california

Here we are again! Tyler and I hopped a plane from Vegas to California (Sacramento) to visit Ryan's parents. Tyler did great on the flight- he entertained the whole plane with peek-a-boo and giggles. We had a whole row to ourselves and he got treated like royalty by the stewardesses.

Tuesday night Tyler was showered with gifts from his Granny, 2 pair of shoes, some shirts, and a pair of pjs. Here is a pic of his sweet new Vans. He looks like such a little man with skate shoes on. Tyler loved running around the house feeling how great shoes are that fit.

He also hopped on Popa's legs and expected him to know daddy's game where he bounces Tyler all over and flips him around. Tyler managed to get a few leg lifts out of popa and had a blast.

Today we headed over to Nimbus Dam for a picnic and to feed the birds. Tyler loved playing around outside and watching 30+ ducks go nuts over a few pieces of bread. It was cute to see him react to real ducks (other than his rubber ducky) and quack with them.

Other than the duck feeding Tyler just ran around looking a little lost but enjoying his freedom. I love to watch him grow up and become so independent. He is having a blast with Granny, Grandpa, and Popa so far. Tomorrow is sure to be another adventure.

curtains & baby

This post is for my mom...and finally putting our housewarming gift to use.

We have had the privilege of having Ryan home today (Monday) so we got some work done. We have had the curtains and rods for about two weeks now but never have time to get everything together.

As you can tell, that changed. We put up two sets of curtains and changed our filters today (exciting, I know). We are taking suggestions on the placement and color of the curtains, mainly the green ones. Do they contrast enough? Should the curtains go up higher? Input welcome...especially if you want to come and help fill the holes, set new anchors, and re-hang them :)

I also had another appointment today. All I was expecting was a heartbeat- but we got an ultrasound because the doc couldn't find the heartbeat (baby's or mine) with the Doppler. There was a healthy heartbeat once we got into the ultrasound and everything looks great. We have a new little ,blurry picture of baby Crooks to add to the fridge. And I've already gained a pound...dang it! I am almost 11 weeks though...and a baby's got to grow right?

fun with cousins

This past week we got to see the cousins twice!! Heather and the kids came out on Thursday (see earlier blog) to watch Tyler so I could go to my meeting. Tyler LOVES his cousins! They all play together, follow each other around, make big messes, and just laugh.

Benjamin is usually the ring leader simply because he's the oldest. Again- it was sooo much fun to have them around for practically a full day.

Ryan is still working really hard, and lots of hours, but Tyler is learning how to make the most of his time with daddy. One of the most hilarious moments of the week was one night, probably a good 10-15 minutes AFTER bedtime when Tyler decided to climb up daddy. Tyler usually enjoys a little warm milk on daddy's lap, but the milk was quickly forgotten.

The climbing began innocently, then Tyler would climb right up daddy's face and crack up the entire way. We have a small video of it that I'll try to upload later.

Our fun continued with Tyler discovering where I keep the chocolate chips...oh no! Well, I gave in and made chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast on Saturday. It was fun to let Tyler enjoy a sweet treat and get a little more messy than I'd like!

Saturday was also filled with a great adventure. We found our way to Mount Charleston to meet up with Heather, Taylor, Benjamin, and Madelyn. What an trip!

As we were driving up the mountain I was watching the storm clouds get closer and closer, until we were in it! We drove through some rain, which passed, but then I took a look at my temperature...58!! When we left home it was easily 88 (at 9am).

We didn't let a little rain or cold stop us! Heather was a saint and let Tyler borrow a pair of pants she had in the car and I did think to bring him a jacket- but I was left in shorts and a shirt...smart huh?

Tyler and the kids LOVED exploring the picnic sight. The tall grass, fallen logs, rocks, dirt...it was all a fantasy playground.

We put the kids in the strollers and went for a walk, in the rain :) We enjoyed a quick lunch before it started pouring down again. After the big rain the adults decided we should get the kids dried off and go for a scenic drive. It was beautiful, and actually quite mountainous for what I thought Las Vegas would be.

Overall, loved it! So glad Heather thought to invite us along.

learning lessons and EXCITING news

Tyler and I have been having fun just hanging out. I got a calling last week to help out with enrichment for our ward. I was originally excited to help out...then we had our first meeting. I am ashamed to admit, but walking into the meeting I felt SO OUT OF PLACE! I know that we are so blessed with everything that we do have...house, health, food, etc... but seeing these ladies all completely put-together, the home we were in was AMAZING...seriously out of a magazine amazing, and the lady just had a baby three weeks ago! Then we started discussing ideas. Holy cow. These ladies were unreal (in a good way). They know to do all these crafts, the technical terms for things, they just have apothecary jars laying around, fancy foo-foo things... oh man. I know it all doesn't matter at all- but I was very humbled (read, embarrassed)

So, here is my take-away from the encounter; Learn from these ladies. I would love to be like that some day, but for now my goal is to contribute what I can, not be embarrassed by what I do (or do not) have, and ask questions.

During the meeting Heather and the kids were playing at my place so Tyler could nap. It was so fun to have them all around for the entire day. Tyler was excited beyond words. We played around the house, had lunch, and played in the pool. We are so blessed with great family. Thanks to Heather and the kids for coming all the way to us.

Lastly, and completely out of order, I got some very, VERY, exciting news on Tuesday. My sister-in-law Sarah called me up and let me know that she is pregnant too!! Not only that- but we are due about 2 weeks apart. I am completely excited with the idea of cousins being so close in age- and I hope she is too. Sarah and Ryan have always been so good with Tyler when we get together. I can't wait for them to have their very own life-changing experience. Children are so amazing. If you read this Sarah...hope you still feel good and keep me posted!!

Birthday fun

Although we haven't blogged much lately, there has been quite a bit going on.

Monday was our great, fantastic, wonderful, charming, outgoing, beautiful, generous, patient, kind, friend's birthday. Happy Birthday to Jessica! She already wrote about her fun weekend on her blog BUT little did she know that Heather and I were trying to surprise her with a dinner on Monday. Heather got in touch with Jessica's husband the week before and we told him where we wanted to take her out and we'd get the kids taken care of.

Jess did have a great weekend, it just so happened that she chose to go to the place we wanted to take her to on Monday...and poor Reese tried to steer clear, but it was her birthday afterall. Then, come Monday, we found out that Jessica's mom was taking her our to lunch also. Heather and I were freaking out at this point and had to ruin the surprise and just tell Jess that we were going to take her out to dinner. Thank goodness we had because she suggested a fabulous idea- the Cheesecake Factory!! They do this great "bar menu" from 4-6pm where you can get a smaller version of the appetizers and share around. It turned out to be perfect. The three of us girls, and Jo-Jo, had some delicious food and shared a piece of yummy cheesecake to top it off.

I have known Jess for a little over a year now and I can't believe she's not part of the family. We joke that she is because we needed to adopt someone to be the black sheep ;) She has been such a good friend and so much fun to hang out with, learn from, walk with, and serve (on the rare occasion that she would let me). Jess makes three kids look so easy! It gives me hope with my second on the way.

Jess- this one is just for you! So glad you "joined the family"...willing or not. Now we just need to find a way to see more of you!!

15 Months (and a few days)

Can't believe I forgot to post...Tyler turned 15 months old when we were in California. Here are some of his fun stats from the doctors appointment this past Monday.

Big Boy, Tyler ... 22 lb. 6 oz. 31 1/2 in.

Those numbers put him in the 10-25% for his weight and 50-75 % for his height.

Some of his new tricks are...
-climbing on things, and occasionally falling off of them
-folding his arms for prayers at meals, usually multiple times during each meal
-big, goofy, intentional grins
-loving all dogs, even the big ones
-copying everything his daddy does
-going to the phone when it rings
-requesting a "bubble" and heading upstairs
-rocking so well on the rocking horse that it scoots across the carpet
-saying "shoes" and trying to put them on himself
-unloading the dishwasher with mom
-Tyler gives great squeezes and kisses when requested!

I'm sure there are more, fun things Tyler does but I get to see him all day, every day so they are just part of it all. I am loving my time with my little buddy. He is loving time with his daddy more and more. Tyler will run to the door when we hear the garage open and greet his daddy with open arms. We sure are loving how Tyler's personality is overflowing his tiny little body! Can't wait to see what happens next.

It's the Little Things

We have been home for a few days now and we are loving having daddy back around. We had a few more pictures from our vacation. Sunday morning Tyler helped Grandpa make us all eggs benedict...sooo yummy! It was so cute to see Tyler follow my dad around and become his little shadow. Tyler even woke up one day, walked out in the hall, realized we were at our house, and got sad :( I am glad that we live close enough to both sets of grandparents to get to see them fairly regularly.
I also loved seeing how Jordan and Tyler acted together. Tyler loved to bug Jordan in his room, get on his lap when he was on the computer, play hiding games, and just make silly faces at him. Jordan helped out a ton with Tyler the last few days. Tyler got to ride in style with Jordan to the Newport Temple. Jordan was also Tyler's chauffeur after his handsome haircut. So glad we got to have Jord around a little more this visit.

Monday afternoon Tyler went in the garage to help Ryan wash the car. I was cleaning up inside and Ryan came in to tell me I had to see what was going on. Tyler had jumped right in to help out. He was loving all the suds, and definitely enjoying absolutely soaking himself. It was so cute to see Tyler trying to copy what his daddy was doing. He had a blast.

This morning we had another little thing. We usually are out the door for our walk shortly after 7am. Today we were running a little late but we still went for our walk. As we were rounding our last corner we saw a pretty bad accident where a car had jumped the curb and taken out the light pole and some utility boxes. I don't know why I had been thinking about it, but earlier in the walk I was thinking how I should walk on the inside of the sidewalk in case anything were ever to happen...then coming upon this accident, it happened about the time that we would have been at that corner if we had made it out the door on time. Just another reminder that we are always watched after. Pretty amazing that even the little things are taken care of.