1 1/2 to 1 3/4 (18-21 months)

Ryker had lots of new experiences in Minnesota, including his first belly dancing exposure.  At Camp Snoopy in Mall of America he went on his first amusement part rides.  We started with the slow rides, but he is a thrill-seeker by nature, and soon we were flying around corners on a really fast roller-coaster.  He even put his hands up (something the 8 year old girls behind us wouldn't even do).  

Ryker's absolute favorite person in the world is his cousin, Hannah.  He lights up when he sees her, and when he hears the doorbell he squeals and runs to the door chanting "Nanah".  She is very special to him (and us too of course).

Just check out the look of adoration he has for Hannah

Unfortunately, Ryker had his first big spill.  He took a tumble down the front few (concrete) steps and got a nasty scrape on his nose and lip.  It was pretty painful (for both of us), but fortunately he healed pretty quickly (just in time to fall off a curb and get another scrape on his nose).  The joy of boys!

Trouble

Beach Bum - we spent lots of time at the beaches in MN

Feeding the ducks - up close and personal

Aunt Amy's sewing apprentice

Butterfly house - liked the butterflies...until they landed on him

Go Twins!

Floating at the cabin on Long Lake

Up close and personal with Mr. Polar Bear

Cuddles with Uncle Jimmy

Fun with fans

Hanging with the Peanuts crew

River rafting

Strangely fits right in to our family

A very exciting "first" for all three of us, was our first Vikings game.

Fist bumps for the cheerleaders.  The cheerleaders were by far Ryker's favorite part of the game. He was mesmerized by them the majority of the game.

Not so fond of this Viking - he was a little scary (even mom was a little scared).

Cheering and making friends

Climbing

Kisses for sweet tolerant Brandi

Teddy Bear park in Stillwater, MN

A very awesome camel ride.  After the ride when he would be asked what the camel says/does he would just sway back and forth (like he was riding) and spit.

Tubby time with cousin Rhett

Special time with Great Grandma Laird

Other highlights include: the MN state fair, Dakota County fair where we got to see lots of animals found in the wild up close and personal, a Demolition Derby that Ryker loved (and I did too, to my surprise), a continuing obsession with tractors and all wheeled things, is fascinated by police cars/ambulances/fire trucks and calls them "wee ooo, wee ooo"s because of the sirens, calling people to him like you would call a dog (patting leg, etc), and an activity level that is both exhilarating and exhausting. 

Just a few of his new vocabulary words include: papa (grandpa), nana (banana/Hannah), up, down, go, stop. However, he is definitely hitting the "no"' to everything phase!

On our way home to Texas - the hotel's new toddler bed

Back in Texas and hanging with Uncle David - Go Cowboys!

Rodeo cowboy in training