Merry Christmas!

Santa was VERY good to us this year. (most of which was courtesy of a recalled baby item...we got a sweet rebate check that we had to spend on fisher- price stuff. Lucky Tyler)Christmas Eve we enjoyed a great turkey dinner and read the Christmas story out of the Bible. Tyler enjoyed leading the music as we sang some Christmas Carols. We let our little guy open one present on Christmas Eve and he chose his super cool tool chest/work bench. He sat and played with it for at least 20 minutes straight. For anyone with kids you know what a miracle that is. Santa came and got the tree loaded up and it was only a few hours until Tyler woke up (at 5:45 am) and wanted to come downstairs to play. We spent the early morning making coffee cake and sticky buns. The family came down to join us for Christmas at 7am.

Tyler's first gift of the morning was a new trike from Granny and Grandpa! He loves to hop on it and scoot around the house. Tyler was spoiled rotten. He also got an awesome fire truck, a bull-dozer, a hot wheels transporter with some extra cars, play dough, 4 books, 3 movies, a training potty, a bed rail, and new bedding for his big boy bed (which he will hopefully be in before his little brother gets here). He also got a new top and some goodies in his stocking. As I have said many times this season- this Christmas will never be topped and I hope that Tyler is young enough to forget how many gifts he got. I am completely enforcing a 2 gift maximum from here on out!!

Ryan got two pairs of shoes, a Volcom beenie a new sweater, two movies, a video of the early years including his first steps and Christmas, and our family gifts were new pots and pans and some serving dishes.

I got two maternity shirts, a Volcom jacket, and the pots and pans and serving dishes.

We were definitely spoiled rotten- no question about it! We have enjoyed having family around and Tyler is going to miss his company. He is loving his Granny, Grandpa, and Uncle Kyle.

Thank you to our family far away for taking such good care of us. We love you all and know how blessed we are to have you. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas guests have come to town!

We are enjoying ourselves here in Vegas. We were home-bound by the snow for a few days (mostly because Ryan didn't want us out on the roads if we didn't need to be). Tyler and I were also getting over a cold/cough thing so we were just laying low. We did venture out after a few days to check out what was left of the snow and we had some beautiful sights.

This picture is taken at the end of our Master Planned Community. It was absolutely gorgeous for a few days after our surprise snow storm.

Back home, Tyler pulled his daddy's jacket out of the closet and insisted that I help him put it on and wear it around. We sure are lucky to have such a cute little boy around to make life a little more interesting when we're stuck at home :)

Our sweet Tyler smiling for a picture to send to daddy at work.

Our real fun started Friday night when Uncle Kyle joined us. Kyle came down from BYU and is staying with us until Saturday. Granny and grandpa joined us Saturday afternoon. Kyle got to be Tyler's best bud by playing around and sharing fun games on the computer.

We have quite the cuddly boy on our hands now. Tyler giving Granny loves while staring at his train and the lights on the tree.

Sunday morning Tyler loved waking up with other people around to play with and love him. He has been super cuddly with all of his guests but especially his granny.

Yummy bran flakes for breakfast! So fun to have everyone around.

Monday morning Tyler had his own breakfast...and then some of everyone else's! Here is Tyler enjoying breakfast (for the second or third time) with Grandpa. He is definitely forgetting what it's like to NOT get his way. I love to see Tyler enjoying himself so much- I just hope he will still love his boring ol' mom and dad when this fun holiday is over.

more snowy fun

Tyler and daddy went out for some more fun in the snow. I couldn't get a really good shot because it was already so dark, but you can tell from the mini-snowman that there was plenty of snow around!Weathermen are saying that the snow will continue through the night...which is kinda scary since it took Ryan over an HOUR to get home with just an inch or two on the roads. Maybe we'll just have to take a snow day tomorrow...

No- really, it's SNOWING!

Today the snow has been so much fun I almost feel like I'm in Provo. I love how quiet snow makes everything seem. Tyler and I have enjoyed ourselves playing with the train around the Christmas tree, watching the snow fall outside the big slider, making muffins, watching movies, and even playing in the snow!It is so unreal- but so beautiful! These pictures were taken around 1:30pm and it has been snowing ever since and sticking the whole time. I've got to try to remember to take one more picture before it gets too dark so you can see this whole snow in Vegas thing is very real.

Tyler enjoying a little snow off the driveway (gross)

Hey Mom- where is this stuff coming from?!

Now, going back a few days, we took a few pictures on Sunday night/ Monday morning while my parents were here visiting. My sweet mother helped me make (aka she made) some stockings for our cute little family. I did a few things here and there but she is a whiz at the sewing machine.

Just grandma and the boys working on our stockings.

Tyler loved playing with grandpa. The two of them played with the train all Monday morning after we got batteries out for it. They also got ready together for the day. Tyler got to shave and grandpa did his hair- which actually ended up being super cute for the day!

Two boys enjoying their toys

Unfortunately for us, the snow here meant that the 15 was closed for mom and dad to get back to California which meant they had to leave us early to go an alternate, and much longer, route back home. To add to the length of the trip, my poor parents ended up getting in an accident on the way- but thankfully nobody was hurt- except the big dog that they hit :(

That's catch-up for now. I need to take some pictures of our fantastic stockings and the snow that is piling up! Hope you are all enjoying today as much as I am!

SNOWING

Just wanted to let you all know that it has been SNOWING at my house all day. And, yes, I still live in Las Vegas.

We tried to take some pictures and video but they aren't very clear- I will try to post them later though. It may be a white Christmas after all.

A fun weekend!

We started off the weekend with my good friend Morgan stopping by. She was in town to have fun with some co-workers and made time to go to all-you-can-eat-sushi with Ryan and I. Well, Ryan had the sushi, Tyler and I shared some Chicken.Saturday morning we got up early and baked our sticky buns to take to the ward Christmas breakfast. There was quite the spread; pancakes, waffles, bacon, sausage, ham, english muffins, cinnamon rolls, egg casserole, potatoes, hash browns, hot chocolate, and juice.As part of the festivities there was singing and a special visit from a certain man in a red suit. Tyler thought it was awesome...until it was his turn to actually say hi in person. Granted, our little guy was super tired, but the whole Santa experience was classic. He was so excited until we handed him over...then the water works began. He was screaming in record time!

I had the privilege of sitting with Santa as well to try to get one picture- this is the best we got!

After a nice long nap we all headed out to Henderson. Heather and Taylor were getting ready for their fancy work party and my Mom and Dad are in town and offered to watch all the kiddos. Ryan and I enjoyed an evening out doing some Christmas shopping and a fun dinner, just the two of us. We tried Lucille's BBQ and most importantly, fried pickles! They were actually pretty good. Ryan and I enjoyed each other's company but we sure miss our cute little guy. Grandma and Grandpa said he was great but now they understand how crazy he is. Tyler really doesn't ever stop moving- but we love him! We got home and laid the little guy down and now we're ready to pass out ourselves. Good night to all.

Our Daily Life

Nothing too big going on around here- but it doesn't have to be a special day to have a fun time with Tyler.

The first two days of the week Tyler was a little slower than normal- don't think he's feeling 100% yet. He fell asleep on my lap watching a movie both days- and he NEVER watches movies. We watched Kung Fu Panda Monday and Cars on Tuesday. My robe was sitting around downstairs (even though I clean the house all the time ;) ) and he wanted to put it on to stay cozy- so we tied it tight, tucked in the long tails, and rolled up the sleeves. He loved it! He must have walked around in my robe with his blankie and pacifier for the last 30min. of the movie. I love it when he's cuddly!

Today was Ryan's early day- he got off work at 4pm. He and Tyler were back to being buds and had a great time playing around. We ran some errands to get out of the house and enjoyed a little In-n-Out for dinner. We got home and tried to get Tyler ready for bed but he just wanted to play and be silly with dad. As you can see- they were being very silly. These two boys can have so much fun together sometimes.

I am so lucky to have two wonderful boys in my life (and a third on the way) I love it when Tyler lets his daddy be his best buddy because we all know the day will come when he doesn't want me around anymore. I love this time of year when we get to focus on all the positive and be grateful for the little mundane things that make us smile. I hope my cute boy can make you smile a little too :)

First day of Nursery

Ryan and I could not be more proud of our little guy. Today was the first day of nursery for Tyler. For any who might not know, nursery is a class at church for the kids 18mos - 3yrs at church. Although Tyler isn't officially 18mos until this upcoming week, they let him give it a go. He did GREAT! Tyler walked right in and never looked back. The teacher brought him into us for a diaper change. He was so happy. While I was changing him I asked if he wanted to go back and play some more- he gave me an emphatic head nod for "YES!". It was so cute. He gave me a hug and went right back to playing with his new friends.

Tyler is so good with other kids (most of the time) and today was no exception. We are so excited to pay attention in Sunday School, Relief Society, and Priesthood! Church will be a whole different experience. Thank goodness for the wonderful people who are willing to work in nursery. Job well done on Tyler's first day and we hope for many, many more successful Sundays here on out.

Oh Christmas Tree!

To celebrate one day puke-free (we all just got over a stomach bug) we went to buy the tree when Ryan came home from work.

Tyler has become quite the daddy's boy since Ryan was sick. Tyler would give daddy lots of hugs and kisses the past two days to make sure he was okay. We went to visit Ryan for lunch since we're getting used to him being gone again. Tyler gave him the biggest hugs and wouldn't let him go. It was so cute. Tyler gave some more huge hugs to daddy when he came in the door from work- then we were off!

This was year #2 buying from Home Depot. So far, so good. We got a 7-8 foot tree instead of a 10 foot (plus) giant like last year. This year's model has a great shape and smells fantastic! Tyler loved driving there in the cab of the truck, picking out the tree, helping daddy shake it out, and he was even excited about picking up all the needles that fell in the house.

Now the holiday season can really begin!

Family Pictures

The pictures speak for themselves. We attempted to take a new family picture for our parents. Three kids under 3 makes that a little challenging! It sure was fun to try though. Trying

Trying

Still Trying

Done Trying

Really done trying!

Just the Crooks'

Gettin' close

Tyler was sick and trying not to puke on our white shirts

This ought to help

Such a cutie when he finally smiles...at the END of it all :)

There are many, many more. But I'll save those for another installment of sibling pictures. Be excited!

The fun has begun!

So far Tyler hasn't done anything too crazy as far as messes go...but he had to start sometime!

Tonight we went over to a friend's house for dinner and to work on a little something for enrichment coming up Thursday. Kelli has 3 kids that are all great. Tyler loved playing with other little kids and her kids are so kind and gentle.

Well...Kelli and I were dipping away (in white chocolate...yum!) and realized the kids were a little too quiet. Next thing, I look over and my sweet boy is back downstairs with something fuzzy in his hair...only it wasn't fuzzy...it was gooey!!

Tyler and his new buddy Ashton had found a jar of aquaphore (like Vaseline) and was covered in it. It wall all over his hair and face mostly but also all over his clothes and hands. Those sweet boys definitely had their fun.

Thankfully Kelli didn't mind the mess and we were almost done. We brought Tyler home for a real bubble bath to try to get some of the greasy stuff off and washed his hair thoroughly twice. His clothes are currently soaking in the washing machine and his hair is currently still matted to his head with Aquaphore!

A California Thanksgiving

This year we enjoyed Thanksgiving with my family...and Ryan's!

Tuesday night we got to host Ben, Karen, and Kyle as our sleepover guests. It was fun to have a full house and get to know my brother's girlfriend a bit. We all got up, enjoyed breakfast, and hit the road early Wednesday morning.

Ben and Karen took off early. Kyle, Tyler, and I rode to California with Heather and the kids while Ryan and Taylor worked for the day. The boys drove down later that night to join us. It was so funny to get to my parents house and see the kids go bonkers. I'm not sure if it was because my parent's just had big changes done to the house or if it was because the kids were tired of sitting, but they ran through the whole house turning on every TV they could find and jumping on all the beds...really!

The whole weekend was so full of fun, faces and running around that I can't remember it all but I'll give it a shot.

Wednesday night we got to visit with our good friends Michelle and her son Bradley. They came over and played with us for about an hour or so. Bradley and Tyler have been buddies since before they were born and it is fun to see them go through the same stages together. Michelle is also expecting her second- a boy, in March.

Thursday was the big Turkey day. Tyler was a saint and slept in until just after 7am! We enjoyed the morning getting a big family breakfast with all 11 of us and then spent the morning preparing dinner. Tyler is always a helper and this day was no exception. Grandma needed help with the yams so stinky was her man!

We ended up being able to see both families to celebrate. We headed over to Ryan's uncle's house just a few minutes from where my parents live. We were able to see mom and dad Crooks, Sarah and Ryan Hecht, Uncle Kyle, Popa, both Dunn aunts and uncles, a few cousins,a few second cousins, and two great-aunts and great-uncles! We are so blessed to have family around. It was fun to see everyone, it has been way too long.

The Denos' Thanksgiving started around 4pm. Thanksgiving was actually a little smaller than normal this year. Our festivities consisted mostly of just immediate family with two aunts and uncles and one cousin and his family. The food is always good, as is the company.

Friday we got to see the Crooks' after Tyler's nap. We spent time together and had family dinner. Tyler enjoyed getting spoiled by granny, as usual. He got some new clothes, books, and a few toys.

Saturday Ryan picked up uncle Kyle and we headed down to Huntington Beach to visit the place we miss most :) It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed a stroll down the pier and a shake at Ruby's.

Sunday started off saying good-bye to most of the house guests. Ben, Karen, and Kyle headed back to Provo for school. Heather, Taylor, and the kids headed back to Henderson. It was VERY quiet after they all left. We got to stick around and go to church to see some old familiar faces. It was nice to visit, smile, and show off our big boy.

We had another fun visitor for Sunday dinner. Morgan stopped by to visit and see our little guy.

Sadly, Monday came too soon and we had to get ready to head home. We started with a slow morning, and exciting hair cut, and a long drive home.We're missing vacation already but looking forward to Christmas and our house guests that are coming.