Birthday Party!

Fletcher's birthday party was a couple of weeks ago. His actual birthday is the 22nd, but we had family & friends in town, and decided to have the party early.

The party was at Sara's parents' house. Wes, Nick & Sara stayed up late creating the cake. The finishing touches were attached after transportation to the party destination. It was fun & easy. If anyone wishes to recreate it, just let us know and we will provide instructions! :)

Fletcher trying to chat up Giada.
They shared bags of unhealthy Cheetos & Doritos.

Unca Nick demonstrating his rocket balloons.
Fletch loves these! The pump is easy for kids to use too.

(From left) Amy, Jamie, Christine & Bryan.
Only two are dutifully wearing their conductor hats.

Outside in Grammy's playground.
(From left) Grammy, Aunt Ellen, Aunt Mary,
Cousins Natalie & Lauren.

Unca Sam & Aunt Mary.

Remote-control dump truck from Unca Nick.

Cousins, minus one (Daniel).

"Rody" from Amy! This picture taken right after Fletch *tried*
to dismount. Gotta work on that dismount.

Enchanted Rock

Hello, all! Here are some photos from our recent trek to
Enchanted Rock: Fredericksburg, Texas.
The Rock is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome,
rises 425 feet above ground, 1825 feet above sea level,
and covers 640 acres. It is one of the largest batholiths
(underground rock formation uncovered by erosion)
in the United States.
(quoted from TX Parks & Wildlife website)

It is a little less than 2 hours outside Austin.
Our traveling companions: Amy, Jamie, Bryan & Christine.
(all friends from the DC area)
Our camera died just before reaching the top of the dome,
so I will eventually get more pics from everyone else.

Jamie outside the loo, right before "the climb."

Amy, Christine & Bryan getting ready.
Bryan creating satchel within which to carry his gigantic water bottles.

"The climb." They left us in the dust.
No compassion for a couple with a 2 year-old. :)

We were very proud of our little guy.
He mostly rode on Wes' shoulders,
but there were times that he refused our help.

"Reach out to me! I will pull you up!! We'll never leave you!"

Birthday Month

Hard to believe its been almost two years since the little fella joined our lives. Or changed our lives. Completely and forever!

No bitterness! He continues to thrive, surprising us every day with his acute intellect. And I'm not just saying that because I'm his mother... Seriously, this kid is smart. Numbers, letters, social interaction. I think he's accelerated. You guys just wait- you'll think your kid is a genius too!

Anyway, as the title declares, it's birthday month. We are having a small family party this Sunday (March 9). I do not know how some parents have parties every year for their multiple kids. Last year wore me out. This year we're making a train cake! Yeah! Pictures soon!

Lunch at P. Terry's Burger Stand, before heading over to the Zilker Nature Center. Wes & Fletcher eat at P. Terry's once a week. EEeesh.

Fascinated at the animals in the nature center. The main reason we go to this nature center is because Fletcher is in love with the owls. Unfortunately, most, if not all of the animals are injured and cannot live on their own in the wild. Therefore, most of Fletcher's beloved owls have eyes or wings (or both) missing. Sad.

Horned owls, as featured in "Gus & Sam Light Up The Night." This is an interactive book that Fletcher adores. But he calls it "owl choo-choo book."


Barred Owls, as featured in Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin." Oh, I know ALL my owl books!

Ooh, so excited!

Undressing at 8:30 AM. I probably had JUST gotten him into that shirt...

Temp tattoo from a kids' meal. He wanted me to take it off after I put it on. Sorry, kid. Tattoos are for life!

Batman! Pajamas purchased at a children's resale shop
USED TO HAVE A CAPE... but don't anymore... wah!

First time on the potty!

Hey, everyone! These are really tiny because I accidentally saved them after resizing them to send in an e-mail- grrrr!!
I'm mad at myself.

However, you get the gist- he finally sat on his potty
that I bought a few weeks ago.
We haven't been pushing it- just mentioning it here and there.

We gave him his favorite book for the occasion
so I could sneak some quick pictures.

Happy February!

Has anyone seen the Colgate commercial with Brooke Shields?
She really scrubs her teeth, doesn't she? Ouch.

Anyway, enough about Brooke-y. Who wants to see fun pics of Fletchy-man??

Underneath a tower of blocks.
I will be posting an in-depth video of these fun times on myspace:
myspace.com//ssythoff

Lunges at 10 AM. 6 mile run at 10:10 AM.

Still stretching... we said we run at 10:10- we still have 9 minutes to stretch!!

Okay, take a rest.

Daddy & Fletch. White legs.

Mommy & Fletch. We look good.

Happy bath-time moment. There are many of these.
Please to ignore mildew.

More Pictures

Misc. pics taken in the last couple of months.

Don't you wish you could wake up one morning
to your Christmas tree all set up and decorated. He's got it good.

Leap-frog! He's learning his letters and the sounds they make.
Great X-Mas gift from Wes' parents.

Cereal box on the head.
For those interested in paying a small fee,
there's a corresponding picture of Wes with it on his head.

Uh-oh, fell in the suitcase.

Not feeling well & vegging on the couch.
We all have bad days (some more than others).

People who have little ones, or soon-to-be parents should get these!
They're so durable, versatile and fun (for adults too).
(Sara's sister Abby built this tower)

Christmas in Cali

More Christmas pictures!
We originally weren't going to Cali this winter
because we couldn't afford plane tickets.
Plus, let's face it: traveling with a small child can be trying, at best.
But Wes' parents found a way to fly us out,
and we surprised everyone with a visit.

Presents from Grandma & Grandpa & the boys.

Playing with Yoko and the new race-car ramp (whatever you call it).

Opa & Weston.

From left: Dawasi (7) & Eric (6).
In February, they will have been with the family for two years.
All three of the boys are in school now, and learning so much.

Pearce especially has made great progress in the last year.
He is on the autism spectrum, but is so much more engaging and
present this year than he was last year. He turned 8 in September.

Grandma & Yoko showing pictures to Fletch on the camera.

Love the wagon!
Love playing outside with all the toys (when it wasn't too cold).

Auntie Sissy (Wes' sister Jamie) and her bracelets.
Fletcher knows most of his colors. Some numbers & letters, too!
(Shirt on Fletcher by H&M: Jamie works there)
(head-phones are screen-printed onto the shirt) :)

From left: Eric, Fletcher & Dawasi.
For some reason, Fletcher decided to call all three boys
"Dawasi" during our visit.
You'd think he would have picked an easier name...

Christmas in Austin

Happy New Year, everyone! Hope yours was great.

Once again, we spent Christmas in Austin, and then in California.

Cute pictures of Austin Christmas below.
Cute pictures of Cali Christmas soon to come.

Fletcher & Natalie on Christmas morning.

The 3 bros in-law. Additional bro in-law expected in May 2008.

Daniel wearing Grand-daddy's shoes.

Lauren helping Fletcher open his gift from Grammy & Grand-daddy.

Fletcher & Natalie "sharing" the "fire-car."


Wes with his precious basketball.


Sara with her precious Earl Grey.

Last present- a good one! Mini basketball goal for Fletcher (& Wes).