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.