Quinn Elizabeth

On September 22nd at 4:03 pm we welcomed our little girl, Quinn Elizabeth, in to the world.  She weighed in at a dainty (compared to her brothers) 7 pounds 10 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long.  Everyone has been doing great and we are adjusting to life as a family of five!

Quinn Elizabeth Sand

Memaw and Papa 

Ryan meeting Quinn 

The newest threesome (we are working on getting a better picture) 

Quinn with Grandma and Grandpa (and Daddy) 

Hanging out!

Slowly but Surely

Slowly but surely we have started getting a few things ready for Baby Sand and are continuing to prepare the boys for the big change to come.  About a month ago, we moved Connor in to Ryan's room.  Connor wasn't quite ready for a big boy bed so we just moved his crib.  It worked out pretty well until Connor started getting another round of teeth and kept waking up at night. Things have calmed down since then and the past few nights have gone pretty well.  Ryan has been really interested in how the baby is doing and when it's going to come.  Connor doesn't understand why he's run out of room on my lap!!  T minus 2 weeks!!

Becoming more independent...insisting on eating by himself!!

 Fingers crossed they are checking expiration dates!

Plotting against us

Creature Power!!

Ryan's latest obsession is a PBS show called Wild Kratts.  It's basically two middle aged men who teach kids about animals in both real life and in animation.  Last weekend, the Kratt brothers (Chris and Martin) were appearing at Brookfield Zoo...and guess who got to go!! Of course, it was the hottest day of the year but the whole family made the trek anyway.  As Matthew said, it was kind of like the Beatles for young kids.  The announcer thought there were 17,000 people there...I'm not sure about that but it was definitely a lot of kids!!  Ryan now knows more animals and facts than I thought possible.  And of course, when he "plays" Wild Kratts, he is Chris because Chris wears green.  Connor and Matthew are always Martin!!

 Pre-Wild Kratt kangaroo watching

Excited (and sweaty)!!

Happy with his cheese stick

Doing some light reading

Say cheese!!

Champaign Trip!

Last weekend, we took a family trip to Champaign to visit Nolan and spend some time on campus. We even made a night of it and enjoyed the pool at the hotel.

Uncle Matthew & Nolan 

Ryan was obsessed with his "little hands" 

This is about as close as Connor wanted to be...he was much more interested in the dog! 

Wrestling break 

U of I 

Picture by Ryan Sand - Undergrad library 

Picture by Ryan Sand - Quad

Nolan Antonio Cervantes

New cousin!! Welcome to the family Nolan!! Born 7/31 at 8:19 am.  8 lbs 20 1/2 inches long!  Connor and Ryan can't wait to meet him and teach him how to play all sorts of sports!!

Summer Fun

We've been having fun the past few weeks just enjoying our summer.  We've also made a big change in our room situation.  In preparation for Baby Sand, Ry and Connor are now roommates!! Ryan couldn't have been more excited about the big switch.  We will see how he feels in a few years...

Dinner in Chicago!! 

Playing drums at Children's Museum 

Hanging out with the Schwerha girls 

Big hugs!! 

Future Artist??

Water Play

We've spent the past few weeks having some fun in the water...and making handprints in cement!!

Helping Papa finish the new sidewalk

 Ry's turn!!

Swim lessons 

July 4th Celebration

This July 4th we celebrated with the Sand family in Dwight.  The boys had a great time in the pool and on the slip and slide.  Connor actually got the hang of it the fastest (even better than his Aunt Erin)!!  Connor was asleep long before the fireworks started but Ryan actually enjoyed them this year.  A far cry from last year when he ran away from them!

Golden Family Vacation 2014

We just got back from a long weekend in the Dells with my entire family.  We had a great time!! We rented a house where we had access to an indoor/outdoor pool and the house was right on the golf course.  Ryan didn't know what to do first!! We also stopped by the Children's Museum in Madison for some play time on the way home.  What a great place!

Kisses for Memaw

Duck boat ride with Daddy

Fishing with Papa 

Showing off his catch with Aunt Kaylee

Snuggling time

Hand Holding

Riding the pretend cart 

Old fashioned phone booth

Just some boys hanging out...

Ryan is back on his boys vs. girls kick.  Luckily, he's had plenty of boys to hang out with lately!!

At his own personal driving range with Dad 

Water table fun 

Hanging with Jack

Connor's "posing for pictures face"