The Samuelsens

Friday, September 4, 2009

4th of July 2009

We seem to have a tradition of 4th of July at our house. This is, of course, due to the fact that it is also Rylan's birthday. We have been lucky enough to have the Meaghers join us every year. It is great fun for the boys to have some of their closest friends spend the day with them. It's also not such a bad deal for Phil and I since we kind of like hanging with Mike and Lisa.

Getting ready for some fireworks.

Rylan likes to watch from a distance (like from inside most of the night).

Emery and Lisa

Sparklers!

Yay! Brennen picked up a sparkler this year.

Lisa and Jenn

Zach

The big boys- Zach and Brennen

Rylan got a light-up hula hoop for his birthday.

My hubby.

Sparkler man!

All the boys

Logan and Rylan

The grand finale.

Party time

Rylan chose to have a party a Jump Around Fun Zone with his friends. He had a great day playing. eating pizza, and celebrating. I love seeing that smile on his face.

Zach

Rylan and Logan

Austin

Emery

Austin

Brennen reading a card to Rylan

Cupcake time

Coloring on the chalkboard tables with friends.

Lunch time

Emery found the right size structures for her.

Rylan's 4th Birthday

This year Rylan turned 4. Hopefully that means a whole new 4 year old attitude because let me tell you, 3 was really, really hard with Rylan. I love this kid to death, I mean it, but he has been my biggest challenge to date. He is a very passionate kid which means he feels a whole lot of emotion about a whole lot of things. This passion often translates into fits, crying, whining, knock-down drag-out kinds of scenes. On the other hand, Rylan is my kid who just wants to be with mom and dad, believes that his stuffed animals are part of his family, and would love, love, love to have a dog (of course he is allergic!). I love this kid, I just don't love some of the challenges that are part of the package. Like I said, this year Rylan is 4 on the 4th of July. Maybe since it is his "golden" birthday we will have a golden year. I love you Rylan Dale. You are all heart, emotion, and passion and I truly wouldn't have it any other way. It's what makes you, YOU right?

Rylan meets "Frog Frogish"

Rylan has always been my stuffed animal kid. His animals are his family and he has a lot of them. There is no one animal that he is attached too. He is. in fact, an equal opportunity cuddler. This year, we thought that Rylan might enjoy picking out and making his very own Build-a-Bear. This was a gift from Brennen and Emery. Rylan was thrilled!

Checking out the sample animals to see which one will fit the bill.

Rylan picks the frog and takes it to the employee to be stuffed.

Watching the stuffing machine.

Making a wish on his frog's heart.

Fluffing his new friend. Rylan decided his new friend would be named "Frog Frogish." I always love to see what names his animals will have since he is the proud owner of a bear he named "Toothbrushy"