Fun Family Times

The weather has been beautiful (minus the crazy winds today) so we have been enjoying our time outside.


The boys have been having fun in their pool and sprinkler pad. Poor Jake is still crawling- and tearing up his knees. He has also turned into quite the outdoorsman.



Who doesn't love those blue eyes? I can't believe he's really one already. I need to take some time to remember all the little things this cute boy is doing lately. He "says" some "words". My favorites right now are; Tyler, night night, down (to go down stairs), dada, and today, woah!

Loving the Vegas weather. Loving the backyard. Love this cute little blondie.

Couldn't quite get a picture of Jacob's bear crawl. He's turned into Mowgli (from jungle book) just like Tyler did at the end of his crawling days. I'm sure its to save his poor knees because he likes to get around- but his knees are all red and scraped up by the end of the day.

Tyler and Jake have been enjoying the new sand and sand toys that we got Jacob for his birthday. They will let themselves outside and just sit in the box and play (and occasionally fight) to their hearts' content!

I found Jacob in the pantry with his puffs all over. He has figured out how to open containers with lids on them and he will get into just about anything. He was thoroughly enjoying himself spreading puffs all over the kitchen.

Last week we went hiking three times in eight days with our annual pass to Red Rock. The first time was with Heather and the cousins for Jacob's birthday, then the boys and I went back for another hike, just the three of us, then daddy joined us on Saturday morning after donuts and we hiked to the waterfall to show Ryan.

With Daddy with us, Tyler was able to be a little more adventurous and make it over to the waterfall. They had fun finding a way over there and climbing up into a hole to hide.

Jacob's 1st Birthday Party!

Hand, Foot, Mouth

Yup- an answer to why our sweet little boy has been not-so-sweet lately.

The little stinker got hand-foot-mouth disease somehow.

This also means we've been to the Dr. twice in 4 days.

At least I'm doing my part to pay off their school loans.

Poor Jacob is pretty uncomfortable though- supposedly the worst is over and now we just have to wait for these little blisters to go away from all over his hands, feet, and body and ulcers to go away that are in his mouth :(

What a way to celebrate turning 1!

Happy Birthday Baby!

My dear, sweet, Jacob is one year old today!

Today we had a blast celebrating Jacob's 1st birthday by hiking Red Rock Canyon with Heather, Ben and Maddy.

Sweet Jacob started off his day with a quick pancake breakfast and a doctor's appointment.

Big guy is now 21 lbs. (25%) and 30 1/2 in. (75%) I think he actually lost weight since his last appointment. That is kinda strange since he eats like a linebacker!

The kids had a blast hiking back to the waterfall. The drive was beautiful and the scenery on the hike was amazing too.


Goofy kids showing us just how strong they are holding up the big old rock they found. Love those faces :)

Not the greatest picture... by far...but this is how Jacob rode- in style. Nobody told me my hat was all messed up from Jake pulling on it, and my hair, the whole time. He was a little under the weather from his shots that morning- but he still loved being outdoors.

The kids all wanted to get wet at the waterfall but we only let them put their hands in. Of course Ben fell in and got his shoes soaked and Tyler intentionally stepped in after seeing Ben get wet. What fun.

Getting ready for the fun drive to Red Rock. We had fun being all together in the car and the cousins always love to watch a movie in our van.

The whole gang! Left to right Jacob, Laura, Tyler, Heather, Ben and Maddy.

The pictures are backwards- but this was in the morning after our Doctor appointment. Jacob got to open his present- some totally awesome sand toys to play out in the sandbox. The untold story is that Tyler had already opened Jake's presents so I made him put everything back in the gift bags down to the pretty tissue paper and all. Tyler actually did pretty well but he couldn't wait for Jacob to open his present so that he could play too.

The adorable birthday boy enjoying the other part of his gift. On Tuesday daddy helped to empty out all the old, rocky sand, scrub down the sandbox, and buy new, wonderful, soft sand. It feels like the beach at home :)

Birthday breakfast made by Tyler. Jake slept in a little bit, had his hot chocolate brought to him, and got to come down to pancakes waiting for him. What a way to start a birthday!

He loved pointing out his birthday sign all day and he didn't even notice the gifts or cards on the table until Tyler opened them up for him.

We can't believe this sweet boy is one already. We sure had fun celebrating with you today, Jacob. We are so blessed to have you with us.

Did you know....?

My grandpa Hammerschalg happened to be a pretty cool dude.

I was just talking with my Grandma and got some good stories out of her so I thought I should write them down before I forget everything again.

My grandpa, Fredrick James Hammerschlag worked on the lunar module? and a bunch of space shuttles, and helped to develop what became corning wear which later became the tiles on the belly of the shuttle?

Did you know that he was sooo important that he was on call during missions? He also got to go up the elevator with the astronauts when they were loading the shuttle to launch. Ya- he's that cool.

Did you know that he had to be flown to Cape Canaveral, Fl and Houston, TX on numerous occasions for his expertise?

He worked hard, but was laid off twice as an engineer. It was kind of a big deal because, back in 1969 engineers didn't get laid off. Once the lunar module made it to the moon about 50 brilliant engineers were laid off before the astronauts were even back on earth.

I wish I had more time with Grandpa Fred when he was here on earth...but I'll have time to get all the really good details when I see him again. I hope I'll learn some more stories soon!

Beautiful Spring in Vegas

Jacob has officially discovered cupboards. It is both adorable and annoying :) He loves to laugh at himself (when he's not throwing his newly acquired tantrums...oh what fun we have in store)

Jake is also getting his 7th and 8th teeth, at the same time, poor guy. We just found them this morning but he has been aggressively chewing on things for the past week or so. And, don't worry, that is an empty, clean, prescription bottle.

We were just enjoying a beautiful day in the backyard. Jacob loves to be chased by Tyler, mom or dad. The boys have also been enjoying the sandbox and trike.

Just a cute little messy-faced boy. Taking all the rocks from where they are supposed to be to where they are not supposed to be.

Back on a Horse already!

Granny- this one is for you and Phoebe :) See, no harm done. Tyler is so brave he's already back on a horse and smiling in the saddle. He really is a resiliant little boy. PBR is coming to Vegas next weekend. We're thinking about taking him to see a real bucking bronco to show him just how cool he is to be a rodeo cowboy at 2 years old.