labor day & zach's first day of school

i love september!
the weather starts to change and jeans come into full swing!

we had a great family time at my in-laws over labor day. many great photo ops...

also, on 9/9/09, zach started his first day back to pre-k in his special preschool program. he was in such a good mood when he got up and was so excited to get on the bus. my anxious heart has been praying and will continue to do so for him this year. i have high HOPES that his new behavioralist Maureen and teacher - ms. betty will just continue to grow that boy along side with us! so many possibilities and learning experiences ahead...

new camera...

hey guys...

so, for my birthday (it's really not until the 29th), my man got me a brand new camera. i just love it. he gave it to me early so i could get used to it, play with it...etc...to get ready for our family trip to disney world!

and here are my first few pics... i have the best subjects to practice on! :)

Hershey Happy....

Hello everyone...
it's been awhile since i had a good update due to computer issues that now have been resolved! whew!

did you miss me? :)

so, this past weekend my parents and my little unit of 4 ventured out to hershey, pa before zach starts back to school next wednesday. we just had the most terrific time. i recommend this area for so many reasons...

1) lots of fun things to do
2) lots of fun family things to see and do
3) free chocolate
... and the list really goes on and on...

we went to hershey park and had a blast. it was a bit rainy but you wouldn't have been able to tell. there are so many kiddie rides and yummy things to eat. the following day we went to chocolate world, where of course we got to go on the "ride" and get free samples but the highlight of the day was going to the hershey gardens. it was just beautiful and there was a children's garden section that surpasses them all! the butterfly house was excellent as butterflies flew around us. very very cool.
the final day we drove back towards lancaster. we got to experience a little bit of amish life while taking a horse and buggy ride and learned all about the amish from a very nice amish young man! a special bonus was getting to experience this with both sets of grandparents... the boys were in heaven!

hope you all have had a really nice summer and enjoyed every moment together as a family.

praying for a good school year ahead with many new and wonderful adventures to come...


my little hershey kiss. all rides he could ride showed this sign by them...


hugging mr hershey. he was so excited!


zach enjoying a ride...it's all in his face


on a train ride, having some fun!


how could you not LOVE this precious face? my precious precious one!


my sweet blue eyed boy... i love you!


grandma ridin' in cars with the boy


daddy and z on a fun and fast ride


a moment with my man!


on the tram...


also on the tram...


a sweet moment...


logan waving to all his peeps... :)


down the log flume as a family!


enjoying a sea lion show towards the end of a great day!


L watching the horses while on a buggy


z and mommy stealing a moment! zach loved the experience!

A day at the Zoo

What a fun day today has been! my family, including my parents, went to the philadelphia zoo this morning for some fun together and it just turned out to be the perfect day! the weather was hot and sunny, the crowds were relatively low (we got there when it first opened) and the animals were a plenty and so fascinating! i love the zoo and my boys did too! :) we even finished off the morning with lunch at the cheesecake factory! yum!
enjoy the pics...


seeing the very cool big turtles with papa and grandma


z giving L a hug and L sayin' "cheese". love this pic


hippo - so cute!


daddy and zach


mom and me


the 4 of us...


the boys watching a gorilla. they were amazed!


zach just needed to give that gorilla a hug!


in the children's petting zoo area...being silly


logan and the goat


grandma and zach cheesin' it up! :)


on merry go round at philadelphia zoo


fun little surprise running into 2 of my favorite families on our way out of the zoo! small world! love you M & C!!!


papa and logan on way out holding hands. priceless!


zach falls asleep promptly as we head towards home!

a 4 year old!

my zachary ryder has turned four years old! can you believe it? we can not. he is just the love of our lives and we are in awe of what God has done in his life and we definitely look forward to seeing what HE has in store for our precious little one.

10 things we love about you, Z -

1) you were an easy baby and still are...
2) we love to hear you pray... we don't always understand what you are saying but we know it's from the heart
3) you are completely and wonderfully beautiful. your hair, your eyes, your smile... need i say more?
4) you are always joyful
5) you love the outdoors. you could swing or explore for hours on end
6) you love your brother and watch out for him. nothing beats that!
7) you are more intelligent than we'll probably really ever know... try him... :)
8) you love school and thrive in that environment...
9) you are a good eater, especially if its yogurt
10) you are musical.... loves singing, dancing, "shows", instruments...it's wonderful to see

oh my precious boy there are so many more things we could think of and say about you. we love you. we pray for you constantly. we KNOW and have HOPE that God will deliver you from autism and we see evidence of that daily. we praise our God for you. you are a miracle and a joy and just lovely. happy birthday z! you are such a gift to us!!!


the day my boy was born...


z is very happy to be having a birthday. he was all smiles this day


aunt monique, sophie and me watching my boy open gifts


cake i made him... it was a hit


z loves us singing happy birthday to him


HAS to have a taste... it's "delicious"


essence of my sweet baby boy. this pic says it all


z LOVES balloons


look how grown up my boy looks?! he is so handsome!!!


new backpack from aunt jenn and avery! he loves it. took it to school already! thanks guys!!


probably his favorite gift - a camera! thanks grammie and g-dad


sophie sportin' her birthday headband. how cute is that?!


grammie and logan happy to be a part of the celebration