8 years in the making

After eight years we finally made it official.

 

I'm so very thankful and blessed to have someone who not only loves me but loves Ryan as his own.

This truly was a special day with all of my family and friends.

 

 

 



Great American Past Time..Take 3

A few summers ago Jason decided that the wanted to take Ryan to as many major league baseball parks as we could before he graduated school. We have already been to The Ballpark in Arlington and Minute Maid Park in Houston. We really hadn't  made plans for a vacation this summer. Since we were going Illinois for our niece's 1st birthday party, why not stop in St. Louis for game.

 I was super excited when I show the Cardinals schedule and they were home. We bought the tickets and booked the room, all the while forgetting just how far the drive was. No matter, I was just happy to be spending time with my little family.

We got into St. Louis around midnight on Friday found our hotel and immediately crashed. Who knew just riding in the car would make me so tired?

That morning we got up and was on  a mission to find some "grubbing" St. Louis BBQ.

 We then made our way to downtown St. Louis to check out the stadium and so the guys could by there Cardinals gear. Me, I didn't want anything. I'm still a bit bitter over the world series loss.

 



 

Ryan and Jason in front of the Musial statue.

 After walking around the stadium driving past the Arch, over the Mississippi and  getting lost more than a few times (in the wrong side of town) we made it back to the room for a much needed nap.

Then it was time for the game. The game was extra special because my brother in law met us at the game. We were all newbies to the Cardinals. I was a good game. The Cards won and I saw my first grand slam.

 

 

Ryan, Jason, and Jess

 

Love my little family

 

My guys...being silly

 

Yes I know, I'm wearing a Cards hat, but I'm not a total sell out. They were giving them away free at the entrance. Thank goodness they were because the humidity was ridiculous.

We did a lot of driving that weekend, but it was all worth it to spend time with my guys and celebrate Emi's birthday.

Memorial Day 2013

Thank you to all the men and women who have served our country. A special thank you to our granddad, uncles and cousins who proudly served and continue to serve.

 

 

My little boy is not so little anymore

I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is next week.  That means Ryan's first semester of his freshman year is almost half over. It's crazy how fast the school year seems to be going. Although as I say that  this last six weeks has been a challenge for Ryan, his homework is no joke. In the end Ryan was able to raise all of his grades, thanks to his Aunt Tish.

 

This past week was Ryan's homecoming.

How precious are they? They are both representing their school with their spirit shirts - her Sachse and his Naaman. Coincidentally, that was the homecoming football match up for the night and she got the bragging rights. Ryan said, the score was 54 to 21, Sachse.
 

Ryan & Tayler

 
Awww!! Don't they clean up nicely. Ryan is so different when he's around her. A good different, very gentlemanly. Tayler is very sweet and bubbly. They seem to be very good kids.

I had to through this picture in too. This is my baby sister and her bf Luis. This is her last homecoming. She is a senior this year and next year she'll be in college. YAY!!!

 

 

 

Blog day of slience

Please keep this wonderful family in your prayers.

 

 

So Proud!!!

Saw this picture and it made me so proud.

 

What a gentleman!

 

 

Homecoming Dance = First Date

Back in early September, Ryan came to me and said. "Mom, You remember Tayler? Remember I went to the movies with her last year. Anyway she asked me if I wanted to go to her Homecoming Dance." I was totally in shock. So I asked him is that something you want to do? He was like well I don't have any dressy close that fit me.Well me being a typical mother told him if you want to go, then we could go shopping...I never imagined that it would be considered a date or a major deal. I'm not from a place that had homecoming dance. So I wasn't sure of the protocol. Thank goodness for my BIL Kevin, who advised me that we has to buy the girl a corsage. I then got an text saying that the other parents wanted to surprise the kids with a limo. I thought to myself ok, that will be fun.

  

Well, today we went shopping for something to wear. In true "Larissa" fashion, we were running late. But to make matters worse, it was raining. So what would have been 15 minutes late turned out to be 25 minutes late and we also most missed getting pictrues before they let for dinner and the dance.

I must say that Ryan and his date were the best looking couple of the group.

 

Ryan  & Tayler

 Ryan's eyes were all crazy cause one of the parents was acting like a crazy paparazzo picture, picture, picture...flash, flash, flash. You get what I mean. These pictures were the best that I could do in the pouring rain and having to deal with crazy photographer guy.

 

Why did my little boy go? He's so grown up.

Admiring her corsage



Ryan checking all the cool things  in the limo

He got home aroung 9:30, he said that he had a great time. He couldn't wait to tell Jason about it. So I took to BWW for a late dinner so could hang with the guys.

 

 

Short update...

Where to begin? Things have been super crazy around here. Starting a new job, Summer vacation, and Ryan starting high school.

 Well, in January, the mortgage company I had been working for let us know that they would be closing the company. So...long story short I was layed off in March. I must say that I kinda enjoyed not having to get of and make the 40 minute drive to Irving every morning. But after about day 4, I was starting to go a little stir crazy.  Needless to say I found a better job and it is much closer to home. Two miles from home close. I think that's my favorite part.

 With all the commotion of my new job, summer vacation was in full swing. This year was the first year we (or I ) wasn't able to get time off from work. So vacation plans had to be cancelled. We were a little said but what could we do.

We were able to busy ourselves by getting Ryan ready for high school. All summer Ryan had been working out with Jason at the gym. It seems like in the course of a few weeks Ryan went from a boy to a full grown man with muscles and a ridiculously deep voice. Then it was time to buy school clothes. Funny story,I  received a text message from my brother Michael with explicit instructions that I was not to go sopping without him. He said he wanted to  make sure Ryan had the coolest clothes.

Ryan did get some very cool clothes and shoes. He started his first day of high school and seemed to have a good day. Ryan has been doing well  in schools although all the homework, late nights and early mornings (class starts at 7:30) are starting to wear both of us out.

According to my mom, it is a slow transition and he will figure out a way to manage his time better, so homework doesn't dominate our lives. Hopefully we find that soon.

Until next time...

Kid's first Concert

4/25/12

Back in April I finally gave in and took Ryan to his first concert. Well, not gave in...I think of it as a prize for making good grades all year. Anyway, I took him to the House of Blues for a 4 band concert. I was only able to get a few pictures of the first band - Secrets and then a few picture of Ryan meeting the lead singer.

With me being an uncool mom, I sat with my earplugs and let Ryan go have a good time. He was a sweaty mess at the end of the concert. He told me he was moshing, and doing the "wall of Death" ( that's what he called it).



Ryan & Xander - Secrets

He cleans up nicely

Many places have 8th grade graduations, but at Webb they don't. They have an 8th grade formal. Every year all the 8th graders get all gussied up and head to Naaman Forest High for a dance in the "common" area. It is their right of passage.This year was no different, except for the EVERYTHING!!!

This years theme was Hollywood Nights and for the first time in years it was not held at Naaman. It was actually at Webb. All the walls from the front door to the cafeteria were covered with wallpaper. The cafeteria was transformed into "cool club" with a DJ.

How cool is that archway?

Ryan was actually excited about going to formal (that's a big because there is very little he gets excited about these days, Teenagers?!). He even went as far to ask my brother Michael to go shopping for his formal wear, which was an adventure in and of itself. Anyway, we got the outfit all picked out and the hairs trimmed (face and chin).

He went from this to...

To this!

I must say that Ryan cleans up very nicely.

I then took him to a good friend's house to take pictures with all of his friends. Just looking at how grown up all these kids looked made me teary eyed. It was just like yesterday that they were all in 3rd grade. And now they look all grown up.

Say Cheezzee!!!

I was so thankful that none of the guys fell backwards into the fountain. 

The girls were not ready just yet.

The guys couldn't wait any longer.

Now they were ready for their close up.

Ryan, Michael, Kobe and Rahul

One last touch up.

My favorite twins Michael and Madison

These two have been best friends since 3rd grade.

Limos Here!!!!

Ready to get the party started.

Limo...yes you saw that correctly, that is a limo. I think a limo seats 12 adults, but this one fits about 20 13/14 yr olds. Off they went for some dancing and then a late dinner.

When I picked up Ryan after dinner he was ready to pass out. Apparently, he had the best time.