Ryan's First Day of School

Ryan started Pre-K3 this year (to give J some much needed rest from the last 3 years!). Ryan, like his brothers before him, is attending Pre-K3 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Academy. The boys went there for years before switching to Calvary Christian Academy (which goes through 12th grade). J knows every single person working at GDLA personally, and was PTO president for a year, so she knows the school well.

Here are a few pics of Ry:

Ryan very excited to start school like a "big boy".

Hanging up his backpack in the classroom with Mom.

Somehow we think Ry will do just fine...

Ryan Skydives!!!

Indoor Skydiving, anyways. We went (AGAIN!) to SkyVenture in Orlando while spending another weekend at the lake house. We purchased our tickets so I, J, Colin (who has flown before) and Nicholas could fly (as well as Colin's friend Thomas) and then Ryan said "I want to fly!" "I want an armband so I can fly" (they give you an armband to signify that you've paid).

So we got him an armband (they were kind enough to let us pay afterwards in case he didn't fly). We had tried this once before and Ryan bailed when getting dressed and putting in his earplugs.

Well, this time he didn't complain, put on the suit, the earplugs, the goggles and the helmet.

We had Ryan go first (so he wouldn't have time to get scared) and he did AWESOME! Here are a few pics of his first jump. (SkyVentures didn't get the video onto the DVD - the guy forgot to press the Record button when our class started... sigh.)




Nick Scott-Tomlin, our instructor, started Ryan by having Ryan hold his arms like a bicycle. Then he moved to holding Ryan's hands while facing him, and then actually got Ryan skydiving ALL BY HIMSELF. We saw him simply popping Ryan up from his belly like trying to keep a balloon from falling on the floor. It was a thrilling experience. One we'll never forget!

Then Ryan went back in for his second jump. He did just as well. This one we have the video (the video of our class started just after Ryan's jump so we were fortunate to get this one). Be sure to see how cute he looks walking up to the tunnel and how he gives the instructor a high-five (oh so cute!)

Ryan got a bit scared at around 40 seconds and Nick pulled him out. When I asked him was he scared, Ryan told me "I was flying and then I got scared so I said 'Guy - I want to stop' and he put me down."

When asked does he want to go indoor skydiving again, Ryan responds "No - I just want to watch." Someday he'll do it again, as J and I are hooked and are working on our Flyer 1 certifications with the International Bodyflight Association.

A few cute moments

Just wanted to share these.

Ryan and his two tired followers.

Maggie puts her walking to work and lends Ryan a hand.

Ryan's First Girl

Our family went to Cancun in April. While we were there, Ryan met his very first gilrfriend, Ava. He affectionately referred to her as "My Girl." I should note that Ava was a "much older girl" being 5 to Ryan's 3. (What a stud-puppet!).

Ryan took Ava by the hand and walked her across the pool area.

Not sure whose idea is was, but we suddenly saw the too of them heading off to the hot tub!

They had a blast in the hot tub playing with the water jets.

After a stint in the hot tub, Ryan and Ava cooled off in the pool splashing around, dicussing marriage plans, and other topics perfect for a first date... ;-)

Ryan spent most of his time with Ava - they were inseparable.