The Kieffers - Ryan

Ryan Meets the Governor

chad — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 05:39:44 +0000

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Santa Fe

Update: I was able to get the picts off the phone.

Ryan didn't have school this past Tuesday due to the mid-term election. For security reasons, schools across the country have decided that it's a big risk to have kids in class with adults coming in and out of the school to vote.

Since he was home, Amy and he came downtown to have lunch with me. We walked over to one of Amy's favorite restaurant's, The Shed. While waiting for our table I heard one of the other patron's talking about the governor and whether he called ahead when he stopped by to eat. I figured he had just left, but we wind up being seated across the room from him. I'm surprised the guy gets a meal down when he goes out, everyone in the room was asking him to take pictures with him, talking about his campaign ads, and, of course, the election.

Amy wanted to go over and say hi and had to work on Ryan to go over along with her. Ryan finally got over his shyness, they went over to the governor's table, and Ryan shook Bill Richardson's hand. Amy told me later that it made a pretty big impression on Ry who had to tell everyone about it later in the day.

If I can figure out how to get the pictures off my phone, I'll post them.

The first week of

chad — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 23:51:23 +0000

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Ryan finished up his first week in the fourth grade and I completed my first week at the new job. I'm happy to report that Ryan and I have only good things to report so far.

Ryan spent his first week back catching up with friends he hadn't seen all summer. His teacher didn't waste any time handing out homework and much of the week was spent reviewing math operations. Ryan has enjoyed the silent reading sessions in class more than anything else.

I started my week filling out paperwork for my new job which I started on Wednesday. Most of my first day was spent in a marathon project meeting which was actually a comfortable way to learn about the people I'll be working with and the projects they're working on. Folks in the office gave me a warm welcome and I really feel good about my decision to leave the Lab.

I absolutely love my commute which is no more than 30 minutes round trip, down from the one hour and 35 minutes I've driven to Los Alamos for the past ten years. I'm able to drop Ryan off at school and be in the office by 8:00.

Owen starts back to school on Tuesday and I'll have a report on his first week back soon.

Middle, Middle, Middle

chad — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 18:24:53 +0000

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by Ryan

Isaiah is big.
Hector is little.
I'm the one who's in the middle!

I'm never out there on the end.
On either side I've got a friend
To tell me a joke or riddle, to me,
Here in the middle.
I like it middle, yes,
I like it in the Middle.

The End

That's all folks!

Ryan's eighth birthday party

chad — Fri, 26 Nov 2004 00:50:13 +0000

Family:

Ryan

We're lousy parents. Actually maybe we're just guilt ridden parents. We have not thrown one of those spectacular birthday party's for either of our boys. No ponies, no clowns, not even a trip to Chuck-e-Cheeses. But this year things changed. Amy was on the ball and reserved a couple of lanes at the local bowling alley. I hit the local party supply store for goody bags, and by God we threw a real kids birthday party. It took about four frames before the kids became more interested in tag than actually throwing those eurethane spheres down the lanes. It was complete chaos and Amy and I collapsed on the couch when we finally got home. Thanks to everyone who came, we had a great time! Check out the pictures.

Ryan starts the second grade

chad — Fri, 20 Aug 2004 16:50:25 +0000

Family:

Ryan

Ryan started the second grade yesterday and he had a great first day! His teacher, Mrs. Gorman, is great and Ryan, Amy, and I are looking forward to a great year.

Mrs. Gorman has a great reputation and we're confident that she "runs a tight ship." Actually, I probably shouldn't use a naval metaphor since Mrs. Gorman is an air national guard veteran :)

We've also signed Ryan up for an autumn soccer league. He's very excited to start and we're hoping he winds up on a team with some of his pals from school. The season starts the week after Labor Day, so come back to see dozens of pictures :)

Man, these boys are growing up fast. I used to politely brush aside the enjoy them now advice from more experienced parents. Now I'm starting to see exactly what they mean.