Our Happy Family

... just so blessed

"Everything" from Lifehouse popped up on one of my friends blogs. It was Ryan and my song in our wedding (along with hers). It just got me thinking of how I really do have everything. I could go on and on about how much I do have. I am blessed with all the knowledge I need to know who I am, why I am here on earth and where I am going. I have the most wonderful husband who is my best friend that stands by my side and I stand by his. My baby takes my breath away all the time by the sweet faces and sounds he makes. The simple cuddles or the way he looks at me and in his own way he says, "I love you Mom" all day long. I am living close to my family and look forward to all the moments I spend with them. And the family that doesn't live so close, we are still blessed with opportunities to see each other and love the time together. I am a girl that loves her friends. One of my friends said in my sealing when I got married how surprised she was at how many people were there that seemed to be just as close to me as she is. She said that she thought that she was one of my best friends and realized that I had a room full of them. That truly is how I feel. I have so many best friends- all of my friends I cherish and they bring me so much joy. I am healthy. Ryan has a job that he loves and it makes him happy. Life is just so good. Despite what is hard, I have EVERYTHING.

For all my blessings, I am so grateful. My life is full.

First Haircut

Don't worry, it still goes curly :) (but not as long spirally as it was, kinda sad :( )

Thanks for the options Mom, but I want neither

It was beginning to be a struggle to get Tyler into his car seat. His favorite pass time is to use the car as his jungle gym while I sit in the passenger seat and read. So while getting strapped in he tries to escape and start climbing.

So I gathered a little basket of car toys and each time he gets into the car I tell him he can have a toy if he gets strapped in. He usually stops the fight and waits to be offered a toy. Once strapped in I grab two toys and hold both in front of him allowing him to choose one of them.

It took a few days for him to learn this, but now he expects it and knows it is coming. I usually show him two and then he studies both looking at one and then the other trying to make the best decision that would suit him for that car ride (he does this every time, it is pretty funny). Well he studied the first and then the second and instead of grabbing one he looked up at me and shook his head no. It was hilarious. I then grabbed two different toys, offered them and he looked up with a smile, grabbed his favorite and began to play.

Do I need to be worried? No, I think all 16 month old's think they know what it's all about.

More raisins, please

We have been trying to Tyler the sign "more" for a long time. The other day all of a sudden at the dinner table he sign more. It was absolutely wonderful.

Ty also loves going into the pantry and grabs a snack if he is hungry. He often time grabs something much bigger than he seems to be able to handle. But somehow he manages. The other day he dragged in a Costco size vinegar.

Anyway, today he brought me a big bag of raisins. So we sat on the floor together and had a snack. I poured a few out and then proceeded to close it up. He looked up at me with a desperate look and signed more.

I guess he thought it was the ultimatum if I closed it up that it was the end of his raisin experience.

Just because he was willing to communicate I poured even more raisins out and let him have as many as he pleased.

... unfortunately as he toddles along, so do his toots.

A beautiful 6 years

Ryan, there is nothing like knowing you have the man you love, admire, look forward to be with everyday, quiets your fears, wipes your tears, makes you laugh, and loves being a father along with me being a mother - forever. To a wonderful 6 years, happy anniversary.

Happy Boy

Trick or Treat

These are our friends- aren't their costumes amazing! His mom made them.

Ty loved every minute of trick or treating. He wouldn't let go of his basket because he knew people were going to put stuff in it (I don't think he knew it was candy, poor kid never ate one all night). Although, as much as he loved it, I think Ryan and I loved it more as we watched Tyler get so much joy out of our fun night. Can't wait for next year!

Halloween Cake

Not quite how I was expecting it to turn out, but, there you go.

Gilligan's Island

Mary Ann, Skipper, and Gilligan

Butt's Nate Farm, ehm,... I mean Bates Nut Farm (it is so easy to mix that up)

As a child I went to Bates, but now as a Mom I am discovering everything through the eyes of my child. Feeding the animals, wheel barrow rides and climbing pumpkins seemed to have a new found excitement as I see how much my little guy is learning and loving life.
I love this picture of us. I am sure all of you wonder why I put this here. But I see so much in it as it totally explains my little family. I want this cute family picture so here I am trying to appear pretty with a nice smile; Ryan is the balanced playful one of our family and here he is doing just that; and Tyler could really care less about pictures and is letting us know and trying to communicate. I am sure all of you new parents out there (well maybe old ones too) are discovering so much about yourselves as you have become Mom's and Dad's. I have learned so much over the last 15 months- it is hard and great all at the same time :)

Man of many hair styles

Combed back.... (although, couldn't really find any recent ones with his hair slicked back, probably because it doesn't stay like that too long- goes to bed head or to curly)

only one i could find- this was in Oct.

(June)

Bedhead...

Curly.....


Straightened.... (yes, I dared to straighten it with my flat iron- come on, weren't you curious what he would look like with straight hair :))
And, if he were a girl.... (his hair is long enough to put it in a front or back pony tail- I think it is about time for a cut. Don't worry, he is still holding his tools, there is no way of convincing this boy out of his gender :))

blue eyed guy

Hat

This sweet lady made this hat for Tyler. It is reversable and helps him bring out his English roots. Thanks Pat! And I got these boots at a garage sale for $2 the other day. Real, cowboy boots. And that's for the texan in him.

Watch this!

Look whose walking!

Pic's from my phone

The kids love wheel barrow rides

Curly hair

New hair cut

His hair won't go this straight anymore, it is too long and will just curl. This was a few months ago

I thought it was cute that he would get himself up on the dishwasher until I realized that he was pulling out all the spoons and licking the left overs right off - yuk!

This picture is a couple months old- but Tyler loves In-n-Out. He is officially a big boy- we ordered him his own meal and he ate the entire thing. We couldn't believe it! (grilled cheese with grilled onions and tomato; I think he would have eaten a whole cheeseburger if we ordered it, next time)

The cakes I've done in the last year

I thought it would be fun to post the pictures of the cakes I've done. I love to make cakes for people. If you want one- send a request!

Happy Birthday Ryan (April)

Happy Birthday Tyler (July)- 3 layer ice cream cake

Happy Birthday Me (June)- chocolate ice cream layered cake with ganache

Happy Birthday Dad (May)- Snickers cheesecake- this was amazing, if I may say so

Happy Birthday Mom (Aug)- 6 Layer rainbow cake with ganche

Happy Birthday Shawn (Sept) friend of mine. Those red things are marshmallows. Dip marshmallow in water and then dip/roll in sprinkles. It is so fun and easy.