Mother's Day

I wanted to thank these women for all of their hard work in raising me and my husband.

We love them so much, I don't think they will ever know...

I wanted to thank my Mother in law for raising the greatest man that I have ever known. My husband is a wonderful person all the way through. It is actually incredible how kind and loving he is. I thought that he had to be the most caring, loving, kind person in the world...and then....I met his Mother. When I met Dan's Mother I finally understood where his great qualities came from. This woman would give anything for anyone. She would drop what she was doing in a moment just to help you pick something up off the floor. She is so giving and she forgets herself completely, in order to think of others needs. She cares so much about her family... she cares so much about people in general. She has a gift for empathising with you and trying so hard to understand the way you feel. She always has great information too. She is very wise (I know my husband got that from her too). I look at her and I am so appreciative to her for all that she has done for us as a family. I appreciate her qualities because I know that it was those qualities that made my husband the most amazing man. I want to make my boys as strong and as loving as she has made her children.

I look at her and think..."What a Woman!"

Love you Mom Carlson!

On this day I can't help but think of this woman who raised me to be such a great woman :-)

My mother has an incredible spirit. She has a strong spirit. She is patient and wise. She is so talented and always seems to find a way to make things happen. She has a deep love for her children (all fourteen!)

She has taught me so much through out my life. It was through her patients, trust and love that I learned my greatest lessons in life. To this day I really don't know how she has done it all. I never knew how she ever put up with me until I had my own children. I know now that it is only through love that she was able to with stand the "teenage years".

I look at her with so much love and admiration. She is always smiling and is always excited to see and to be with her children. I am so proud to be her daughter. I can only hope that I can turn out to be a Mother like she is. She loves the Lord with all of her heart and her testimony is unshakable. Our conversations never end without her bearing some of her testimony with me, which, in turn, strengthens my testimony. She always woke us up at the crack of dawn (before seminary...yes BEFORE!) to read scriptures as a family and to say family prayers...we never missed a day. She encouraged our strengths and strengthened our weaknesses. And was always quick to forgive our mistakes. I know God meant for her to be a Mom but I don't know if he anticipated her to be the BEST!

I love you Mom for making it your life's goal to be the Best!

You are my Hero!

Today, Tysen was sick still from yesterday so these are just some of the faces I got. I guess for me Mother's Day was all about doing the Motherly things that Mothers do...like taking care of a sick two year old and making sure he is happy and comfortable...minimizing his sadness and pain.

Daddy bought him a "I love Mommy" shirt to wear. I loved that!

Eventually, Tysen calmed down and he was trying so hard not to be sick and to be happy.

Daddy and my sweet baby boys got me flowers, cards, candy and a very pretty watch.

Daddy made me dinner and even finished the night with doing the dishes!

It was a great Mother's Day!

I am so luck to be the Mother to such beautiful, sweet, cuddly boys. They are my life and I will spend the rest of my life trying to help them grow in the best ways possible. I devote my life to them and my husband because...Where would I be without them?

I love you Tysen and Jayden...and I love being your Mommy.

I know I will do a good job because I have learned from some of the best Mommy's in the world.

(That includes all of my sisters and sister-in-laws)

He knows My "Real Name"

Daddy- "Ty, say Happy Mother's Day"

Ty- "Happy Mother's Day.. Crystal

(Oh no, he knows my real name and he is using it against me on Mother's Day)

Me- "Hey MR. You call me Mommy on Mothers Day!

Ty- Ok, Crystal

Me- :-(

Dan's Birthday Weekend

My goal for Dan's Birthday was to take as much stress off of his shoulders as possible. So, for the sake of being close to the kids, we went to Pala Resort and Spa. We had a yummy dinner at "The Great Oak" in Pechanga. Then we sat and listened to a live band play Bob Marley songs. We even danced a little.

Then we went to go check into our room and the resort had upgraded us to the Luxury Suit! It was so niiiiiice!

I loved the Jacuzzi tub :-)

Dan opened one of his presents. The Kodak zi8 (HD) pocket camcorder.

Then we had room service brought up for breakfast and from there we went to the spa to get a couples massage. Dan said it was the best he's ever had. It all felt so relaxed and Dan didn't even have problems to deal with at work. (every time we go on any kind of get away there is always a major problem that comes up at work for him...ALWAYS. So, it was really nice for him not to have to stress about it.)

Then, we went and saw Iron Man 2. We have not seen a movie in ages so this was exciting.

We ended the day picking up our sweet boys and giving them lots of kisses and hugs! Even though it was soooo what we needed and soooo relaxing, we still missed the boys terribly.

Then today Tysen woke up with the flu at around 1am and we have been so exhausted. But, by late afternoon he was feeling much better so we decided to make a cake for Daddy and Tysen wanted to give Daddy the present that he picked out.

Daddy made a wish and blew out his one pink candle :-)
(sorry it was the only color I had)

Tysen licked the cake for Daddy.

Daddy got a snow cone/ slushy machine with the flavors and everything because Daddy loooooves his slushies!

Don't get a brain freeze Daddy, take it slow.

Air Show! March Air Force

We woke up early and headed to the air show at March Air Force. Tysen was in HEAVEN when he saw all of the cool air planes flying around so close.

When the loud jets came by he played it cool by placing one hand on Daddy's leg and grabbing on tight. He was really scared but only I could tell :-)

There were so many planes and jets on the ground for Tysen to sit in and be amazed by.

We sat under a ginormous airplane to get shade. We stayed there through out the show. It is not everyday we get to kick it under the wing of an airplane.

Tysen had his little airplane and he kept flying it around doing the sound effects. (I loved that!)

Oh! Their faces were so cute. They seemed as though they were both the same age at this point. It was a little boy's dream (that includes the little kid inside of Dan ).


Some amazing stunts from the Jets. They were so cool and I loved taking pictures of them. I could see the little guys in the jets with my telephoto lens.

It was one of those days that I just sat back and watched with Joy at how much Joy these airplanes brought my two boys.

Jayden was such a good boy..he slept a lot and I just held him in the shade while Tysen and Dan were joined at the hip. Tysen was like Dan's shadow. (so Cute!)

Yup! It was just one of those good days...ya know?

Thanks Aunt Rebecca!

My sister is a master seamstress and she makes all of the blessing gowns in our family. She sent me Jayden's outfit the other week and since we are not blessing him until June I wanted to take his Blessing pictures early. The outfit turned out to be this amazing little man tuxedo and I am so very lucky to have such a talented sister. Thank you so much Rebecca for doing such a wonderful service for us! We love you and we LOVE the outfit.

Here are some pics of my adorable little man in his adorable outfit.

Totally GQ

While I was playing with my camera, taking Jayden's Blessing Pictures....I had Tysen jump in for a Little Man photo shoot.

These boys are sooo cute and they are my favorite models to shoot but I think it is about time I start using other models for photo shoots to get more practice.

It is hard not to want to take pictures of the cutest boys in the world though.

One Minute... and Then The Next

One minute he will be smiling up a storm and as happy as can be....

And the next he will be balling his eyes out.

I think it is so funny how his switch can flip so fast.

These pictures were literally taken one snap after the next.

But,

ever since the first day we brought Jayden home, he has been quite the smiler. He smiled way earlier than Tysen did. It is so sweet to see him smile every time he wakes up and as he is dreaming.

Even though he can be very cute while smiling, it does not last very long. Jayden can get very mad. He kicks his feet against the floor so hard that he scoots himself from one side of the floor to the other. He is very strong. Poor little boy has the smallest , softest cry ever since he was intubated in the hospital.

It is so sad.

He will cry all day long and then give me one smile and it will have made it all worth it.

I love baby smiles!

I Love that he Loves it so Much

Joy when he saw it

Tears when I gave it to the cashier to buy it

Overwhelming Excitement when I asked the cashier for scissors to cut it free

Pride when he held it and knew it was now his to play.

Then, when he fell asleep, still holding so tightly with his palm

Mommy had Joy, Tears, Overwhelming Excitement, and Pride.

Tysen loves anything to do with music or singing. He reminds me of myself when I was young. I would go around the house singing all day long. The only difference is that Tysen doesn't have any other siblings that are telling him to SHUT UP!

Yes, it's true, I am 90% certain that I would have grown up to be a famous singer ( and I mean REALLY famous) had I not been brutally scarred in my child hood (it's ok I forgive you guys).


Anyways, I am hoping that Tysen will turn out to be the great singer
...as I was always meant to be :-)

Best Cousins

Tysen and Laura are the very best of cousins. They have such a ball together and they make me laugh all day long!

Laura came over yesterday and she wanted to watch a movie that Tysen wasn't too into. Tysen started to get bored so he thought it would be funner to try and tackle Laura. Laura shrugged it off a few times but the little bug kept at it. Finally, Laura took Tysen down in two seconds FLAT. Then she just put her elbows on Tysens belly and had him pinned down under her while she continued to watch her movie...HAHA

All the while, Tysen is trying to get up (with no success) and shouting, "I'm Stuck!"

It was hilarious!

Then they went outside with me and played on the big school bus we have outside. They always have a great time on that thing. It is so cool and colorful that, of course, I decided that I would take pictures of them to remember their special bond by.

He Falls....He SCORES!!! SWOOSH!

BIG BOY ROOM

I never got the chance to write about Dan's hard work on Tysen's big boy room. He worked day and night on it before the baby was born so that we could switch Tysen from the nursery to his new room.

He painted the colors I picked out.

He put up crown and base molding.

he decked out the door, closet and window with casing.

And he put a beautiful window seal on the window.

After all that, He build a little closet organizer (my favorite part)

There is room for all his toys on one side and his clothes and shoes on the other!

I love it... it feels much more organized now.

I swear my husband can do anything!

If he doesn't know how to do something ....he will figure it out.

He is AMAZING!!

And of course Tysen loves his "big boy room", as he calls it.

Even though he looks so small in it..he loves sleeping in his ginormous bed.

The cool part about the bed is that it is a full on the bottom that can convert into an twin if we want it to.

And of course, he helped me put the finishing touches on the decor.

So cute, if I do say so myself.

The boy loves his sports.

Good Morning Beautiful Boys

It is Sunday morning and Dan has gone to church to be spiritually fed. I am here at home with my two boys, who spiritually feed me as well. Tysen is being funny and crazy as usual and Jayden seems so peaceful and sweet. Tysen wants to hold Jayden, I give Jayden to him and my heart aches when I take Jayden back and Tysen cries, "I want to hold Jayden again." He just loves his brother.

Tysen is so proud to hold his brother while I take pictures of them in my bed. And even when Jayden cries, Tysen only kisses him and says, "Oh, it's ok Jay....What's wrong Jay" but he still does not want to give him back.

I love watching the love exude from both of their eyes. I never knew that two could be sweeter than one.

I love my boys....I could never say it enough.

I love waking up to these sweet faces.

They give me everything to look forward to.

the only boy missing is my handsome husband.

Groovin' at the Wedding

Last night Dan and Ty went to Cousin Tyler's Wedding reception and got his groove on.

Wherever there is music Tysen is having a ball. And the microphone that he found was just a bonus!

Ty is such a ham when it comes to people's attention. He loves to make people laugh and he loves to have a good time.

They were happy to help Tyler and Jessica celebrate their special day. Congratulations you two!

Love these two!

Somehow got a cowboy hat on and just went with it.

If there is a microphone around you know Tysen will find it and he will use it.

I mean, his favorite show is American Idol!

We LOVE grandma! Ty never stops talking about his Grandma. They are so cute together.

This is just funny! Don't know where he got these either, but again, he just went with it.

He makes everything look cool.

Easter 2010

For some reason our hospital trips seems to fall on holidays...

New Years...Tysen

Christmas....Tysen

Valentine's Day.... Jayden

Easter...Jayden ...etc....

So, we were ill prepared for Easter this year...Luckily Grandma Easter Bunny came to the rescue and delivered some amazing baskets to the boys. Some cute pails filled with candy, toy trucks, little ducks, bubbles, and fabulous jammies.

After the Easter Bunny came Aunt Emily and Uncle Derek came and picked up Tysen and took him over to Aunt Shelley's house for the egg hunt. He has been to two others before Easter so he got a lot of practice. Mommy, Daddy and Baby Jay stayed behind to get some much needed rest. Tysen came home passed out and wonderfully exhausted...he obviously had a blast!

It was a good day...and General Conference was just the icing on the cake!

Easter at Grandma Phelps

Ty went to the Easter egg hunt with Grandma, Aunt Carie and Gavin.

and had a blast!

Thanks Uncle Michael for the pictures.

What a sweet face!

(don't let it fool you)


Looking for eggs with Grandma
his favorite part was putting it in the basket
Aunt Carie said that there were bags of peanuts that were thrown about the grass and he tossed those ones back.



scanning the candy for the one he wants...picky, picky, picky!


Very proud of his full bucket!


Very excited about what he got!


making sure it doesn't fall out.

The boy did great this year and even brought home some of Mommy's favorites :-)

Home Sweet Home

We are home! It feels good but we still have a lot of adjusting to do. We are very tired and Daniel got sick and is now trying to recover from that. We are certainly glad to be home and we are anxious for our next Doctors appointment just so we can make sure Jayden is still doing well. He seems to be doing good except the fact that he has to drink yucky low fat milk. Hopefully, we can get him back on the breast milk soon. (cross fingers)

We are happy to be home! (sigh)

Since We've Been Here...

Since Jayden has been in the hospital we've been able to capture these special moments from mommy's camera.

Making progress...

Jayden has been making lots of progress. He's actually surprising a lot of doctors, but doesn't surprise us because he is such a strong baby. Since the last post, Jayden had several IV drip lines going for different blood pressure meds, various nutrients, pain meds, etc., but as of today that has been reduced down substantially. He really only has two going, and that is to keep him hydrated and to keep the central IV line good just in case they need it. They were able to wean him off the oxygen completely, so all of his breathing is on his own now. His blood pressure meds have been reduced down to an oral med. For pain, he is receiving Tylenol, which is much better because he's more aware and not so loopy/drowsy.

We did run into a few minor complications last night. The chest tube he has, which is used to drain excess fluids from around his heart, started showing fat cells, which is an indication that a duct (forget the name of it right now) was damaged during the surgery. This duct is part of the lymph system and is used to help flush out fats from the system. This is not an uncommon thing to happen with this kind of surgery. They have a general idea of where the lymph nodes are in the body but every body is different and sometimes a lymph node is damaged during surgery. Because of this, Jayden will have to go on a special fat-free diet. This means he will have to eat special formula for 4-6 weeks and Crystal will not be able to nurse him (She is really sad about this).

Our goals now are to get the chest tube out and to have the central IV line replaced for a traditional IV (Poor baby has had too many pokes). They say that it might be a few more days so that they can make sure that the drainage from his chest is under control. Which means we might be celebrating Easter here (Thanks Shelley for watching Tysen...Dan will probably be coming home to see him. We will call you). We trust these doctors and they have been very meticulous. They double & triple check everything and we feel that they are being very attentive to his needs.

We will keep posting updates as they come. Jayden did smile today for the first time after surgery...of course it was at the pretty nurse, but he did smile nevertheless. We love you all and feel free to call us with any questions or just to chat...we will answer if we are available.