs. up front you have to counterbalance alot.It all came down to Joel, Dan, Blake & Jim and in the end, Dan took home the gold (the golden Starbucks card)
Altogether we had a great time hanging out with family and friends and it turned out to be a SWEET Birthday!

Come one, come all!

After leaving work early on my last day (hee hee) we headed out for our 4th annual Opening Day at the Pomoma Fair. I really like going to the fair and I think Ryan could past on it all together so the only way I can drag him there is to go opening day because admission is only $1. Everyone says its a bad day to go cause it's so crowed but when is it not crowded? The longest line we had to wait in was just to get into the parking lot, other than that it was fine. Even the walk thru the parking lot wasn't bad - and that can be treacherous! The first thing we did was get roasted corn (yum!) then checked out half the animals. Nate thought this goat was a cow. We then wandered around looking for Piggly Wiggly and finally found it on the opposite side of the fair but the Riley fries and cheeseburgers were worth the wait. Nate was a little stroller crazy so we let him wander and followed him thru the stores. He was so funny stopping to dance at all the different musics and climbing in the monster truck tire. We eventually made our way back to see the rest of the animals and get Brown Sugar Pecan ice cream from Dr. Bobs (mmm!)
We even saw a zonkey (that's half donkey half zerbra) or maybe it was a zorse - I couldn't tell.
All in all it was a very nice fair trip, we didn't even buy anything just $8 for parking, $2 for admission and about $30 in food.

Take this job and ...

After seven years and seven days, I officially had my last day of work at Flipside today. It was weird. I didn't want to be all emotional and cry or whatever and I was pretty busy all day but Kevin did get me flowers and wrote me a super sappy note that made me tear up a bit (but I fought it off).
Here's a picture of my desk before I took down all my pictures of N8 and stuff. It was a little surreal when I actually walked out the door and drove away - there were a few tears but let's not talk about that. I'll still be doing some things for Kevin while I'm home as well as updating the website best I can, chili cook-off, salsa rumble, child dedications and a few other random things. I know staying at home is going to be fun, and annoying, and exciting, and trying... but I think it's the best thing for us right now. I told Kevin he might have to consider re-hiring me in six years - we'll see :)

Wet and Wild

Well I've been "blogging" for about a week now and I've been noticing this self-imposed blogger-pressure. Everywhere I go I think, "Is this blog worthy?" "Do I have a corresponding photo for my blog?"

Today was definitely blog worthy! We spent the early afternoon playing in the water fountain at Victoria Gardens with friends.
At first Nathan would not stay near the water (which is weird cause he loves water) and kept running up and down the wheelchair ramps. He eventually eased back towards the water but I had to keep near him or he'd just bolt.
Uh-oh I hope I'm not creating a coffee junkie!
Here's Nate putting the moves on Kendra - I don't think she's going for it!

All the kids nice and dry:
Owen, Nate, Haley, Hunter, Wes & Wyatt (not pictured: Kendra)

A Labor Free Labor Day (for some of us)

In honor of one of the hottest stinkin’ Labor Days ever - we decided to beat the heat and spend some time at Nana’s house swimming, jumping on the trampoline and doing laundry (well, only I did laundry)
Here is a rare picture of me and Nate - this mean I had to specifically ask Ryan to take my picture.
Check out the stud on the trampoline!
Mmmm. Otter Pop time with Kenna, Seth & Ethan.
Speaking of Labor; Happy "Day after your Birth" Day to Nicholas Keith Houghton! Dan & Mindi we are so happy for your family!

Happy Early B-day Papa Roy

Tonight we went over to Nate's Grandma & Papa Roy's to celebrate Papa's B-day. Surprisingly Nate wasn't at all interested in sampling any of the cheesecake but had lots of fun playing with his cousins.
Here's Nate and Maddie in the box that Papa's new refrigerator for school came in.

Welcome To Blog-land

Well here it is, our first blog. I kept saying I couldn't start a blog until I had internet at home and no job and now here I am (actually I have 1 more week left at Flipside and then I'll be a full-time Stay At Home Mommy.) I'm totally excited but it also feels totally weird - I've been receiving a paycheck for like 15 years (7 years at Flipside-my anniversary was today) now I wont be contributing to the financials nearly as much. So all you other S.A.H.M.s have to help keep me from being a lazy couch potato because that's my first instinct but that is not what I want to teach my son. I hereby make a solemn vow "I will not NEVER EVER watch a soap opera!"

So if you're interested, check back for what's new with the Lanes - Ryan is planning on posting a new story about his Anacapa trip when he finishes it.

And since a post without a photo is no fun at all, here is my current favorite of Nate: