Ryan's birthday, part three

Since Ryan chose not to have a birthday party this year, we decided to surprise him with a special trip to the Lego store at the Colorado Mills mall in Lakewood.  None of us had ever been to this mall, so the first thing we had to do was locate our destination on the map.

I wanted to take a picture of Ryan under the Lego sign but he was much too excited to stand still while I did that. 

Whoa!  Look at all the Lego! 

You could buy it by the brick. 

You could buy it by the box. 

A little Lego monkey for Aunt Erin. 

When Ryan is sixteen, I bet he'll start his car with Lego keys. 

James and Lego Sponge Bob. 

So hard to choose! 

Fortunately, Ryan was up to the task. 

He had already made his selections by the time Seth caught up to us. 

Standing in line for his big purchase. 

In addition to his Lego, Ryan also got a VIP card... 

and a special birthday brick.

Best birthday ever! 

April 2011

Ryan's birthday, part two

Even though he knew I was coming, Ryan looked pretty surprised when I showed up at his school bearing cupcakes.

Fifth graders don't get to have long classroom parties.  There was barely enough time to snap a few pictures of Ryan...

and his friends...

before the class got down to the serious business of eating!

After the final bell rang, Ryan distributed the extra cupcakes to friends in other classes... 

and favorite teachers. 

He saved one for James, too!

Ummmm, cupcakes.

April 2011

Ryan's birthday, part one

Every Buxton birthday starts the same way--with a pile of presents on the table...

 and one very self satisfied looking kid!

Cards get opened first.  Sometimes the birthday boy is lucky enough to get both real money and monkey money.

Then it's on to the presents! 

Yay!  A DS game! 

Yay!  Dr. Wacko's Ball Lab! 

Yay!  An electric plane launcher! 

The very best gift gets opened last... 

Finally--after years of waiting--Ryan has his own cell phone!  If you would like to send him a Happy Birthday text message, please call or email me to get his number.

April 2011

Easter peeps and pups

The Easter bunny was very generous this year.

 Seth got Peeps,

James got Eggs, 

and Ryan got bunnies.

Darcy was feeling a little left out...

so Seth gave her a big Easter hug.  Doesn't she look appreciative?

April 2011

Darcy's playhouse

Darcy visited her friends Rasko and Delilah today.  While they were playing in the backyard, she invented a really fun new game.  First Darcy would encourage everyone to chase her.

Darcy likes to be chased... 

probably because she's so fast!

As soon as the other dogs started gaining on her, Darcy would duck into the playhouse. At first, this confused Rasko and Delilah.

"Where did Darcy go?" 

"There she is!"

"You found me!" 

"Let's do it again!" 

And again and again and again! 

Eventually Rasko and Delilah started following Darcy into the playhouse.

Still, there's no denying--that's Darcy's Playhouse!

One very happy puppy! 

April 2011