Around the World in 10 Days

...or so it seemed. We always knew Grace was a good traveler, but this last expedition put her to the test. From Boone to North Platte, NE to Golden/Evergreen, CO, back to Boone for one night then off to Washington, DC for a week. While it was a whirlwind of a trip it was FANTASTIC!

I would say the highlights were seeing all of the family in CO and Grace getting to spend the week with Grandma Jan in DC. And a VERY special treat for me...whitewater rafting with my brothers and their gals. Thanks guys!!!

As you can imagine, we have tons of pictures from our travels...here is a sampling with more in the albums.

Uncle Cary (aka "The Godfather") was at it again teaching Grace all kinds of fun new tricks. Actually, she might have taught him this one.

From McEwen Wedding

All dressed up and on our way to Kelly's wedding. If anyone has other pictures from the wedding, we'd love to see them!

From McEwen Wedding

Grace lookin' cute in her wedding dress and practicing her walking.

From McEwen Wedding

Yippy for Grandma time! Grace and Grandma Jan had a blast together in CO and DC.

From McEwen Wedding

Cousins! As always, the girls were excited to see each other. They had a great time swimming together, too. I think we're raising a couple little "feeshies" (as Anna would say.)

From McEwen Wedding

So this pict. isn't from the trip, but I had to share it....think someone looks guilty?

From McEwen Wedding

On the water. We took a water taxi from our hotel to the historic city of Alexandria where we found some cute shops and a fantastic ice cream parlor!

From DC Club

On the water again, but this time in Anapolis. We toured through their state capitol building, the naval academy, and took a ferry ride around the harbor. I think we all liked being on the water the best.

From DC Club

Unfortunately, Grace was asleep at the Museum of Natural History...she loves kitties, so I think she would've gotten a kick out of this giant "kitty".

From DC Club

Part of Lucas' recognition for work included a rooftop dinner a couple blocks from the Capitol. We had almost a 360 degree view of DC and it was breathtaking!

From DC Club

Grace got up close and personal with Mr. Lincoln. I was especially impressed with how large and, for lack of a better word, grand the Lincoln Memorial is.

From DC Club

After a long day of touring our nation's capital, Grace chilled out on Daddy's lap back at the hotel.

From DC Club

Celebrating Our Independence

From 2009-7-1

As we give thanks and celebrate our freedom today Miss Grace tries to create a little freedom of her own. Her walker allows her to explore the kitchen without much restraint (as I write this she is stretching out of her walker as far as she can reach and opening kitchen cabinets.) However, I can see her drooling with anticipation for her exploratory freedom to extend to the rest of the house.

Yesterday she attempted crawling but resigned to "squirming" across the floor when she couldn't make her arms and legs work in unison. She doesn't sit up on her own yet, but I think it's because she's sooooo wiggly.

From eating sweet potatoes (an entire container last night) to chasing Libby around the kitchen in her walker to splashing in the pool, I just can't believe how quickly she's growing up.

From 2009-6-20

From 2009-6-25

Additional photos: There are pictures in the album from our wonderful trip to ND for the sale. We had a fabulous time with the whole Effertz family together!! Can't wait to see everyone in CO in just 2 weeks!

From 2009-6-20

From 2009-6-20

Four Months and Growing

Well Grace is more than twice as old as she was last time I posted here...(ugh that's not good.) She's been a busy girl growing and learning new "tricks" every day.

She had her four month check up this week and Dr. Halbur says she's a perfectly healthy little girl. She's average for weight and in the 75 percentile for height....it's those long & strong legs. She loves her exersaucer, and if she's being held she's usually standing or jumping on your lap.

From 2009-5-9

Grace and I made a spontaneous trip back up to ND a week ago and had a fabulous time! Other than the REALLY messy diaper at about 30,000 feet she was a cooperative flier again.

While in ND Grandpa Neil drove us up to see Great Grandpa Pat and Great Grandma Loretta. We had lunch at a fabulous remodeled restaurant in Velva. They had an old soda fountain and the back of the store is a quilting shop. It was so nice to Grandma and Grandpa and listen stories about them growing up around there.

From 2009-5-9

From there we headed to Sarah, Kris and Anna's where the girls got to play together. As Aunt Abbey described, Anna and Grace are "besties" (best friends).

Below are some links of the girls playing and Anna in the tub. Anna taught Grace how much fun bath time can be. Grace used to just relax in the bath and treat it more like a spa, but since witnessing Anna's excitement for bath-time Grace now splashes and kicks in the tub, too.

From 2009-5-9

From 2009-5-9

With nicer weather in ND (FINALLY!!!) Grace and I played outside, looked at the cattle and the horses and giggled at the dogs...who knew dogs could be so fun?!?!

Grandma Jan babysat while I ran errands. She and Grace got to go to the capital and meet all of the ladies (Grandma's coworkers). Grace apparently soaked up the attention!

Grace continues to be a Cubs fan, although we watched some Twins games at the ranch and loved those, too. We're waiting for a bit warmer weather before we head down to Des Moines for Grace's first Iowa Cubs game. Daddy says she can hardly wait! I think Daddy can hardly wait.

From 2009-5-9

There are lots more pictures in the album, just click one of these pictures to take a look.

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

Grace and Mommy spent a spectacular week back home on the ranch! Grace experienced a lot of firsts....flying, meeting lots of family, attending a bull sale, watching a basketball game...the list goes on.

Grandpa Neil and Grandma Jan stayed up way past their bedtime to meet us at the airport after midnight. Grandma even risked being arrested for leaving her vehicle unattended to rush in and kiss Gracie. Onlookers noticed grandma's pride admiring, "Oh, that must be the Grandma."

Back at the house that night we tried to be quiet, but Anna woke-up anyway. It took her a while to realize she was sitting next to another baby. When it hit her, the sleep disappeared from her eyes and she squealed with delight. Anna and Grace were instant friends!

Below are links to a few videos of Anna: one of her "playing" with Grace and a couple of her demonstrating her singing and dancing abilities.


Dancing, Laughing Anna
Anna and Gracie's Feet
Anna Fluttering


Grace was a hit among Grandma and Grandpa's friends at the Century High girls basketball game. We got to watch Madi lead her team to another win!

From Grace at the Ranch

On Saturday, we went to the Effertz Key Ranch Bull Sale where we met a lot of the Effertz family including Great-Grandpa Pat! After the bull sale was complete, Gracie got to snuggle with her Grandpa Neil! She was definitely content with him.

From Grace at the Ranch

A cooperative Uncle Karl did an excellent job holding Grace as she fussed. (She was hungry again, as usual.)

From Grace at the Ranch

Auntie Sarah had a chance to hold both of our girls. She was sooo wonderful with Grace...it's obvious she is a recent mom!

From Grace at the Ranch

There were so many great pictures of the girls...here are a couple. If you're looking for more, just click into the album.

From Grace at the Ranch

From Grace at the Ranch

We had such a great time at the ranch! We can't wait to go back for the sale in June when Gracie gets to meet her Auntie Abbey. We're so excited...it can't come soon enough.

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

We had an amazingly gorgeous weekend here, so we decided to venture outside. Lucas spent most of one day playing lumberjack, and he finished cutting down the dead/dying trees in our "grove" by the driveway. Now we just have to cut and stack all the wood and burn what's left (I think that will take longer than cutting them down.)

From 20009-2

I packed Grace into her snowsuit, and we went out to see Lucas' progress. She was not so thrilled about the snowsuit as you can see below.

From 20009-2

From 20009-2

Gracie's daddy turned 30 on Monday! He insisted on having a regular day, so we didn't throw a party. We're planning to take-in an I-cubs game with family and friends this spring to celebrate (anyone is welcome to join us). For his birthday, Grace gave him a framed picture of her with her first baseball. She's starting to smile more and more.

From 20009-2

Growing Pains

We suspect our little Grace hit her first growth spurt. In the past week she's taken to eating almost hourly throughout the day. Being the good eater that she is her feeding usually last more than 30 mins and up to an hour. That leaves very little time for anything other than diaper changing and burping. On the rare occasion that she'll go a couple hours without eating she would prefer to be held the entire time. It's a good thing her mommy loves holding her.

Fortunately, Grace still sleeps pretty well at night. Mom may not be getting anything done during the day, but at least we're getting some sleep at night.

Yesterday we became acquainted with the world's handiest baby invention: the BabyBjorn. For those unfamiliar with this modern marvel, I will explain its greatness. This gem is a "front-pack" (as opposed to a back-pack) baby carrier where the baby can ride facing you and later, as the baby grows up, facing out to see the rest of the world. We tuck our little bundle into this masterpiece and I am able to do laundry, clean the kitchen, update the blog and post new pictures.... It's like a free babysitter! She loves it!! We will definitely be taking the BabyBjorn through the airport with us.

Speaking of the airport, we are 12 short days away from our flight back to Bismarck. Grace and I are soooo excited. By the sound in Grandma Jan and Auntie Sarah's voices I would say they're excited too.

Now for new pictures: I've posted a few here, but as usual there are more in the album.

This first one is for Uncle Karl- Grace wanted to show you "Blue Steel."

From Grace

Here Gracie is snuggled with Daddy. I'm sure they're watching the MLB channel and Grace is learning the difference between a split-finger fast ball and a nasty slider.

From Grace

Finally, Grace was surprised by her own strength as she held herself up for the camera. That flash will get you every time.

From Grace

Visitors From the North

This weekend Miss Grace had the privilege of meeting her first aunt and uncle from Mom's side of the family. Uncle Cary and Auntie Amanda fought through windy weather and late night driving to come down for the weekend.

From Grace

We had a low-key weekend of studying, sleeping, eating, movie watching, and diaper changing. Amanda had a take-home test and Cary was studying for his three finals on Monday morning. We were very lucky to have them come.

As you can see from the picture, Gracie fell in love with Amanda right away. They had some great snuggle time and gave Mommy a enough of a break to do the dishes, a little laundry and even take a shower!

From Grace

Uncle Cary taught Gracie a new pose to add to her collection. It's her "I mean business" face.

From Grace

From Grace

We are thrilled that Cary and Amanda were able to visit and can't wait to see them again. Grace and I are planning a trip back to Bismarck in February to meet more of the family. We are VERY excited!!

From Grace

(I've posted some new pictures on the web album, too. Just click on one the photos here and it should take you to the rest of my album.)

Meet one of Gracie's teammates - Adam!

Hi,

I'm Katie, Lucas's first cousin, and mommy to Adam, Gracie's (second? first once removed?) cousin. Adam was born on July 13, 2008, which makes him 6 months old. Adam has met Gracie twice, and although he thinks girls are "icky" (he told me so) he says Gracie's okay. She has the coolest Little People Barn to play with, he thinks her dogs are hilarious, and he really enjoys "kissing" her mommy! Here's Adam playing at Gracie's house on New Year's Eve - before Gracie made her big debut!

Adam had his 6 month check-up today. He weighs 16 lbs and is 27 inches long. He had to have 3 shots, but thankfully, they don't seem to be bothering him this evening. He is a very happy baby, and seems to smile at everyone he meets!

Invitation to Post

All right..... Gracie and I had a rather long discussion today about her blog. Right now I have creative authority, but she is still the star and the producer. She informed me that the blog needed a little more depth and unfortunately Coppola and Scorsese were not available to direct new material. Grace let me know that she would like to know what all of her other cousins are doing.

From Grace Ryne Goes Home

So this is an open invitation for all the cousins to add their own new material. Send me an email if you want to post on here and I will add you as a contributor and help you set up picture storage. When I setup this blog I wanted a place for all the cousins to be able to update us with new pics and stories about what is going on in their world. Hopefully we will have updates from all over the US. Don't feel shy... it's really easy to add an entry!

Gracie Exits the Hospital with Flair

Wow! I now know what sleep deprivation is really all about. My daughter has a most uncanny knack of recognizing her parents sleep status. Everytime we put her in bed she waits until the exact second that we fall asleep and, bam, she starts crying. No matter how much we think positively and hope she falls back asleep it still doesn't matter. At least Grandma Jan is here to help out when Kate and I have had enough.

From Grace Ryne Goes Home

The staff at Iowa Methodist took pictures of her before she left and posted them on a nursery website. We heard a rumor that she may even be enrolled in a "beautiful baby" contest with the prize being $1000.

From Grace Ryne Goes Home

At the hospital yesterday Grace decided that she needed to be as cute as possible to prepare for her arrival at home. She was also preparing for her very first car ride. Daddy had a few words of encouragement for her " do it for your momma."

From Grace Ryne Goes Home

From Grace Ryne Goes Home

Gracie cooed as soon as she was in her car seat. I think that she takes after her mom and thinks that any seat with a four point harness is for "racing." Kate has been known to kick butt and take names on many a go-kart track around the nation. I heard from one of her old co-workers that she was the "queen of speed." We raced Gracie home as fast as the Iowa speed limits would allow. There was someone at our house waiting anxiously awaiting our arrival.

From Grace Ryne Goes Home

I haven't seen Grandpa George this excited to see someone or something since the 2003 NLCS. Well..... ok maybe he was this excited to meet Mr. Logan Till. Grace had quite a few other visitors that stopped into see her as well.

Katie, Adam, and Aunt Joan

From Grace Ryne Goes Home

Grandma Ede

From Grace Ryne Goes Home

Barb and Lilly (Bill's sister and niece)

From Grace Ryne Goes Home

Brett was a little hesitant, but he proved that even a 16 year old boy loves babies too. Brett also wanted to know what the rental policy was going to be later this summer. This of course after I told him that young girls really digg babies!

From Grace Ryne Goes Home