Cheesy Matching Jammies

These will never get old for me.

We made it a tradition to have matching pajamas for Christmas and I LOVE IT..as cheesy as it is.

The only thing is that matching P.J.'s cost a fortune so the only other option is to make them!

Last year I made them but with the help of my wonderful sister...ok...with A LOT of help from my sister...ok, she pretty much made them for me!

Anyways, I did not want to bug her again so I found a tutorial online and I am soooo proud of myself! They are super easy and now I know how to make then for every year!

(and I did it all for about 25$ bucks!)

I made my pattern by tracing an old pair of P.J. pants. Then cut is out and sewed each leg together

Then you have to sew the legs to each other by putting one leg inside the other and sewing around the crotch area

The only thing left is to size the waist band and hem up the bottom.

With in a couple hours I had three pairs of pajama bottoms.

Here are all three...Tysen's are too cute!

We just got matching shirts and I designed a little logo on the computer then ironed them onto the shirt.

They are not perfect but they turned out cuter than anything they had online!

Baby # 2

MY HAVE YOU GROWN!

Mommy is feeling pretty good now. Not as tired and not as sick.

You are kicking like a maniac! The doctors tell me that you are a BRAT already because you won't sit still while they try and take pictures of you.

You are healthy so far. We had a couple scares but everything turned out to be O.K.

Your big brother loves to tell Mommy that there is a baby in her tummy. I don't know if he fully gets it; but, he is learning how to be very careful with babies so, by the time you arrive he will be a pro!

Tysen gets mad at Mommy because when he goes to sit on my lap he can't sit back all the way. He gets irritated with your little bump then and want me to move it away. Other times he kisses and loves you and seems to be excited for you.

We are just so happy that we are all doing well and that we are all HEALTHY!

Still working on your name...

Mommy, baby#2 and Tysen at 18 weeks

Mommy and baby#2 at 5 months

Happy 4th Year!

It does not seem like it's been four years since our wedding. Time flies and I can't believe we already have one baby and another on the way. We must be having fun for time to fly by so quickly.

For our anniversary (October 15th) Dan took me to a new restaurant in old town called "The Edge" A little too overpriced for my taste but the food was pretty good. We sat in a cute little booth and were able to just take our time and talk. We even managed to talk about things other than pregnancy and Tysen. We reminisced...and it was so nice to reconnect a little.

Then (since I'm pregnant and can't stay up past 10:00) We went home and PASSED OUT!

Boo Bear, (HEHEHE)
I only get happier and happier each day with you. You have taught me so much about love and patience and understanding. You are my rock (who I lean on way too much) and you never get tired of how much I need you. I feel so much security in our love for each other. I admire the person you are. Because of your love and support I am a better wife, friend and mother. Thanks for being my Best Bud! I love you!
Happy Anniversary!

Halloween Fun ...All Month Long!

We still have 2 weeks left in October and we have already squeezed most of the FUN out of Halloween. I don't know if Tysen will cry or laugh when I tell him he gets to go trick or treating again.

We've painted a pumpkin with Miss Natalie

Proud artists!

We've gone to the Pumpkin patch festival with Gavin and Travis

and put on the famous ELMO costume.

Picking out a weird green pumpkin

Sweetest Elmo EVER!

Got his hair sprayed blue

Along with his cool cousins

We've Gone to the Trunk-or-Treat at the church

and used hands to eat the donut on the string

In record time too!

Hung out with more cousins...

Jace, Kade and Gage

Got all decked out in costume...

And we have to do this two more times still!

(we should have skipped dressing up for the trunk-or-treat)

But, it sure feels like Fall is in the air

(apart from the 100 degree weather)

179th Annual General Conference

We were able to score tickets for the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference this year. We have never attended before, so it was really exciting. We took my little brother, Quinn, who is preparing to go on his mission.

It was very surreal to feel how the spirit grew stronger and stronger as the apostles took thier seats. And, when the prophet and his counselors entered the room there was an explosion of love for these men that poured out from my own heart. I have so much love and appreciation for all they do and for the great service they give to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

All of the talks were so wonderful this Conference but I would like to record some highlights from a Sunday morning talk given by President Monson entitled "What Have I Done for Someone Today?"http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1117-27,00.html

“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”

I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.

How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you’ve left it for others to help, feeling that “oh, surely someone will take care of that need.”

we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the “thick of thin things.” In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes.

I have wept in the night

For the shortness of sight

That to somebody’s need made me blind;

But I never have yet

Felt a tinge of regret

For being a little too kind.

We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.

The words from the 25th chapter of Matthew come to mind:

“Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
“Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
“Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me

Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?

If not, I have failed indeed.

Has anyone’s burden been lighter today

Because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?

When they needed my help was I there?

This talk inspired me most for this time in my

life. This is just parts and pieces of this talk but there was much more said that touched me deeply. Like the story he told about his birthday gifts...The service projects that people did for President Monson for his birthday were so sweet. And I realized that I do not have to wait for some extravagant service to be done, that service comes in all shapes and sizes. It might seem small to me but it might have meant the world for someone else.

There are many times that I have taken care of my needs before even thinking about the needs of others. It is important to be aware of the needs of others and to ask myself each day "Have I done any good in the world today?"

SEAWORLD!

We went to Seaworld on September 12th.

Grandma and some of Ty's cousins came along with us. At the beginning of the day Tysen would not get too close to the glass to see the fish, but by the end of the day he was yelling at the fish through the glass. Now he is very aware that fishies are not just crackers.

Lots of boy cousins.

Gavin, Tysen, Jace, Kade

Gavin feeding the manta rays. The thing sucked his WHOLE hand in its mouth!

I attempted to feed them...ya..it was grose.

Daddy and Tysen looking at the starfish. Tysen actually touched it only when it was out of the water. He would not touch it while it was in the water.

We did not want to wait 60 min to go on this ride. It was hot and we just wanted to get wet. So, we stood on the bridge next to it to get splashed. Tysen LOVES the water. Evertime it splashed him he would bust up laughing.

This was such a cute picture, just wish something interesting was behind him in the water.

Jace and Ty are really good buddies. They had fun walking around together.

At the little water park they had water that squirted up from the ground. Tysen loved it and it was so funny to see him get nailed in the face.

Of course, before the day ended we had to go on the ELMO ride.

It was a good end to the day.

Grandma rode the Elmo fish with him.

I am one Lucky Girl!

My wonderful husband has been helping me a lot around the house, especially with the vacuuming. Every time he helps Tysen wants to "help you too". So he grabs his "bacuum" (that I got at a garage sale for $3.00) and follows behind Daddy, which means he usually gets tripped over. He doesn't seem to care...he just keeps cleaning and throws a fit if he can't "help you" when Daddy is helping.

Like I said,

How Lucky am I?

And cleaning for me right before my Hubby had to go to his presidency meeting

Tysen's Little Moments

• Tysen: "Mommy.....Mom...Mommy!!"

(after calling Mommy many times with no answer) .

..long pause...

"Daddy!"

Dan: YA?

Tysen: "I -ant (want) Mommy!"

• "I -ant (want)"...

(fill in blank with anything he wants...usually Elmo or Juice)

• Mommy: "fold your arms...you're in time out!"

Tysen: Pay-er? (prayer)

Mommy: No! Time out...big trouble

• Daddy: "Ty are you having a good day?"

Tysen: "Ya...Day!

• HUNNY? HUNNY? (yelling around the house to find Mom or Dad)

• "wuv you baby"

• "BIG GRUNT" when he is frustrated with something (oddly sound just like Mommy's frustrated GRUNT)

• "awww....Mom" (when I won't let him do something)

• "Dan...are you?"

• "See Mommy!" at EVERYTHING

• "Niiiice" while petting the dog (The dog runs off) "Awww...SIT, SIT!!"

Pregnancy Brain

Can't remember where it put the USB cord for my camera....

Frustrated!

Potty Awareness

Ever since I took the "big boy potty" out Tysen has really taken an interest. I only got it out to start getting him aware of what we do with the potty and aware of the feeling. So every once in a while I set him on it and tell him to go "pee pee" or "poo poo" and he would just sit there feeling very proud to be on the potty. Nothing would come of it but at least he was liking being on the potty.
BUT yesterday was the first time he actually "pee peed" in the potty...TWICE! I, of course, had to ask him if he had to "go"...he won't tell me yet. Before, he would tell me "I poopy" but that is a little too late for the potty.

THEN, this morning I caught him all red faced in the corner and I asked him if he wanted to "POO POO" in the potty...he hesitated because I think he was already in the middle of pushing and then he said "ya" and ran straight to the potty wanting to get his pants off A.S.A.P. I sat him on the potty with his chocolate milk and went to finish the dishes and when I came back he had a BIG "SURPRISE" (seriously, what am I feeding him) waiting for me.

I have never been prouder!
I took a picture to prove it to Daddy (which I am sure he is not going to want to look at) I will spare my blog audience and not post it and I am sure it will get deleted by Daddy immediately!

Another Sweet......

Momma Whitman you were right!

We are so excited for Tysen's baby brother to come.

Please give us some of your favorite names to think about.... We have no clue what to name him.

Sometimes, You Just Gotta Let Them Play.....

Even if it racks up a huge water bill and soaks them head to toe......

Their BIG smile makes it all worth it!

HAWAII

We took our "big" family vacation this summer from the 15th to the 25th of July. It was a nice TEN days of relaxation and beautiful sight seeing.

We cruised around the Islands. It was so awesome to see how each Island is different and still so pretty.

In Honolulu we visited Pearl Harbor (sort of). We went on a tour to see it but since we brought our sweet little boy we had some complications and we missed our boat out to the actual Pearl Harbor sight. So we admired from afar.

Honolulu was filled with tourists but we loved the beaches there. The water was so warm and the waves were not too big. Tysen loved being out in the water. It was definitely his favorite part. He laughed so hard when the waves hit him in the face. We also went to visit the Honolulu temple, which is under construction, but it was so nice to be able to see it and to go into the visitor center. It is such a beautiful building.

Finally, one of the last things we did was visit the Doll Pineapple Plantation. That turned out to be really fun and interesting. We had pineapple ice cream and I never knew there were so many different kinds of pineapples. Honolulu was a BLAST!

(P.S. Honolulu has the BEST french fries EVER!!)

Maui was our day of true relaxation! We just hung out on the beach, swam in the hotel's pool (not sure we were allowed too), and took a great nap together. We rented a Jeep, which was so fun and SO Hawaii. We also found a great "secret" breath taking beach and there were only about five people on the whole beach. Maui will always be one of our favorites!


Hilo did not have many beaches but the sight seeing was amazing! We went to visit the Botanical Garden, where I had a photo field day. Then we went to see Akaka Falls, which was so worth it. It was like seeing the waterfall in the movie "Jurassic Park". It was HUGE and very overwhelming. Then we went to visited the active Kilauea Volcano. We didn't see the lava but the steam was flowing up from it everywhere.
When we got back to the cruise ship, later that night, we passed by the other side of the Volcano which was flowing lava into the ocean....THAT WAS SOOO COOL!!! I have never seen Lava flowing like that before and it was one of those things you just don't believe unless you see it.

Then we visited Kona and Kaui.

In Kaui we visited the Canyon. It was great to see and it wasn't a huge hike either. When we got to Kaui there were flash flood warnings! It was pouring for half the day so I didn't take out my camera too much. But when the sun came out a little we hung out at the beach where a sea turtle swam right up to us and kept bumping into us....It FREAKED me out a little so Dan got up closer to get the picture.

Even though it was a little gloomy this day, Kaui was soooo Beautiful!

In Kona we did some shopping and we went on a glass bottom boat. We sighted a pack of dolphins (which I have never seen before). That was very exciting. They even did some flips for us. We did hang out a little on the beach but the water was a lot colder for some reason. Even so, it was a nice time and very beautiful and fresh there.

Hawaii was a dream come true! We wish we were still there :-)

New Words for Tysen

cacker (cracker)
bubbow (bubble)
Yee Ya (see ya)
biaper (diaper)
bubbon (button)
Dadda Go? (Where did Dadda go?)
Okay Momma/Dadda
Cookie (cookie monster)
Ocar (Oscar the Grouch)
Melmo (elmo)
Bir (big bird)
wower (flower)
Ewww dose (ewww, grose)
gucky (yucky)
yu you Momma/Dadda (love you)

Dear Baby #2

We are very excited for you! We planned to wait for you until after the summer but I guess you just couldn't wait. Your coming on your own time! Sometimes Mommy forgets that she is pregnant with you because you have not made Mommy very sick ..just really really tired. You are already different than your brother in that way. Mommy has not felt you kick yet but we are glad that we finally got your first sonogram so we can really see that you are real. Mommy is 13 weeks already and in another month we should be able to know whether you are a boy or a girl. I can't believe it is already going by sooo fast. The doctor says that you are suppose to come on February 17th 2010. Mommy is happy that she doesn't have to be pregnant in the summer again. We already LOVE you sooo much and we can't wait to meet you.

Love, Mommy, Daddy, and Tysen

No Posts but tuns of fun!

I haven't been posting this summer very much because we have been having so much fun that I

don't have time to blog. Things have settled down now, but we also got a new computer and my handy husband has not loaded photoshop onto it yet. I need to edit lots of pictures before I post them...Hawaii pictures and fourth of July are soon to come.

I will post our baseball game pictures though. We went to an angels game on July 3rd and we got to see fireworks early. Tysen loved the game because it was loud and happen'in. He was having so much fun just clapping and dancing to all the music. He fell asleep during the fireworks ..of course...and our Angel's lost this game :-(

Tysen with a hot dog mustard face...He had to experience a ballpark hot dog.

Mommy and Ty...He is too busy cheering to pay attention to the camera. He doesn't really know what he is cheering for just going with the flow.

Best attempt at a family picture.

Daddy and Ty Ty sporting Angel's gear.

Bathtime

When I say the word "bath" Tysen's little body fills with excitement and he runs/trips his way to the bath.

I decided to take pictures of him in the bath because I don't think I have very many bath pictures...we try to keep the pictures pretty modest

Tysen likes to blow bubbles in the bath

He likes to scream and splash in the bath...it is not a bath unless the floor is covered in water when he is done.

Tysen has discovered a friend in the bath...Actually today he looked at himself in the drain and said "ty ty".

He snuggles in his cozy towel when he is "done done"

Thanks Maria!

Then he likes to play a little game called "run away without a diaper on and make mommy chase me".

There is just no way I could make this picture modest!

Being Outside = Happy Baby

Tysen LOVES to be outside playing. When he is outside there are no complaints whatsoever.

He especially loves the park!

He likes to dart down the slide face first which means Mommy always has to dart to catch him..scary!

The swing is probably his favorite thing. He would stay on it all day if he could.


At this park there are tennis courts and Tysen was trying to say "hi" to some of the tennis players. They said "hi" back and then Tysen asked "ball?" and the tennis player through over his ball for Tysen to keep! It was so nice of them and It made Tysen's day!

This kid can get anything with his good looks!

Hair Grows Back!

We shaved Roxy the other day ...I was trying very hard to keep her from moving and Tysen was trying very hard to get her to play....This was our first problem!

Anyways, we shave her because she sheds way too much to be in the house. Also, it is hot in the summer and I think she likes her cool coat.

This is the first time I attempted to shave Roxy (second problem) ...my sister usually does it for me when she shaves her dog. I thought I could do it myself this time.

This is Roxy's good side. I think I did a decent job (on this side)

This is her bad side! Ok,so when I started I went waaaaay too short (the BIG problem). Most people, once they went that short, would make the whole thing that short. But, I figure that it will grow back fast and then I will go over it again and even it out then. Because I did not want my dog to look HAIRLESS! Plus, when I was shaving it that short it seemed like I would shave off her skin it was so close. It just creeped me out...so our dog has started a new trend for now and we will be touching it up once it grows back a little.

Sorry Roxy!

Anyone else need a haircut?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR AUNT EDITH!

E ndearing Spirit
D ivine Singing Voice
I nspirational
T ender Heart
H ilarious

Aunt Edith, thank you for being such a wonderful person. We have all learned so much from you and we are all better people because of you. We are so happy that God blessed us with you.
We love you Aunt Edith!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Back in the Game

Dan used to be a soccer star waaaaaaay back in high school.

Now, after 12 years of no soccer, Danny Boy is back in the game; even if it is a men's over thirty team :-)

They compete every Friday and they have a pretty good team. Dan was surprised to find out that, after not playing for 12 years, he was out of shape...what?...no

He has aches and pains that weren't there before and he is not as fast as he used to be. I guess he thought it would all come flooding back to him all of the sudden.

Even with these (old man) complications, Dan does really well out there on the field! Ty and I think he is a STUD! Dan is so happy when he plays and I am so happy watching him.

We will be rooting for you on the side lines every week Babe!
GO #7!!
Crossing my fingers that he doesn't receive any permanent damage from it though :-)

Gavin loves to come see his uncle play...Gavin is a soon to be soccer star!

Ty is Daddy's biggest fan! He kicks around his little soccer ball while we watch Daddy play.

Do I Sound Like That?

When Tysen is in trouble this is how our conversation goes:

(Mommy) TYYYYSEN!! no no no.....

(Tysen) MOOOOMMY! no no no no no....

He just comes right back at me with the "n-o" word.
When ever Tysen mimics what I am saying it always comes out in a weird growly voice and I always think...."Do I really sound like that to him?"
Probably should find a better word than "n-o"...cuz it is already being used against me.

18 Month Check-Up

"How is Tysen Doing?"

Tysen had his 18 month check up and he is HEALTHY! It is always great to hear that your child is nice and healthy. No ear infections, no cold, no croup, and no head problems!

He also shot up on his chart for this check up. Tysen has always been a little low on the growth chart but the doctor was so happy with the sudden peak! He is a lot bigger than when she checked him last :-)

Tysen weighs 27 1/2 pounds (BIG BOY) = 75% for weight
He is 32 inches tall = 50% for height

and his head circumference looks great as well.

"What has Tysen been up to?"

Tysen has a favorite blanky. It is actually the one he received from the nurses at the hospital when he was born. And he LOVES melmo (elmo). As you can see he is glued to the T.V. here. What is with kids wanting to stand 3 inches from the television set?

One of Tysen's sneaky past times. He loves to sneak into the office to push on the keyboard. Not so good when Mommy's work is still up on the screen!

Favorite toy, by far! Love this toy! Got it in good shape at a garage sale. It has so many gadgets to play with.

New, fun, tantrum throwing! This boy has a temper. He likes to throw himself on the floor now and just wail away!

Brushing teeth is so much fin!

Apparently, so is getting in the shower fully dressed. He just couldn't wait. When he saw that Mommy wasn't to happy about it- he decided to help out by washing his body with his shirt and diaper on, which did make Mommy laugh. Thanks Ty!

Messes are his specialty these days. I clean up one toy trail and instantly there is another right behind me..... How the???

The only time everything is picked up is when he is napping and then mysteriously the messes appear soon after his waking.

The remote drawer, in Mommy and Daddy's room, needs to be moved! He has learned which remote and which button turns on the t.v. And, we can never find the remotes anymore.

Kicking the soccer ball around, just like daddy showed him. This kid has a ball obsession.

Ty is a good little helper! He listens to commands very well. His likes to help Mommy by getting the diapers when it is time to be changed.

And then, he wants to put it on himself too. He also learned how to take off his diaper to prepare...I did not teach him this.

Now he wants to take it off in his crib even if he is poopy! What a great helper he is.

2 fat lips and 2 bloody noses in one day. He was just having a bad walking day. Poor baby was tripping on his own feet. The blue around his mouth is from the popsicle I had to give him for the swelling..he didn't mind that part.

All I have to say is, walking is a whole different ball game.

Tysen loves his books and loves to put on any pair of glasses he can find.

Tysen is just a fun, happy, squishy little guy! Everyday he makes me laugh (hysterically) and everyday he makes he cry (hysterically) He is my best pal! Everyone loves Tysen and Ty loves everyone. Love you Ty!

Tysen's Vocabulary @ 18 months

Tysen's therapists have me count all of Tysen's words

As of now he has 23 words, 13 gestures and 2 two word sentences. So as of right now he is doing really good.

The therapists say he should have about 20 words by now but the pediatrician was really impressed when I told her that he had 23 words because she said that they are only expected to know 7-10 word at this point.....ok.....and here I am being a speech freak!

1. Baba (bottle) 2. bup (up) 3. nite nite (good night) 4. car 5. shoe 6. Hi 7. Bye 8. Ball 9. Bath 10. Nanna (bannana) 11. Ju (Juice) 12. Mom 13. Dadda 14. done done (all done) 15. WOW
16. biaper (diaper) 17. mote (remote) 18. melmo (elmo) 19. uh-oh! 20. YAY! 21. no! 22. baby 23. bankby (blanky)

Mamma Rubbed Off on This One

Tysen now has such a good reach that he can get daddy's ipod off of his clock radio. He likes to walk around with it until I take it away (this is a daily ritual).

He knows exactly what it does because we constantly have music playing in the house. Mommy is always singing at the top of her lungs because Tysen does not laugh at Mommy :-) He will join me in the loud (not so good ) singing and we will sing duets together.

Today, I decided to get out the head phones in stead of take it away from him (Even though Mommy will be in a lot of trouble with Daddy). I wanted to see what he would do.

My little man walked around and around the house just singing his little heart out! It was so funny and so cute I could not take it away from him. He was in music heaven!

Trying to find a good song... :-)

Sunday at the Winery

I know it sounds bad but today (after church) we decided to go down to a near by winery and take some pictures of this cool run down shack they have on their property.

We took some family pictures in the backyard with the self-timer. The sun had already pretty much gone down by this time (thanks to our lovely 2:30 church time). We just had a good time looking around the winery and seeing the beautiful sun set and then coming home and eating dinner together.

(After which we split our separate ways...I am blogging and Dan is watching the Laker game... I know cuz I can hear him yelling at the T.V. in the next room)

Nevertheless, it was a wonderful day spent together!

Shouldn't We Know What We're Doing First?

Dan came home from work with two plants to start off our garden that we have been talking about for a while. I guess he thought that if he just bought them we would actually have to start it.

His choices for our first plants were, apparently, a grape vine thing and tomatoes. The two things that, I think, need stakes to hold them up and gates around them....and all we have are the plants. So the plants are sitting outside soaking up the sun and getting watered until we actually know how to plant them the right way. But at least we have officially started...with a grape vine and tomatoes! I would've started with herbs but that is just me.

New Tricks

Tysen has discovered that he can act like a dog by carrying around objects in his mouth. Today's object was his empty cup. He hasn't quite figured out that he would look more like a dog if he was on all fours. All he knows is that Roxy (our dog) carries everything in her mouth and it looks fun. Ty sees Roxy doing it, he pants like a dog with his tongue out, stands up and walks around with some object in his mouth. The BEST part is he likes to show this new trick off to other people....so the first impression people have of my kid is this impersonation of a dog. It cracks me up every time!

Lifesaver!

Now that Tysen is walking (sort of) we knew we needed to fork out the money for a gate which would keep him from heading straight for the pool every time he went outside. He loves to be outside and he loves the pool. This was a big problem. So we called Pool Safe and they installed this wonderful, collapsible gate very quickly. It looks great and it is so easy to put up and down for parties. But most importantly, it saves my son's life everyday and I don't have to hold Tysen back from his explorations in the backyard anymore.

Getting Away from it all!

Saturday we went to Disneyland! This was Ty's First trip. Daddy got in free for his Birthday, so we only had to pay for me. It was a great way to get away for a day. It was so refreshing not worrying about anything but having FUN!

This was the first ride and Ty had a look of confusion on his face for the longest time. He couldn't figure out what was happening. Then he got into it after about the third time around.


Tysen did not sleep on the way to Disneyland..so, of course he passed out shortly after we got there. Mickey came out and if there was one picture I had to get it was with Mickey Mouse. So, asleep or not we were determined to get the picture. Good thing because we did not see Mickey again.


Tysen was loving the Pinocchio ride;but, there was one scary part where he screamed and then two seconds later was smiling again. I just happened to get a picture of him looking like he is scared out of his mind.

Waiting for the parade to start. Tysen walked up and down the street and people would clap at him. He really thought he was the show.

Mickey's House. Ty loved Mickey's big phone (he calls it a "mote" or remote)

It was such a fun day and it was great watching Tysen as he experienced all these new things. He loved the Dumbo ride...I think it was his favorite. After dinner we got ready for the fireworks and right before the show began Tysen passed out! He is a good sleeper. So he missed the fireworks and we left after that because he was completely out for the night.

He was pooped (literally).

Daddy, You Still Look Young

Dan's Birthday was this weekend and we celebrated it on Friday even though it was really on Saturday (Disneyland pictures will follow). So on Friday Tysen and I worked all day to make decorations (almost passed out blowing up balloons), daddy's cake and dinner. We wanted it to be very special. We made a Happy Birthday sign and a Birthday King Crown. We made Daddy's favorite cake (ice cream cake) with a super easy recipe using ice cream sandwiches, whipped topping, fudge and caramel! Then we got cookin! We had crab legs from costco and mashed potatoes with veggies. Daddy was so surprised when he got home!

Tysen loved making the cake cuz he got to make a mess with the frosting.

Here is the yummy cake! It turned out way yummier than expected.

Daddy in his Birthday King crown. Singing Happy Birthday...(Ty thought it was his birthday)
We are in swim suits cuz we just got out of the spa.

Daddy got his long awaited Sage T.V.
Don't ask me what it is...all I know is that I don't have to watch commercials or fast forward commercials cuz it skips over them automatically.


Dan,
You do so much for our family! You put in more than your part in order to make us happy. You are such a wonderful husband, friend and father. I could never repay you for all the love that you have given to me....but I will never stop trying. I love you so much more than yesterday and I am sure I will love you so much more tomorrow (if your good) . You hold me together and I know there are a lot of people who are grateful for that.. :+)
I will love you Forever!

Happy Birthday Daddy! We Love you Lots!

The Many sides of Jackson

Today I had a photo shoot with my sweet nephew Jackson. We took belated Easter pictures, Captain of the Love Boat pictures and Cowboy birthday pictures. It was hard to take a bad picture of Jackson because even when he was crying the picture turned out cute. Jackson did so well considering he had three outfits to change into. We had lots of fun with this little cutie!

Captain of the Love Boat

Easter

Cowboy Birthday

(almost one!)

Before the photo shoot I had to use Tysen as my model so I could test my lighting. The only way he would stay is if I let him dig into the forbidden purse! He knows that this is a NO NO.

First he carefully looked inside and grabbed my wallet. He kept looking at me, waiting for me to take it away...when I didn't he became OVERCOME with JOY that he could play with my wallet. He opened my wallet and decided to pick pocket my money! Oh well, at least I got the lighting right.

Easter?...Well We Tried!

Tysen woke up with a terrible cough on Friday. We took him to the Doc and he had croup (again). So we got him some steroids and we thought it would be ok.

Saturday came and he was still not feeling to good. He was chompin on his fingers and I discovered some bottom molars coming in!

We tried really hard to make Easter still enjoyable for our sick little man by taking him to Grandma's and having a GRAND egg hunt. Poor guy was so loopy...everyone kept saying that he looked like he was DRUNK! It was almost cute the way he tried to have fun even though he was completely out of it.

Mommy had to lay down with Ty because he was soooo tired and miserable.

Here he is right before the egg hunt "trying" to smile for the camera

That's better...

Trying to hunt for eggs...he wasn't very interested...plus it was FREAZZZING!

Then on Sunday we had another egg hunt for my side of the family and he was the same as he was on Saturday...loopy and drunk. We didn't even get a chance to have him open his basket because he was sleeping a lot on Sunday. He was even in P.J.'s almost all day.

We let him open it this morning...(but no pictures) :-(

It all went by too fast!

Saturday at my Sister's house hunting eggs...(in jammies)

Ty found the one egg and he was done.

This is Why I was Late

Tysen and I were running late this morning. I was rushing around changing diaper, feeding breakfast, picking out clothes, makeup, hair, teeth, seat belt, diaper bag....(you get the picture). We finally get in the car and off we go to keep our appointment.

On the corner (coming out of my street) There is a little ranch and the horses were out today...up close and personal! I was about to drive by when from the back seat I hear a little animal sound. It wasn't quite a horse sound (more like and elephant) but my little Ty-man recognized the animals and I could not pass up the opportunity to let him see them up close (I mean he went through the trouble to mimic the sound and everything....what is a Mom to do?)

So we pull over and He was so excited to get out and see these big animals that came right up to him and sniffed his face, hands, hair. He was in awe of these creatures.

These are the kinds of reasons I might make an exception to be late.

To watch my son petting these horses and being so excited made me realize that it is ok to stop and take a breath for a while and to enjoy each other, instead of rushing here and there all the time. It certainly wasn't the end of the world if we missed our appointment...but I was certain it would've been the end of the world had I not allowed my son this new experience to pet the horses.

And we still made it to our appointment (fairly) on-time.

Sticking his tongue out!

Ty petting the nice horsey

One eye on the camera


Kissing!


Up Close and Personal!

What are you lookin at Lady!

Every Bit...

Here is every bit of Ty! I just want to eat him up!

The Tool Man

I couldn't resist posting these pictures! I have turned into a picture taking addict...Believe me. I could be posting more pictures...I am seriously holding back. Plus I learned a cool technique in photoshop so I have been obsessed with that lately too.

Here is a picture that I played with of Tysen and his cute little converse

(Thanks Kristin...they finally fit him)

Then, here are some pics of Tysen playing with all his tools. He let me put his safety goggles on and he got right to work. Mostly "fixing the mirror" by pounding on it with the hammer. He was so cute keeping his little goggles on and he would look at him self in the mirror every once in a while to see how Gooood he looked!

I love my little handy man!

Long Lost Pals!

So, Tysen loves to go to the slider door and look for Roxy (our dog). He knocks on the window and makes doggy sounds until she comes. When Roxy hears him or sees him at the window they both just sit there and stare at each other like they are two friends who have been separated. They are so funny together!

Now, Roxy is a HYPER ACTIVE DOG! We put her away when other kids or people come because she jumps or licks (never bites)...but she does have sharp nails.

But, when she is with Tysen she is so mellow! It is so weird! They have so much fun playing outside. Tysen will beat up on her and Roxy will just sit there and let him.

Ty's favorite thing to do is feed Roxy grass. Roxy will lick it from his hands (don't ask me why my dog eats grass) and Ty will laugh soooo hard. Man those two are funny!

The Zoo!

My Sister-in-law, Emily, invited Ty and I to go with her and her son (Jackson) to the San Diego Zoo. She had a free pass for us. Tysen has just started to make animal sounds so he was having fun making all the sounds of the animals that he knew...(mostly just the elephant) Tysen and Jackson are buddies and they were having a good time just hanging out in their strollers....ok well, Jackson cried when we put him in the stroller and Ty cried when we took him out of the stroller. They were a little off but they were still enjoying being there. We didn't get to see everything because the boys decided that they were going to run the show. Let's just say there was a lot of whining...mad faces....and stubborn moments going on from those two. Hopefully we will be able to go back again and finish what we started. It was nice to spend the day out and about and have some good conversation with my Sis!

Ty in front of the prairie dogs

Elephant on a stump...you don't see that everyday!

Ty and Jackson in front of the Giraffes

Jackson eating his snack...and saving some for later.

Cuddly Koalas

Thanks Auntie Emily and Cousin Jackson!

So Pathetic!

Is it pathetic that the only thing lately that motivated me to pick up my house is that someone was coming over?

The ironic part is that they ended up not coming over. But, now my house is somewhat clean! That is a plus.

And is it pathetic that I don't think my house ever looks clean because my carpets are too dirty. Some would say they're not that bad but they make me sick! So I don't feel like cleaning because my dirty carpets overpower the clean house.

I need to clean my carpets!!!

One of These Days

One of these days you will be able to walk down that street,
With out your mommy and without that walker seat.

One of these days you’re going to want to see the world ,
You’re going to see all its mysteries unfurled.

I’m not going to be able to protect your mind,
Hopefully, I will have taught you well to love and be kind.

One of these days you’re not going to need my kisses and hugs,
You're going to be more into friends, dirt and bugs.

You're not going to need them (my hugs and kisses) when you leave for college,
But I will be happy knowing that your head is going to be filled with knowledge.

One of these days I’m going to let your Heavenly Father take the reigns ,
And I know that from that, a great testimony you will obtain!

One of these days you will have your mind on a woman, other than your Mommy,
Just tell me that you will pick a good one… just like your Daddy :-)

One of these days you might be so far away,
and I’m going to miss the Baby I am holding now.

But, that day is not today….

So LET’S GO PLAY!

Better Than Expected!

Tysen and I went out into this field close to our house and had some fun with the self timer on the camera. One of my assignments for my photo class is to take pictures using the self timer and a tripod. It was a little difficult to run back and forth to the camera so we had my sister come with us and just push the timer button. That is why you see our heads cut off most of the time but I think they still turned out cute. It was a fun shoot and I am learning so much in my photography class! They Turned out WAY better than expected!

We dressed up in spring clothes and we stuck some cute yellow boots on Ty and a POP belly shirt to show off his "six pack". I just LOVE this little boy! He was such a good sport through all of it, even when the grass started getting itchy. The camera just can't take a bad picture of my little guy.

we love cuddling!

Totally Candid

More Loves for Mommy!

Admiring that sweet face

Ok a little "cheese ball" modeling on my part but Ty looks so funny with the wind blowing in his face and his belly sticking out!

I don't know why I LOVE this picture! It was a complete accident and I am so loving it!

YAY!

2nd Favorite! Love the shoes!

FAVORITE!!!
(even with the shadow)

CRAWLING!?! ...WHAT!

YAY! My baby is CRAWLING! He is going to be able to READ (according to "studies")...(pshh..whatever)

We thought this day would NEVER come!!

Tysen has been Army Crawling since he was 10 months and that has been his thing till now (and he is 15 months). He goes to physical therapy 3 times a week and he has been excelling in lots of areas except for crawling. He can pull up, cruise furniture and is somewhat close to walking. And yet, he still wanted to just scoot on his tummy, pushing with only his left leg. So the therapist (just last week) decided that it might be good to just work on his walking because they thought he wasn't going to do hands and knees crawling. I guess Ty wanted to show them because yesterday morning he started doing it ,little by little, and by the end of the day he was a crawling MANIAC! It must have just clicked for him and he decided it was faster so he liked it better. He is still a little wobbly but it is so cute. I was balling while watching my little baby boy start to crawl because we have been working on it for so long!

Good for you TY-MAN!

Dangerous Job!

I am taking a Photography class and I am LOVING IT! We have a huge project that I've been working on and it has helped me learn almost every facet of my camera.

Anyway, I was taking Micro (really up close) shots with my camera of a bee gathering nectar from the flowers in my front yard. I don't have a lens that can zoom in very far so the only other thing to do was to get up really close. The thing with cameras is that if you aren't zoomed in very far then even if you are 2 inches away from the subject the picture comes out looking like you are 3 feet away. So, you can imagine how close I had to get to the bee to achieve a good Macro shot. It was a daring move and most of my pictures are blurry because I was running away or shooing the bee out of my face or SCREAMING bloody murder because it moved.....but all in all I got a pretty decent shot!

I better get a good great for this DEATH DEFYING stunt!

Monumetal!

I know Tysen is 15 months old but we only JUST had to lower his crib last month. He never pulled up to a stand or scared us in anyway when it came to his crib....that is until one day! So since he, finally, figured out that his crib was fun to stand up in, Dan had to lower it from a newborn crib to a toddler crib...(I could not figure out why this was so hard for me to accept).... He is a toddler and not a baby and time has gone by WAAAY to fast. I could cuddle this little one all day if he would only let me. He is my reason for procrastinating everything because most of the time it is because I am kissing, playing, hugging, or squishing him to death. The crib lowering was very monumental for me. It almost made me feel like...."is it ALREADY time to have another???? "
(I'm not prego...it was just a thought)

It is a loooong way down now. Mommy doesn't enjoy the back aching bend she has to make.

Another monumental moment was that Ty-man is feeding his little self! We have been working on scooping and he has finally (almost) got it. Sometimes he concludes that his hands would be faster than the spoon....but for the most part he has reached the scooping goal!

Having fun with the spoon.

Trying so hard to not miss even a drop.

Just an Ordinary Day

Tysen loves his walker! It really takes him places! He loves going outside to hang out with Roxy. He could be out there all day just watching Roxy run back and forth while cracking up! And I could watch HIM all day, watching Roxy. It is amazing how much time is spent during the day just watching my son and being so amazed at this sweet little reckless human being.

Two little buddies! Mommy is trying to take a picture while keeping them BOTH from jumping in the 50 degree water.

This is a random shot of Tysen and Dan in our room playing a video game on Dan's new flat screen! Tysen kept crawling up on Daddy so that he could play too.

LATE Valentine's Day!

On Valentines Day, Dan and I were in Arizona visiting my brother and his family. So other than a Sees candy box (that I took with me on the way to Arizona and completely consumed...sooo ashamed) we didn't have much of a Valentines Date.

So this weekend my sister took Tysen over night and Dan and I decided to hang out at Dave and Busters at the Ontario Mills. It felt like we were dating again. It was so fun to play against him (and whoop his butt) on all the arcade games. Ok MAYBE he beat me at basketball...but I soooooo won (the first round) of The Fast and Furious car racing one.
I am so addicted to the spinning games where you have to push the button to make the little light land exactly on 1000 tickets. The first one I played I got it right on a thousand and right off the bat I was feeling LUCKY! Dan says I would be a terrible gambler..that's why he wont give me a quarter when we stop in Vegas (he knows its not for the gumball machine). I guess I can get kind of crazy...I almost used all my tokens on those stupid spinning games.

For dinner Dan took me to Benihana (never been before) and it was sooooo yummy and it was fun having them cook right in front of you. I fell in love with California rolls...so yummy! We had so much fun!

Hunny you are more fun than I thought you would be after three years of marriage...lol
I love you! Thank you for giving me so much LOVE! ( I'm a love hog!)
You really are everything to me ... I couldn't be with out you! That is why I think I should die first when we get older! Ha ha!

Tysen

I want you to know that….

You are 14 months and 1 day

You jabber all the time; but, you can say some words like: MOM (you usually yell that one), Da Da, Uh OH, and Ba Ba.

You like to copy some words that Mommy says but when I ask you to say something you refuse to speak.

When you want attention from someone you do a funny fake laugh until they look at you.
You don’t care if Mommy leaves, as long as someone is there to play with you.
You smile A LOT! Unless someone strange talks to you …Then you just stare blankly at them.

You look just like your Daddy! (Mommy loves that)You can sit up all on your own!
You have been army crawling since you were 10 months….(it’s just your thing I guess)
You are getting pretty good at pulling up onto things….Daddy needs to lower your crib.
You are in love with hair! And you have a good grip!
You like to cuddle with your blanky and your glow sea horse.

When you wake up, you like to put your cheek on Mommy or Daddy’s cheek and say “awwww”, because that is what Mommy and Daddy say when you are being sweet.
You LOVE LOVE LOVE the swing! You can’t stop giggling and you cry BLOODY MURDER when we take you out.
Just yesterday, you started folding your arms for prayer time all by yourself….but you only do it for 3 seconds and then you want to do something else.
You understand the meaning of "NO,NO". It only makes you more stubborn though. You are VERY Stubborn!

You are very smart, and you like to observe your surroundings before you make any quick moves.
You adore Baby Einstein movies…Now you talk back and laugh at the T.V. You even try to copy what they are doing.
When you hear music you have to stop what you’re doing just to dance…it makes Mommy and Daddy laugh, which makes you do it more.
You like to sneak away from Mommy in your walker and head for the drive way so you can roll down the big hill. You hate it when you get stuck or when Mommy blocks your way.
You will eat anything and you will eat A Lot of it! You never stop eating!!

You have mood swings when it comes to milk….some days you want it and some days you don’t.
You have 5 big chompers now and one more on the way. You don’t like that one very much right now (and neither does Mommy).
You like to share with others. You always hand your toys to other kids (unless it is something you really like).
You are starting to realize that if we go in your room, most likely, that means it is bedtime. You are starting to not like bedtime.
I can’t tell if you are ready for one nap a day yet.

You do not keep your socks on

You love Mommy more than Daddy! lol...(I wish)

Most importantly you are getting cuter and smarter everyday! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of EVERYTHING you do. We love watching you grow and learn. You are such a fun spirit and you bring so much joy into our lives. You are wonderful!

Ode to Ashley

Ashley and I had some fun taking some pictures of her today! I love taking pictures and she is a great model! I think they turned out pretty cute! Here are some of my favorites.

Isn't she perrrty!!

For One Time, and One Time Only!

Ok...so, I know some of you are going to tell me to SHOVE IT and some of you are going to say.."My wedding dress is too BIG for me now"...Well I don't want to hear it! This is a one time deal! And don't tell me that you have never tried on your wedding dress after the fact in hopes that it fits....Come on!

Anyways, I just wanted to document that 3 years after marriage and 1 year after having a baby I can fit into my wedding dress! It is a big accomplishment for me because it was hard to fit into on my wedding day!

I know that I will have more kids and that is why this is a one time thing! I will probably not be able to (nor will I try) to attempt this dangerous stunt again. So for pride's sake I just wanted to be able to look back and tell my self that I did it...even though I probably won't be able to fit into it next week.... even so, I did it, if only for a moment!

Here is the proof! No corset either.

Seriously, this decision was on a whim...If I had planned it out I would have defiantly done my hair and makeup.

Dad is Helpless

So Dan got a new T.V. for Christmas and on Saturday he was installing it in our room. He was working all day, so I had ty to myself and we were trying to stay out of the way. I decided to leave Ty with Dan for just a moment while Dan was working on screwing in some bolts. He had his hands tied. He could not let go of what he was working on and all I hear is this...

Crystal! Crystal!

Why did you leave him in here!

Get Him! Get Him!

HE'S GETTING CLOSER!!!

So I go in to see what the matter is and Dan is staring at Tysen, not being able to get his hands free from what he was doing, and his face was filled with fear because Tysen was crawling closer and closer to his project and he would have surly messed with it somehow.

He might be 1 but he can be a terrorizer! I just love that Dan looked so totally helpless and afraid of him... like he was a shark or something!!! I was laughing for days!

Lambion LLC

Please check out my Mom's sculptures....she is amazingly talented! If you are interested let me know and I can get you a MAJOR discount!

You can find the link below under "view the sites"

Mom's Blessings

*note* My Mom is one of the greatest people I know! I love her and I take her advise and run with it! This was just ANOTHER something GREAT that she had posted on our family blog and I thought I would share it with you...what an amazing spirit she has!

Three indicatores that will keep you spiritually and temporally blessed;

(1) Pay a FULL TITH. it is ones most obvious indicatore to ones love and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I testify that my spiritual well being has been protected through the opportunities of being able to always pay a full tithing. I also attribute my tempral comfort and comforts to this great commandment. it removes fear. It is the rock of our salvation now and into the eternities. D&C 64:23 ; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his comming. He is comming.

(2) Keep the Sabbath Day Holy. A topical guide search will clear things up if you are interested in the Lords way of keeping this great and loving commandment. Taking the Sacrament each week, Uplifting, Teaching and Learning from one another will make this day a day of comfort and joy. You will be able to ALWAYS remember your SAVIOR. It has truly become a day of refreshment for me. I hunger for it's power in my life.

(3) Eat Right. Eat fresh fruit and vegtables daily. That will keep the doctore bills down and your spirit in tune. Cut back on negative foods. That will teach you temperance in all areas in your life and preserve a clearer channel with the spirit of revelation. In my patriarchal blessing it says that the two greatest medicins for heavenly success that exists are; pay a full tith and keep the word of wisdom in it's smallest detail. I totaly beleive this.

I love All of you and desire the best for each of you. Do these three things and all the rest will follow. ps. read your scriptues daily.

BLOG OVERLOAD!!!

Ok...I know that I just posted like ten posts and it is overwhelming for some of you but, it has been crazy...so bare with me! It has been a while since I posted ...so now I just want to get caught up...so get your cushy seat, some snacks and get comfortable because it is going to be a long read....I suggest taking breaks between reads. ENJOY!

(at least you didn't have to write them...that is all I have to say)

WICKED!!!!!

My Birthday was in December and my sister made an insane cake for me. I have a "thing" for hostess chocolate cupcakes...( I can devour them in a short period of time...it is very dangerous). So they are pretty much my weakness...which makes them my enemy! My sister decided to make a HUGE one for me, for my birthday (while I was on a diet). It was sabotage I tell you! But, it was sooooo good!!

Even had the whipped cream filling.... Yummmm

I've always wanted to take a big bite out of a big chocolate cupcake...(diets will never work for me if my goals continue like this)

Looked and tasted just like it!!!

THEN, for my birthday Dan got me tickets to see WICKED!! I have been begging to see it! So we went to go see it on Sat (Jan. 3, 2009) It was A-MAZ-ING!!!

Then he took me to my favorite restaurant...I swear I gained 10 pounds!!

Thank you HUNNY BUNNY BOO!

(Was I not suppose to call you that in public?)

Here we are in front of the theater

Visiting Palm Springs!

We went to visit our very dear Aunt Edith and Uncle James on New Years day. Uncle James got a new lap top and Dan was able to set him up with tons of programs. Now Uncle James can bring the lap top out for Aunt Edith to read the Blog. While Dan was helping Uncle James get used to his new toy, Aunt Edith kept Ashley and I company with great stories and memories of her life. She has an amazing memory.

We also had fun going through her old jewelry and scarves. Aunt Edith is such an amazing women and Uncle James is a great husband to her. I always enjoy hearing her speak of her past...she has so many fun stories.

This is Aunt Edith and Uncle James cake topper that went on their wedding cake....So neat!

Ashley and Tysen just kickin it!

Here is a quilt that my Mom made for my Aunt and Uncle as a wedding present. I took lots of pictures of the specific squares because my brothers and sisters wrote a little message on each one . It was fun to see their art work when they were young. It goes from Rebecca to Travis...Rebecca was 8, I think, and Travis was 10 months. Aunt Edith told us that her and Uncle James were engaged and married with in 2 weeks, I think, and that Mom was up really late finishing this quilt for them. She remembers being in the temple and looking over at Mom who was dozing off because she was so tired. Then Aunt Edith told us how much she admired mom and how much she appreciated this wonderful gift!
This was just so awesome for us to see.

Here is Ty-man with his Great, Great Aunt and Uncle! He had so much fun with Aunt Edith because she would clap and sing to him. He would laugh so hard when she would say "POP!" at the same time that he would bounce.

We had so much fun visiting! Aunt Edith and Uncle James, thank you so much for letting us come and spend the day with you! We can not express how much we love and cherish the time we are able to spend with you. You have blessed our lives more than you know.

Christmas Day (after the hospital)

Should have been posted on December 26th 2008

Because of complications we celebrated Christmas on the 26th, but no one knew the difference. The night before, everyone opened their P.J.'s (I made matching p.j. bottoms for us) and we watched a Christmas movie. Then we went to bed so that Santa could come and deliver our presents. Here are a few pictures of our Christmas day.

Here's a picture of us right after we woke up and before the presents are torn open. I know, I know it was a brave thing to do (taking a picture) and it reveals me way more than I would like, but; here it is, real and scary. We decided it would be a tradition and now I can't take it back. I understand if you have to shield your eyes from the sight. (WHY OH WHY...did I not put makeup on?!?!)

Tysen had a blast ripping the paper open...who cares what was under the paper..lol
Although he did enjoy the boxes as well. For only being one, he sure is a paper ripping fiend!

Ashley got a camera!!! YAY!! Thanks Mom!

You can see he is totally excited about his awesome horse. It looks like he is saying, "Totally Wicked Man!!" (in a surfer dude voice)

Here is my sweet, sweet hubby working hard on making rolls for our Christmas Dinner....and yes we ate our dinner in our P.J.'s (never changed, never showered...and proud of it!)

Merry Christmas!!

Should have been posted on December 15th 2008:

Here are some of our Christmas Pictures...In every picture tysen has a different cooky face on...that boy has more expressions than I've ever seen any baby have. That's why we love him!

Tysen and Daddy! (LOVE IT!)

I love that smile!

He is so silly!

UTAH!!!

Should have been posted on December 14th 2008:

Our family drove up to Utah to visit Grandma Whitman and to see Uncle Steven since he came home from his mission. Utah was very eventful and it was so good to see everyone. The drive there was surprisingly smooth. There was not a whole lot of crying form the back seat, there was no throwing up or blow out catastrophes. It was pretty much smooth sailing ( even though Dan and I were crazy with worry that something was bound to go wrong). When we got there we were able to fill our days up with events. The first day it started snowing (it was bone dry when we got there) and we decided to go sledding. In the pictures below you can see Tysen eating the snow. If he started complaining we just picked up some snow off the ground and gave it to him...problem fixed!! He LOVED IT!!

The next day we were able to take a little trip to Alpine, were Daniel's Grandfather, sister Sheri, and Aunt Jana are resting in peace. It was beautiful to sit and remember them and miss them, but it is wonderful to know that we will see them again.

After that we met the rest of the family in Salt Lake to go ice skating and to see the lights at Temple Square. In the pictures you can see all of the sister that were there posing with our beautiful mother. And a picture of me and my brother Steven, who just got back from the Montana mission. While we were walking around temple square we went into the conference center to hear the choir practicing their Christmas special. It was weird to see all of them in their casual clothes and to hear them being directed. They still sounded UNREAL!

We also had the chance to go skiing and snowboarding. I skied and Dan snowboarded. Last time I tried to snowboard it was a bad day for everyone. So I told Dan that I would not cause him misery this time and that I would stick to what I know...skiing. Needless to say, it was a much better day. We had so much fun going down the slopes together (even though, for a good majority of the time we were on the beginner slopes)...All I have to say is...my husband is a very, very patient man.

Lastly we went to a really fun dinosaur museum with Ty's cousin Laura and they loved playing and touching everything. You can even see a picture of them having fun in the sand pits where they dug up dino bones. We had so much fun and I was so happy to see my Mother. She is surly something spectacular! She is my hero and example and I love her spirit! I only hope that I might grow to be as wise and as loving as she is. We love you Mom!

Thanks for letting us visit!!!

Happy Birthday Ty!

Should have been posted on November 25, 2008:

Our Baby's first birthday has come and gone. It is weird to think he is getting older and bigger. It's like, on his birthday I took a good look at him and realized that he was not that little baby that we had just had...he is a boy now. (Sigh) It takes you for a loop, how fast they grow. Tysen had such a great birthday. We decked the house out in Baby Einstein decor. (his favorite)!! He was so excited and couldn't wait for......who am I kidding......He had no CLUE it was his birthday. It was just another day for him because he usually gets most of the attention anyways. Even so, he did have fun and I know all of his little friends and cousins had fun as well.

His Birthday breakfast was pancakes with yummy syrup. He was in heaven!

Time for the pinata! We tried to get him to pull the strings but Grandma had a bottle and there is no way that strings beats THE BOTTLE!

The one that broke it. Milo was the last one up and he smacked it once and out the candy flew!


Singing Happy Birthday made Tysen, lets just say, a little emotional. He didn't know what was going on and why everyone was singing really loudly at him. LOL! It was very cute to see his little pucker lip come out.



All's well when he was able to play with the candle. (don't know why...but it was)
My sister is a cake genius!!! She made this Baby Einstein cake for ty-man!! So stinkin adorable. It was hard to cut it!

It was EVEN BETTER when he tasted the cake!!! OOOO BABY!!!

(Again ...in heaven)

I'M HOME!!

Thank you for all the prayers and for all those that called a million times to see how he was doing. Sorry to those that we did not get a chance to call back. We are home and we are so relieved that we made it home for Christmas. Tysen is doing very well and seems to be his old self (just with a little more attitude) He is still so tired but he tries so hard to play and be happy...just don't rub him the wrong way right now..lol.. The water that accumulated in his brain was a lot more than we thought. We had a chance to see the scans and it seemed that the shunt stopped working all together. But, when the Dr. was finished with his surgery he found that, basically, there was brain tissue that got sucked into the holes of the tubing on his head piece and clogged the plumbing. So he replaced some tubing and he did not have to cut his tummy this time. Tysen had to get another hair cut and his stitches look really good. We are debating weather to do a mo-hawk now that part of his head is already buzzed (your thoughts please) lol. Anyways we are home and happy. Thank you for everything. We love you and are so grateful that our Heavenly Father was there with us every step of the way. Tysen is the joy of our lives and even with wires surrounding him and a cage like crib to sleep in, he still seemed to manage a smile! He is amazing and we have been blessed by his presence. We Love you so much Tysen and we don't know how we lived without you before. You brighten our world!

We would like to tell you more but we have lots of presents to open!

Ty-man right before they took him in for surgery

Tysen almost right after surgery, having a little apple sauce...and looking quite out of it.

Santa came to the hospital and dropped off a big bag of gifts.

Grandma Carlson, Aunt Carie and Gavin also dropped off some really cool gifts for Ty.

Here is Ty's Battle scar. We would show you the gory stuff but we can't take the bandage off yet. I think Ty has won this battle in his life....it has just made him stronger for the next one.

Round #2 for Ty!

We got a call from Tysen's neurologist yesterday and he said that Ty will have to have another surgery. The doctor said that his x-rays (that we took on Monday) show that there is more swelling in brain than there was in the summer (when Ty had another CT scan). It has not gotten really bad yet but he said that this usually indicates that Ty's shunt will be failing soon, or that it is failing slowly. So, they have to go in to make sure there are no problems and, if there is, then they can fix it now before it gets worse. Tysen will be having his surgery on the day before Christmas at 9:00 in the morning. We might have to stay through Christmas so that they can monitor him. We are so blessed to have such an amazing doctor who looks closely enough to catch problems before they happen. He is great and we feel peace knowing that he is in good hands. We are also blessed to have our family and friends that continue to give our family love, prayers and support. We know that the power of prayer is strong and so we would like to ask all of you to give Tysen your prayers. We know that everything will be fine especially with our Heavenly Father by our side. We love you all and wish you the happiest of holidays!

I Don't Wanna!!!

.....So school is where my head should be at right now. I started my homework (A Book Review) and then I simply got tired of writing it and stopped to Blog. I need a break! School is so consuming...especially these online classes. They think they can give you more work just because you don't drive to the school. I am constantly trying to squeeze in the rest of my life around school and I'm simply tired and STRESSED. I know I will continue to go to school and I know that I will continue to complain but,I really enjoy learning...its when everything is due at the same time that I just feel like screaming and curling up into a ball in the corner of my dark closet. (yes, I have done this before...ask Dan)

Dan gave me a blessing though and Heavenly Father assured me that if I would just pray to him and ask for help, then he would provide a way for me to complete ALL of my work. It is hard, when I am overwhelmed, to STOP and think to get down on my knees right there and then. I always seem to wait till after I BLOW UP to reach out to my Heavenly Father. After the blessing I realized that when my heart starts pumping in a worried frenzy and my head begins to ache... I need to get down and thank my Heavenly Father for all I have. That alone makes me feel like I am able to relax and finish the work that is in front of me. I know that the major message that he sends me most of the time is ...one thing at a time! I like to change my focus a lot and it helps a lot more when I can finish one thing and then move onto the next. Another thing that I have learned is that I need a brake every once in a while during the day...taking a 10 min. brake just to tickle my little boy, seriously, juices me up for the next 5 hours that I might have to spend working on homework.

I guess I'm not really trying to make a point...I'm just taking one of my 10 min. brakes and juicing up again. I just want to complain and write down what I am feeling so that I can realize that it really isn't that bad. I have a lot more free time then a lot of moms with 5 kids and I GET to go to school! That is a blessing!

OK, I'm going to go play with my little munchkin (because he has been sitting in his highchair for, you don't want to know how long) and then I will get back to work and feel much better once my assignment is finished.

By the way, have any of you read this book (Snow Falling on Cedars)...just thought I would ask. If so, please indulge me with your opinion on it.

Tysen is Turning One Already!?!?!

Our Big Boy is almost one! I don't mean to make this a Tysen Blog but these pictures were just too good to pass up. My photographer sister (Melissa Jewel) took these pictures for his Birthday Announcement. They are hilarious!

And can you believe...he didn't even throw up!!! He was pretty wired though. Ya, I wouldn't recommend letting your 11 month old eat a whole cake right before bed.

Stuffing his Face

What?...

Never come between me and cake!
Angel..I'm innocent!


This is FUN!!

Just really really cute!

Yay!! Happy Birthday to me!

GET IN MY BELLY!!!

First Teethies

He is not only getting his first tooth--he is getting two first teethies! Here is a clear shot of the stubborn things that have been causing us all those wonderful late nights. Finally they broke through and they are here. Now the bottom ones are coming...yay...(no enthusiasm whatsoever).

OH NO!!! What Have We Done?

Tysen is an eating machine! Daddy was just sitting there talking to Mommy when Ty decided to swoop in and attack Daddy's ice cream.

When asked why he did it, he simply smiled really big....and that was the end of it because we can't resist that smile.

Serioulsy, what have we done?! He is not even one yet and Ty is having a ball playing daddy's X-Box with his cousin Hailey. That's it! No more electronics....(except for Mommy's computer- :-) )

5 days left! Vote Yes on 8!

Grease Lightning!

You were right Alison... I couldn't wait to blog it! lol..So sad... I know. Anyways- Dan and I were Danny Zuko and (bad) Sandy for our ward trunk-or-treat. The costumes turned out soooo good. My hair looked better in real life though. I found my "hot pants" at Ross the day before and I seriously debated whether to wear them or not. The Trunk-or-Treat was fun. Ty was a ninja but we forgot our camera so that is why I had to have Alison send me a picture of us. Ty was too busy Trick-or-Treating with Auntie Ashley (who was a cute little lady bug). Ashley had a little girl come up to her and say ..."(Gasp) Your my favorite bug!....A LADYBUG!" It was so cute. We had fun...too bad we didn't take more pictures.

First Pumpkin Patch!

We went to the Pumpkin Patch this week and it was Ty-man's first pumpkin experience. Needless to say he didn't really like the pumpkins that much. I really think they freaked him out...lol.. But he warmed up to them and we had so much fun! My sister Melissa Jewel is an awesome photographer. You can see her blog and website on my links. She came with us and snapped some cute shots of us having a good time!

I know there are a lot of pics but come on..it was his FIRST pumpkin patch and he is our first! GIVE ME A BRAKE!

Ty and Daddy and ghosts...Ty is driving!

He was pooped! It looks like he is sleeping ...lol. We put him like this for some of the shots and his feet kept slipping.
I love this picture!

He is a Ninja (thanks to Sarah and her Halloween collection)

Have you hugged a pumpkin today?

So sweet...those eyes!

He loves to clap! YAY!

Our family Photo

We sat him down with the pumpkins and he freaked...but the picture came out so cute! I love that "cry face"

Standing on the Corner...Yes on Prop 8

Tonight Dan and I went to help the fight for prop 8. We went to the corner of Winchester and Murrieta Hot Springs and held "Yes on Prop 8" signs. We got a few flip offs, a few mouth offs, and one "F' bomb. But, for the most part we got a lot of honks, smiles and thumbs ups.

A lot of us were kind of scared to stand on the corner (cough* Tracy and Jenn* cough) but, in the end we all had such a good experience that we wanted to stay longer. We even had some people ask what the "yes" was for. I think we got a lot of people to really consider voting "YES!"

Most of their faces are covered with the boards...Don't know what happened there.

Is it sad that the main reason we took a picture is so we could have something to blog?

I've Been Tagged!

This is a picture of my little Bro on his mission in Montana. As you can see he is a risk taker! He is trying to preach the word to the Catholic Church. He went right to the source. lol! What a funny kid.

Now, I am tagging:

Kristen

Kim

Annie

Tracy

The deal is that you have to go to your files and post the fouth picture in the fourth file and explain it. Then tag four more people. Good luck!

New Presidential Candidate... It's someone we know!

Hi,

There's an effort to elect an unknown random person as President... and it's someone we know! See this news website about the surprising new nominee:

http://www.tsgnet.com/pres.php?id=357563&altf=Ebo1&altl=Dbsmtpo

Jot back a note to let me know what you think!

Yes...I'm Bragging

Yesterday was our actual 3 year anniversary and my sweet husband sent me three dozen roses for the three years we have been married. Then today I got the most amazing chocolate covered strawberries that came to my door. He also bought me a full message on our trip! I am soooo spoiled!

Messier and Cuter at the Same Time

Our sweet baby boy is 10 1/2 months already! He will be a year at the end of next month and I don't know how to take it. Ty doesn't have teeth yet, but he sure thinks that he does. He eats table food pretty well (he gums it to death). He is getting so big and everything he does is messier than before, but somehow cuter. He had raviolis last night and most of them where in his diaper..(HOW THE???) I think the food tastes better when it's messier.

Ty also got his hair cut yesterday...It looks so cute with his Ninja costume for Halloween

Fin-a-lly!

So I think I started these curtains like in the beginningof last year and I finally finished them! My sis Shelley helped me a lot because before this I had no idea how to sew. She showed me how to read a pattern, work a sewing machine and put pretty curtains together like these. There were many complications that held me back from finishing. We ran out of material and it took forever to order more, we didn't have time to work on them, and I got prego in the middle of construction. Now, they are finished and I am very proud of my little curtains! They look way better in person, by the way.

MEXICO...10 dolla...ok 5 dolla...ok ok 50 cent!

For our third anniversary we took a cruise! I am deathly afraid of drowning and being in the water with fish, so I was a bit FREAKED! But, I played it cool and tried to rely on Heavenly Father to protect me from the fish.

Day 1:

We sailed the sea and got used to the boat. Poor Dan got a little queasy and we laid low for a little while. The ship had food galore (I must have gained like 10 pounds... no joke).
Day 2: Cabo!

We have more pics of Cabo but they are on our Underwater Camera and I have not developed that yet.

We ported in Cobo and went snorkeling. It was so pretty and we could swim right to the beach to hang out. The water was a little murky because there was a hurricane down the coast but there were still a lot of freaky fish. It took me a while to actually look down with the mask. Every little thing that touched me made me scream bloody murder. Dan was trying to play it cool by acting like he didn't know me..Lol. We walked around Cabo and looked at some shops, but it was soooooo HOT! Dan decided at the moment that Mexico was not his thing.

Day3: At Sea



We relaxed on the boat all day. It was fun because they always had something going on. There were shows, live bands, the pool, dancing, karaoke, and much more. Later that night we had a formal night and had fun seeing the improv show. The comedian was a HOOT!

Day 4: Ensenada

They had a tower of desserts going like 24/7. Here you see me eating like three desserts at a time...So Good!

I am a sucker for sweets. We also played BINGO before the hypnotist show (and lost).

Ok so I know that Ensenada is a dump,but we actually ended up having a lot of fun there. We took a tour around Ensenada and to the Blow Whole. There are only three huge Blow Wholes in the world and one of them is in Ensenada. It was really cool to see. Then we went down the street of shops and were bombarded by bartering Mexicans. (hence, the reason for my title). It was funny at first and then it got just plain annoying. We got really cool souvenirs for our family and headed back to the ship.

When the sun set over the water it was really amazing.

We had some more fun on the ship! They had a hypnotist show (Which was not convincing...but really funny) and we were presented with a Happy Anniversary dessert at dinner. We drank hot chocolate on the deck and watched the sun set (the ocean is a little freaky at night).

Say Goodbye:


We got to San Diego the next morning and I was jumping out of my seat because I was so anxious to see our little baby boy. (Yes, we are crazy for leaving him behind for 5 days) Thank you Grandma, Aunt Carie and Gavin for watching him while we were away. He had so much fun with you guys! It was so hard to leave him but I knew that he was is good hands.

All in all, it was an awesome vacation and we would definitely cruise again. I don't know about Mexico though. Next time we will probably try the Caribbean and we will definitely bring Tysen with us...It was too hard not to see him everyday.

I don't remember what night this was but I ate snail! I know really nasty! But I wanted to prove it to some people so here it is! Dan, of course would not even look at the stuff. The snail was surprisingly not as bad as I thought it would be.

Vote Yes on Prop 8!

Our family has a deep desire to do what we can to protect the marriage between a man and a woman. Proposition 8 is not only about being pro marriage but it is about our rights as citizens. As parents we will not have a say in what they teach our children in school. Our children will be taught about gay marriage in schools without regards to their morals. Marriage is a sacred issue to us and we are the ones who should teach our children according to the beliefs in our home, not according to what the world has accepted as being "normal".

My Sister in law said it best when she listed the terrifying consequences if this law should pass:

“1) Legalizing same sex marriage may force some charities and adoption agencies to close their doors unless they openly supported same sex marriage

2) Many churches would have to change the way they operate and would lose their tax-exempt status unless they perform same sex marriages

3) Public schools would have to teach same sex marriage in the classroom and same sex issues in sex educationIn fact children are already being taught that same sex marriage is acceptable. No government or entity has the right to indoctrinate my children in moral aspects that I don't agree with.”

We believe that our Heavenly Father has an immense love for all of his children. We know that he lives and that he sent his son to die for us upon the cross. We love Jesus Christ and we try so hard to exemplify his example….we are not perfect. We are in debt to him and we want to stand in faith for what is right. Our message today is to help us Save Marriage and Save our rights as citizens’. This vote will affect our world more than we know. If it goes the wrong way there will be more rights taken away than given. If we vote yes, then no right will be taken away from anyone.

Here are some links to check out:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1815825713

www.protectmarriage.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73Q4V8WNF6k

http://www.protectmarriage.com/blog/2008/10/yes-on-8-campaign-fights-desperate-attempt-of-opponents-to-stop-airing-of-truthful-commercials/